(Rumor) Chase Ritz-Carlton card to increase annual fee

[NoHardLimits]

I saw this rumor posted on the Dr. of Credit blog.  The Chase Ritz-Carlton card's annual fee may be increasing from $450 to $695 on August 1st.

https://www.doctorofcredit.com/rumor-chase-ritz-carlton-card-annual-fee-will-increase-to-695-adds-ne...

The DoC post cites numerous Reddit threads as sources.

[ptatohed]

The AF is changing from NO to H311 NO?

[Saleen099]

If you’re planning to raise the annual fee, the very least you could do is offer Platinum status with Marriott instead of just Gold. 

Add 20 elite night credits instead of 15 elite night credits.

[Saleen099]

I just wanted to provide an update: several of my friends and I have called and spoken with American agents, and none of them mentioned anything about the annual fee increasing in August. 

[swankytiger]

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@Saleen099 wrote:

If you’re planning to raise the annual fee, the very least you could do is offer Platinum status with Marriott instead of just Gold. 

Add 20 elite night credits instead of 15 elite night credits.

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As far as I can tell, that is an Amex exclusive perk. Same reason Chase cant release an open to new applicants version.

[MrDuck]

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@Saleen099 wrote:

If you’re planning to raise the annual fee, the very least you could do is offer Platinum status with Marriott instead of just Gold. 

Add 20 elite night credits instead of 15 elite night credits.

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I dont need the extra nights but definitely would love the status upgrade for my non ritz carlton stays. Or just offer free breakfast at all marriott properties and keep the Gold status.

[NoHardLimits]

The MilesTalk blog is reporting that the Ritz-Carlton fee is NOT increasing in August.

https://milestalk.com/the-ritz-carlton-credit-card-annual-fee-is-not-increasing-anytime-soon/ 

<excerpt>

So I reached out to Chase corporate to see if I could get any information. Now, of course they’ll never comment on what they might be thinking about or not thinking about at a future date – so I can’t say none of this is EVER happening (although it may well be entirely wrong on its face) but I can say definitively that the annual fee on the Ritz Carlton credit card is NOT increasing in August. They don’t seem to know why reps are giving this information, but they confirmed to me that “there are no changes to the annual fee for either existing or newly upgrading cardmembers.”

[dfwxjer]

I noticed my CSR now lists the monetary value of the Priority Pass benefit ($469) in the benefits section. It seems they're making sure to justify the AF, so I'm sure the Ritz card will get the "refresh" at some point. 

It does seem like a great card to PC from the CSR to... 

[Saleen099]

The Ritz-Carlton credit card is expected to be refreshed either before the end of the year or by 2026 at the latest. This update is likely driven by ongoing financial losses associated with the card’s generous benefits. These include the complimentary free night certificate, three Club Level upgrade certificates—each valued at a minimum of $250—Priority Pass access (valued at approximately $469), access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge, and a $300 annual travel credit. Given the significant value provided to cardholders, a restructuring of the card’s benefits appears imminent.

[dfwxjer]

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@Saleen099 wrote:

The Ritz-Carlton credit card is expected to be refreshed either before the end of the year or by 2026 at the latest. This update is likely driven by ongoing financial losses associated with the card’s generous benefits. These include the complimentary free night certificate, three Club Level upgrade certificates—each valued at a minimum of $250—Priority Pass access (valued at approximately $469), access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge, and a $300 annual travel credit. Given the significant value provided to cardholders, a restructuring of the card’s benefits appears imminent.

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Appreciate the insight in to this product. I wasn't aware of the benefits it offered, and it'll make for an additional option when it comes time to re-eval my CSR. 

**edit** scratch that, just saw the CSR cannot PC to the RC and can only PC from the Marriot line of cards. Ah well.