Ritz-Carlton Lounge Access Gets a Tweak

Hey friends, what's up? Phillip here with Points of Phillip, and we need to talk about some pretty big news that dropped recently concerning the Ritz-Carlton credit card. Specifically, we're diving into the changes affecting lounge access and how that's going to impact us moving forward. This news came out yesterday, but with all the other happenings, we're finally giving it the dedicated focus it deserves today!

The Ritz-Carlton credit card has long been celebrated for its generous lounge access, not just for the primary cardholder but also for family and guests. Its Chase Priority Pass is considered one of the best, and the Chase Sapphire Lounge access is equally robust. But things are changing.

Starting January 15th, 2025, Ritz-Carlton credit card members will be able to enter the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club and participating Priority Pass lounges with up to two guests at no additional charge.

Now, if you're like me, you might be thinking, "Wait, what was it before?" Theoretically, it was unlimited! Jay Geyser, formerly known as Sunny Money, even famously brought 11 of his closest friends into the Sapphire Lounge in Philadelphia. Going from theoretically unlimited to a strict two-guest limit is, without a doubt, a significant change.

But here's the silver lining – and why it might not be as bad as it seems: Authorized users on the Ritz-Carlton credit card also receive two guests free of charge into the Sapphire lounges. And guess what? Authorized users on the Ritz-Carlton card are free!

This is huge! If you recall, many premium cards charge for authorized users, but not this one. So, if you're traveling with, say, your significant other, you can add them as an authorized user. Then, you can bring one guest, and they can bring one guest. Suddenly, your party of four is covered! Each additional guest beyond the two-person limit will cost $27 per person. So, while you might need to plan a little more strategically, families can still leverage this benefit effectively.

A Broader Trend: Lounge Access Tightens Up

This isn't an isolated incident. We're seeing a clear trend across the premium credit card landscape where lounge access is becoming more restrictive.

• Capital One Venture X: This card is also changing its lounge access policy in February. Currently, as an authorized user on my wife's Venture X card, I have free lounge access. Soon, I will need to pay a separate $125 fee for that privilege. If my wife and I both present our cards at a Capital One Lounge (like the one in Dulles or DCA), she gets in free, but I'd have to pay $45. And if I travel alone, I won't have access at all without that separate fee.

• American Express Platinum Card: Last year, Amex famously altered its guest policy. To get unlimited guest privileges to Centurion or Sky Clubs, you now need to spend $75,000 or more on your Platinum card annually. This is a substantial spend on a card that primarily earns 1x on most purchases, pushing users to put significant spend on a card that isn't ideal for everyday spending.

It's clear that card issuers are feeling the pinch of crowded lounges and are looking for ways to manage demand.

Why the Ritz-Carlton Card Still Holds Value

Despite these changes, I genuinely believe the Ritz-Carlton card remains a fantastic option, especially for families looking for reliable lounge access. With the authorized user strategy, it still offers one of the best pathways to getting your whole crew into lounges at a low (or no) additional cost.

Let's look at why I hold this card and plan to keep getting great value from it:

• Annual Fee: $450.

• Earning Rates:

  • 6x points per dollar spent at Marriott properties.

  • 3x points per dollar spent on dining, car rentals, and airline purchases (excellent for a Visa with no foreign transaction fees!).

  • 2x points per dollar spent on all other purchases.

• Key Benefits:

  • Marriott Gold Status: While not the highest tier, it offers benefits like premium internet (though I've had mixed experiences getting it!).

  • Industry-Leading Travel Protections: This is a big one! It includes primary collision damage waiver for rental cars, lost luggage, trip cancellation insurance, and more. These benefits alone can save you a ton if something goes wrong.

  • 85,000-Point Free Night Award: On your card member anniversary, you receive an 85,000-point free night certificate. You can even top this up with an additional 15,000 points to reach 100,000 points! I'm planning to use mine for a hotel stay in London, potentially saving $700-$800. This benefit alone can easily offset the annual fee.

  • $300 Annual Travel Credit: This credit is incredibly flexible. Officially for "travel incidentals," it's historically been "wide open." The only caveat is you usually have to call in to have it applied to specific charges. Crucially, this credit refreshes every calendar year! I'll be making an airfare booking on January 1st to utilize mine.

  • Enhanced Priority Pass: Unlike some other cards, the Ritz-Carlton Priority Pass includes access to Minute Suites and Express Spas, offering a more premium experience.

Essentially, by strategically using the $300 travel credit, you're "buying" that 85,000-point free night award for just $150 out of pocket, plus you get all the other benefits, including that valuable lounge access.

How I Got Mine

I product-changed to the Ritz-Carlton card last February from my Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card. The process was straightforward: ensure I had a $10,000 credit limit on the Boundless card and had held it for at least a year. A quick 5-minute phone call did the trick, and I signed up for Priority Pass directly on that call (which I recommend, as it's not easily done in the app).

Other Family Lounge Options

While Capital One and American Express have tightened their belts, and Chase still offers an option via authorized users, there's another card to consider if you have a larger family and primarily fly American Airlines: the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card. It's an expensive card, but it grants the primary cardholder and any authorized user (who are also free) access to Admirals Club lounges. This means if you have multiple kids, they can all get in with you.

Final Thoughts

The changes to the Ritz-Carlton credit card's lounge access are not a positive development, but they are far from a deal-breaker. By understanding the new rules and strategically utilizing the free authorized user benefit, the Ritz-Carlton card continues to offer exceptional value, especially for families seeking premium lounge access. When you factor in the 85k free night, the $300 travel credit, and all the robust travel protections, this card remains a cornerstone of my wallet.

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