Oct 21, 2016, 6:50 pm
Last edit by: philemer
There is a complementary thread about the new R-C card on the Chase UR Forum here: Ritz-Carloton Visa Infinite
Ritz-Carlton credit card from Chase
May 22, 2015, 10:11 am
#1186
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: Ritz-Carlton Gold, Hyatt Plat, AAdvantage Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 135
I am kind of annoyed. I tried to make a booking using the club upgrade for the Ritz Fort Lauderdale. The regular rate online was $259, when I called they said i had to pay the price of an ocean view room since all club rooms are ocean view. The rate for cheapest ocean view was $350. No where in the terms which I will quote below say anything about needing to book the same type of room. The only thing the terms say are not combinable with other offers.
From the chase site:
From the chase site:
They have to book you for a room ... and then upgrade you. You have to deal with the same thing with free upgrades on car rentals: you can't upgrade from a car that's not available.
No matter what, the upgrades happen on check-in even if the management prepares with advanced noticed by your certificate, especially because it is contingent on paying with the ritz-carlton card which wouldn't be confirmed until check-in.
You should keep in mind that the reservation system can also work to your advantage because you can change the room reservation in the future if someone cancels the room at the rate you wanted to book and you can also ask for rate matches if the rate changes over time since you don't have to prepay.
If you don't have the flexibility to make other reservations at that time and the rate is too high that does suck, but I usually just pick another date if the hotel stay is that important for the trip.
Last edited by TReckoner; May 22, 2015 at 10:20 am
May 22, 2015, 10:29 am
#1187
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 302
I understand the annoyance somewhat, but you have to be real about what to expect from the hotel. This is a consequence of how the Marriott reservation system works.
They have to book you for a room ... and then upgrade you. You have to deal with the same thing with free upgrades on car rentals: you can't upgrade from a car that's not available.
No matter what, the upgrades happen on check-in even if the management prepares with advanced noticed by your certificate, especially because it is contingent on paying with the ritz-carlton card which wouldn't be confirmed until check-in.
You should keep in mind that the reservation system can also work to your advantage because you can change the room reservation in the future if someone cancels the room at the rate you wanted to book and you can also ask for rate matches if the rate changes over time since you don't have to prepay.
If you don't have the flexibility to make other reservations at that time and the rate is too high that does suck, but I usually just pick another date if the hotel stay is that important for the trip.
They have to book you for a room ... and then upgrade you. You have to deal with the same thing with free upgrades on car rentals: you can't upgrade from a car that's not available.
No matter what, the upgrades happen on check-in even if the management prepares with advanced noticed by your certificate, especially because it is contingent on paying with the ritz-carlton card which wouldn't be confirmed until check-in.
You should keep in mind that the reservation system can also work to your advantage because you can change the room reservation in the future if someone cancels the room at the rate you wanted to book and you can also ask for rate matches if the rate changes over time since you don't have to prepay.
If you don't have the flexibility to make other reservations at that time and the rate is too high that does suck, but I usually just pick another date if the hotel stay is that important for the trip.
May 22, 2015, 10:48 am
#1188
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: Ritz-Carlton Gold, Hyatt Plat, AAdvantage Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 135
Have you stayed there before? I would pay the difference if I thought the place was worth it still, but otherwise I'd plan on going somewhere else. I don't frequent Florida at all, so I can't speak to this particular hotel.
Another option would be FHR which gives extra perks with food, though it's not as good as club lounge access if you really want to stay, but don't want to pay for ocean view. That's why i got both cards, since the certs are no where near reliable for using casually and must be pretty well planned. For some reasons there are times that hotel won't even accept them at all, which happened to me while trying to book in San Juan for a particular weekend.
Last edited by TReckoner; May 23, 2015 at 7:53 am
May 22, 2015, 11:17 am
#1189
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 302
Yeah, I guess that scenario is a bit different, since you can't get out of having to upgrade from ocean view ever. That scenario is a pain, but still I don't know what else you could expect if the hotel management decided not to build standard club level rooms in the hotel. They would literally have to discount the rate on an ocean view room down to a standard and then apply the upgrade, which would be confirmed on check-in.
Have you stayed there before? I would pay the difference if I thought the place was worth it still, but otherwise I'd plan on going somewhere else. I don't frequent Florida at all, so I can't speak to this particular hotel.
Another option would be FHR, although it's not as good as club level if you really want to stay and want extra perks with food, but don't want to pay for ocean view. That's why i got both cards, since the certs are no where near reliable for using casually and must be pretty well planned. For some reasons there are times that hotel won't even accept them at all, which happened to me while trying to book in San Juan for a particular weekend.
Have you stayed there before? I would pay the difference if I thought the place was worth it still, but otherwise I'd plan on going somewhere else. I don't frequent Florida at all, so I can't speak to this particular hotel.
Another option would be FHR, although it's not as good as club level if you really want to stay and want extra perks with food, but don't want to pay for ocean view. That's why i got both cards, since the certs are no where near reliable for using casually and must be pretty well planned. For some reasons there are times that hotel won't even accept them at all, which happened to me while trying to book in San Juan for a particular weekend.
E-Certificate is required, is non-transferable, and not combinable with other offers. Not valid on corporate or other promotional rates.
May 22, 2015, 11:46 am
#1190
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: Ritz-Carlton Gold, Hyatt Plat, AAdvantage Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 135
It's a benefit to AMEX Platinum & Centurion card holders, that lets you prepay for rooms at highly rated hotels through AMEX travel and get multiple room category upgrades (not including club lounge access, even if the room is on the club level), varying amounts of hotel credit/free meals/free services, and other perks regardless of status with the hotel.
You can read more about people's experiences here.
I guess they could say something like "E-Certificates can only be applied to room types that are available at the club level." Although I'm sure they thought it would be implied. Might be something to bring up at Marriott Insiders.
May 22, 2015, 1:26 pm
#1191
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: MD/DC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, TK Gold
Posts: 1,536
Yeah, I guess that scenario is a bit different, since you can't get out of having to upgrade from ocean view ever. That scenario is a pain, but still I don't know what else you could expect if the hotel management decided not to build standard club level rooms in the hotel. They would literally have to discount the rate on an ocean view room down to a standard and then apply the upgrade, which would be confirmed on check-in.
What you really get with the certificate is club access. There is really no upgrade to the room, only an additional access to the club.
So from a revenue point the hotel will not want to sell the basic room with club access when selling a room to the public. However, this is not a reason not to sell the basic room and provide club access.
I highly doubt that they would refuse a customer staying in a basic room a cash upgrade to the club; and the same logic should apply to the certificate.
May 25, 2015, 3:00 pm
#1192
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 508
Hey, sorry if this has already been asked, but curious if anyone has been successful getting Chase to reimburse for the yearly fee for gogo as the airline benefit? Thanks!
May 25, 2015, 4:38 pm
#1193
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,316
Very unlikely. The benefit is a credit for qualifying airline incidental purchases (and Global Entry fees). Lessening your odds even more are the recent reports of JPM being more restrictive in what charges are approved.
May 25, 2015, 4:42 pm
#1194
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 508
Travel Credit:
To request a statement credit to apply towards qualifying airline incidental Net Purchase(s) made with your Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card, you must contact J.P. Morgan Priority Services at the number on the back of your Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card within 4 billing cycles of the purchase date. Only the following types of non-ticket Net Purchases qualify for this offer: airline lounge day pass, or towards a yearly lounge membership of your choice; airline seat upgrades; airline baggage fees; in-flight internet/entertainment; in-flight meals; Global Entry fees.
May 25, 2015, 5:53 pm
#1195
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,316
I'm comfortable with my comment, but feel free to test it and prove me wrong.
These credits are not a negotiation. JPM makes the final call and reasonableness factors into the decision. No problem with a day pass. Maybe a monthly pass would be approved. An annual pass ($399 the last time I looked) that exceeds the $300 benefit? I don't think so, but knock yourself out.
These credits are not a negotiation. JPM makes the final call and reasonableness factors into the decision. No problem with a day pass. Maybe a monthly pass would be approved. An annual pass ($399 the last time I looked) that exceeds the $300 benefit? I don't think so, but knock yourself out.
May 25, 2015, 8:20 pm
#1196
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 302
While I understand why they do it, the insistence only make sense when you think about the hotel revenue.
What you really get with the certificate is club access. There is really no upgrade to the room, only an additional access to the club.
So from a revenue point the hotel will not want to sell the basic room with club access when selling a room to the public. However, this is not a reason not to sell the basic room and provide club access.
I highly doubt that they would refuse a customer staying in a basic room a cash upgrade to the club; and the same logic should apply to the certificate.
What you really get with the certificate is club access. There is really no upgrade to the room, only an additional access to the club.
So from a revenue point the hotel will not want to sell the basic room with club access when selling a room to the public. However, this is not a reason not to sell the basic room and provide club access.
I highly doubt that they would refuse a customer staying in a basic room a cash upgrade to the club; and the same logic should apply to the certificate.
May 25, 2015, 8:27 pm
#1197
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: Marriott Gold, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Best Western Diamond
Posts: 364
I understand the annoyance somewhat, but you have to be real about what to expect from the hotel. This is a consequence of how the Marriott reservation system works.
They have to book you for a room ... and then upgrade you. You have to deal with the same thing with free upgrades on car rentals: you can't upgrade from a car that's not available.
No matter what, the upgrades happen on check-in even if the management prepares with advanced noticed by your certificate, especially because it is contingent on paying with the ritz-carlton card which wouldn't be confirmed until check-in.
Not entirely true that it happens on check in. My reservation now says club level, but it says i'll only receive the $100 hotel credit if I pay with my ritz card. Nothing about losing my club level room if I don't pay with my ritz card. #Loophole
You should keep in mind that the reservation system can also work to your advantage because you can change the room reservation in the future if someone cancels the room at the rate you wanted to book and you can also ask for rate matches if the rate changes over time since you don't have to prepay.
If you don't have the flexibility to make other reservations at that time and the rate is too high that does suck, but I usually just pick another date if the hotel stay is that important for the trip.
They have to book you for a room ... and then upgrade you. You have to deal with the same thing with free upgrades on car rentals: you can't upgrade from a car that's not available.
No matter what, the upgrades happen on check-in even if the management prepares with advanced noticed by your certificate, especially because it is contingent on paying with the ritz-carlton card which wouldn't be confirmed until check-in.
Not entirely true that it happens on check in. My reservation now says club level, but it says i'll only receive the $100 hotel credit if I pay with my ritz card. Nothing about losing my club level room if I don't pay with my ritz card. #Loophole
You should keep in mind that the reservation system can also work to your advantage because you can change the room reservation in the future if someone cancels the room at the rate you wanted to book and you can also ask for rate matches if the rate changes over time since you don't have to prepay.
If you don't have the flexibility to make other reservations at that time and the rate is too high that does suck, but I usually just pick another date if the hotel stay is that important for the trip.
May 25, 2015, 9:54 pm
#1198
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Frozen in Carbonite
Programs: UA Aluminum 0.6MM, Bonvoy Life Sentence, Hyatt Eliteist, AA Super Plutonium
Posts: 2,878
Please don't spread misinformation.... When using the club level upgrade certificates you are confirmed into Club Level at time of booking not when checking into the hotel.
May 25, 2015, 10:56 pm
#1199
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: Marriott Rewards: Gold; Hyatt: Diamond
Posts: 90
From what I understand to prevent overcrowding of the Ritz lounges, they only allow access to the club lounge to guest staying on the club floor, so they would be upgrading the room and booking you onto the floor. That said, I think having to pay more to utilize a benefit of a credit card with a high annual fee is really disappointing.