Update: A couple of days after the reddit thread below became widely reported, Chase emailed several blogs, telling us that there are no upcoming annual fee changes planned for the Ritz-Carlton Visa.
This is really bizarre, given that we saw quite literally dozens of data points where both reps and supervisors were sharing the exact date of the fee change, the amount of the new fee, AND that a $200 Renowned Resorts credit would be added to the card.
We asked Chase about how this happened, if there had previously been plans to raise the annual fee, or if there were any future plans to change the card. Chase declined to share any additional details, only repeating that there were no plans to change it currently.
To me, it seems that either Chase backtracked on planned changes, or someone preemptively shared plans that didn’t have a green light – which seems odd given that every frontline rep that we talked to had the same info and was reinforced by a supervisor.
Regardless, it’s certainly good news (for the time being).
~~~Original post follows~~~
Ugh. While we were all busy buying fireworks and stuffing ourselves with hot dogs, it looks like the evil nerfing gremlins may have found a new target: our beloved Ritz-Carton card.
The Ritz card has been a favorite among the FM Team (and many points and miles folks) for years. The card isn’t open for new applications but is available (without a welcome offer) as a product change option from other Chase Marriott Bonvoy cards.
But wait, a card without a welcome offer that’s only available if you get a different card first? Why on earth would anyone go through the trouble?
Because it’s the best-value Marriott card out there.
For $450/year, the Ritz card provides:
- An 85K Marriott free night certificate
- A $300 travel credit
- A Priority Pass Select membership with unlimited guests
- Sapphire Lounge access with unlimited guests
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold Status
- 15 elite night credits per year
- The same, best-in-class travel protections as the Chase Sapphire Reserve card
That’s a pretty blazin’ deal for 450 bucks per year.
However, it looks like Chase might be about to toss some icy cold water on it.
Multiple commenters on this reddit thread have been told by Chase customer service reps that the annual fee on the Ritz-Carlton card will be increasing to $695/year, supposedly starting 8/1/25. That’s a big increase, so surely it will come with some additional bennies?
Not so much. The only additional benefit that’s been mentioned is a $200 cardmember-year credit for Renowned Hotels and Resorts, the same thing that was added to the high-end United cards earlier this year. It’s effectively an Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts-style program with fewer participants, and with a credit that’s more difficult to remember when to use because it resets on the cardmembers year instead of the calendar year. Regardless, is anyone out there searching for yet another $200 credit to yet another luxury hotel program? I know I’m not.
Quick Thoughts
Well, shoot. For years, we’ve been pleasantly surprised by the lack of changes to the Ritz-Carlton card, even as almost every single other ultra-premium credit card in the world has become more expensive, more couponized, and less easily used. Unfortunately, it looks like it may be time to pay the piper.
To be very, very clear, all this still falls under the “rumor” category. We’ve had no direct confirmation from Chase, and the info is coming from a reddit thread, which is informed by calls to Chase customer service, whose accuracy can be something other than sharp. But, given that multiple people are hearing the same thing from different reps, and with the exact same 8/1 date being mentioned, it does seem like there may be fire beneath the smoke.
It may be that there will be additional perks added to the card besides the $200 Renowned Resorts credit that’s being mentioned. That could make the value proposition look much rosier. However, if that’s really all there is, we’ll undoubtedly see a slew of people reaching for their “cancel” button and giving a slightly more interested glance over at the new Chase Sapphire Reserve card (that will cost only $100 more per year if the rumors about the new $695 Ritz tab are true).
The Ritz card still represents one of the better lounge access credit card options around, especially if you have a large family or travel with big groups. That may be enough to convince some folks to keep the card around, even with the higher fee.
For me, it might be time to say goodbye.
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Really great insights — I’ve held off on applying for the Ritz-Carlton card because of all the uncertainty. Do you think this rumored change will impact the value of the free night certificate or lounge access perks in the long run? As someone who manages travel expenses for a Malaysia-based gifting business, Belconi, I’m always looking for cards that balance luxury perks with practical rewards. Would love to hear your thoughts!
Amex for sure stopped the changes. Also the changes didn’t really make sense for a card named after Ritz Carlton.
Tim,
Can you please share what the requirements are or what triggers earning the $300 travel credit?
https://frequentmiler.com/ritz-fee-credits-what-works/
The purported renowned resort credit never made any sense. I can’t imagine Marriott happy about potentially crediting stays with their competitors on their co-brand card.
Chase grandfathered several cards in the past that are not open to new applicants or product change. Why do they allow a product change to the Ritz in the first place? If they stopped it, they could forget about the card like other old products (and no more influencer videos).
When Marriott bought SPG, they assigned different card types to Chase and Amex. Chase got the consumer cards minus the ultra premium card, and Amex got the ultra premium consumer card and the business card. Later they gave both banks the ability to offer $250 crappy consumer cards. Chase isn’t allowed to offer the Ritz card to new applicants but they are allowed to offer it through product changes. I’m sure they like taking business that might otherwise go to Amex.
IMHO, the changes to the CSR- probably hasn’t been as successful as they were expecting – I’m sure that cancelations/PC might be higher than they were expecting as well their still is a lot of economic uncertainty for Main street despite Wall Street stock market continuing to climb -(no complaints here).
They may be slow rolling the Card refresh changes to to RC and possibly other cards. They may have enough breakage with the Airline credit that the card is still profitable and I’m sure like most other premium cards it only a fraction of the people that exploit the PP AU/Guest loophole.
The $395 AF on VenX with 4 free AU with PP probably killed the $28 benefit – as it was launched pre-revenge travel.
Well that’s good news the $450 & $650 (Brilliant) for the combined benefits can make sense for some people. It was the main reason I added the Boundless was to PC (this was before PP EXPERIENCES ($28 F&B credit was nixed).
Will definitely have to re-evaluate every AF.
I am curious to see the Amex Plat Refresh
Filing under ” What crazy thing did …. Chase do this week. “
I’d file it under what crazy thing did …. Chase not do this week
What crazy thing did all the bloggers believe with the most laughable evidence ever
Best points and miles news in a long time.
Could it be that given the tremendous number of negative comments, Chase has TACOed on the change?
Speaking of card changes: Official email from Bilt, three flavors of Bilt 2.0 coming in February. Moving from Wells to Cardless.
Really hard to believe that this card will remain the same for much longer, especially because of what happened with the reserve card. I’d get the authorized users on your card with unlimited lounge access ASAP! Just think that part isn’t sustainable.
[…] Frequent Miler recently reported on rumors that the Ritz-Carlton Card’s annual fee could soon jump to $695. The speculation originates from a Reddit thread, where a few users claimed that Chase phone representatives mentioned the increase. […]
You also get 3 upgrades to the Ritz Club Lounge per year for stays up 7 days. If you are staying on a cash rate at Ritz it’s a no brainer for the card and benefits just for this.
Worth noting, however, that these upgrades can only be used when booking select cash rates (i.e. not the cheapest ones) so, for someone who usually buys the cheapest rates available, using these comes at a cost.
You will find that booking the member rate with lounge access is typically less than the lounge-upgrade-eligible rate. It is actually idiotic how it worked out.
Also, you can’t use the lounge upgrade on an award stay.
Also, you can’t use the lounge upgrade on a suite booking.
If I up graded now when would the free night cert be available? Is it a year from your original approval or immediate once you get the card?
Year from approval.
Are you sure? I think you are mistaken. Free nights are posted on card’s anniversary date.
Which is basically a year from original approval. It definitely isn’t immediately.
So… Boundless to Ritz or straight to Brilliant? How would the rumored new Ritz card situation alter the strategy on whether to opt for Amex Bonvoy Brilliant? Those cards would be far more similar (and would avoid the one year “product change” thing from being needed).
I have the boundless card – got for the intention of upgrading it. I’m beyond a year now. Probably worth upgrading it for one last puff before it goes up in smoke.