Ritz Carlton Rewards Loyalty Program Launching Sep 15

Ritz Carlton will launch its own loyalty program September 15, 2010. Marriott Rewards will be a partner program with many reciprocal benefits for members of each program.

Marriott Rewards members will earn 10 points or 2 airline miles per $1 on room rate only for Ritz Carlton Hotel stays. This is the same earning rate currently for Marriott full-service brands, however, the lack of points for incidental spend is a drawback.

Advance notice of some details were provided this morning to readers of MarriottRewardsInsiders.com member forums and FlyerTalk. The real advance notice was published yesterday evening, as “Ritz Carlton Bows to Recession, Adds Rewards†in this Wall Street Journal article. 

There were several questions from FlyerTalkers about how the two programs will be integrated for purposes of elite credit and benefits and participating properties. Marriott Concierge posted some advance release additional details on FlyerTalk this morning:

-All Ritz-Carlton Hotels will be participating in Marriott Rewards with the exception of the following: 

• Bulgari Bali
• Bulgari Milan
• Hotel Ritz Lisbon
• Hotel Ritz London
• Hotel Ritz Madrid
• New Orleans Iberville Suites
• The Ritz Hotel Paris
• Ritz-Carlton Destination Club
• Ritz-Carlton Residences
• The Abaco Club
• Millennia Singapore
• Krabi (Phulay Bay) 

A complete list of all properties participating in Marriott Rewards will be available tomorrow with the official launch of the new landing page on MarriottRewards.com. I will be sure to provide this link once the page is live tomorrow. 

-This is the first point-earning program associated with The Ritz-Carlton. As noted, this extension of the Marriott Rewards program will apply credit for all stays made as of the official launch date of September 15, 2010. 

-Members earn both Marriott Rewards points and elite night credits at all participating Marriott Rewards properties, now including The Ritz-Carlton Hotels and EDITION. 

-A chart of elite membership benefits at The Ritz-Carlton Hotels by membership level will be available tomorrow upon launch of the new landing page on MarriottRewards.com. 

-Gold and Platinum benefits at The Ritz-Carlton Hotels worldwide will include free HSIA beginning September 15, 2010. All other brands noted in yesterday’s announcement will participate beginning January, 2011. 

-PointSavers Rewards will be offered at up to a 33% points discount off Hotel Rewards at participating Ritz-Carlton Hotels. PointSavers Rewards are available for limited time periods and participation and availability of PointSavers Rewards are at the discretion of the hotel. Members can redeem their points for PointSavers Rewards at participating Ritz-Carlton Hotels. Information detailing the points required for PointSavers Rewards at The Ritz-Carlton Hotels will be available tomorrow with the official launch of the new landing page on MarriottRewards.com. 

-The Club Lounge and Club levels at The Ritz-Carlton Hotels are different from those at a full-service Marriott property – Club Lounge access is not offered as an Elite benefit. Similarly, breakfast and other amenities are different from those of Marriott’s full-service properties. Marriott Rewards member benefits vary by brand, and this includes The Ritz-Carlton participating properties. A chart of elite membership benefits at The Ritz-Carlton Hotels by membership level will be available tomorrow upon launch of the new landing page on MarriottRewards.com. 

Thank you, 

Andrew and the Marriott Concierge Team 

 

This was the first hotel news item I saw this morning when I opened up BoardingArea.com to see Gary’s post on View from the Wing. My first thought was this could mean the end of the great reward table for Ritz-Carlton Hotel stays available through Marriott Rewards. 

While the Marriott Concierge post above states PointSavers will still be offered to Marriott Rewards members for Ritz-Carlton stays, my question is: Will we have the same great reward options currently available for 5- and 7-night Ritz-Carlton reward stays?

More details tomorrow when the RitzCarltonRewards.com website goes live.