All the secrets of Radisson Rewards, (arguably) the most underrated of loyalty programs
We have to admit that even at The Flight Club in these early months we underestimated the possibilities offered by the loyalty program [...]
We have to admit that even at The Flight Club in these early months we underestimated the possibilities offered by the Radisson chain's loyalty program, although it is one of the elite statuses offered by the American Express Platinum card, we never delved into how it works, how to collect points and how to book Radisson Rewards award rooms.
About Radisson
In this article:
A dutiful introduction to explain in detail the features of the hotel chain that has nothing to envy to Marriott o Hilton, indeed in some ways it is even better.
With more than 1,100 hotels scattered around the world, Radisson operates "only" 9 signs:
- Radisson. They are the most traditional hotels
- Radisson Blu. The blue color indicates facilities with more sophisticated set-up
- Radisson Red. Family of "red" hotels, latest winks at design and young people
- Radisson Collection. Luxury reigns in these hotels
- Radisson Individuals.
- Park Plaza.
- Art'otel
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson. They are mainly facilities located in the hinterland of large cities
- Park Inn by Radisson. It is the "low cost" sign found in many cities, offering functional design that can meet the needs of both a tourist and business clientele.
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Although Gold status is granted to AmEx platinum holders, it is also possible to convert Membership Rewards points toward this chain's loyalty program.
The different name on the American Express website should not be misleading; in 2018 the loyalty program changed its name from Club Carlson to precisely Radisson Rewards. The conversion rate is the best of the 3 available, and it transforms 1 MR point in 2 GP points.
Radisson Rewards, how it works
Radisson Hotel Group's global loyalty program offers a superior experience at every moment, from booking to check-out.
- Free award nights: Starting at 9,000 points with no offer suspension dates for Standard rooms.
- Elite Levels: From nine eligible nights or six eligible stays.
- As a Radisson Rewards member, you will save up to 10% on the best available rate by booking directly on our website or through the mobile app.
- Members receive two complimentary bottles of mineral water for each stay.
- Earn 20 points for each USD spent on eligible stays.
- Use points for free award nights, airline miles, gift certificates, prepaid cards and more!
Elite statuses
There are 4 levels of the loyalty program: starting with the club level, followed by silver, gold and platinum. As with the other programs you move up a level with a minimum number of qualifying nights or stays. The higher you level up, the more benefits you get.
Radisson Rewards Club
Being the entry level one can expect little or nothing, as in all loyalty programs, the benefits are:
- 20 points for every dollar spent at the hotel
- 5% discount on expenses incurred in featured restaurants
- 2 complimentary bottles of water
- 10% discount on public fares for non-club members
Radisson Rewards Silver
You get this level after 9 nights or 6 stays, the benefits are:
- 22 points for every dollar spent at the hotel
- 10% discount on expenses incurred in featured restaurants
- Possibility of having room upgrades (if available)
- Early check-in and/or late check-out (if available)
- Extra "rollover" nights
- 2 complimentary bottles of water
- 10% discount on public fares for non-club members
Radisson Rewards Gold
It is obtained after 30 nights or 20 stays, this level is guaranteed for American Express Platinum holders. Benefits are:
- 25 points for every dollar spent at the hotel
- 15% discount on expenses incurred in featured restaurants
- Welcome gift
- Room guaranteed up to 72h before.
- Possibility of having room upgrades (if available)
- Early check-in and/or late check-out (if available)
- Extra "rollover" nights
- 2 complimentary bottles of water
- 10% discount on public fares for non-club members
Radisson Rewards Platinum
This is the highest level; to reach it you have to spend 60 nights or 30 stays. It is obviously the one with the most benefits. These include free breakfast, but it is important to make a point.
Breakfast is complimentary always for status holders; it is also possible to extend the benefit to a companion in group hotels in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In contrast when staying in the rest of the world, breakfast will not be included for the other occupant of the room, a small aside that can make a difference on the reservation depending on where you are staying.
In detail, the benefits are:
- 35 points for every dollar spent at the hotel
- 20% discount on expenses incurred in the restaurants present
- Welcome gift
- Room guaranteed up to 48h before
- Possibility of having room upgrades (if available)
- Early check-in and/or late check-out (if available)
- Extra "rollover" nights
- 2 complimentary bottles of water
- 10% discount on public fares for non-club members
Until next April 30, all reservations will generate double points provided in the standard. This means that club users will receive 20 extra points, up to the platinum level, which will accumulate a total of 70 points for every dollar spent.
Earning and spending points
As explained, the bonus for members of the Radisson loyalty program is very generous already from the basic level. This means that it is easier to get points to turn into free stays In hotels around the world.
A "gold" customer earns (excluding bonuses) 25 points for every dollar, meaning. with a €100 one-night stay will earn a minimum of 2,600 points By booking award rooms starting from 9,000 RH points. It is then possible to get a free stay for every 4 nights (or less).
All hotels in the group are divided into categories, from 1 to 7. Each category corresponds to a standard cost for booking the room with points, a system similar to that proposed by Marriott.
There are two possible uses: fully booked reservation with points (9 to 70k per night depending on hotel category) or with points and money.
| Category 1 | Category 2 | Category 3 | Category 4 | Category 5 | Category 6 | Category 7 | |
| Room standard |
9.000 | 15.000 | 28.000 | 38.000 | 44.000 | 50.000 | 70.000 |
| Room premium |
13.500 | 22.500 | 42.000 | 57.000 | 66.000 | 75.000 | 105.000 |
If you decide to use the "cash & points" solution, you will be able to get an approximate 20% discount on the room price against a points outlay defined according to the category: from 5k for cat1 to 20k at cat7.
Transfer points to airlines
If you are not interested in using points to book complimentary stays, you can opt to transfer points to many airlines. Here's the full list, as you'll notice Alitalia is missing.
| Aeroflot | Aeroflot Bonus |
| Aeroméxico® | Club Premier® |
| Air Astana | Nomad Club |
| Air Baltic | airBaltic Club |
| Air Canada® | Aeroplan® |
| Air China | PhoenixMiles |
| Air France/KLM | Flying Blue® |
| Asiana Airlines | Asiana Club® |
| Avianca | LifeMiles |
| British Airways® | Executive Club® |
| Cathay Pacific® | Asia Miles® |
| Czech Airlines | OK Plus® |
| Delta Air Lines | SkyMiles® |
| Emirates® | Skywards® |
| Ethiopian Airways | Sheba Miles |
| Etihad Airways | Etihad Guest |
| Finnair | Finnair Plus |
| Frontier Airlines® | Frontier Miles |
| Gulf Air | Gulf Air Frequent Flyer Program® |
| Hainan Airlines | Fortune Wings Club |
| Japan Airlines | Mileage Bank® |
| InterMiles | InterMiles |
| Kuwait Airways | Oasis Club |
| LATAM | LANPASS |
| Malaysia Airlines | Enrich Miles |
| Oman Air | Sindbad |
| Philippine Airlines | Mabuhay Miles |
| Qantas Airways | Frequent Flyer |
| Qatar Airways | Privilege Club |
| SAS Airlines | EuroBonus® |
| Saudi Arabian Airlines | Alfursan |
| Singapore Airlines | KrisFlyer |
| South African Airways | Voyager |
| Southwest Airlines | Rapid Rewards |
| Turkish Airways | Miles&Smiles |
| United Airlines® | Mileage Plus® |
Redemption options may vary by airline. It may take 4-6 weeks for miles to be credited to your frequent flyer account. Currently the main conversion rate is 10:1 to most loyalty programs. If you are a SAS EuroBonus® member, you can convert Radisson Rewards points into SAS EuroBonus points at the exclusive 7:1 conversion rate. 
