Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card is one of my favorite travel credit cards currently for a multitude of reasons, especially after the changes made to the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Even though the Ritz card doesn’t come with an introductory bonus offer like the Reserve, it’s still a very strong card because of the extensive travel benefits like the Club Level Upgrade Certificates.

Using them is a bit tricky, which is why we wrote up this guide.

TL;DR

• Ritz-Carlton cardholders receive three Club Level Upgrade Certificates per account anniversary year, each valid for one qualifying paid stay of up to seven nights.

• You must call to book the entire reservation, use an eligible Member or non-discounted cash rate, and pay with the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card.

• Points stays, free night awards, advance-purchase rates, packages, and many discounted rates do not qualify.

• The benefit is most useful when you can find a reasonable cash rate at a participating property with Club Level availability.

Club Level Upgrade Rules at a Glance

Before booking, review the official Club Level certificate terms and current Ritz-Carlton card benefits because participating properties and benefit terms can change.

What Is “Club Level”

Club Level is an amenity exclusively available at Ritz-Carlton properties, but not all Ritz-Carlton properties have a Club Level. You might even be wondering what Club Level even is.

In short, Club Level is defined by The Ritz-Carlton as “a hotel within a hotel”. The Club Level elevates your experience into a truly luxurious hotel experience, as you are provided with exceptional comfort and personalized service.

The Ritz-Carlton Club provides you with a plethora of amenities that enhance your stay, with perks such as a dedicated hotel concierge, a private Club Lounge, unique in-room amenities, access to exclusive experiences, and additional amenities that allow you to fully relax and immerse yourself in your destination.

At many Club Lounges, guests can use concierge service and enjoy complimentary food and beverage presentations throughout the day. Exact schedules, access rules, and offerings vary by property.

Depending on the property, a Club stay may also include additional amenities or activities. Confirm the current inclusions directly with the hotel before booking.

For example, The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, highlights a dedicated concierge, five daily culinary presentations, beach activities, and its luxury luau among its Club offerings. Exact inclusions, availability, and charges can vary by stay.

How to Redeem Club-Level Certificates

Club-level upgrade certificates are valid for hotel stays of up to 7 nights.

1. To redeem a certificate, you’ll need to book an eligible cash rate,

2. pay with your Ritz-Carlton Credit Card, and

3. contact a Marriott representative via phone call to apply the certificate to your booking after confirming that Club Level space is available.

A certificate is non-transferable, applies to one room for up to two guests, and expires one year after issuance. Discounted, packaged, group, government, corporate-negotiated, wholesale, eChannel, and advance-purchase rates are excluded.

You unfortunately can’t apply a club-level upgrade certificate to a stay booked using points or free night awards, so you’ll need to fork over a bit of money in order to book an eligible stay that will allow you to redeem your certificate.

How to Find a Lower-Cost Eligible Stay

If you don’t have the capability to fork over thousands of dollars on a hotel stay, you might think that you’re out of luck to using your club-level upgrade certificates.

Luckily, there are a handful of Ritz-Carlton properties out there that are on the more affordable side and will only cost you a few hundred dollars a night, making your dream Ritz-Carlton club-level stay more accessible.

For example, The Ritz-Carlton in Chengdu, China, can sometimes offer lower cash rates than higher-cost Ritz-Carlton properties. Compare current rates for your dates, then call to confirm that the rate qualifies. The certificate can be combined with the Ritz-Carlton $100 property credit rate when its separate booking requirements are met.

A lower qualifying cash rate can make a Club Level stay more accessible than at high-priced Ritz-Carlton properties, such as The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua.

How to get the Ritz Carlton Card

To start off, Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card isn’t open to new applicants through a traditional credit card application. Existing Chase Marriott cardholders can contact Chase to ask whether their account is eligible for a product change to the Ritz.

While the annual fee for the Ritz is a hefty $450, the annual fee can be easily offset by the benefits it offers to cardholders.

The benefits that Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card offers to its cardholders include, but are not limited to:

• Annual free night award: Every anniversary year, you’ll receive an annual free night award worth up to 85,000 points. You can top off free night awards with up to 25,000 points, meaning that you can use your annual free night award to redeem a night worth up to 110,000 points, unlocking serious value if you redeem your award for a night at a luxurious Ritz-Carlton property.

• Ritz-Carlton club-level upgrade certificates: Every account anniversary year, you’ll receive three club-level upgrade certificates that are redeemable for qualifying paid stays at participating Ritz-Carlton properties for an upgrade to a club-level room.

• Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status: As a cardholder, you’ll receive complimentary Gold Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, which includes perks such as a 25% bonus point earning rate when spending at Marriott properties, 2 p.m. late checkout (subject to availability), welcome gift upon check-in, etc.

• $300 annual airline credit: Every calendar year, you’ll receive an annual $300 airline credit that you can apply toward qualifying airline incidentals, such as baggage fees, seat upgrade fees, in-flight Wi-Fi and entertainment, in-flight meals, and airline lounge passes or memberships. The statement credit isn’t automatic, so you’ll need to contact Chase within four billing cycles of the purchase to request it.

• Global Entry application fee statement credit: Every four years, you’ll receive a $120 statement credit for an application to Global Entry. Even if your application is denied, or you’re paying the fee for a renewal instead of a new application, you’ll still be eligible to receive the statement credit.

• Lounge access: The primary cardholder and any authorized users will receive complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, as well as unlimited access to Chase Sapphire Lounges. Primary cardholders and authorized users can each bring up to two guests at no additional cost; additional guests cost $27 per person, per visit.

For related lounge planning, compare credit cards that include guest access, review how to access Chase Sapphire Lounges, or read our Chase Sapphire Lounge at JFK review.

These benefits easily offset the annual fee, especially when you take advantage of the annual $300 travel credit and the annual free night award. You’ll most likely want to maximize the value of your credit card; however, it might be difficult to understand how the club-level upgrade certificates work and how to apply them.

Final Remarks

Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card remains one of the most underrated luxury travel cards on the market. While it’s not open to new applicants in the traditional sense, its unique perks, especially the Club Level Upgrade Certificates, make it a hidden gem for Marriott Bonvoy loyalists and frequent travelers seeking elevated hotel experiences.

By understanding how to redeem your upgrade certificates strategically, you can turn a standard stay into a premium experience complete with personalized service, exclusive lounge access, and elevated amenities. Pair that with the annual free night certificate, $300 airline credit, and complimentary Priority Pass™ Select and Chase Sapphire Lounge access, with up to two complimentary guests per member, and you’re looking at a package of benefits that can far outweigh the annual fee.

If you’re someone who values comfort, exclusivity, and maximizing every dollar spent, this card may be worth considering if Chase confirms that your account is eligible for a product change. With a little planning, your Ritz-Carlton stays can easily transform into unforgettable luxury experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Ritz-Carlton Club Level Upgrade Certificates?

Ritz-Carlton Club Level Upgrade Certificates allow cardholders to upgrade to Club Level accommodations at participating properties. Cardholders receive three certificates per account anniversary year, and each certificate applies to one qualifying paid stay of up to seven nights.

How do I redeem a Club Level Upgrade Certificate?

Call The Ritz-Carlton reservations to book the entire stay and apply the certificate. The reservation must use an eligible Member or non-discounted cash rate and be paid for with the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card.

Which Ritz-Carlton hotels offer Club Level access?

Not every Ritz-Carlton property offers Club Level accommodations, and availability varies by hotel and date. Confirm that the property participates and has Club Level inventory before making plans.

Can I use a certificate on a points or free-night booking?

No. Club Level Upgrade Certificates apply only to qualifying paid stays. Points reservations and free night awards are not eligible, nor are many discounted or packaged rates.

How long is each certificate valid, and how many guests does it cover?

Each certificate expires after one year and covers one room for up to two guests. It is non-transferable and subject to Club Level availability when the reservation is made.

Is the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card available to new applicants?

The card is not available through a public application. Existing Chase Marriott cardholders can contact Chase to ask whether their account is eligible for a product change.