{"id":9548,"date":"2025-09-05T16:10:01","date_gmt":"2025-09-05T16:10:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=9548"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:22:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:22:09","slug":"ritz-carlton-annual-travel-credit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/marriott-bonvoy\/ritz-carlton-annual-travel-credit\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use the Ritz-Carlton Card\u2019s $300 Annual Travel Credit  \u2014 And How We\u2019ve Maximized Ours"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a data-ccid=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/marriott-bonvoy\/ritz-carlton-card\/\" =_blank>The Ritz-Carlton\u2122 Credit Card<\/a> has become something of an open secret among award travel diehards. You can\u2019t apply for it outright anymore, but anyone holding another Marriott-branded Chase card can still acquire this premium product through a simple product change. Do that, and you unlock a bundle of perks that often rival flashier, better\u2011publicized cards.<\/p>\n<p>The headline benefit is the Ritz-Carlton annual $300 travel credit. On paper, it looks modest compared with the straightforward credits on other premium cards, like the <a data-ccid=\"4048084\" href=\"\/blog\/link\/ChaseSapphireReserve\" rel=\"noopener nofollow sponsored\">Chase Sapphire Reserve<sup>\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> (<a data-ccid=\"4048084\" href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/fs-bin\/click?id=g3lR0xvjyAU&offerid=1975477.10005148&type=3&subid=05968c33ccb8cdf0f5bdc79b4b22ce028&subid=639396\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rates & Fees<\/a>). Dig a little deeper, though, and you\u2019ll see plenty of documented success stories where cardholders stretch that credit far beyond the narrow uses Chase lists in the terms.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s take a look at how the credit actually works.<\/p>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"toc_light_blue no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Page Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#Benefits_of_the_Ritz-Carlton_Card\">Benefits of the Ritz-Carlton Card<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Ritz-Carlton_Card_Travel_Credit\">Ritz-Carlton Card Travel Credit<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#What_has_unofficially_qualified\">What has unofficially qualified<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_to_use_the_Ritz-Carlton_Card_travel_credit\">How to use the Ritz-Carlton Card travel credit<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Timing_of_the_Ritz-Carlton_Card_travel_credit\">Timing of the Ritz-Carlton Card travel credit<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Final_Thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n<h2><span id=\"Benefits_of_the_Ritz-Carlton_Card\">Benefits of the Ritz-Carlton Card<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Annual Free Night Award<\/strong> worth up to a maximum value of 85,000 <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/hotels\/marriott-bonvoy\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Marriott Bonvoy<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Points<\/a>. You can <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/hotels\/marriott-bonvoy\/top-up-free-night-certificate-with-points\/\" rel=\"noopener\">add up to 15,000 additional Bonvoy points to any free night award<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>$300 annual travel credit<\/strong> to use for baggage fees, seat upgrades, airport lounge memberships, and more.<\/li>\n<li><strong>$100 hotel credit<\/strong> toward dining, spa, or other hotel recreational activities on paid stays of two nights or longer at Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis properties.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Three upgrades to <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/hotels\/marriott-bonvoy\/ritz-carlton-club-level-upgrade\/\" rel=\"noopener\">The Ritz-Carlton Club level<\/a><\/strong> annually on paid stays of up to seven nights.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Complimentary annual Priority Pass Select membership<\/strong> with access to over <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/travel\/priority-pass-lounges-guide\/\" rel=\"noopener\">1,700 airport lounges worldwide<\/a>, with unlimited guest access.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Complimentary <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/hotels\/marriott-bonvoy\/gold-elite-benefits\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status<\/a><\/strong> and 15 Elite Night Credits per year to help you progress to higher levels of <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/hotels\/marriott-bonvoy\/elite-status\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Marriott Bonvoy status<\/a>. Plus, you can spend your way to <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/hotels\/marriott-bonvoy\/marriott-platinum-benefits\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Platinum Elite status<\/a> by making $75,000 of annual purchases on your card.<\/li>\n<li><strong>A $100 statement credit<\/strong> when you use your card to pay a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/airlines\/expedited-airport-security-programs\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Global Entry application fee<\/a> every four years. This comes with TSA PreCheck privileges.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Primary auto rental insurance<\/strong>, trip delay\/cancellation\/interruption insurance, and many\u00a0other travel protection benefits.<\/li>\n<li><strong>$450 annual fee.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_218088\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"750\/387\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-218088 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ritz-card-benefits.png\" alt=\"A screen shot advertising the benefits of the Ritz Carlton Card.\" width=\"750\" height=\"387\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ritz-card-benefits.png 750w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/ritz-card-benefits-300x155.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><center><em>Credit: Chase<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Related: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/credit-cards\/marriott-bonvoy\/ritz-carlton-card\/\" rel=\"noopener\">The Ritz-Carlton\u2122 Credit Card Review: Bonvoy's Best-Kept Secret<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Ritz-Carlton_Card_Travel_Credit\">Ritz-Carlton Card Travel Credit<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The annual $300 travel credit from the Ritz-Carlton Card is comparable to annual <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/credit-cards\/cards-with-travel-statement-credit\/\" rel=\"noopener\">travel credits from other credit cards<\/a>. Unfortunately, the uses of the Ritz-Carlton Card travel credit are more restrictive, according to Chase's terms and conditions.<\/p>\n<p>Chase lists the following as qualifying purchases:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Airline lounge day pass<\/li>\n<li>Yearly lounge membership of your choice<\/li>\n<li>Airline seat upgrades<\/li>\n<li>Airline baggage fees<\/li>\n<li>In-flight internet\/entertainment<\/li>\n<li>In-flight meals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_141210\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"600\/401\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-141210 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Ritz-Carlton-Club-Doha.jpeg\" alt=\"You could use your travel credit at The Ritz-Carlton Doha\" width=\"600\" height=\"401\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Ritz-Carlton-Club-Doha.jpeg 650w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Ritz-Carlton-Club-Doha-300x200.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><center><em>Credit: The Ritz-Carlton Doha<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<h3><span id=\"What_has_unofficially_qualified\">What has unofficially qualified<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Despite Chase clearly outlining what the $300 travel credit covers, what counts toward the credit is actually highly subjective. That's because, unlike with similar cards that use an automated system to apply the credit, Chase representatives manually approve which purchases qualify for the Ritz-Carlton Card credit. Because there's a human element, some employees may be more generous than others in what they will accept as a use of your travel credit.<\/p>\n<p>Taxes and fees on airline award redemptions and even lower-cost airfare have qualified for the travel credit in the past. Airfare remaining after using a voucher or gift card has also been reported to qualify. I have personally used it for upgrades to premium economy, award fees on several bookings, and even a domestic flight on United.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_218087\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-aspectratio=\"900\/178\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-218087 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/travel-credit-screenshot.png\" alt=\"A screenshot shows a credit card statement reflecting a travel credit. \" width=\"900\" height=\"178\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/travel-credit-screenshot.png 750w, https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/travel-credit-screenshot-300x59.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><center><em>Credit: Chase<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n<h3><span id=\"How_to_use_the_Ritz-Carlton_Card_travel_credit\">How to use the Ritz-Carlton Card travel credit<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As mentioned above, the Ritz-Carlton Card travel credit doesn't apply automatically. After eligible purchases post to your account, you'll need to call the number on the back of your card or send a secure message to Chase after logging into your account online. Specify the charge you'd like to cover with your travel credit.<\/p>\n<p>I have had success with both methods of applying the credit. One time, I even asked the customer service representative to look at my statement and see if I had any qualifying purchases, which she did. Usually, however, they will ask you which charges you'd like to apply the credit to.<\/p>\n<p>Your credit should hit the account in about five to seven business days and show up on your statement within the next one or two billing cycles. It's also important to note that purchases made by authorized users count toward the credit, but only the primary cardholder can request it.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Timing_of_the_Ritz-Carlton_Card_travel_credit\">Timing of the Ritz-Carlton Card travel credit<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It's worth noting that the $300 annual travel credit that comes with the Ritz-Carlton Card follows the calendar year and not your cardmember year. That means even if your card anniversary is in June, your annual travel credit will reset in January.<\/p>\n<p>And it's a use it or lose it benefit. According to <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/creditcards.chase.com\/marriott\/cardmember\/ritz-carlton\" rel=\"noopener\">Chase's terms and conditions<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;<em>For example, if you pay baggage fees at the end of 2018, and the airline does not post the transaction until 2019, the cost of the baggage fees will be allocated towards your 2019 calendar year maximum of $300.<\/em>&#8220;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Related: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/credit-cards\/use-statement-credits\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Don\u2019t Leave Money on the Table \u2014 Use These Credit Card Statement Credits This Year<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Final_Thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The <a data-ccid=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/marriott-bonvoy\/ritz-carlton-card\/\" =_blank>Ritz-Carlton Card<\/a> is closed to new applications, so it often flies under the radar. However, anyone with a Chase card that earns Marriott Bonvoy points can still convert to it, unlocking the richest perks in the lineup, even though it carries the highest annual fee.<\/p>\n<p>Yes, the Ritz\u2011Carlton travel credit has its rules, but it remains a powerful benefit. When you maximize it, you can recoup hundreds of dollars each year, making the Ritz-Carlton Card well worth the $450 annual fee.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Ritz-Carlton\u2122 Credit Card is no longer available to new cardholders, but this premium travel card is still available to existing cardholders of a Marriott-branded Chase credit card via a product change. Here&#8217;s what you need to know about one of the card&#8217;s marquis benefits: a $300 annual travel credit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":76,"featured_media":141214,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":null,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"default","_twitter_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type":"default","_pinterest_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"default","_medium_share_type":"default","_threads_share_type":"","_google_business_share_type":"","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[12055],"tags":[12520,12786,12699],"coauthors":[36406,36466],"class_list":["post-9548","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-credit-cards","tag-card-benefits","tag-chase","tag-marriott-bonvoy"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9548","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/76"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9548"}],"version-history":[{"count":39,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9548\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":257270,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9548\/revisions\/257270"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/141214"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9548"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9548"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9548"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=9548"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}