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One of the perks of the now discontinued Ritz-Carlton Credit Card is three (3) complimentary upgrade certificates to the Club Level at the Ritz-Carlton properties worldwide.
In this post, I want to walk you through how those upgrade certificates work and, more importantly, how to use them. Finally, if you do not have the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card and want to get one, I’ll also show you how to get one because the card has been discontinued and is no longer available to new applicants.
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| The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua in Maui, Hawaii |
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How Do Ritz-Carlton Club Level Upgrade Certificates Work?
Before we dive into how to use the Ritz-Carlton Club Level Upgrade Certificates, let’s take a look at how they actually work first.
The first place to start is to review its terms and conditions that are set by the Chase Ritz-Carlton Credit Card:
The Ritz-Carlton Club Level Upgrade Certificates Terms & Conditions:
- Club Level offer valid at participating Ritz-Carlton hotels on up to three (3) qualifying paid stays per account anniversary year using The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card with a seven-night maximum length of stay, subject to availability at time of reservation.
- “Account anniversary year” means the year beginning with your account open date through the anniversary of your account open date and every 12 months after that.
- E-certificate is required, is non-transferable, and not combinable with other offers.
- Club Level Upgrade E-Certificates are valid for 1 room per e-certificate and up to 2 guests per room.
- Valid only on member rates and non-discounted rates available weekdays and weekends on standard and premium rooms.
- Not valid on special corporate negotiated rates, wholesale rates, discounts or promotions (includes AAA), packages, group rates, eChannel rates, advance purchase rates, and Government rates.
- Reservation must be paid for with a valid Ritz-Carlton Credit Card. Account must be open and not in default to maintain your Club Level E-Certificates.
Is there a minimum night required to use the Ritz-Carlton Club Level Upgrade Certificate?
No, there’s no minimum night required to use each club-level upgrade certificate. However, each certificate is only valid for up to 7 nights maximum.
Can you use Ritz-Carlton Club Level Upgrade Certificates on Award Stays?
No. The Ritz-Carlton Club Level Upgrade Certificates are valid only on paid stays. Per the terms mentioned above:
- Valid only on member rates and non-discounted rates available weekdays and weekends on standard and premium rooms.
You must book either the standard or premium room under qualifying member rates and non-discounted rates. In other words, award or points bookings, including points plus cash bookings, are not eligible to use these upgrades.
If you are not a fan of paying a high price for a hotel’s room, here are some ideas on Cheapest Luxury Ritz-Carlton Hotels & Resorts With Club Lounges In The World
How To Find Ritz-Carlton Club Level Upgrade Certificates?
On Marriott Bonvoy Website:
- Log into your Marriott account online.
- Click on your name on the top right-hand corner and click on Activity.
- On the top, under “Earned Award,” you should see your Unused Certificate(s).
On the Marriott Bonvoy App:
- Launch the Marriott Bonvoy app. Sign in to your Marriott account if you are not signed in.
- Tap on “Account,” then you see Certificates. Tap on it, and your unused certificate(s) will be all listed there.
How to Use Ritz-Carlton Club Level Upgrade Certificates?
Unfortunately, you cannot use the Ritz-Carlton club-level upgrade certificates online. You must call customer service to either book and apply the club-level upgrade certificate for you, or book a qualifying room online and call to have customer service apply the club-level upgrade certificate for you.
- Click here to book a Ritz-Carlton hotel online.
- Call 1-800-542-8680 to use your Ritz-Carlton Club Level Upgrade Certificate.
How are the Ritz-Carlton Club Lounges like?
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| Photo Credit: The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore
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The Ritz-Carlton is a luxury brand hotel, and so you can expect its clubs to be superb as well! Ritz-Carlton clubs are not like the typical club lounges at other chain hotels. While the Ritz-Carlton brand is part of the Marriott Bonvoy program, the Ritz club is actually a lot nicer than those club lounges you find at other major Marriott brand hotels.
Ritz-Carlton Clubs offer delicious food and adult beverages throughout the day. Some clubs even provide food daily from breakfast to light snacks, afternoon tea, evening Hors d’Oeuvres, and desserts. But that’s not all, there’s also a concierge service available to you inside the club for any needs you may have during your stay.
Do Marriott Bonvoy Elite Members Get Complimentary Access to The Ritz-Carlton Club Lounges?
While the Ritz-Carlton is part of the Marriott Bonvoy program, it does not offer complimentary access to its club lounges for Marriott Bonvoy elite members. It does not matter if you are a Silver, Gold, Platinum, Titanium, or even the highest Ambassador Elite member in the Marriott Bonvoy program. You’ll have to pay to upgrade to the Club Level room or use the Ritz-Carlton club level upgrade certificates discussed in this article.
Are There Any Cheap Ritz-Carlton Hotels & Resorts Properties to Use Club Level Upgrade Certificates?
Just to reiterate, the Club Level Upgrade Certificates are valid only on paid stays. Any discounted, non-commissionable rate, points, or points plus cash bookings are not eligible.
“Cheap” and “Luxury” just don’t go together most of the time. However, I have done some research and was able to find some cheap luxury Ritz-Carlton properties in the world that offer “more affordable” rates, and they all come with a nice club lounge that the club level upgrade certificates can be used at.
How to Get Ritz-Carlton Credit Card?
Back in 2018, Chase and Marriott decided to discontinue the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card. While the card is no longer accepting new applicants, any existing cardmembers can continue using the credit card and take advantage of all its benefits such as the Ritz-Carlton $300 Travel Credit, Marriott Free Night 50k Certificate, Priority Pass Access with Unlimited Guests, and these three (3) complimentary Ritz-Carlton Club Level Upgrade Certificates, etc.
While the card is no longer available for new applicants, it is still possible to product change to it. If you have any personal Chase Marriott Bonvoy Credit Cards, you can call Chase and request a product change to the Chase Ritz-Carlton Credit Card.
For example, if you have either Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card or Chase Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card, you should be able to change it to the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card. Keep in mind that Chase Ritz-Carlton Credit Card has an annual fee of $450, but the benefits that are mentioned above can really justify that fee each year if you travel frequently.
Is there any way to use the Ritz Club Upgrade Cert on stay booked using Amex Plat $200 Fine Hotels credit?
Hi, I'm not 100% sure, but I don't believe you can use the cert on Amex FHR booking. According to the terms:
Valid only on member rates and non-discounted rates available weekdays and weekends on standard and premium rooms.
Not valid on special corporate negotiated rates, wholesale rates, discounts or promotions (includes AAA), packages, group rates, eChannel rates, advance purchase rates and Government rates.
Amex FHR booking may be considered a "special rate" and thus is not eligible.
We have the Ritz Carlton Charge Card and get the 3 club level certificates each year. It is next to impossible to connect with an agent that can attach these certificates. I have tried many phone numbers (800-542-8680; 866-922-6882; 800-; 844-683-8959, 800-627-7468; 800228-2100; 800-399-4229, etc.) that I have been given from Ritz Carlton concierges, agents etc. I just get the run around. They transfer me to another person who has no idea or I get disconnected. I need help to consistently be able to connect with an agent that can attach a Ritz Carlton club level upgrade certificate. Even one time the gal claimed she had attached the certificate. I got to the hotel and the front desk said there was nothing connected to our reservation. They had no clue what I was talking about. They could not help me. Maybe you are not supposed to be able to use these. Actually one agent told me that they are just a gimmick and you can't really use them.
Please help
cheaper to book a non refundable club room via marriot's website/app than upgrading via their B.S. certificate provided by the "luxurious" ritz carlton reserve card. Truly disappointing. Deceptive Marriott. Always finding ways to deceive.