Ritz-Carlton & Sapphire Reserve Same Day Apps & 5/24
Way back in the ancient days of the Chase Sapphire Reserve launch, my wife went into a branch to apply for that card after calling our local banker and finding out she was preapproved. As I previously reported, she was approved for the card and is well on her way to claiming her 100K bonus and $300 travel credit. Yippee!
One of the strategies I like to employ if at all possible is applying for multiple cards in the same day at banks which combine credit pulls. Chase happens to be one of those banks that combines inquiries most of the time. It isn’t a perfect science, but I have have had pretty good success before. So, after my wife called me with the good news regarding the Sapphire Reserve, I looked for another card that might benefit her.
Choosing The Ritz-Carlton Visa Infiinite
Since she is well over 5/24, I focused on cards that had been known to have looser restrictions. One such card that came to mind was the new Ritz Carlton Visa Infinite card. There were some mixed 5/24 data points, but I saw enough cases of approvals, that I urged her to apply when she returned home and she did. Naturally the application went to pending.
Over the years I have learned to have patience when applying for cards, especially with Chase. It used to be beneficial to call reconsideration right away, but now I find it pays to wait. Plus, I don’t know about your spouse, but mine is never eager to make that call. So, we left on our trip to California, then Mexico, then New York and she returned home while I went to Atlantic City and DC for Reselling DO before returning home myself.
Once I settled back in, I started going through the packages that had arrived during my near three weeks of traveling. There were a few packages of items I had ordered to re-sell and then a rectangular cardboard box that had just come in that day. Assuming it was some sort of order, I opened it to see a beautiful sight. It was the gorgeous black box that held my wife’s brand new Ritz Carlton Visa Infinite card.
The Physical Card and Package
This card and package put the Sapphire Reserve to shame. Everything from the box that it comes in to the promotional material is of top quality. But of course the star of the show is the card itself. Unlike the Sapphire Reserve which is a piece of thin metal in between two pieces of plastic, the Ritz Carlton Visa Infinite is solid metal. It is more than twice the weight of the Sapphire Reserve and quite honestly feels far superior. The card simply impresses.
Why Get This Card
At this point you are probably wondering why we decided to get this card other than the fact that it looks and feels really really cool. Here are some of the benefits we value:
- 3 free nights at a Tier 1-4 property after $5K spend in 3 months. $450 annual fee.
- $300 annual travel credit. (For airline seats, baggage, etc. Manual and not as easy to get credit as some other cards, but I’ll make it work.)
- $100 off airfare purchases for 2 or more passengers.
In addition, the card also comes with:
- Ritz/Marriott Gold status (This was nice until today’s SPG match announcement. My wife is SPG Gold so this is not really a benefit.)
- Priority Pass Lounge Membership (It’s raining Priority Pass Memberships in my house.)
- $100 Global Entry Fee Credit
Breakdown
So if we are able to maximize the $300 annual travel credit, we will receive a total of $600 in credits over the first year with the card. Additionally, I can see a scenario where the $100 companion airfare discount will come in handy as well. Most importantly, the 3 free nights are fairly valuable. I am thinking we might use them in Maui, a hotel which easily goes for $400+ per night.
There is one other thing that has piqued my interest today. By spending $75,000 on this card, my wife could get Marriott Platinum status and thus Starwood Platinum. Yes, there is definitely some opportunity cost to that given the low value of the 1X earn on this card, but it is an interesting idea and one that I will keep tossing around.
Conclusion
There continues to be opportunity with Chase even if you are over 5/24, however it pays to be selective and patient. To be honest I had expected a denial given the amount of time that had passed, but my guess is Chase is a little backed up processing apps which might explain things. Either way, in one day with one inquiry my wife picked up $900 in annual fees (YIKES), a potential $1,200 in travel credits, 100K points and 3 free nights. Not bad if we play it right. And we will.
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Thinking of applying for CSR, will my pulls combine if I also apply for Marriott business?
The Ritz card is a joke. It’s a hunk of metal that literally clanks if you drop it. Nobody but wannabe pretentious twats would carry that ridiculous card in their wallet. Can call and Chase will send a plastic version.
I actually like it, but won’t be carrying it around either. You should never get a card just for the way it looks/feels.
nice man. happy for you and wife.
Take care man!
In branch Reserve app is “with the underwriter” and I will know soon supposedly. Beneficial use use this app to go for another Chase despite it’s pending status? I.E. will another app today end up biting me on the Reserve? I’m over 5/24 so It’s not like the difference of 12 apps to 13 apps will be a huge deal I think.
If the Ritz travel credit was as easy to use as the Reserve travel credit I would probably apply for the card. The Ritz card travel benefits are underwhelming but worth $150 if the travel credit can be utilized.
The travel credit can easily be used if you fly a lot and especially with a family. We have used it to upgrade to “extra space” seats, food for purchase from certain lounges and in-flight food, as well as in-flight wifi. You do that a few times over a few flights, among 3-4 people, and the credit is gone.
Do you think it would help to go into a Chase branch to apply for the Ritz card? My cousin just got denied yesterday for the Reserve, but has a trip planned that he could use the 3 free nights.
Thx