Ritz-Carlton Hotels are launching a Loyalty Program in rank with Marriott Rewards

Finally, they will be in line with the other benefits expected at Marriott brands and I won't have to remember that they are the exception.
When I stayed at The Ritz-Carlton Dallas, I booked an Advance Purchase rate, on the spur of the moment. If I had thought about it I would have remembered that the Ritz do not give Marriott points like all the other brands. I seldom prepay for rooms because non-refundable bookings always turn out to be a problem. Changes are part of any road warrior’s lot in life and Marriott brands are usually the best hotels to book a room with a 6 p.m. hold. This is the reason that I go to Marriott first to make a reservation, the moment that I suspect I will be travelling. I love ♥ Marriott because I can rely on them before I commit to buying an air ticket. They get a lot more business due to this phenomenon. I have never actually taken one look at a room and decided that it was way over priced, but I would like to feel that I have that option to leave the hotel if it is really a rip-off. I did not feel that the Ritz Carlton Dallas was value for money. It's a new, comfortable hotel but not particularly luxurious, and I was not a happy camper, paying $300 for a small room. The Spa is nice and it must be wonderful to own a condo in the high-rise hotel. The focus of the Ritz Dallas is residential, so the hotel part is small and they don’t offer any benefits for elite M R members. We don’t get upgrades or access to the Ritz-Carlton Club Level or Club Lounge on the 7th floor, but it is not always open anyway. It’s open some weekends if the hotel is at full occupancy, but if they have a conference, they usually upgrade conference organizers and not M R elites. Whether this will change when they conform to the other brands in the MR portfolio, is still to be seen …? The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas is located in the chic, enclave of Up-down-town Dallas on the Trolley Line, near the spacious, Rosewood Crescent Hotel and many other luxury choices like the W Hotel Victory and the The Joule SPG hotel. (see my previous post on the W)
There are fewer than a hundred Ritz-Carlton hotel and resort locations worldwide, including 8 in Europe. The Ritz- Piccadilly, London is my favorite.

The Ritz in London is near the luxury stores on Bond Street and it is the place to go for tea, even if you don't stay at the hotel, but if there are gentelmen in your party, they need a tie and jacket.
Ritz-Carlton Rewards will partner with the Marriott Rewards programme, whose members will now be able to earn Marriott Rewards points at The Ritz-Carlton hotels. It was not previously possible to earn points at this brand of the MAR portfolio. Elite Marriott Rewards members will also receive special benefits when staying at The Ritz-Carlton's properties in accordance with other MR brands, benefits. You can enroll at Ritzcarltonrewards.com;
Beginning September 15, 2010, The Ritz-Carlton Hotels will conform by introducing this highly-anticipated luxury frequent guest stay program and Starting January 7, 2011, Marriott Rewards will also expand free internet access worldwide as a benefit for Gold and Platinum Elite members who stay at all JW Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Renaissance Hotels and The new, Autograph Collection. Last May, they began offering Gold and Platinum Elite members free high-speed internet access at hotels throughout America.
Now its going to be global, not just the U.S. and Canada. See my March post on Starwood’s free internet benefit. Starwood was the first to introduce the complementary service to elite members. They only require 50 nights to attain Platinum, whereas Marriott members have to stay 75 nights to enjoy platinum benefits. M R members reach Gold Elite status by staying 50 nights a year and Platinum Elite status by staying 75 nights a year. Elite members receive benefits depending on their elite level, including bonus points, elite-only offers, room upgrades, club lounge access, 48-hour availability and an exclusive phone line.

I have already enjoyed free internet at the Starwood, Sheraton Pretoria, South Africa plus at some European and other international destinations.