Ritz-Carlton Reserve Is Now Part Of Marriott Bonvoy

by Gary Leff

Ritz-Carlton Reserve is finally joining Marriott Bonvoy. While Ritz-Carlton has been part of the program, the 5 ‘Reserve’ properties have not. That has now changed. And elite benefits – and redemption pricing – are different than you’ll find elsewhere in the program.

Premium properties with suites and villas, these are going to be smaller and nicer than the average Ritz-Carlton ‘resort factory’ you’ll find in Naples, Florida or Grand Cayman.

Earning For Stays

Bonvoy members will earn their regular points for spend on property at Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotels, meaning 10 base points per dollar plus elite bonuss, and Marriott co-brand credit cards will earn in the Marriott accelerator category for spend as well.

Members will also accrue elite nights for stays at Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotels.

Redemption Costs

Ritz-Carlton Reserve award stays will be pricey. “At launch” they will “range between 80,000 – 240,000 points per night.” Marriott isn’t committing to this into the future, the use of at launch is intentional, but meant to offer some guidance as to what to expect. Cash and points rates may also be available, and 5th night free on redemptions applies.

The 240,000 price point as the top end of the redemption range shouldn’t scare you per se, already there’s one property even more expensive than that (North Island) and that was the case even before Bonvoy elimiated award charts. Marriott emphasizes such pricing shouldn’t suggest anything about the direction of redemption costs at other hotels.

Elite Benefits At Ritz-Carlton Reserve Are Limited

Free breakfast and upgrades do not apply. Here is what Marriott lists as on-property benefits by elite tier. While I’m not sure how Ambassador service is an on-property benefit for Ambassador members, the resort credit for Ambassador members is interesting:

More Options Are Better!

While I’d love to see full elite benefits, like upgrades, apply at Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties and I’d love to see cheaper redemption pricing, this change is entirely additive to the program. Members can now earn and redeem at Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties, which they couldn’t do before.

Now to get Bulgari Hotels & Resorts to become a participating brand!

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Comments

  1. I never thought I would see the day when IHG has a unified loyalty program with better portfolio-wide benefits than Marriott. By my reckoning, Marriott now has six tracks within Bonvoy elite benefits: Legacy Marriott properties, legacy Starwood properties, resort-designated properties, all-inclusive properties, Vistiana timeshares, and now Ritz-Carlton Reserve. This is beyond confusing. It is a case study in how not to market a brand.

    Who would spend 240,000 points per night at a property?

  2. @FNT Delta Diamond, you would spend 240k points at a property that routinely costs over $2k a night like the Ritz Reserve in Puerto Rico. 80k would be a steal for that property if it were available for that rate.

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