Chase Ritz-Carlton Rewards Card 70,000 LTO Offer. Apply by July 25th!

Posted by Noob Master on Jun 14, 2012 in Chase Bank, Credit Cards, Deals, Miles, Ritz-Carltion, Uncategorized | 6 comments

This just in: Chase has a special offer of 70,000 points (normally 50,000) when you sign up for the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card by July 25 and use it once. The Ritz-Carlton card has an annual fee of $395, but it’s waived for the first year during this special promotion. I like it. Who want’s to pay annual fees?

Here’s the thread in flyertalk where you can join in on the discussion.

Keep in mind, this is the Rolls Royce of hotel cards. Ritz-Carlton properties are lavish, and the 70,000 points will only get you 1 night at their top tier hotel. They have 5 tiers of hotels though, ranging from 30,000-70,000 rewards points a night.

This offer is for first time card holders and if you have a Marriott card before you apply, you “technically” shouldn’t be allowed to get the Ritz card and sign-up bonus. BUT many people have been able to do so…your miles may vary.

There’s a lot to digest here. The spending category bonuses are pretty standard: 5x points at Ritz-Carlton hotels, 2 points on airline tickets, car rentals, and restaurants. But I wouldn’t use this card over your Sapphire Preferred at restaurants. There isn’t anything here that would make this card my daily card.

I do like that you can upgrade to the Ritz-Carlton Club level three annually on stays of up to seven nights. These upgrades are only good for “paid stays” though, so that may not be of any use to a lot of people.

You will get automatic Gold Elite status with the Ritz-Carlton Rewards program for the first year. This Gold status will get ya priority late checkout, 25% bonus points when staying at Ritz-Carlton, exclusive rewards and offers, free high-speed internet access in your hotel room, a toll-free reservation and guest services line, and savings when making purchases at the Ritz-Carlton gift shop. After the first year, you can maintain your Gold Elite Status as long as you make $10,000 or more worth of purchases on your card yearly (not for me). I love the late checkout, extra bonus points, and free internet perk.

Any stay of 2 nights or longer gets you a $100 “Hotel Credit”… can anybody say “massage”? This can also be used for dining (not bad) but it’s only for paid stays too.

A huge perk with the Ritz card is the complimentary airport lounge access. Big deal. However, United Club lounges are excluded. Here’s the list of lounges you will have access to. This is big, and kinda makes me want this card. I want every card, though (miles addict).

The $200 airline incidental credit is also a benefit that you can take advantage of if you have airline expenses. The credit backs take about 4-6 weeks.

Summary

This is a Chase card, so make sure you want to spend a Chase app on it. I want this card, but like I said before, I want every card. Since I just applied for the Hyatt Visa, and trust me I don’t have buyers remorse- I’ll have to sit this one out. I would definitely rank this card above the Marriott and Priority Club cards. Especially if you pay for Ritz-Carlton stays already, the 3 Club upgrades and $100 hotel credits are an attractive benefit on paid stays. I also love the lounge access, no annual fee for the first year, 70,000 on first spend, and it has a 0% foreign transaction fee. Very nice. Maybe I will apply for this card… Be strong, Geoff.

The points you earn with the Ritz-Carlton Visa can be transferred to airlines, but at a dismal ratio. That’s why I would still prefer to have the Amex Starwood Preferred Guest card. You can transfer your points at a much better ratio and get a 5k bonus for every 20k transferred. Still the top hotel card in my book (and it’s not a Chase card).

Remember you have until July 25 to take advantage of this offer. I hope this helps and please comment or email me if you have any questions.

p.s. The terms say ”For a limited time, experience the card with our compliments for your first year as a Ritz-Carlton Residences® Owner. ” But nowhere on the application do you have to enter in this info and other people have reported getting the card without being a Ritz-Carlton residence owner. 

— Noob Master