Ritz-Carlton Reserve Joins Marriott Bonvoy [Earn & Redeem Points]

Although Marriott Bonvoy dropped its award chart in favor of dynamic pricing in March 2022, plenty of people are still fans of Marriott Bonvoy. Now, loyalists will have another reason to celebrate as the Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties join the loyalty program. Let’s take a look.

The Ritz-Carlton Reserve Brand

Marriott is the world’s largest hotel chain, with more than 7,000 properties worldwide. However, there have been 2 brands — Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts and Ritz-Carlton Reserve — that have resisted joining the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, which meant that members could neither earn nor redeem points for their stays at these hotels. As ultra-luxurious resorts, it’s a bummer that such spending didn’t grant any earnings.

That problem is solved now, as all 5 Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotels have joined Marriott Bonvoy:

• Dorado Beach —Puerto Rico
• Higashiyama — Hokkaido, Japan
• Mandapa — Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
• Phulay Bay — Krabi, Thailand
• Zadun — San José del Cabo, Mexico

Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties are unlike their standard counterparts at The Ritz-Carlton in that they tend to offer larger rooms and smaller hotels overall. This can be great for those traveling in larger groups, as it’s possible to redeem your points for suites without an upcharge.

Is It Worth It?

There will always be some folks who are willing to pay exorbitant prices for their hotels, and these properties are no exception. On the face of it, you can actually redeem your points for some good value. Here’s a night at Mandapa, which is located in Bali:

80,000 points for a 1-bedroom suite in a high-end resort isn’t that bad, especially when you take a look at the cash price, which translates to roughly $1,000 per night:

At this rate, you’re redeeming your Marriott Bonvoy points for 1.2 cents each, which is nearly double our valuation of 0.7 cents per point. On its face, that sounds pretty good, right? But Bali overall is a fairly cheap destination, even for luxury properties.

Here’s a look at the Ritz-Carlton Bali, which is arguably as nice as Mandapa (or at least nearly as nice):

A 1-bedroom suite here with direct pool access will cost you just 50,400 points per night during Pointsavers.

Or, if you’re just looking for a simple 5-star resort on the beach, you could opt for The Stones Hotel, which will run you 30,600 points for a room with your own pool:

Of course, there are 4 other Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties around the world, and they’re not located in such cheap locations. You may find better bang for your Marriott buck there, though rates will be higher than 80,000 points per night.

Hot Tip: Want to earn more points? Take a look at our handy guide for the best ways to earn lots of Marriott Bonvoy points!

Final Thoughts

It’s always good news when new properties join loyalty programs, and the Ritz-Carlton Reserve hotels are no exception. Although there isn’t a use case for every traveler, those looking for ultra-high-end luxury in smaller hotels may want to splash out for a stay. Before you book, however, be sure there aren’t better options around.