Ritz Carlton Reserve Now Part of Bonvoy (Earn and Burn)

Since the Ritz Carlton Reserve brand, a level well above standard Ritz Carlton’s, first launched, they have not been a part of the Marriott Bonvoy program. Tempting as they looked, there was no way to redeem points for them.

That’s now changed. Per Marriott:

Marriott Bonvoy has an exciting addition to its portfolio of participating brands and hotels. Beginning today, members can earn and redeem across the five Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties, located in Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, Puerto Rico and Mexico. More information about Ritz-Carlton Reserve can be found here.

Members will earn 10 points per dollar spent in base points plus bonus points depending on elite tier. Cobrand card accelerators will apply.

Members will receive one ENC per night for every night spent at a Ritz-Carlton Reserve property, and it will count toward lifetime status.

Because of the high level of service and unparalleled on-property offerings at Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties worldwide, an incremental point structure was incorporated to reflect the Ritz-Carlton Reserve experience. Redemption rates at launch will range between 80,000 – 240,000 points per night. Members will be able to book Cash + Points rates subject to availability. The Stay for 5, Pay for 4 benefit will apply.

The properties will offer unique elite benefits befitting the brand and reflecting its elevated level of luxury services and amenities. Please see elite benefits members will receive below in addition to services and amenities provided to all guests, including a personal host.

Some Brand highlights:

• Ritz-Carlton Reserve properties are intimate and offer an average of just 75 spacious, residential style suites and villas
• Each property seeks to foster a deep connection between guests and the local environment and culture
• Properties are set in select, remote and extraordinary corners of the world to give the feeling of a rare estate
• The design inspiration is tied very closely to the locale with extensive infusion of cultural elements and destination-driven architecture, designed to blend seamlessly into the environment
• Service is designed to be anticipatory, intuitive, personal, discrete, flexible

On-property Elite Benefits

*$150 Resort Credit per Stay for each guest room under the Member’s name and Membership Account.

I’ve long eyed the Ritz Carlton Reserve (Dorado) in Puerto Rico, until now unbookable with points.

On a sample day next month, I see value of close to a penny per Bonvoy point.

Bottom Line

This is great news any way you look at it, since these hotels were simply not previously bookable with points at all.

Given the recent Bonvoy devaluation, I’m a bit surprised in a good way that they are capping the points level, though 240,000 points a night is hardly going to be a steal. Still, with Bonvoy points generally worth about 0.6 cents, this might be a way to extract more value at the high end, especially since you still get the 5th night free on an award, which can get your total value up north of 1.2 cents per point on a stay like the Dorado. I’m unclear if this max of 240,000 points a night will still apply in 2023, however, when it appears they will closely tie points rates to cash rates without caps.