We’ve had the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card for several years now. One of its most valuable perks is the $300 annual travel credit. But if you’ve never used it before, or are considering the card, there are some quirks you’ll want to know about.
Although this is officially a “travel” credit, in reality, it’s only valid for Qualifying Airline Purchases. That sounds limiting, but it’s not as restrictive as some other cards.
Not Like AMEX’s Airline Credit
Unlike AMEX’s airline incidental credit, where you have to pick one airline each year and hope your expenses trigger the automated algorithm, the Ritz-Carlton Card credit works with any airline.
However, there’s a catch: it’s not automatic. You must request a reimbursement through Chase.
Here’s how:
- Contact Chase within four billing statements of the purchase date.
- You can send a secure message via chase.com or call the number on the back of your card.
- Once approved, you’ll see the credit on your statement within 1–2 billing cycles. However, in my experience, it’s often much quicker, usually just a few days.
Manual Process Means Variable Results
Unlike AMEX, Chase processes these credits manually. That means what gets reimbursed may vary based on who you talk to. The terms define what’s “eligible,” but in practice, some charges are reimbursed even if they’re a bit outside the official list, especially if you’re a little vague in your description.
Based on my conversations with Chase, here are the allowed expenses:
- Airline lounge day passes
- Annual airline lounge memberships
- Airline seat upgrades
- Checked bag fees
- In-flight meals
- In-flight internet or entertainment
- Trusted Traveler programs (TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, Nexus, Sentri)
Note that, unlike with AMEX, seat upgrades are reimbursable by the Ritz-Carlton Card.
What’s Worked for Me
Over the years, I’ve used the $300 credit successfully for a variety of airline fees, including:
- JetBlue More Space fees
- Frontier Airlines bundle fee
- Norse Atlantic baggage and seat selection fees
- Spirit Airlines Wi-Fi and seat selection fees
- Breeze Airways seat selection fee
This credit can be especially useful for low-cost carriers, where you’re often hit with extra charges for everything. If you don’t have status or a co-branded credit card, the Ritz-Carlton Card credit can cover those fees.
It can also cover lounge fees, either for a membership or day passes. However, most lounges aren’t worth paying the fee to enter.
Other Cardholder Experiences
Several blogs and forums have long lists of charges that have (and haven’t) been reimbursed. That said, your experience may vary, and some of the reports are quite old. Since Chase can’t see the same level of detail of the expenses as American Express (which is both the issuer and payment processor), some cardholders have reported success getting reimbursed for charges, such as gift card purchases, by claiming they were for seat upgrades or other incidentals.
If you want to dig deeper, here are a few helpful resources:
- FlyerTalk: Ritz-Carlton Travel Credit Thread
- Frequent Miler: What Works for Ritz Fee Credits
- Doctor of Credit: Triggers for the Ritz $300 Credit
Since I’m conservative when it comes to dealing with banks, and I’ve never had a problem using the credits for the listed expenses, I’ve never tried these methods. Your Mileage May Vary.
Final Thought
The $300 airline credit from the Ritz-Carlton Card can be extremely valuable, especially if you fly budget carriers or don’t already have elite status to cover extras. Just be aware that using the credit isn’t as straightforward as it may seem, and results can vary depending on how you word your request. Still, with a little flexibility—and a little finesse—it can be a great way to offset the card’s annual fee.
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