Questions About the 140,000 Points Offer and Ritz Carlton Accounts
I wrote a post earlier today about maximizing the Ritz Carlton 140,000 point offer for Marriott Flight and Hotel Packages. It turned out to be quite a popular post and I came home to lots of questions, both in comments and emails. This is completely expected as I had a few questions myself and had to check with Gary from View from the Wing last week on properly getting the right Ritz Carlton account set up for the offer. As many questions were repeated and people turned out to be wondering the same things, I figured everyone can benefit from a single post sharing what I do know. This way all the information is organized so no one needs to wade through the comments or wait for my emails!
To recap, I wrote about how the two spouses can apply for the Ritz Carlton 140,000 point offer for $395 annual fee, combine their points and be able to access Marriott Flight and Hotel packages to earn a seven night stay at a Marriott property plus over 100,000 miles. This is what my parents plan to do. Since the $395 annual fee is not cheap, this offer is definitely not for everyone and I don’t recommend getting it if you’re not sure it’s the right move.
On to the questions…
What if I don’t have a Ritz Carlton account?
The points from the credit card will technically need to be deposited into a Ritz Carlton account. If you don’t have a Ritz Carlton account and you are approved for the card, you will be assigned a Ritz Carlton account. If you already have a Marriott account, you can convert it to a Ritz Carlton account by calling Marriott customer service. This is what I did for my mom.
Can I use my Marriott account number to apply for the offer?
You technically should not use your Marriott account for the offer. Some people have tried and had been successful, but some people report having new Ritz Carlton accounts opened for them. Some people needed to convert their accounts before applying. I suggest it’s best and easiest to convert your Marriott account to Ritz Carlton or open a new Ritz Carlton account.
Can I have both a Marriott and Ritz Carlton account?
Technically, it is a rule that you can only have one. However, some people have been able to maintain both.
Can I combine points between a Marriott and Ritz Carlton account?
Yes. If you have one of each account, you can combine both into a Marriott account or into a Ritz Carlton account. This will also combine the points. You can do this by calling customer service and asking for both accounts to be combined into one.
What is the difference between a Marriott and Ritz Carlton account?
They are exactly the same except for the promotions. The points can be redeemed the exact same way for both accounts.
Can one person apply for a Ritz Carlton and a Marriott card and combine the points?
Technically not. But some people have been able to do this. My suggestion is go for the offer you want most first.
Are there any other Ritz Carlton offers right now? Do we have to pay a $395 annual fee?
As reader Jack pointed out, you can mention the following offers:
F5BP – 140k points after 2k spend in 3 months. Annual fee of $395 not waived first year.
F53K – 70k points, $395 waived first year.
Which offer is better?
It depends on your travel plans and how you plan to use the points. For my parents, getting the extra 140,000 points that they will mostly be converting to airline miles is worth it.
Can you just convert Marriott or Ritz Carlton points directly to miles?
You can convert Marriott or Ritz Carlton rewards points to miles using the conversion table here to Aeromexico, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, GOL/Varig, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia Airlines, US Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Southwest Rapid Rewards. United Airlines gives a slightly better ratio that you can find on the table, but it is still below 2:1.
However, the ratio in general is not very good. At the higher end, you receive close to 3:1, which can make sense if you really have no use for the Marriott points. For this purpose, going for the 140,000 points offer makes little sense as you’d be paying a $395 fee (possibly offset by incidentals) just to gain 50,000 miles. There are better offers to do this.
- 10,000 Marriot/Ritz Carlton Rewards points = 2,000 miles
- 20,000 Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards points = 5,000 miles
- 30,000 Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards points = 10,000 miles
- 70,000 Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards points = 25,000 miles
- 140,000 Marriott/Ritz Carlton Rewards points = 50,000 miles
Can you explain why Marriott Flight and Hotel packages are valuable and how they work?
If you are considering spending points on a seven night vacation somewhere at a Marriott property, then you are generally better off going for the Flight and Hotel package if you already have the points. The reason for this is you get the additional miles at a 1:1 ratio. Let’s take a look at an example:
You have 280,000 points and are thinking of redeeming for a Category 6 hotel. Seven nights cost 180,000 points (give you receive the fifth night free). For another 100,000 points, you will be able to receive 100,000 miles. This means you are able to convert those extra 100,000 points to miles at a 1:1 ratio to United miles, US Airways miles of Alaska Airlines miles, for example.
The reason this is generally a good deal is that those 100,000 miles will usually be worth far more than 100,000 Marriott/Ritz Carlton points. 35,000 Marriott points will get you one night at a Category 7 hotel, but 35,000 miles will get you a round-trip ticket to the Caribbean. Similarly, 100,000 miles will be enough for a business class ticket to either Europe or South America.
In your post, you only mentioned Marriott properties in your examples for where we may use the points. Are there also Flight and Hotel packages that can be used for 7 nights at Ritz Carlton properties?
Yes, on the chart, the Category properties refer to Marriott and the Tier properties refer to Ritz Carlton. Ritz Carlton properties are far more expensive and packages are not as lucrative in terms of earning miles unless you go for the top tier. As an example, Tier 1-3 Ritz Carlton package starts at 350,000 points. If you redeem for a Tier 1 property, that would normally be 30,000 points a night. A seven night hotel package without miles would cost 180,000 points (given the fifth night is free). In that case, you are spending 110,000 points for 50,000 miles.
On the other hand, a Tier 3 property at 50,000 points would cost 300,000 points. As an additional 50,000 miles will cost only an additional 50,000 points, you are able to convert your miles 1:1.
If I transfer points with this package to Southwest Rapid Rewards, will they count toward the Southwest Companion Pass?
Yes. In fact, redeeming a Marriott Flights and Hotel package is exactly how Frugal Travel Lawyer earned the Southwest Companion Pass.
Any other ideas?
Yes. If you’re between packages to redeem for miles (e.g. have 290,000 points and going for category 6), you can always transfer Ultimate Rewards points to Marriott to top up. In fact, if you typically transfer Ultimate Rewards points to United, this is a good way to get an extra 10% boost on your transfer.
Thanks for all the info. One more question! If you already have the Marriott card and obviously it’s linked to a Marriott account number, what would happen if you applied for the RC card and had to convert your Marriott account to RC?
I’m wondering the same thing. I’ve got the Marriott card but wold love to jump in on this deal.
So technically you cannot have both. According to a Flyertalk thread on this, however, some people have managed to open new Ritz accounts and keep their old Marriott accounts and old Marriott cards. The two accounts can be combined later. As always, YMMV on this one and sometimes these things get overlooked and sometimes not… but looks like people have done it.
I just got the Marriott card ( obviously the wrong card) ,met the spend and waiting for the 70K to be posted. I am thinking about applying for the Ritz with fees as well. If declined, wonder if Chase can upgrade my Marriott to Ritz ie void my Marriott rewards and grant me the 140K Ritz package.
Interesting. I called and applied for the 140k Ritz-Carlton card. Gave my Marriott Rewards number. Was approved. Haven ‘t met the minimum spend yet (only had the card a couple of weeks) but the 3 upgrades are showing up in my account (Marriott). I hope the points do, too.
Oh, wow, interesting data point. Hopefully all will go well :)
Same results for me.
And to answer AG……… The seven nights have to be consecutive.
What “3 upgrades”? can you please share/elaborate? Thanks!
I think Giddy for Points also posted that he gave them his Marriott number when he signed up for the RC in early August and was not questioned. Too early for an update on whether it has worked out for posting the points.
Here is the update…yes it posted to my Marriott account http://first2board.com/giddyforpoints/2014/09/updates-140k-ritz-carlton-card/
When you redeem for the hotel and air package, you obviously get the airlines miles, but how is the hotel portion treated? Do you have to book your hotel stay at the time of converting your points to the package and/or do all 7 nights have to be consecutive and at the same hotel or can you split them 3 nights at one hotel and then a few days later 4 nights at another (say I was traveling between the two stays)?
When you book the travel package, you are essentially given a certificate for a 7-night stay at whatever category level you redeemed. The hotel does not have to be booked immediately. Yes, all 7 nights have to be consecutive. Any unused nights are forfeited. You have 1 year from the time of redemption to use the 7-night stay.
Another interesting point is that you can ‘upgrade’ to a higher hotel category later on. Let’s say you only have enough points to redeem now for a Category 6 property. As long as you have enough points before your actual stay commences, you can bump this to a Category 7. Cat 6 properties are 30K points/night, and Cat 7 are 35K night, so multiply this over 7 nights (including 5th night free) and you would need an extra 30,000 points. So, say you redeem for Cat 6 travel package in January but don’t plan to stay until December. You have between Jan and Dec to earn the extra required 30,000 points. Just call customer service and they will change the certificate, allowing you to now stay in a Cat 7 property in time for your December vacation.
Wow, that’s a really good tip! :) Thanks you for sharing!
Are you sure that I can upgrade the 7 day category 5 to a category 7 along with extra points.For example 240000 points RC= 7 day category 5 Marriott=132000 miles to United Airline. get the 7 day certificate hold on to it and when I get ready to redeem certificate I can ask for upgrade to category 7 and all I have to do is give 35 K points? What would the proper procedure to follow to get upgrade? Also a very good post.
A Category 5 to Category 7 upgrade would cost 60,000 points additional at the time of upgrade. You can do this by just calling Customer Service; I gave them a call and verified this is possible as I did not know about this tip myself!
Thank you for checking. I am new to all of this credit card business. I enjoy your blogs.
Please address the issue of whether me having a Marriott card disqualifies me from this
It’s possible to use use a Marriott account number to apply for the offer and you can still keep your account designated under Marriott after getting the card. Both myself and my dad did this a few months ago using our Marriott Rewards number and had no issues.
DO you have both cards and can collect bonus TWO times 140K plus 70K?
So, if I understood correctly, transferring 270000 from UR to Marriott and getting the 7 night package would be a better value than transferring points directly to United and Marriott separately?
I’m not sure that’s the best way but please do correct me if I misunderstood, isn’t transferring UR points to Marriott inferior to transferring to United or Hyatt? How does transferring points from UR to Marriott for a 7 night package compare in value to transferring to Hyatt+United to get a 7night vacation+flight?
I’d be interested to hear your opinion!
why? 270K UR is worth more than ~$4000
In general, transferring points from Ultimate Rewards to Marriott for the full package is not very good value. However, if you are *already* redeeming for a 7 night package, then transferring additional points may be good value. Example: You are redeeming 280,000 Ritz points for Category 7 hotel + 77,000 United miles. Then transferring additional 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points would give you 330,000 Ritz points for Category 7 hotel + 132,000 United miles. For your 50,000 Ultimate Rewards here, you receive 55,000 more United miles. However, you would only get 50,000 if you just transfer directly.
This is a great post/idea – thank you! Any idea on whether the airline incidentals are per calendary year or per card year? Also, any idea if they can be used for GC ala the Amex platinum?
Thanks again!
When they read the benefits to me they just said “annually”. We’ll see when the welcome package arrives
It is annually
Sorry I mean per calendar year
The $300 credit on airline incidentals….can I use it to buy paid air tickets? giftcards? or upgrade?
Also, what is your advice for singe/solo person like me to be able to get the second Ritz 140k card?
Those expenses are not on the list of covered expenses under the $300 credit, though some people may have found ways to have them covered. To my knowledge, you can only have one Ritz Carlton card and can’t sign up for a second one for a at least a few years.
I’ve used it to get reimbursed for giftcards…paid tickets will be hard to pass in my opinion but I haven’t tried
Who are you kidding? I have two Marriott cards, called customer service, gave them the codes said I wanted to convert one of my Marriott cards to the Ritz card with the points. She put me on hold and said no, go to chase.com to apply for the Ritz card. Went there, no such deal being offered!
Doreen,
Converting one account to another has rarely given anyone bonus points/miles. If you called the number in the original article they answer the phone “Ritz Carlson Chase Customer Service”. Just give them the promo code and apply. Calling the number on the back of your Marriott card will only put you in touch with Marriott Chase C’s. They have no idea what promos Ritz is offering.
If I redeem a flight+hotel and cancel the hotel reservation, will they clawback the airline miles?
Do you know if anyone been able to use the $ 300 airlines incidentals credit to fund a United Airlines gift registry ?
Thanks!
I’m a little confused. If we are required to have a Ritz Carlton account, how do we redeem on the Marriott Hotel + Air Package website? Will out Ritz points work there? Or will we need to transfer them to Marriott? Ritz has their own Hotel + Air Package site (http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Rewards/RedeemingRewards/TravelPackages.htm), but it only lists the Tier 1-3 and Tier 4-5 rewards as options, nothing mentioned about the ‘Category’ for Marriott.
Thanks for the help!
You’re absolutely correct and I already verified this ahead of time with the Ritz Carlton customer service that you can, in fact, redeem your Ritz points for the Marriott packages you see on the Marriott website. The explanation they gave me is that “Ritz Carlton members are not interested in Marriott”, but you can use your points for the same packages nonetheless. You just have to call, of course.
how are people going to use the “benefits” of the card?
specifically the $300 airline credit…
Can I buy airline gift cards? or buy miles with that money?
If this has already been discussed please point me in that direction.. Thanks
Ima
I have had success getting gift cards reimbursed…you just have to call to get this done. They ask you what did you use it for and you just tell them. Stmt credit posted in a few days.
I went out on the limb and bought a 300 dollar United Gift certificate. I called in to get my refund and the CSR bleated out what I guess he should not have said. He said, he could see that that the 300 dollar tx I had was an eGiftCard! He could see it on his end! I guess United, at least, are sending more than basic level 1 tx data to Chase – such is life. This will not work! Who has done it recently and for what airline??
GiddyForPoints was able to do it with American Airlines, I believe, but with smaller amounts.
Miles Prof… I want to kiss your face right now!! Hubby and I both just got approved for the card and I am soooo excited to plan a trip! This is an amazing deal and I am really, really grateful to you for sharing all your points and miles wisdom! I sincerely thank you!!
Congratulations! I am sure you will plan a very fun trip with your combined miles :)
If I have 280 RC points and use them for cat 1-5 and 120,000 mile thru south west. Can I upgrade the 7 day cat 1-5 to a cat 7 at a later date (but before the 12 month expiration date). Keeping in mind that I will pay extra points at the time of upgrade. Thank you and this post is exceptional
correction instead of 280 Ritz points I should have posted 280,000 points please respond as this will be a deal breaker for me.
Hi, I responded to your question above to Colin, but will repost as it may be tough to find with all the comments :) A Category 5 to Category 7 upgrade would cost 60,000 points additional at the time of upgrade. You can do this by just calling Customer Service; I gave them a call and verified this is possible as I did not know about this tip myself!
HI! Great Post.
I have a question regarding the hotel and air package. With this option you get a 7 night hotel voucher and the airlines miles gets deposited to your airline account within a few days right? (based on an 7 night package). Does the 7 day hotel voucher be used at one hotel or could you split it for example, 3 days in Barcelona, 2 days in Madrid and 2 days in Amsterdam (assuming same categories)?
Unfortunately, it is a single 7 night certificate and must be used for a single 7 night stay at a single hotel.
I’m trying to figure out if this is a good deal or not… so if my wife and I both sign up for this card, it would cost us $790.00 and we would receive 240k points. I could then transfer 40k UR points to bring it to 280k. I value UR points pretty high due to their flexibility, but lets say they are worth 1c/pt so thats 400 bucks. That bring the amount spent for those 280k points to $1190.00 roughly. for the $1190.00 I get 7 days at a category 6 hotel. I cursory glance at cat 6 hotels is about 90-140 a night. 7×140 is 980.00. then I also receive 100k miles, which I would probably send to Southwest to get me a companion pass. so that gives me 100k SW miles to fly around with. I see this coming out ahead if you do a point to point comparison, but it requires me to spend money outside my normal spending. I am basically paying almost 1200.00 to go on a vacation out of pocket.
Is that really worth it? It is obviously faster than some other methods, but is costing some serious cash.
If you and your wife sign up, you will get 280k points :) It is $790 and that’s not a trivial amount so you should, of course, only go for the deal if it makes sense financially. Keep in mind you can offset some of that $790 with incidental airline fees up to $300, but the $790 would essentially buy you
– 7 days at a category 6 hotel
– 100k Southwest points (worth about $1430) and a companion pass for roughly an equivalent amount of $2850 in Southwest airfare in total. So a total value of about $3800 or so.
If you will use the Southwest Companion Pass and that’s something you’re interested in, it may make sense and especially if you can offset some of that $390.
I already have the 70k offer for the Marriott Rewards Card through Chase. Would it be a better deal to send my wife a referall, have her sign up for that and then sign up for the Ritz card? I would only be paying $395.00 up front, still get the amenity benefits of the ritz card, and accrue 290k points…right?
Thank you SO much for all the info about this card. My wife and I each got one and we’re well on our way to a 7 night stay and a heap of United miles! I do have one question though about the redemption of the 7 night certificate. As I’ve been looking at prospective hotels to use the 7 nights at, I’ve come across something a bit perplexing. There seems to be no availability (as in never, no matter how far in the future I look) for 7 nights at a time at several of the category 8 hotels in Hawaii. So my question is, are there certain hotels that don’t accept 7 night reward reservations? If so, that’s kind of a bummer.