Why I Upgraded to the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card

85K Free Night + $300 Airline Credit + FREE Priority Pass for All My Kids

A Travel Points Move That Actually Makes Sense

One of the most underrated upgrades in the points-and-miles world is moving from the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless to the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card.

This card isn’t available to new applicants — the only way to get it is by upgrading an existing Chase Marriott card. After sitting on the decision for a while, I finally pulled the trigger… and I’m glad I did.

Here’s exactly why this upgrade made sense for my travel style, my family, and my long-term strategy.

Here is the Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inZbVvHPQFc

1. The 85K Annual Free Night Certificate (The Real Star)

The Boundless card comes with a 35K free night certificate.
The Ritz-Carlton card upgrades that to a massive 85K Free Night Award every year.

That’s the difference between:

• A solid mid-tier Marriott
  versus
• A true luxury property in places like Tokyo, Maui, Rome, or New York, where nightly rates regularly run $600–$1,000+

For me, this certificate alone more than offsets the annual fee. It’s essentially buying a luxury hotel night at a deep discount every single year.

2. $300 Airline Incidentals Credit — And I Used Every Dollar

This is one of the easiest airline credits to use because it applies to:

• Seat selection
• Baggage fees
• Onboard food
• Other incidental airline charges

This summer, I used the entire $300 credit to pay for Air France exit-row seats for a family trip to Rome — for four people.

No tricks. No complicated redemptions. Just real savings on a cost I was going to pay anyway.

3. The “Secret” Benefit: Unlimited Free Authorized Users with Priority Pass

This is the benefit that truly pushed me over the edge.

The Ritz-Carlton card allows you to add unlimited Authorized Users for free, and each AU gets their own full Priority Pass membership — including lounge access and guesting.

No added fees. No caps.

I have four kids (all adults now), and I want them to have lounge access when they travel — whether it’s domestic or international. My Venture X is still a great card, but it now charges for Priority Pass access for Authorized Users.

For a family like ours, the Ritz card instantly became the better long-term solution.

4. I’m Not Using the Ritz as an Earning Card — And That’s Intentional

This card isn’t part of my everyday spend strategy.

I’m still using:

Chase Ink Trifecta
Amex Gold
Venture X
…to earn points.

The Ritz-Carlton card is strictly a benefits card for me. I’m paying the annual fee because I consistently get value from:

• The 85K free night
  
• The $300 airline credit
  
• Unlimited Priority Pass for my family
  

Even if I never earned a single point on this card, the value would still far outweigh the cost.

5. Why This Upgrade Is Perfect for Families or Group Travelers

If you regularly travel with:
✔️ Kids
✔️ Young adults
✔️ Extended family
✔️ Friends

This card pays for itself quickly.

Lounge access for everyone, premium seat selection, and a high-value free night each year dramatically improves the travel experience — without dramatically increasing costs.

Final Thoughts: Was the Upgrade Worth It? Absolutely.

For me, the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card isn’t about earning points — it’s about travel perks that actually matter:

• A luxury free night every year
  
• $300 back on airline charges I’d pay anyway
  
• Lounge access for my entire family
  
• No new credit pull and I keep my Chase account history
  

It’s one of the rare premium cards where the value is guaranteed, not theoretical.

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