Now that the sign-up bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is 50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points, I’ve been thinking of how to use the points to splurge on memorable award nights at Ritz-Carlton hotels, and get in some beach time!
I’ll show you my picks for top beaches at Ritz-Carlton hotels all over the world, including popular locations like Miami and Hawaii (and there are a couple of surprises on the list, too!).
You can also earn more Ritz-Carlton award stays with other cards including the Chase Marriott Rewards Premier and Chase Ritz-Carlton Rewards card.
I’ll show you 5 great hotels to book with Ritz-Carlton points for a beach vacation!
5 Beaches With Ritz-Carlton Hotels Where You Can Get Award Stays With Points
Ritz-Carlton made changes to their loyalty program last year, including:- Points Advance – Book an award stay before you have the points, as long as you earn (or buy) the points to cover the full cost 14 days before check-in.
- Points Sharing – Share your Ritz-Carlton points with ANY Ritz-Carlton or Marriott member (up to 50,000 points per year). Once per year you can go over the 50,000 point limit right before a specific redemption, only up to the amount needed for a specific stay, rounded to the nearest 1,000 points.
- Elite Credit for Award Nights – Redeem points for award nights and you’ll earn stay credits towards Ritz-Carlton elite status
- Cash + Points – Use a combination of points and cash to book each night of your stay
I like using Hotel Hustle to find hotels for award stays because it shows how many points you’ll need for your specific travel dates. And it’ll show you if award nights are actually available.
Another option is AwardMapper. It shows similar information. But it’s not specific to travel dates and won’t search for available award rooms.
I haven’t stayed at these hotels myself, but they look beautiful!
Note: The prices in these examples are based on travel in March 2016.Emily and I like to use Chase Ultimate Rewards points for award stays Hyatt hotels. Or for international flights on United Airlines and their partners. We’ve made great memories that way, but your best use of Chase Ultimate Rewards points is for travel that’s meaningful to YOU.
Note: Some Ritz-Carlton hotels (especially resorts) add pricey resort fees to paid and award nights. Before you book, check the hotel policy to decide if it’s worth it for you.1. The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples is ideal for a family vacation or romantic weekend away. This hotel has 3 miles of beachfront to explore – create lifelong memories along the way!
It’s a short drive from the airport in Fort Myers, and to Everglades National Park. It would be perfect as part of a bigger trip to Florida, or as its own peaceful destination.
There are 3 pools to choose from and 8 in-house restaurants (including a poolside bar). And if you like to golf, there’s a 36-hole course here, too!
Folks on TripAdvisor loved their time at this beautiful hotel!
A night here costs ~$1,176 or 70,000 Ritz-Carlton points per night. Remember you’ll earn 2X Chase Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent on travel and dining to help you earn enough points for a free night!
2. The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour, Miami
The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour, Miami is located on a gorgeous strip of Bal Harbour beach on the Atlantic Ocean.
The hotel also has a heated outdoor swimming pool with a poolside grill and bar. Service attendants are available during the day to bring you snacks or drinks while you’re lounging!
Be sure to read the reviews of the staff and service on TripAdvisor!
When I checked, nights here cost ~$1,159, or 70,000 Ritz-Carlton points.
If you want extend your time on the beach, you can mix your award stay at Ritz-Carlton with a paid stay on Airbnb. I found rooms starting at ~$29 a night a few blocks from the ocean! Here are my tips on how to find a good and safe Airbnb.
3. The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua is located on the Hawaiian island of Maui, and surrounded by the Pacific Ocean.
Nights here cost ~$708 or 60,000 Ritz-Carlton points.
Because the math works out to ~1.2 cents per point for this hotel, ($708 per night / 60,000 Ritz-Carlton points) you might only want to transfer a small number of Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Ritz-Carlton instead of the entire 60,000.
That’s because when you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth 1.25 cents per point when you book airfare and hotels through the Chase Travel portal.
Instead, use Marriott points at this hotel (they work with Ritz-Carlton) that you’ve earned from the Marriott credit cards.
Save Over $1,400 by Using Your 2 Free Nights
You might also consider using the 2 free nights you can earn with the Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card here. When you meet this card’s minimum spending, you’ll earn 2 free nights at any Tier 1 to Tier 4 Ritz-Carlton hotel. And the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, is a Tier 4 hotel!
Emily and I don’t receive a commission for the Ritz-Carlton card, but we always tell you about the best deals!
If you’re looking for for fun activities, you can go diving off the coast to see the beautiful coral reef. Or do like Emily and I did, and drive the legendary Road to Hana!
4. The Ritz-Carlton, Abama
Located in the sunny Canary Islands, The Ritz-Carlton, Abama, is on Tenerife, the “Island of Eternal Spring.” The islands get plenty of sunshine and have warm weather all year-round, so any time is a great time to visit!
This hotel costs ~$486 or 50,000 Ritz-Carlton points per night, but rates can sometimes reach over $600. So depending on when you go, your points can save you a lot of money!
Again, because the math works out to under 1.25 cents per point, this is NOT the best use of transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points. You’d do better booking this hotel with Marriott or Ritz-Carlton points earned from their cards.
If you decide to venture out, consider a road trip through the Natural Park of Teno in the northern part of the island.
This hotel is a destination unto itself, and would be perfect for a island getaway!
5. The Ritz-Carlton Sanya, Yalong Bay
The Ritz-Carlton Sanya, Yalong Bay is a 5-star hotel located along the South China Sea. It has miles of private beaches, swimming pools, and beautiful views of Yalong Bay and the nearby mountains.
Nights here cost ~$477, or 50,000 Ritz-Carlton points.
I suggest using Marriott points or Ritz-Carlton points that you’ve earned from staying at their hotels or earn with their cards. Or transfer just enough Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Ritz-Carlton to qualify for the free room if you’re currently just shy of an award night.
Because Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth, at minimum, 1 cent per point for cash back. And they’re worth 1.25 cents per point when you book hotels through the Chase Travel portal.
So you wouldn’t want to transfer 50,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Ritz-Carlton for a $477 hotel room when those points are worth at least $500. But if you’re only, say, 2,000 points shy of a free room, you might consider moving Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Ritz-Carlton.
There’s lots to do in the area when you’re not on the beach or in the pool! You can arrange to borrow a bike and explore groves of mangrove trees. Or rent a Segway or play a game of tennis. There are even special play areas for the kids.
Get More Ritz-Carlton Points!
Chase Ultimate Rewards Cards
Link: Chase Sapphire Preferred
Link: Chase Ink Plus
Link: Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card
Link: Chase Freedom
You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Ritz-Carlton instantly at a 1:1 ratio if you have the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Ink Plus, or (no longer offered) Chase Ink Bold card.
If you have the Chase Freedom or Chase Ink Cash cards you can combine the points and transfer to Ritz-Carlton as long as you have 1 of the other cards!
This is great for folks who want to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred card. That’s because you’ll earn 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the 1st 3 months of opening your account. Then splurge for a wonderful night at a Ritz-Carlton hotel!
Remember, Chase has gotten more selective with their approvals if you’ve opened more than ~5 cards within the past 24 months. So if you’re interested, make sure to get this card before any others!
And the Chase Freedom card has rotating quarterly categories that earn 5X Chase Ultimate Rewards points when you activate the bonus. Bonus categories often include everyday purchases like dining out, gas, and subway tickets.
The Freedom card also has an increased sign-up bonus of $150 (15,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points) after spending $500 on purchases within the 1st 3 months of opening your account, and NO annual fee!
Now is a good time to open a card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards points. It’s my favorite points program and the top card I recommend to folks who are new to miles and points.
Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Cards
Link: Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Card – 50,000 Points + $200 Marriott Gift Card Offer
Link: Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Card – 80,000 Points Offer
Link: Chase Ritz-Carlton Rewards Card
Ritz-Carlton and Marriott are essentially the same frequent-guest program (just with different branding and marketing), so you can use your Ritz-Carlton points to stay at Marriott hotels and vice versa.
Marriott Cards
The current sign-up offer for the Chase Marriott Rewards Premier card is 50,000 Marriott points after spending $3,000 on purchases within the 1st 3 months of account opening. The $85 annual fee is waived the 1st year, plus you’ll receive a $200 Marriott gift certificate after meeting the minimum spending requirements. Here’s my review of the card.
There’s another offer on the Chase Marriott Rewards Premier card to earn 80,000 Marriott points, which is enough for 2 nights at a Tier 2 Ritz-Carlton hotel, but the $85 annual fee is NOT waived, though the minimum spending requirements are the same.
Ritz-Carlton Card
You could also pick up the Chase Ritz-Carlton Rewards card. You’ll earn 2 free nights at any Tier 1 to 4 Ritz-Carlton hotel, after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the 1st 3 months of opening your account. The $395 annual fee is NOT waived, but it comes with perks and benefits that can easily make up for it, like a $300 annual travel credit for seat upgrades, airline fees, or other travel incidentals.
It’s a card worth getting, especially for folks who like Ritz-Carlton hotels. You can easily save over $1,000! Here’s my review of the card.
Bottom Line
Get award stays at Ritz-Carlton hotels with beautiful beaches, like The Ritz-Carlton Bal Harbour, Miami or The Ritz-Carlton, Abama, when you transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Ritz-Carlton.You can earn 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the 1st 3 months of opening a new Chase Sapphire Preferred card, which you can transfer directly to Ritz-Carlton at a 1:1 ratio.
Remember, Marriott and Ritz-Carlton have similar loyalty programs, and you can book Ritz-Carlton stays with Marriott points (or Marriott stays with Ritz-Carlton points). Earn 50,000 Marriott points and a $200 Marriott gift card with the Chase Marriott Rewards Premier card after spending $3,000 on purchases within the 1st 3 months of account opening.
Or earn 80,000 Marriott points with a different offer on the same card but with the same minimum spending requirements and book award stays at Marriott or Ritz-Carlton hotels.
You can also earn 2 free nights at any Tier 1 to 4 Ritz-Carlton hotel with the Chase Ritz-Carlton Rewards card after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the 1st 3 months of opening your account. That can be worth well over $1,000, depending on which hotel you choose!
Which of these is your favorite?