Should I transfer my Marriott account to the new Ritz Carlton Awards Program?
Sep 15, 2010, 2:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: The Golden State
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Posts: 493
Should I transfer my Marriott account to the new Ritz Carlton Awards Program?
I'm not sure what makes sense, to transfer it or just have two accounts. Can anyone make sense of this?
https://reservations.ritzcarlton.com...ite.nonrewards
https://reservations.ritzcarlton.com...ite.nonrewards
Sep 15, 2010, 3:15 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CLT
Programs: DL GM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 298
It was specified that you can't have 2 accounts. For all intents and purposes though, it looks like they are one program. All points/elite night credits/and status can be switched back and forth at any time. The only difference is that your communications will come from RC if you enrolled in that program, and MR if you are enrolled in that program.
Edit to add: three are still some questions outstanding regarding the treatment of RC stays / RC enrollment for promotion treatment (like the Megabonus), as well as the counting towards LT status. It seems like the concensus is to stay with MR until we know more.
Edit to add: three are still some questions outstanding regarding the treatment of RC stays / RC enrollment for promotion treatment (like the Megabonus), as well as the counting towards LT status. It seems like the concensus is to stay with MR until we know more.
Sep 16, 2010, 1:23 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: HKG
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Unless you really do 75 nights with Ritz-Carlton each year (lucky you) in which case you'd probably appreciate the exclusive benefits from RC, which will no doubt cost a huge number of points, that you would probably earn unless you have some good corporate deals 
imho.
imho.
Sep 16, 2010, 6:54 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CLT
Programs: DL GM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 298
Unless you really do 75 nights with Ritz-Carlton each year (lucky you) in which case you'd probably appreciate the exclusive benefits from RC, which will no doubt cost a huge number of points, that you would probably earn unless you have some good corporate deals imho.
imho.
Sep 16, 2010, 9:50 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: CLEveland, OH USA
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I just called Rity as I have a ressie there in november, and asked about the programs. basically he said if you travel marriott all the time stay there don't "link" the account to Ritz Rewards.
Basically he said if you did you'd get mailings and messages from ritz not marriott, intended for thier loyal ritz guests. But benefits are the same on either program, just a matter of how you want to see your correspondence arrive - marriott centered or ritz-centered
So finally get earn MR points at RITZ and get MR recognition there, although the benefits are not fully MR ones - they don't "guarantee" room type for example but do give free interent, room upgrades if available, and 1000 bonus points as arrival gift.
Basically he said if you did you'd get mailings and messages from ritz not marriott, intended for thier loyal ritz guests. But benefits are the same on either program, just a matter of how you want to see your correspondence arrive - marriott centered or ritz-centered
So finally get earn MR points at RITZ and get MR recognition there, although the benefits are not fully MR ones - they don't "guarantee" room type for example but do give free interent, room upgrades if available, and 1000 bonus points as arrival gift.
Sep 16, 2010, 11:20 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: HKG
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Posts: 3,062
I saw mention of photo trips with national geographic and abercrombie and fitch rewards somewhere on the promo site announcing all this, they aren't marriott reward partners afaik. This was the reason for my post, even though I'd expect them to be hugely expensive in points terms
May 18, 2012, 3:48 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: hyatt
Posts: 203
if both programs are the same, does it make financial sense, for MR, to have 2 programs?
May 18, 2012, 8:35 pm
#8
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
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Given that "under the hood" both programs are the same, the only extra expense is marketing. And I suspect that Marketing is the main reason to have the programs "look" different. This allows Marriott to target promotions and adverts more effectively.
Mar 5, 2013, 12:31 am
#9
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If I open an RC account does my MR elite status transfer to RC?
Mar 5, 2013, 7:43 am
#10
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
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If you already have a Marriott Rewards account, then you shouldn't be "opening" a RC account. You will only need to convert the account to RC. (Which I think you can do online or call MR to do.)
And if you convert your account to RC, your elite status will follow you.
And if you convert your account to RC, your elite status will follow you.
Mar 6, 2013, 5:23 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central California
Programs: AA-LEP,United-1K Again!, USAIR-CHRMN, MW Plat Prem, SW-Gold, Hilton-Silver, Hertz-Platnium
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This is not necessarily true. You want to isolate your stays at the type of property you stay at most. A Ritz Platinum is treated differently at a Ritz property than a Marriott Platinum (better). Not sure how a Ritz Platinum is treated at a Marriott property, but I would think it would be better than a Marriott Platinum would be treated at a Ritz property.
Mar 6, 2013, 6:03 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: HHonor Dia, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 550
I thought we already dispelled this myth?
For all intents and purposes these 2 membership are identical i believe.
For all intents and purposes these 2 membership are identical i believe.
This is not necessarily true. You want to isolate your stays at the type of property you stay at most. A Ritz Platinum is treated differently at a Ritz property than a Marriott Platinum (better). Not sure how a Ritz Platinum is treated at a Marriott property, but I would think it would be better than a Marriott Platinum would be treated at a Ritz property.
Mar 6, 2013, 6:12 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Central California
Programs: AA-LEP,United-1K Again!, USAIR-CHRMN, MW Plat Prem, SW-Gold, Hilton-Silver, Hertz-Platnium
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Say's who?
I've been told what I stated by many Ritz Carlton managers and have experienced it as well
We do Marriott stays under my name, and Ritz under husbands
On one trip we booked two separate rooms (I use my maiden name with Marriott, to hard to change), two separate reservations - he had a lower status with Ritz than I did in Marriott. He got an upgraded room - I did not.
I've been told what I stated by many Ritz Carlton managers and have experienced it as well
We do Marriott stays under my name, and Ritz under husbands
On one trip we booked two separate rooms (I use my maiden name with Marriott, to hard to change), two separate reservations - he had a lower status with Ritz than I did in Marriott. He got an upgraded room - I did not.
Mar 6, 2013, 6:40 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Qantas Platinum 1, IHG Diamond, United 1K, Avis President
Posts: 347
Say's who?
I've been told what I stated by many Ritz Carlton managers and have experienced it as well
We do Marriott stays under my name, and Ritz under husbands
On one trip we booked two separate rooms (I use my maiden name with Marriott, to hard to change), two separate reservations - he had a lower status with Ritz than I did in Marriott. He got an upgraded room - I did not.
I've been told what I stated by many Ritz Carlton managers and have experienced it as well
We do Marriott stays under my name, and Ritz under husbands
On one trip we booked two separate rooms (I use my maiden name with Marriott, to hard to change), two separate reservations - he had a lower status with Ritz than I did in Marriott. He got an upgraded room - I did not.
Mar 6, 2013, 9:44 pm
#15
Moderator, Marriott Bonvoy & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: McKinney, TX, USA
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Posts: 11,727
This way, you will be an RC Plat when you are staying at an RC hotel. You will be a Marriott Plat when you are staying at a Marriott hotel.
