The Ritz-Carlton card used to be the undisputed best way to get Priority Pass for yourself and your whole family, although the equation changed a bit when Chase dropped restaurant access from their Priority Pass offerings.
Today, the Ritz-Carlton card’s lounge benefits are getting another ding: Chase has sent an email alerting cardholders that, as of 1/15/26, they will no longer have Priority Passes or Sapphire Lounge access with unlimited free guests.
The News
- The Chase Ritz-Carlton card will no longer have Sapphire or Priority Pass lounge access with unlimited guests, starting 1/15/26.
- Guests will be limited to a maximum of two per visit.
- Additional guests are $27.
- The card still offers unlimited free authorized users, each with lounge access.
Quick Thoughts
I’m seeing three main responses when it comes to these changes to the Ritz-Carlton card:
- “I thought it would be worse; we still have unlimited authorized users!”
- “Oh no, I have a family of 4+ and this stinks!”
- “Great, less overcrowding in the lounges!”
I’m skeptical that removing unlimited guest access for Ritz cardholders will make a perceptible difference in lounge overcrowding. It’s a niche card that you can’t apply for directly anymore; you can only product change to it from another Chase Marriott card. Given that, and the relative frequency with which those few people who do have the card bring in more than 2-3 guests, it’s unlikely to have much impact.
We’ve long expected some devaluation of the Ritz card’s lounge benefits, and it could certainly be worse. Although guests will be limited, you can still add authorized users for free, and each authorized user can have their own Priority Pass membership with two free guests and unlimited visits to Sapphire Lounges. That’s an incredible feature, and keeps the Ritz’s lounge benefits a clear rung above those of the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, where authorized users cost an additional $195. Couples with kids can still easily get up to six folks in; 1+2 with the primary card and 1+2 with a free authorized user.
Where this change will be felt is with folks who travel with several work colleagues/friends, or in larger family groups, as it’s not practical (nor advisable) to add new authorized users specifically for those situations. However, I think those occasions are probably relatively rare for most cardholders. If this is the price we have to pay to keep authorized users free, it seems like a fair trade.
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When I got the notification, I thought it was going to be much worse. Relieved that card didn’t get completely nerfed and thought they would at least not only limit number of guests, but also take away free priority pass for authorized users or take away free authorized users. I view this as a win.
I got the letter too. Truthfully, as long as I can give each of my kids a free Priority Pass membership, the card totally works for me. At least to me, the change is not all that unreasonable.
Are the unlimited free authorized users likely to be nerfed next?
i authorize Fido.