Does Ritz have a loyalty program?
 

Does Ritz have a loyalty program?

Other then spend money and get a room evey time the answer is no :(
They believe like Four Seasons that it is best to put all their $$$ into service
Not a bribe or incentive to make up for something that doesn't meet quality standards
In other words they guarantee a perfect stay instead.
In their belief if you want something you will have to pay for it
Marriott Rewards allows points to redeem for free nights at Ritz but no earnings are allowed in the program.
A shame because I might use them myself more if they did.

If you have an American Express Platinum or Centurion Card, it can "act" like a rewards program. Most Ritzs are on their Fine Hotels & Resorts listing. As a member, you get a complimentary room upgrade at check-in, free continental breakfast, guaranteed 4pm late check-out, and some other amenity at the hotel (such as free lunch, room credit, massage, etc.). Although you don't accumulate hotel points, you still get many of the perks as if you were a member of a hotel rewards program.

Sound like a great deal for those willing to pay a 3000 dollars a year annual fee :)
Or the discounted Platinum Amex annual fee for the poor folks :p
What is interesting is how Amex will take of Ritz Carlton customers with recognition more then Ritz Carlton will for its own customers.
But I can certainly see this as a postive program for the right group of customers.
Thanks for the tip may come in handy for those that ask.

There is always the Merrill Lynch+ Credit Card where you can be rewarded free nights at Ritz Carltons vis-a-vis meeting spending tiers. I thought I read somewhere that Visa Signature or Infinite Members get preferred service at RC too. Maybe I'm wrong. Like 777 global mile hound said, you'll just have to fork out the money otherwise. I figure, if you can afford to stay at a Ritz Carlton, you can pay for the room type you want and the services you'll use.

Virtuoso agents can offer better service than Amex agents and generally the same perks. www.virtuoso.com

I have never used Virtuoso. As a Diners Club Carte Blanche member, I received an extensive list of properities where members get "exclusive" amenities. It seemed to me that the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts offered a better with their program.

I have used Virtuoso before and they are usually fantastic. I say usually because not all Virtuoso agents are created equal. I have worked with 2 Virtuoso agents and one has (and continues to do a fantastic job) whereas the other did a so-so job, nothing better or worse than I could have received elsewhere. My suggestion, find a good Virtuoso agent because they do get upgrades and other freebies that you can only get as a top tier member of a rewards program or with Amex Centurion.

Amen!

Ritz does track your stays and provides recognition, although nothing great. At my 20th stay I got a Silver/Metallic Insulated Coffee Mug with the Ritz-Boston Common logo. At my 25th stay I got a golf shirt from the Ritz San Francisco with the Ritz logo. Saw it in the gift shop for some outrageous price and wanted to return it for a credit, but my wife said that wouldn't be appropriate. At a stay at the DC location a few years ago we were upgraded to a suite which had been turned down for a guest who was a no-show the prior night. The pillow cases were personalized with his initials; not sure how many stays until you get to that point....

I'd recommend CitiBank/CITI GOLD or Citi Platinum(credit-card)

They Have Some Sort of Behind-the-Scenes Program
 

There was a discussion of this on the luxury hotel boards some time back. The Ritz must have some sort of behind-the-scenes program where they track you and know you. We don't stay at Ritz's all that much, but have been upgraded to suites the last three times. They also seem to have information about preferences on file and use that to make our stays the best.

Just stayed at RC at Tyson's Corner. Its not all that. The service is so spotty. Its a disgrace to a 5 star hotel. I will stick with my Marriott or Starwood. This hotel is so inconsistent its crazy. I dont recommend it at all.

Over rated,over priced brand IMO.And no miles :td:
They certainly have some good properties.
And like all brands service will vary day to day,systemwide
I was there in March.
Other then the great location be prepared to pay for everything.
Just to get your email for a short time it was 10 or 15 bucks.

Would a Hilton Amex Platinum work for this? (or are not all Amex Platinums created equal?)

not created equal correct
It's a no go :(

Too bad, so sad. I just found this site which shows ALL the card benefits of the various Amex cards https://www124.americanexpress.com/c...EWARDS_CHOOSER
(and it confirms your assessment).
Might be useful if you've forgotten what all your Amex card benefits are!

At $395 a year for the Amex Platinum, I shall live without the occasional upgrade and free lunch at the Ritz Carlton!

I have the exact same question? Bump.....
Thanks!

Already answered above. No!

can you get these benefits with the card if you book hotel direct and just pay with the plat card? the rates are very different

Ritz-Virtuoso reservation
 

I made a reservation at the Ritz in SF, but I believe this is for any Ritz Hotel (at least in the U.S.)

I spoke to a fantastic woman from Virtuoso today who said she makes the reservation for you, but your credit card holds the room at the hotel, as if you went through the hotel directly. The card is charged when you check out. Virtuoso charges nothing extra. ^

She also said, as a benefit for using Virtuoso, you get a continental breakfast at the hotel, and 80% of the time, the hotel upgrades you upon check in to a Club Room or Suite or something.

This sounds fantastic! I'm just wondering, has anyone had luck as the 80% getting an upgrade? I wonder if it is really "most of the time" or "half of the time." Any idea what/where the continental breakfast is?

Thanks!

If its a Ritz Carlton reservation the terms will be very clearly spelled out in the rate rules (including any upgrade possibility). If you go to www.ritzcarlton.com , click on "Reservations", scroll down to the bottom of the page and click "confirm or cancel" you can key in your Ritz Carlton reservation number and last name. You will be able to view your confirmed room type, the name of the rate you are booked on, and a summary of the rate rules.

With the AMEX Fine Hotel program, as an example, the upgrade is on check-in, and a dlx room upgrades to a front-facing Stockton Room; a Stockton Room upgrades to a jr. suite; a jr. suite upgrades to an executive suite, and there is no upgrade from an executive suite. A club room upgrades to a club jr. suite; and a club jr. suite upgrades to a club executive suite. There is no upgrade from a club executive suite. Non-club rooms will not upgrade to anything on the club floor. Also with the AMEX program, the continental breakfast is good in the restuarant, or there is a credit (I seem to recall $20 per person) which can be applied to room service. These things may be different with the rate you are on...

If the wife and 2 kids are with, do you think one could get 4 breakfasts? :)

This is maybe coincident, but I find I get upgraded more often using FHR than Virutoso.