Which card is better, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or the Ritz-Carlton card?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is the better premium travel rewards card, as it earns flexible rewards that can be transferred to airline and hotel partners. The card also comes with excellent travel insurance benefits. The Ritz-Carlton card is not open to applicants and must be obtained by first holding an eligible Chase Marriott-branded card for at least 12 months. The Ritz-Carlton card can be a valuable hotel rewards card for Marriott loyalists.

Does the Ritz-Carlton card come with lounge access?

Yes. The Ritz-Carlton card comes with worldwide lounge access through its included Priority Pass Select membership. Lounge access includes the cardholder and unlimited guests, as well as access for authorized users on the card.

Does the Ritz-Carlton card come with Marriott Bonvoy elite status?

Yes. The Ritz-Carlton card includes Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. The card also grants 15 elite night credits each year that count toward higher level Marriott Bonvoy elite status.

Does the Chase Sapphire Reserve card come with lounge access?

Yes. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card comes with Priority Pass Select membership which includes worldwide access to Priority Pass lounge properties and to the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations.

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Credit Cards

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card vs. The Ritz Carlton Card [Detailed Comparison]

Updated: December 4, 2025, 3:00pm CST

Edited by:

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Table of Contents

Key Takeaways
Card Overview
Welcome Offer Comparison
Earning Potential
Redemptions
Travel Protections
General Travel Benefits
Hotel Program Benefits
Shopping Protections and Benefits
Annual Fees and Authorized Users
Final Thoughts

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Key Takeaways

The Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is open to new applicants, while The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card can only be obtained after you hold an eligible Chase-issued Marriott-branded card for 12 months or more and request a product change.
Both cards offer worldwide lounge access through Priority Pass Select membership, but the Ritz-Carlton card includes unlimited guests and access for authorized users.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a premium travel card that earns flexible rewards, while the Ritz-Carlton card earns Marriott Bonvoy points and is better suited for Marriott loyalists.

There are several similarities between the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and the Ritz-Carlton card. Chase issues both cards, which offer worldwide lounge access, robust earning structures, and key travel and shopping benefits.

The similarities mostly end there, and the cards diverge into distinct, but equally beneficial, choices.

We’ll share the attributes of both cards and the reasons the cards could earn a place in the wallet of the right cardholder.

Card Overview

It can be helpful to review a high-level comparison before diving into the details of each card.

Here’s how the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and the Ritz-Carlton card compare across key features and benefits:

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Feature or Benefit	Chase Sapphire Reserve^®	The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card
Welcome Offer	Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.	N/A
Earning Potential	8x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel 5x points on Lyft through September 30, 2027 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $150 (through December 31, 2027) 4x points on airfare and hotels purchased directly through the airline or hotel 3x points dining purchases, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out 1x points on other purchases	6x points at participating Marriott properties 3x points on dining, car rentals, and airlines 2x points on all other purchases
Top Redemption Options	Redeem points for up to 2 cents each with Points Boost for travel booked through Chase Travel. Transfer points to airline and hotel travel partners.. Redeem points for up to 1.5 cents each with Pay Yourself Back	Redeem for free hotel nights at Marriott properties. Transfer to airline partners. Redeem for experiences.
Top Travel Protections	Primary auto rental coverage Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance and trip delay reimbursement Lost luggage reimbursement, baggage delay insurance Premium roadside dispatch Emergency evacuation and medical and dental coverage	Primary auto rental collision damage waiver Trip delay reimbursement Baggage insurance Roadside Assistance Emergency medical and dental coverage
Top Travel Benefits	Priority Pass Select membership Access to Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club $300 annual travel statement credit Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS fee reimbursement No foreign transaction fees	Priority Pass Select membership Access to Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club Up to a $300 annual airline incidental fees credit Global Entry fee reimbursement No foreign transaction fees
Hotel Program Benefits	Up to $500 in annual hotel credits for The Edit On-site benefits for The Edit Complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum elite status	Annual Free Night Award (up to 85,000 points) Automatic Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status 15 Marriott Bonvoy elite night credits each calendar year 3 upgrades to use on paid stays at Ritz-Carlton properties Up to $100 annual on-site credit on paid stays at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis properties (2-night stay or longer required)
Top Shopping Protections and Benefits	Purchase protection, extended warranty, return protection $300 dining credit with Exclusive Tables $300 DoorDash credits DoorDash DashPass membership $300 StubHub or Viagogo statement credits each year	Purchase protection, extended warranty, return protection Chase Offers
Annual Fees and Authorized Users	Annual fee: $795 Authorized user annual fee: $195 per user	Annual fee: $450 Authorized user annual fee: $0 per user

Welcome Offer Comparison

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers the opportunity to earn a welcome bonus offer after meeting minimum spending requirements within the specified period following card approval.

The Ritz-Carlton card does not come with a welcome offer. Also, the card is not open to new applicants directly. To be eligible for the Ritz-Carlton card, you must first have the Marriott Bonvoy Bold^® Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless^® Credit Card, or the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Credit Card for a full 12 months. Contact Chase after 12 months to request the product change.

Here is the latest information on welcome offers and details for each card:

NEW OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome OfferEarn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
125,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:
$2,500

Annual Fee

$795

APR

19.74% - 28.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Excellent

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like worldwide airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options. Plus, it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to cover you at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the more than $2,000 in annual credits, which can offset the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

8x points on all Chase Travel purchases
5x points on Lyft rides
4x points on flights and hotels booked directly

Cons

$795 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge^® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^® every 4 years
Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $250 annually
Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.74% - 28.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card

U.P. Rating

The Ritz-Carlton card comes loaded with perks and benefits that any Marriott loyalist is sure to love.

The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card

The Ritz-Carlton card comes loaded with perks and benefits that any Marriott loyalist is sure to love.

Annual Fee

$450

Why We Like This Card

The Ritz-Carlton card is a valuable card to have in your wallet if you frequently stay at Marriott properties and want perks like Marriott elite status, airport lounge access, an annual travel credit, and more.

Pros & Cons

Pros

6x points on Marriott stays
3x points on dining, rental cars, and airfare purchased directly with airlines
2x points on all other purchases

Cons

Charges a large annual fee
You cannot apply for the card outright, you can only upgrade to it from another Chase-issued Marriott card

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

No welcome offer available.
6x points for every $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
3x Points for every $1 spent on dining, car rentals and airline purchases.
2x Points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Receive 15 Elite Night Credits every calendar year and Automatic Gold Elite status.
Earn a $300 Annual Travel Credit which you can use for qualifying airline purchases such as baggage fees, seat upgrades, and preferred lounge memberships or passes. To apply travel credit, call 1-855-896-2222 after using your card.
Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide through your Priority Pass™ Select membership. Access is unlimited regardless of airline or ticket class. Enjoy a place to relax with complimentary refreshments.
Apply for Global Entry, a U.S. customs and border protection program, using your Ritz-Carlton Credit Card to pay your application fee and receive a statement credit. If approved, you will also be eligible to receive TSA pre ✓^® privileges at no additional cost.
Use your Ritz-Carlton Credit Card to unlock special car rental benefits. Enroll in leading car rental reward programs from Avis, National, and Silvercar. Book with your Ritz-Carlton Credit Card and take advantage of great savings and special offers.
Make purchases abroad without being charged foreign transaction fees.

Financial Snapshot

Foreign Transaction Fees:

Bottom Line:

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is open to new applicants and includes a generous welcome offer. The Ritz-Carlton card does not have a welcome offer and can only be obtained after holding an eligible Chase Marriott Bonvoy-branded card for 12 months or more and contacting Chase to request a product change.

Earning Potential

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card earns flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points, while the Ritz-Carlton card earns Marriott Bonvoy points.

We’ll discuss redemptions next, but first, it’s essential to evaluate the value proposition by determining how well the card you select earns rewards on your most common purchases.

Here’s how you earn rewards on each card:

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Earning Category	Chase Sapphire Reserve^®	The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card
Travel	8x points on all Chase Travel purchases 5x points on Lyft through September 30, 2027 4x points on flights and hotels purchased directly	6x points on purchases at participating Marriott properties 3x points on flights purchased with airlines and car rentals 2x points on all other travel
Dining	3x points on dining, including takeout and eligible delivery	3x points
All other purchases	1x points	2x points

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card earns well on purchases through Chase Travel and on flights and hotels purchased directly. Beyond that, dining and Lyft rides are the additional bonus earning categories. If you spend heavily on flights and dining, you earn well on the card.

The Ritz-Carlton card also includes bonus earnings for flights and car rentals, but is more focused on earnings at Marriott properties. Those who stay frequently on paid stays at Marriott and dine out often benefit greatly. Plus, all other purchases earn 2x points.

Earning rewards is just part of the value equation. The value you receive at redemption time is also essential.

Hot Tip:

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders who spend $75,000 or more in a calendar year receive additional benefits, including Southwest Airlines A-List status and a $500 Southwest Airlines credit when booked through Chase Travel, a $250 credit to the Shops at Chase, and IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status.

Redemptions

Redemption options for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and the Ritz-Carlton card differ greatly, as the Chase Sapphire Reserve card earns flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points that offer greater possibilities.

United Polaris business class — Securing a business class seat with points makes for a comfortable flight. Image Credit: Katie Corrigan Seemann

The Ritz-Carlton card earns Marriott Bonvoy Points that can also be valuable for select redemptions.

Here are the options for each of our featured cards:

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Redemption	Chase Sapphire Reserve^®	The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card
Travel	Redeem points for up to 2 cents each with Points Boost through Chase Travel Transfer points to airline and hotel partners Redeem points for 1 cent each for a statement credit for previous travel purchases Redeem points for up to 1.5 cents each with Pay Yourself Back Redeem points for 1 cent each for experiences	Redeem points for hotel award nights at Marriott properties Transfer points to airline partners Access Marriott Moments and cruises
General statement credits	Redeem points for 1 cent each for a general statement credit.	N/A
Additional redemptions	Cash, shopping with participating retailers, experiences, gift cards, charitable donations	Gift cards, merchandise

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card has the edge at redemption time, with several options that can yield over 2 cents per Ultimate Rewards point. Transferring points to airline and hotel partners can yield the best results, but redeeming points with Points Boost through Chase Travel can also be a good value. Plus, you can redeem points for 1 cent each as a statement credit or for cash.

Additionally, you can also redeem your Chase Ultimate Rewards points for up to 1.5 cents each when using Pay Yourself Back in rotating categories.

While the best value for Marriott Bonvoy points earned on the Ritz-Carlton card may be for free hotel award nights, you can also transfer to dozens of airline partners to redeem for award flights. You receive a 5,000-mile bonus when transferring 60,000 or more points to most airline partners.

Both Ultimate Rewards points and Marriott Bonvoy points can also be redeemed for experiences.

Travel Protections

Knowing that you may receive economic relief in the event of a covered incident during your travels can provide peace of mind. Included travel protections found on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and the Ritz-Carlton card can help.

Here are the travel protections included with each card:

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Travel Protection	Chase Sapphire Reserve^®	The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card
Car rental collision damage waiver	Primary auto insurance coverage	Primary coverage for most cars in the United States and abroad
Trip cancellation and interruption	$10,000 per person per trip, up to $20,000 per occurrence	N/A
Trip delay	If your trip is delayed more than 6 hours or overnight, you could receive up to $500 per ticket.	If your trip is delayed for a covered event for more than 12 hours, or overnight, you could receive up to $500 per covered traveler for eligible incidentals.
Baggage insurance	Up to $3,000 for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage (up to $2,000 for New York residents) Up to $100 per day for 5 days for eligible incidentals for a baggage delay of more than 6 hours	Up to $3,000 for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage Up to $100 per day for 5 days when baggage is delayed more than 6 hours
Emergency evacuation, medical, and dental	Emergency evacuation and transportation for up to $100,000 Up to $2,500 emergency medical and dental	Up to $2,500 for emergency medical or dental when on a trip more than 100 miles from home, with a $50 deductible
Roadside assistance	Coverage for up to 4 service calls per year in the United States or Canada, up to $50 per service call

Although both cards offer several travel protections, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers better overall travel insurance, including trip cancellation, trip interruption, and trip delay coverage that applies after 6 hours (versus 12 hours with the Ritz-Carlton card).

Bottom Line:

While both cards offer several useful travel protections, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card has the edge, particularly with trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance, as well as more comprehensive trip delay coverage.

General Travel Benefits

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card and the Ritz-Carlton card offer several valuable travel benefits that can make your trips more comfortable and save you money.

Plaza Premium Lounge Priority Pass MCO Orlando Image Credit Chris Hassan — Lounge access can provide a quiet retreat from the busy airport. Plaza Premium Lounge Orlando. Image Credit: Chris Hassan

Travel benefits can contribute substantially to the bottom-line value you receive with your card.

Here are the general travel benefits found on our featured cards:

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Travel Benefit	Chase Sapphire Reserve^®	The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card
Priority Pass Select membership and access to Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club	Included for cardholder and up to 2 guests	Included for cardholder, authorized users, and no set limit on additional guests
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS fee teimbursement	Up to $120 statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS	Up to $120 statement credit for Global Entry only
Travel statement credits	Up to $300 annual statement credit for general travel purchases	Up to $300 each year for airline incidentals purchases, lounge membership or access
Car rental and ride-sharing program benefits	$120 in Lyft app credits, available at $10 monthly Car rental program discounts and elite status	Avis, National, and Hertz discounts and benefits
Foreign transaction fees	Neither card charges foreign transaction fees.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card has a general travel statement credit that is easy to use. The airline incidentals credit and lounge access credit on the Ritz-Carlton card, although more challenging to utilize, can provide an equally valuable benefit if you travel even a few times a year. It’s worth noting that the Chase Sapphire Reserve card travel statement credit is credited automatically, while the Ritz-Carlton card credit requires you to manually apply by contacting Chase.

One significant difference in the cards is lounge access. The Ritz-Carlton card includes Priority Pass lounge access for authorized users, with no written limit for additional guests. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card Priority Pass membership limits guests to 2.

Bottom Line:

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card and the Ritz-Carlton card have several valuable travel benefits. The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers a $300 annual travel statement credit that is easy to use. In contrast, the Ritz-Carlton card offers an annual $300 airline incidentals and lounge access statement credit. Both cards come with a Priority Pass Select membership, but the Ritz-Carlton card provides unlimited access for guests.

Hotel Program Benefits

In addition to the general travel benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and the Ritz-Carlton card, there are several hotel-specific benefits.

Ritz Carlton Istanbul room bed — Get on-site hotel benefits when booking with your card. The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul. Image Credit: Keri Stooksbury

Here are the hotel-related benefits on each card:

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Hotel Program Benefit	Chase Sapphire Reserve^®	The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card
Hotel program elite status	IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status	Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status 15 elite night credits each year toward higher Marriott Bonvoy elite status
Hotel statement credits	Up to $500 in annual statement credits with The Edit The $300 annual travel statement credit can be used for hotel purchases Starting in 2026: $250 credit on select prepaid hotel bookings	N/A
Additional hotel benefits	On-site benefits with The Edit	Annual Free Night Award good at Marriott properties, up to 85,000 points Up to $100 annual on-site credit for paid stays at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis property (2-night stay or longer required) 3 upgrades each year to use on paid Ritz-Carlton stays

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

IHG One Rewards elite status: Platinum-level elite status as long as you hold the card
On-site benefits for The Edit: Book a 2-night stay or longer through Chase Travel and receive elite-style benefits including daily breakfast for 2, an upgraded room at check-in (when available), a welcome gift, a $100 on-site amenity credit, early check-in and late checkout (when available), and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Up to $500 credit with The Edit
- 2025: $500 in annual statement credits, $250 statement credit January through June, and $250 July through December (2-night minimum stay required)
- 2026: $500 annual statement credit that can be used throughout the year (2 separate transactions of $250 are required)
Starting in 2026: Up to $250 credit on prepaid hotel bookings (with a 2-night minimum) made via Chase Travel with IHG Hotels & Resorts, Minor Hotels, Montage Hotels & Resorts, Omni Hotels & Resorts, Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts, Pendry Hotels & Resorts, and Virgin Hotels

Ritz-Carlton Card

Marriott Bonvoy elite status: The card comes with Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and 15 elite night credits toward higher status levels.
Free Night Award: Receive a Free Night Award each year, worth up to 85,000 points. Plus, you can top it off with Marriott Bonvoy points for up to 15,000 additional points to use for a Free Night Award worth up to 100,000 points.
Marriott on-site benefits: When booking a paid 2-night stay or longer at a Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis property, you receive up to $100 in on-site credit. You also receive 3 upgrades per year for upgraded rooms on paid Ritz-Carlton stays.

Hot Tip:

The Edit by Chase Travel includes many Marriott properties, including Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis. By adding your Marriott Bonvoy hotel loyalty program number to your booking through Chase Travel with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you receive any applicable Marriott Bonvoy benefits.

Shopping Protections and Benefits

Shopping protections can provide economic relief should you have a covered problem with an eligible purchase made with your card. Shopping benefits can save you money or help you earn additional rewards.

Here are the shopping protections and benefits on the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and the Ritz-Carlton card:

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Shopping Protection or Benefits	Chase Sapphire Reserve^®	The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card
Purchase protection	120 days from the date of purchase for damage or theft, up to $10,000 per eligible item, up to $50,000 per calendar year	120 days from the date of purchase for damage or theft, up to $500 per eligible item
Extended warranty	For eligible items with manufacturer’s warranties of 3 years or less, 1 additional year is added.
Return protection	If the merchant will not accept a return of an eligible item within 90 days of the purchase date, you could receive up to $500 per item, up to $1,000 per 12 months.
Shopping statement credits	$300 dining credit with Exclusive Tables $300 DoorDash credits DoorDash DashPass membership $300 StubHub or viagogo statement credits each year through December 31, 2027 $120 Peloton credits through December 31, 2027	N/A
Additional shopping benefits	Complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions Chase Offers	Chase Offers

While both cards offer shopping protections for eligible purchases, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card has the edge in terms of shopping benefits and statement credits for specific purchases.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

Up to $300 annual dining credit: Receive up to $150 in statement credits from January through June and another $150 from July through December when using your card to dine at restaurants that are a part of the Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables program.
Up to $300 in annual DoorDash credits and DashPass membership: Receive 2 $10 nonrestaurant credits and 1 $5 restaurant credit each month for a total of up to $300 in annual credits. Additionally, the complimentary DoorDash DashPass includes free delivery and reduced fees.
Up to $300 in annual StubHub or viagogo credits: Activate this benefit, purchase through StubHub or viagogo, and receive up to $300 in statement credits each year. Receive up to $150 January through June and up to $150 July through December.
Up to $120 in annual Peloton credits: Use your card to enroll and receive a statement credit of up to $10 per month, up to $120 per year, for your Peloton membership purchase.
Complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music: Enroll through the Chase app with your Apple ID to receive complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music subscriptions valued at up to $250 per year.

Both cards include Chase Offers that can be added to your card. Log in to your online card account, select offers from service providers and retailers, make the required purchase, and earn additional cash-back or rewards points.

Annual Fees and Authorized Users

It’s essential to understand any fees associated with holding a card to determine its bottom-line value.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card has an annual fee of $795 and charges an authorized user annual fee of $195.

The Ritz-Carlton card has an annual fee of $450 and does not charge a fee to add authorized users.

Final Thoughts

If you currently hold an eligible Chase Marriott Bonvoy-branded card and have had it for more than 12 months, it may make sense to upgrade to the Ritz-Carlton card. You’d get lounge access for you and all your travel companions, along with enhanced hotel program benefits.

Otherwise, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is better overall and offers a generous welcome offer. The card is a premium travel card that earns flexible rewards with a broader range of redemptions. The card also offers excellent travel protections and benefits, as well as statement credits that more than offset the annual fee.

If you’re a Marriott loyalist, having both cards in your portfolio could yield an excellent combination for award flights and hotel stays.