Why I Got The Ritz-Carlton Card (Despite The Risks)

For my situation, the Amex Bonvoy Brilliant Card is better. I travel a lot for business, and most of the time stay in Marriott hotels (and usually the same Marriott hotel as I go to the same city a lot). Therefore, Platinum was more important for me than airport lounges. Platinum status gets me into the lounge at the hotel, which has breakfast and snacks. I've been able to use the Priority Pass lounges, but when I fly, I get free lounge access from the airline anyway. The $300 restaurant credit is easy to use - any restaurant qualifies, with no hassle. The welcome points were also nice.

Max rewards. I have it. I use it. It’s so annoying. There’s always at least one credit card that I have to manually sync. Every time.

Hey spencer good afternoon bro I hope you can take the time to read and answer my comment please. So I currently have 300,000 mariott bonvoy points but I want to redeem them for cash due to having a new born and I won't be traveling much for at least 2 or 3 years. Where can I get the best cash back value for my points. Thank you

I’m super conflicted right now… I currently have the bountiful card and my 24 months ends October 1… thinking about going for the brilliant or just product changing over to RC card. I’m already platinum status, so don’t need the brilliant for that. Aye aye aye decisions decisions, lol

Amazing video Spencer! I love the format of the videos and providing all of the sources for each slide. Keep it up!

I have the Ritz as well. I also carry the VX and Amex Gold. I don't put much spend beside marriott spend into the Ritz, and I put all other purchases on my other cards.

I had the Boundless originally which was a great card. However, I wanted to get some more benefits. I also had a reason which was I did not want to get the CSR due to the higher AF and (now) a ton of credits to use. The main point of wanting the CSR was for lounge access + the value of points. However, going for the Ritz made a lot more sense to get since it has the lounges. Sadly, I'll lose on the points, however, I have that Amex Gold and VX to use the points in that direction for all other non-marriot spend. By having the VX it opens up the Capital one Lounges and then with the Ritz it opens up the chase lounge network.

I also love the fact that the Ritz has a $300 credit. If you purchase travel bank credit on United, it'll show up as United on the Ritz statements, which can allow you to use that $300 credit towards it. But what I also like to do is use the statement towards United Club Passses or even extra baggage. You can for sure get the full $300 credit.

For the free night award, you can 100% get extremely great value for the voucher. I never found a need to go to the Ritz or upper level hotels, but it has always been a goal to stay at these properties. With the FNA, it allows me to do this for a really good value compared to paying out of pocket. Since I live in the NYC tri-state, I can use it (with a lil top up) and stay in NYC for a night or even go down to Washington DC and stay one night at a Ritz/upper level property but also pay for another hotel which would be cheaper for another night. Even though there are additional fees, as you mentioned, like valet parking, it allows me to have that experience that otherwise I would not want to spend a lot of money. Nonetheless, I can easily get a value of $500+ on that alone. I would say that you can potentially get the full value of $850, but It will be tough to find one for 85k. Nevertheless, the value still goes beyond the $450 AF if you maximize on the $300 credit.

For the additional perks such as the 3 club level upgrades and $100 statement credit, I have not used them at all since they do not really make any sense. I know in washington DC you can get a good value at Pentagon City where the room rate is lower then most Ritz's and so using a club level makes sense. However, there are a lot of caveats to it which make it a bit annoying, however, if you can use them, thats wonderful!

All in all. It is an amazing card for the value which provides those extra perks. Especially with the gold status, that gives you a bump up to any of the Marriott properties, especially ones that arent busy in the off season which gets you nice room upgrades and late check outs. And even with the Authorized users being free, I can add 1-2 immediate family members which can benefit.

Congratulations and welcome to the family! Let me know your thoughts!

Great video as usual. I'm interested to see how this card works out for you. BTW nice setup! I'll miss seeing Odin's random stretching on the bed in the middle of a video tho LOLLL

Also, no one ever mentions, the $100 credit for 2 night stay AND the club lounge certificates are only for “standard” rates… that means you can’t use them on what are typically the cheapest room rates and obviously they are for Ritz only… not any other Marriott brands. Not saying it’s not a valuable credit cuz club lounges are premium but the standard rate is usually $100-300 higher per night vs lowest rate or other package rates

If you’re a frequent flier this card makes sense with airline credits and lounge access. If not, AMEX Brilliant is prob a better set up.

Dont cancel ritz otherwise u will have to hold the boundless for 1 year again before getting ritz. Instead downgrade to bold with 0 AF. This is what chase told me

I am jealous!

Marriott points do transfer, at horrible 3:1 rate, but they do to even as rare as American Airlines

I’ve mentioned in the past that one reason I got the Ritz card is so my authorized user can have lounge access for free. I also had the Venture X until they eliminated the free AU lounge access; I downgraded to VentureOne and paired that with my Savor. Plus, I have a Sapphire Lounge at my home airport, so having the Ritz really helps. Between the airline credit and lounge access, the value I’ve received already exceeds the annual fee. And I haven’t even touched any of the Marriott benefits. I agree that Ritz isn’t meant to be a daily spend card because of the low value of Marriott points. So it’s worth supplementing with cards like Sapphire Preferred.

I am in the same boat as you brother. I just paid my Sapphire Reserve AF in June so I will test the new benefits from Oct until June next year and see if it is worth it. Love my Venture X and will never give that up. I got the Boundless to upgrade to the Ritz but I think Chase will eventually refresh it in early 26. Great video as usual!

What about IHG card?

How flexible is the airline incidental credit? I fly standby, it is very rare I spend any money on flights for bags or upgrades. Would that include food/drinks?

Amex brilliant,even though higher fee, is a better keeper IMO. $300 dining credit is something you’ll use. $350 net with better perks

In my limited Bonvoy use so far Gold has meant nothing.

I used my FNC at the Ritz Carlton in LA. One night here was worth the whole ANNUAL fee of this card. IMO, it’s a no brainer to get/keep this card

Does max reward just blindly activate everything? That could be problematic because often you get presented the same offer from multiple cards but can only activate it on one card so if it activates it on the wrong card you're SOL.

You’ll have to do an unboxing video and show us the new card!

Great video, Spencer!

What ive decided is this, a card and it only as good as the loyalty plan its attached too and thus the hotel chain. Marriott is ok at best, i base this on watching dozens of other influencers talking about what chains and loyalty plans they love. I even watch a panel of influencers and they trashed Marriott. So, yeah count me as not planning on getting it to the Boudless.

I have a $395 annual fee (renewed last month). Already saved $2500 on club upgrades so far this year, not including travel credits of $300.

I got this beautiful card mainly because of the 3 Club Level Upgrades. My son and I love the Ritz Carlton Club Level Lounges.

I am considering the product change to the Ritz-Carlton later this year (in October). I need to wait until my Chase Freedom Unlimited reaches a year so I can transfer $5k over to the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless to get it back up to $10,000. On the same call I will ask to do a product change from the MBB to the RC. As of today I still think the AF makes sense for my usage, but I will be reviewing it before October to make sure.

Welcome to Club Ritz! 🎉🍹

Nice vid explaining your approach

The interesting thing about this card is that its officially discontinued. People have different annual fees on it ranging from $400 to $450. They can nerf it, but the value proposition is there now. They updated the certificate to 85K. They didn't have to do that. Ritz card is a play to hedge your bets on CSR level protections and PP lounge access. The rest is just a bonus.

Damnn let’s go, it finally happened! 🔥 - excited to see where you use your FNC!!

Dugroz needs to do his reaction video and take down these young uns. 😂 The RC card is the most stress free luxury travel card in the game. Pay the $450 AF and load $300 into the United Travelbank. Then, enjoy the lounges and FNC. There is no need to be a MOUS and keep track of quarterly, semi-annual, yearly, or travel portal credits. You can also put away your Fields medal because you don't even have to calculate the best CPP redemption with transfer partners.

Still receiving mixed messages on whether you can product change directly from Bold to Ritz. Any clarity?

Oh lawddddd

There’s a few perks of this that only the CSR can replace. Notably, primary CDW, one way trip cancellation insurance and sapphire lounge access. I can’t justify the new CSR, but I can definitely justify the RC card.

Keep us updated! Also new studio buildout looking good 👊🏼

spencer, the credit card thirst trap!

When I had my meeting with my Chase business banker he noted the card has been on the chopping block for years and he's surprised it's still around.

I would rather carry the BofA PRE as a perks card. Simply for the PP restaurants. 2 Guests each. Last time we had 6 and $168 off our bill with actual restaurant food. Then headed to a lounge right after.

The Ritz card has the second easiest AF to justify and the second lowest AF of luxury travel cards. VX + Ritz are my two travel cards in my hybrid setup up