The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card is one of the most premium hotel cards tied to Marriott Bonvoy, but there is a catch most people miss before they fall for the free-night photos: you cannot apply for it. This review breaks down what the card actually costs, what it gives back, and the one way to get it, all in plain English and verified against Chase's current terms as of June 2026.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Issuer | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (Marriott Bonvoy co-brand) |
| Network | Visa Infinite (usable anywhere Visa is accepted) |
| Annual fee | $450 |
| Purchase APR | Reported approx 17.74%-24.74% variable by creditworthiness |
| Rewards | Annual Free Night Award up to 85,000 points, $300 airline incidental credit, Gold Elite status |
| Welcome bonus | None (product-change only, no application) |
| Credit limit | Underlying Marriott card must carry a $10,000+ line to qualify |
| Credit score | Typically 670+ (good to excellent) |
| Reports to | Experian, TransUnion, Equifax |
What Is the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card?
The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card is a premium travel rewards Visa Infinite card issued by Chase (JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.) and tied to the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program. Because it runs on the Visa network, you can use it anywhere Visa is accepted, not just at hotels. It targets frequent Marriott guests who want a yearly free-night certificate, lounge access, and elite status.
The important thing to know up front: as of June 2026, the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card is not open to new applicants and has been closed to new applications since 2018. The only way to get it is a product change. You generally need to already hold an eligible Chase Marriott Bonvoy card (Bold, Boundless, or Bountiful) for at least 12 months, and that card typically needs a credit line of at least $10,000, then you request the upgrade. So this is a card you grow into, not one you apply for cold. Because there is no application, there is no welcome bonus to chase.
Ritz-Carlton Credit Card Fees and APR
The card carries a $450 annual fee. There are no foreign transaction fees, and authorized users are added at no cost, which softens the sting for households that travel together.
Because Chase no longer markets this card to new applicants, it does not publish a current Schumer Box for it the way an open card would, so there is no separately disclosed penalty APR, intro APR, or balance-transfer offer for this product. Card-review sources report a variable purchase APR in roughly the 17.74% to 24.74% range, set by your creditworthiness, as of June 2026. If a variable rate like that is new to you, read our guide to how credit card APR works. We will not pretend to a single exact figure Chase does not openly publish for this product. Either way, the rate is high enough that the card only makes sense if you pay your balance in full every month.
What Perks Does the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card Offer?
The benefits are built for travelers and are the real reason to hold the card:
- An annual Free Night Award good for a stay worth up to 85,000 Bonvoy points (you can add up to 25,000 of your own points to reach pricier hotels). Free Night Awards typically expire 12 months after issue.
- A $300 annual airline incidental credit for fees like seat upgrades and baggage.
- Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status.
- Priority Pass Select airport lounge access for you and guests.
- A Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit.
- Points earned on Marriott stays do not expire as long as the account stays active.
For someone who stays at Marriott properties several times a year, the free night and travel credit alone can outrun the $450 fee. Terms and conditions apply.
Who Should Consider It (and Who Should Skip It)?
The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card fits travelers with good-to-excellent credit (typically a score of 670 or higher) who already hold a Chase Marriott card, stay at Marriott hotels regularly, and will actually use the lounge access and travel credit. If you only travel once or twice a year, the $450 fee likely outweighs the rewards.
It is a poor fit if you are still building credit. You cannot even apply for it directly, and premium travel cards expect good-to-excellent scores. If that is you, the smarter move is to build a solid history first, then climb the Marriott card ladder, and our guide to the easiest unsecured credit cards to get approved for is a good place to start. One simple no-deposit starting point is the Aspire Cash Back Rewards Mastercard is an unsecured card with no security deposit, prequalification up to a $1,000 limit, up to 3% cash back, and reports to all three bureaus.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
If you would rather let your paycheck do the work while you build credit, Perpay is powered by your paycheck — no security deposit, shop and pay over time while it reports to all three bureaus, members see an average 32-point increase. It is a practical step long before a $450 travel card makes sense.
Perpay Credit Card
Perpay Credit Card
Meet the only card powered by your paycheck. With automatic transfers from your paycheck, you can manage payments stress-free and build credit with ease.
Fee
$9/month plus $9 account opening fee
APR
Marketplace: 0% / Credit Card: 27.74% to 29.99% depending on your creditworthiness.
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
2% reward on purchases made in Perpay Marketplace
Benefit
2% rewards, no security deposit
If your credit is already strong and you simply want premium rewards without a $450 fee or a Marriott-only redemption, the Robinhood Gold Card is a premium-rewards alternative for good-credit applicants, offering up to 3% cash back for Robinhood Gold members. It is open to Robinhood Gold members through your brokerage account, and the cash works for any hotel, not just Ritz-Carlton.
Robinhood
Robinhood
Robinhood is a trading platform that brings stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, crypto, and retirement accounts together in one app.
Standout feature
One platform for stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, and crypto
Fees
$0 commission on stocks, ETFs, and options.
Pros
Zero-commission trading on stocks, ETFs, and options
Cons
Best perks (high APY, lower margin rates) require Gold subscription ($5/month)
How These Compare to the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card
The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card is a luxury product with a $450 fee, high credit requirements, and a product-change-only door. The no-deposit cards above cost far less and are built for people still working toward strong credit; the Robinhood card is for those who already have it.
Think of it as a ladder. You start with a no-deposit credit-builder card like Aspire or Perpay, establish on-time payments, and watch your score climb. Understanding secured vs unsecured credit cards and your credit score ranges helps you map the path. Once you reach good or excellent credit, you open an entry-level Marriott card, hold it a year, and only then product-change into the Ritz-Carlton, or step up to the Robinhood Gold Card for flat premium rewards. You can track your progress with free tools like Creditship.ai.
Is the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card Worth It?
For frequent Marriott travelers with excellent credit who already hold an eligible Chase Marriott card, the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card can deliver real value through its 85,000-point free night, $300 travel credit, Gold Elite status, and lounge access. For everyone else, especially anyone still building credit, the $450 fee and product-change requirement put it out of reach today.
The smarter move for most people is to build credit first, climb the Marriott ladder, and graduate into this card once you qualify. If you are early in that journey, our guide on how to get a credit card with bad credit covers the first steps. APRs vary by creditworthiness, and terms and conditions apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for the Ritz-Carlton credit card directly?
No. As of June 2026, the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card is not open to new applicants and has been closed since 2018. You generally need to hold an eligible Chase Marriott Bonvoy card (Bold, Boundless, or Bountiful) for at least 12 months, usually with a $10,000-plus credit line, then request a product change.
What is the Ritz-Carlton credit card annual fee and APR?
The annual fee is $450 with no foreign transaction fees. Because the card is product-change only, Chase does not publish a current Schumer Box, so there is no separately disclosed penalty or intro APR; review sources report a variable purchase APR around 17.74% to 24.74% by creditworthiness as of June 2026.
What credit score and credit limit do I need?
The Marriott-Chase family typically expects a score of 670 or higher (good to excellent). To qualify for the product change you usually need an underlying Marriott card with a credit limit of at least $10,000. Chase reports the account to all three bureaus.
What are good alternatives if I am still building credit?
No-deposit options like the Aspire Cash Back Rewards Mastercard and the paycheck-powered Perpay card help you establish a positive payment history first. If your credit is already strong, the Robinhood Gold Card earns up to 3% back you can spend on any hotel.
