Chase Ritz Carlton credit card and why you want it

Not a regular Ritz Carlton guest? Neither am I, but for Marriott stays and premium card perks, the Chase Ritz Carlton card is on my radar. I look for the following from my credit cards:

1. Travel points
2. Rental car status
3. Hotel chain status
4. Airport lounge access
5. TSA-Pre/Global entry

The Capital One Venture X gave it all to me. . . until it didn't. In February, 2026, I will no longer get lounge access for guests. If you mostly travel alone, I would say "get the Venture X" as it is a great card. You can even add an authorized user and give them lounge access for $125 per year. But, I'm not going to do that.

My new premium card choice

Barring a retention offer from Capital One, I am cancelling the Venture X. Instead, I will have my partner convert her Chase Marriott Boundless once she hits the one year mark to the Chase Ritz Carlton card and add me as an authorized user.

First, the not so good news

You cannot just sign up for the Ritz Carlton card. You have to product change from another Chase Marriott card after you have held the card for a year. As it is a product change, you do not get a sign up bonus. The Ritz Carlton card also comes with a $450 per year fee (for a premium card, that is not actually bad, but I am cheap). Also, there are better cards for everyday spend.

Why you may want it

1. 85k per annum Marriott free night certificate. I am not a fan of free night certificates vs just getting points, but it does have uses and most card holders will get value out of it.
2. Excellent travel protections. Chase is known to have very strong travel protections including primary coverage on rental cars. I have other cards that provide this or similar coverage but this may be of value to others.
3. $300 credit towards airline incidentals. For some, this is an easy way to recoup $300. Checked baggage fees, seat upgrades, WIFI, meals and beverages can absorb this. There are reports of being able to book lower cost flights and getting Chase to apply this credit, but YMMV. Oh, and you have to call in to use the credit.
4. $100 Ritz/St. Regis credit. Good for spa, restaurants and entertainment.
5. Three club level upgrades. Only works on regular stays at the Ritz Carltons.

Why you actually want it

1. Lounge access. Includes access to Priority Pass and Sapphire lounges with up to two guests.
2. Free authorized users. Unlike a lot of premium cards, there is no charge for authorized users.
3. Authorized users get the same lounge access as the primary card holder. This includes being able to bring up to two guests.
4. More respect at both Marriott properties and Chase Sapphire lounges. Users have reported that the Ritz Carlton card garners better treatment as there is a perceived difference in the affluence of the holders of this card.
5. Marriott Gold status. Please don't start. I know that Marriott franchise owners often come up short on delivering the benefits that status is supposed to have, however, I have had good luck getting late checkouts with only Gold status and often a slightly better room. If you talk nicely to the front desk staff, you would be surprised at what benefits they can provide you.
6. 15 elite nights. Combine with the AMEX Marriott Business card and you will have gotten a total of 30 elite nights without actually staying in a Marriott. Add to that 20 more elite nights from actual stays and you are now Platinum status. If you do a mattress run to top off your stays, look for double elite night promotions.
7. TSA-Pre/Global Entry. $120 credit towards either.
8. Hertz, Avis and National Car Rental status. I have gotten some nice upgrades because of this and get to use the "short line" or check in with the app.
9. Extended Warranty. There are other cards with this but it is nice to have.
10. 90 day return protection. This is not common with other cards and could come in handy.
11. No foreign exchange fees. Nice to have!
12. VISA Infinite Card. Yes, that does include the rental car status and warranty benefits that I already mentioned. You do get a plethora of other benefits but I mostly don't use them. If things went sideways while on the road, I can see where they could kick in.

Overall, I think this card brings a lot of value. For me, the $300 airline incidental credit will require some effort to get a decent redemption but I like the lounge access for authorized users and guests. If you travel even a couple times a year, a premium card can really add to the experience and this one checks all of the important boxes.