Ritz-Carlton Reserve Joins Marriott Bonvoy

Ritz Carlton Reserve is joining Marriott Bonvoy, meaning that members will be able to earn and redeem points, as well as take advantage of elite perks, for stays at these properties.

What is Ritz-Carlton Reserve?

Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a collection of resorts. What is the difference between Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties and standard Ritz-Carlton resorts?

Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties have anywhere from 50 to 115 rooms. Some of Ritz-Carlton's resorts are basically luxury factories, with hundreds of rooms. The properties are in completely different leagues, and will offer a vastly different experience than what you would find at your average Ritz-Carlton.

Ritz-Carlton Reserve has five locations.

• Dorado Beach is a 115-room Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in Dorado, Puerto Rico
• Higashiyama is a 50-room room Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in Niseko, Japan
• Mandapa is a 60-room Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in Bali, Indonesia
• Phulay Bay is a 54-room Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in Krabi, Thailand
• Zadun is a 115-room Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in Los Cabos, Mexico

I've reviewed Zadun, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Los Cabos, so check it out. The hotels were amazing.

Ritz-Carlton Reserve joins Marriott Bonvoy

Ritz-Carlton Reserve has not participated in Marriott Bonvoy until now. You couldn't earn or redeem points for stays at Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties. That is finally changing, and I would consider that to be exciting.

Ritz-Carlton Reserve is owned by Marriott Bonvoy. Let's go over what you can expect.

Earn points at Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties

Marriott Bonvoy members will earn points at Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties at the same rate they would at other Marriott properties.

• Earn 10x points per dollar spent at Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties
• Receive elite points bonuses of 10-75%, depending on your status
• If you’re paying with a Marriott co-branded credit card, you’ll earn bonus points for Marriott spending

One elite night for every night stayed will count towards lifetime status for members.

Redeem points at Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties

It is now possible to redeem points for stays at Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties. Ritz-Carlton Reserve will cost 80,000 to 240,000 points per night at launch, and Marriott Bonvoy recently eliminated award charts. I have historically valued Bonvoy points at 0.7 cents each.

At Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties, Marriott Bonvoy's fifth night free feature also applies. I find that Cash + Points are not a great value.

Elite benefits at Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties

Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties offer Marriott Bonvoy members elite benefits. The chart shows what members can expect.

There are a few things to note.

• Not surprisingly, elite members don’t receive complimentary breakfast, just as is the case with Ritz-Carlton properties
• There’s not even any sort of a room upgrade perk for elite members
• It’s unique that Ambassador members receive a $150 resort credit at Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties, as that’s the first time we’ve seen a perk like that

Where’s the value in Ritz-Carlton Reserve joining Marriott Bonvoy?

Ritz-Carlton Reserve joining Marriott Bonvoy is exciting. There are a few ways to look at it.

I don't think the value will be that large on the redemption side.

• I’d expect that award pricing will closely reflect paid rates, and there probably won’t be too much outsized value to be had
• At the same time, if you have a lot of points, this is an opportunity to redeem points at what are now Marriott Bonvoy’s most luxurious properties
• The fact that there’s no breakfast or room upgrades will take some value out of this for elite members

I think it's more exciting on the points earning side.

• You’re going to get the best value by booking through the Marriott STARS program, offering perks like free breakfast, a $100 resort credit, a room upgrade, and more
• I view the Marriott Bonvoy points you can earn here as the equivalent of a discount in terms of how much a stay is costing you; for example, as a Bonvoy Titanium member paying with a co-branded credit card, I’d now earn 23x Bonvoy points per dollar spent, which is significant
• Then there’s the general value of being able to earn elite nights, spending toward Ambassador, etc., for Ritz-Carlton Reserve stays

Bottom line

Ritz-Carlton Reserve has been added to Marriott Bonvoy. Marriott Bonvoy is the most luxurious brand, and these properties are incredible.

Redemption rates at these properties will be high, reflecting the cost of a stay in cash, and elite benefits are limited. Since you can now get rewarded for staying at Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties, I think the best value is for those who were going to stay anyway.

What do you think about Ritz-Carlton Reserve joining Marriott Bonvoy?