Turns out the Club Carlson Double Points promotion I analyzed two days ago was not the actual Club Carlson Double Points worldwide promotion that rolled out yesterday. An email I received today reveals a very different offer with favorable terms and conditions for Club Carlson members to earn 40 points/$1 for hotel stays worldwide from July 27 through September 15, 2011 on any normally eligible rate for earning Club Carlson points including AAA rates, senior rates and advance purchase rates.

I apologize to Club Carlson and my readers for the previous post. The earlier post was based on analysis of Double Points hotel rates that required a higher rate than otherwise available. I am leaving the previous post up since I think it does illustrate that paying higher rates may negate the value of double points. Fortunately, the current Club Carlson Double Points promotion does not require paying higher rates.

Club Carlson Double Points Promotion registration link: https://www.clubcarlson.com/secure/offers/4340574.

• Promotion registration is required before stay is completed to earn double points for hotel stays from July 27 to September 15, 2011.
• Non-members may join Club Carlson and register for Double Points promotion for immediate eligibility.
• Check-in and check-out must occur during promotion period dates to be eligible for double points.
• Radisson, Country Inn & Suites, Park Inn and Park Plaza hotels worldwide participate.
• Member earns double points (40 points/$1) on any eligible rate that normally earns Club Carlson points. Double points does not require a higher rate. AAA, senior and other eligible points-earning rates apply.
• Member earns double points (40 points/$1) on food and beverage charged to the room.
• Member may earn double points credit for up to three hotel rooms at a time applied to member’s Club Carlson account.

Loyalty Traveler Analysis:

In my previous post I showed the higher cost of a Double Points hotel rate canceled out the value of Club Carlson double points. Since the Double Points promotion offer running July 27 to September 15 is applicable on any eligible points-earning rate, then there is no higher cost to earn double points. Club Carlson members earn 40 points per US$1 on rates including AAA and senior rates.

Another way to look at this Double Points offer and illustrate the high value of 40 points per US$1 on stays at Radisson, Country Inn & Suites, Park Inn and Park Plaza is to compare the base earn rate of points to the cost for award nights in Club Carlson and other major hotel loyalty programs.

The highest category hotel in Club Carlson is 50,000 points per night for a Category 6 hotel like the Radisson Martinique on Broadway, New York City. This hotel for August 16, 2011 has a AAA discount rate of $327.20 or $375.49 after tax.

The current double points promotion makes the cost of earning 50,000 points only $1,250 in hotel spend. Getting $375 future value out of $1,250 in hotel spend is a decent 30% return on your hotel travel dollars.

Club Carlson spend needed to earn free nights during Double Points promotion (July 27-September 15)

• Free Club Carlson category 1 Hotel night = 9,000 points = $225 in hotel spend earning 40 points/$1.
• Club Carlson Category 2 Hotel night = 15,000 points = $375.
• Club Carlson Category 3 Hotel Night = 28,000 points = $700.
• Club Carlson Category 4 Hotel Night = 38,000 points = $950.
• Club Carlson Category 5 Hotel night = 44,000 points = $1,100.
• Club Carlson Category 6 Hotel night = 50,000 points = $1,250.

Now compare the Club Carlson base hotel spend above to the cost to earn a free night in some other hotel loyalty programs.

Lowest tier Hyatt Category 1 = 5,000 points = $1,000 at 5 points/$1.

Highest tier Hyatt Category 6 = 22,000 points = $4,400 at 5 points/$1.

Hyatt Gold Passport does not have any lucrative bonus points offers currently, but maybe something coming August 4?

Lowest tier Starwood Preferred Guest category 1 = 3,000 points (weekday) = $1,000 in hotel spend.

High tier Starwood Preferred Guest category 5 = 12,000 points (weekday) = $4,000 in hotel spend for an upper upscale property. Starwood hotels in the luxury category tend to be 20,000 to 30,000 points per night.

Hilton HHonors Tier 3 hotel = 25,000 points = $1,667 in hotel spend for Points & Points earner. HHonors Category 3 is near the bottom of Hilton tiers in practical terms since so few hotels are actually located in category 1 or 2 for HHonors. The current double points promotion with HHonors means 25 points/$1 and reduces the hotel spend to $1,000. In contrast a Club Carlson category 3 hotel, likely a comparable hotel class, takes only $700 in spend to earn 28,000 points.

Marriott Rewards Category 5 = 25,000 points = $2,500 in hotel spend. These hotels are typical Marriott and Renaissance hotels in secondary cities and some major cities. Club Carlson members can earn two free Category 6 nights for the same amount of spend as earning one night for a comparable Marriott reward night.

Loyalty Travler conclusion:

Club Carlson double points promotion is a 4-key offer out of five keys. Double points is a high value rebate on future hotel stays with Carlson properties. This is a good opportunity to branch out to another program if you find a Carlson property is in your area at a reasonable price. The ability to earn sufficient points for a free night with relatively little hotel spend is something to keep in mind when searching hotels for your upcoming trips.

Country Inn & Suites are positioned throughout the U.S. and Radisson hotels are worldwide. This is a good promotional offer since double points is applicable when paying lowest rates like AAA, senior and advance purchase rates.

Club Carlson Double Points Worldwide July 27-September 15

Carlson Hotels has a critical mass of hotels for geographic coverage in the USA and Europe with about 900 hotels in these two regions. Carlson Hotels offers American frequent guests an earn/burn competitive edge as a good loyalty program choice for earning points from US hotel stays and burning points for European trips.

Geographic coverage is an important consideration for the international traveler. The big chains like Hilton, Marriott, and InterContinental Hotels Group blanket the USA in midscale hotels with each of these programs having over 2,000 hotels across the states. International travel is where the geographic limitations of loyalty programs can leave you seeking another hotel chain when your primary program does not have a hotel in the city where you need to stay.

Club Carlson has arguably the best mix of hotels for points earning opportunities in the USA with Country Inn & Suites and points burning midscale Park Inn and upscale Radisson hotels across Europe. Carlson Hotels offers over 300 Radisson and Park Inn hotels across Europe.

Spain has the new Marriott AC brand with 80 hotels and provides the best options in that country. Accor Hotels blanket Europe, but provide little USA opportunity for earning points. Nordic Choice is an option for Scandinavia rivaling Club Carlson. Hyatt has few European properties with only around 30 hotels. Starwood has high-end European properties and the points cost for reward nights remind you that luxury has a price in Euros and points. Hilton and InterContinental Hotels Group provide European coverage, but fewer properties than Club Carlson and generally at reward cost higher than Club Carlson.

Carlson Hotels in Each Reward Category = 1,070 Hotels

• Category 1 – 51 hotels  (5%)
• Category 2 – 168 hotels (16%)
• Category 3 – 370 hotels (35%)
• Category 4 – 260 hotels (24%)
• Category 5 – 162 hotels (15%)
• Category 6 – 59 hotels (6%) 

The hotel reward category distribution for Club Carlson has a nice bell curve shape. This is not common for hotel loyalty programs. Most programs have few properties in low categories. Hyatt and Marriott are two other programs with good distribution of hotels in lower reward categories. 

Carlson Hotels has 1,070 hotels globally.

• USA = 587 hotels (55%)
• Canada = 36 hotels (3%)
• Latin America = 41 hotels (4%)
• Europe = 310 hotels (29%)
• Middle East = 23 hotels (2%)
• Africa = 16 hotels (1.5%)
• Asia Pacific = 57 hotels (5%) 

Carlson Hotels has adequate coverage for the USA and good coverage in Europe. Other regions of the world are areas for growth and the company’s plan to grow by 400 hotels in the next four years should fill in many of these areas. 

Carlson Hotels brands: 

• Country Inn & Suites = 491 hotels (46%)
• Radisson Hotels = 417 hotels (39%)
• Park Inn Hotels = 119 Hotels (11%)
• Park Plaza Hotels = 41 hotels (4%)
• Regent Hotels = 5 hotels

* This tally of brands comes out at 1,073 hotels and 3 hotels higher than above totals. This is a small tabulation discrepancy that I failed to reconcile. 

Country Inn & Suites and Park Inn provide midscale hotels across the USA and Europe. Country Inn & Suites may or may not be comparable in price and quality to Marriott Courtyard or Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inns. That depends on the location and your preferences. The points earned from your stays will be as valuable as the other programs with the hotel reward night opportunities in Club Carlson. Four Points and Hyatt Place are the midscale brands of Starwood and Hyatt, but there are more Country Inn & Suites in the USA than these two brands combined. The price point may or may not be comparable. 

Radisson Hotels in the USA tend to be viewed as less upscale than Crowne Plaza, Sheraton, Marriott and Hilton. There is much less disparity between these brands in Europe.

Club Carlson’s low cost hotels in USA and numerous hotels around Europe provide a competitive edge for the American traveler who wants to earn points at midscale lower-price point Country Inn and Radisson hotels and redeem for hotels in Europe. Carlson Hotels have coverage in other regions of the world, but Europe is where you will find Club Carlson’s real competitive value for the traveler choosing a loyalty program for earn/burn opportunities.

Related Posts:

Club Carlson Hotel Rewards Category Reassignment Analysis – Overview and Category-1 (April 7)

Club Carlson Category 2 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 8 )

Club Carlson Category 3 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 8 )

Club Carlson Category 4 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 8 )

Club Carlson Category 5 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 9)

Club Carlson Category 6 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 9)

Club Carlson Category 6 hotel rewards at 50,000 points per night includes 59 hotels, mostly in Europe and comprise the top level rewards.  Some of these hotels cost as much as 135,000 points in 2009 when the standard reward rate for category 6 hotels was 90,000 points and before goldpoints plus had no blackouts for reward nights and Flex night rewards required 50% more points.

Category 6 hotels require just $2,500 in hotel spend for a general member to earn 50,000 points. This is the fastest earning top level reward among all major hotel loyalty programs. In comparison, HHonors Points & Points members require $3,334 in spend to earn 50,000 points for a category-7 hotel reward night and HHonors Points & Miles earners require $5,000 in spend. Most hotel programs fall within this range with Priority Club (top-tier InterContinental Hotels) and Marriott Rewards (category-8 ) at $4,000 in spend to earn a 40,000 points reward night. Hyatt Gold Passport takes $4,400 in spend to earn 22,000 points for a category-6 reward night. Starwood Preferred Guest is otherworldly expensive with $15,000 in spend to earn a category-7 reward night, but even a category-5 in SPG at 12,000 points may take $6,000 in spend for a general member and $4,000 for SPG elites.

Club Carlson elite bonuses match or exceed other programs at the Gold (50% bonus) and Concierge (75% bonus) levels making the Club Carlson claim as the program for earning fastest free nights a legitimate consideration for the frequent guest wanting free nights with points.

USA Category-6 Hotels

• 3 hotels in 2 states (Boston 1, New York City 2).
• 3 Radisson Hotels.
• 1 hotel Radisson Boston formerly category-5 (50,000 points) is Club Carlson category-6 (50,000 points). Hotel reward cost is same.
• 2 hotels formerly category-6 (60,000 points) are now 50,000 points. Hotel reward cost 17% decrease.

Caribbean

• 1 Radisson Hotel (Aruba).
• 1 hotel (Aruba) formerly category-6 (60,000 points) is now 50,000 points. Hotel reward cost 17% decrease. Regent Hotel was not listed in February 2011 goldpoints plus hotel list.

Europe, Middle East and Africa

• 54 hotels in 21 countries in EMEA region.
• 46 hotels in 13 countries in Europe.
•  6 hotels in Middle East/Central Asia. Azerbaijan 1, Bahrain 1, Kazakhstan 1, Kuwait 1, Saudi Arabia 1, UAE 1.
• 2 hotels in Africa. Libya 1, South Africa 1.
• 7 Park Plaza hotels (Amsterdam 1, London 6).
• 2 Regent Hotels (Berlin, Bordeaux).
• 45 Radisson Hotels.
• 1 hotel, Radisson Astana Kazakhstan was formerly category-4 at 40,000 points increased to 50,000 points. Hotel reward cost increase of 25%.
• 18 hotels from goldpoints plus category-5 (50,000 points) remain the same reward price in Club Carlson category-6 (50,000 points). Hotel reward cost is unchanged.
• 34 hotels dropped from goldpoints plus category-6 (60,000 points) to Club Carlson category-6 (50,000 points). Hotel reward cost 17% decrease.

Asia-Pacific

• 1 hotel Radisson Blu Plaza Sydney, Australia was goldpoints plus category-5 (50,000 points) and remains at the same reward price in Club Carlson category-6 (50,000 points). Hotel reward cost is unchanged.

Link: Club Carlson Hotel Category 6

Club Carlson category-6 Hotels (March 31, 2011)

Related Posts:

Competitive Advantages of Club Carlson Hotel Rewards (April 10)

Club Carlson Hotel Rewards Category Reassignment Analysis – Overview and Category-1 (April 7)

Club Carlson Category 2 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 8 )

Club Carlson Category 3 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 8 )

Club Carlson Category 4 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 8 )

Club Carlson Category 5 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 9)

Club Carlson Category 6 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 9)

There are 162 hotels in Club Carlson category 5 hotel rewards. This category is where the hotels in the USA dwindle to a handful and 9 of 10 hotels in category 5 in the USA increased in reward cost. The rest of the world, especially Europe, offer some of the finer hotels in the Carlson Hotels chain at reduced rates from the former goldpoints plus rewards.

USA

• 10 hotels in 7 states.
• 3 Country Inn & Suites Hotels.
• 7 Radisson Hotels.
• 2 hotels formerly category-3 (30,000 points) are Club Carlson category-5 (44,000 points). Hotel reward cost increase of 47%.
• 7 hotels formerly category-4 (40,000 points) are now 44,000 points. Hotel reward cost increase of 10%.
• 1 hotel remains at category-5 dropped from 50,000 points to 44,000 points. Hotel reward cost decrease of 12%.

Canada

• 7 hotels in 4 provinces.
• 1 Country Inn & Suites.
• 6 Radisson Hotels.
• 1 hotel formerly category-3 (30,000 points) at Club Carlson category-5 (44,000 points). Hotel reward cost 47% increase.
• 4 hotels formerly category-4 (40,000 points) are now 44,000 points. Hotel reward cost 10% increase.
• 2 hotels remain at category-5 and dropped from 50,000 points to 44,000 points. Hotel reward cost 12% decrease.

Caribbean, Mexico and South & Central America

• 10 hotels in six countries.
• 10 Radisson Hotels.
• 1 hotel formerly category-3 (30,000 points) at Club Carlson category-5 (44,000 points). Hotel reward cost increase of 47%.
• 3 hotels formerly category-4 (40,000 points) are now 44,000 points. Hotel reward cost 10% increase.
• 6 hotels remain at category-5 and dropped from 50,000 points to 44,000 points. Hotel reward cost 12% decrease.

Europe, Middle East and Africa

• 116 hotels in 34 countries in EMEA region.
• 103 hotels in 25 countries in Europe.
• 8 hotels in Middle East. Azerbaijan 1, Israel 1, Lebanon 1,  Oman 2, Saudi Arabia 1, UAE 2.
• 5 hotels in Africa. Mali 1, Senegal 1, and South Africa 3.
• 5 Park Plaza hotels.
• 15 Park Inn hotels.
• 95 Radisson Hotels.
• 1 Regent Hotel, Zagreb, Croatia.
• 2 hotels (Park Inns in Sweden) formerly goldpoints plus category-1 hotels (15,000 points) are Club Carlson category-5 (44,000 points). Hotel reward cost increase of 193%.
• 1 hotel, Park Inn Muscat, Oman formerly goldpoints plus category-2 hotels (25,000 points) at Club Carlson category-4 (44,000 points). Hotel reward cost increase of 76%.
• 18 hotels formerly category-4 hotels at 40,000 points increase to 44,000 points. Hotel reward cost increase of 10%.
• 76 hotels from goldpoints plus category-5 (50,000 points) remain in Club Carlson category-5 (44,000 points). Hotel reward cost decrease of 12%.
• 16 hotels dropped from goldpoints plus category-6 (60,000 points) to Club Carlson category-5 (44,000 points). Hotel reward cost decrease of 27%.

Asia-Pacific

• 19 hotels in seven countries.
• 1 Country Inn & Suites.
• 2 Park Plaza hotels.
• 14 Radisson Hotels.
• 2 Regent Hotels (Singapore and Taipei).
• 1 Country Inn & Suites Gurgaon, India was formerly category-2 (25,000 points). Hotel reward 76% increase.
• 6 hotels formerly category-4 hotels at 40,000 points increase to 44,000 points. Hotel reward cost increase of 10%.
• 6 hotels from goldpoints plus category-5 (50,000 points) remain in Club Carlson category-5 (44,000 points). Hotel reward cost decrease of 12%.
• 3 hotels dropped from goldpoints plus category-6 (60,000 points) to Club Carlson category-5 (44,000 points). Hotel reward cost decrease of 27%.

Link: Club Carlson Hotel Category 5

Club Carlson Category 5 Hotels (March 31, 2011)

Related Posts:

Competitive Advantages of Club Carlson Hotel Rewards (April 10)

Club Carlson Hotel Rewards Category Reassignment Analysis – Overview and Category-1 (April 7)

Club Carlson Category 2 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 8 )

Club Carlson Category 3 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 8 )

Club Carlson Category 4 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 8 )

Club Carlson Category 5 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 9)

Club Carlson Category 6 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 9)

Club Carlson Category-4 has 260 hotels. There is an increase in reward cost for almost all the category-4 hotels in the USA and Canada. The majority of hotels in Europe and the Middle East are lower reward cost now and this region benefits most from Club Carlson category-4 reassignment.

USA

• 128 hotels in 32 states.
• 80 Country Inn & Suites Hotels.
• 48 Radisson Hotels.
• 39 hotels former goldpoints plus category-2 hotels (25,000 points) are Club Carlson category-4 (38,000 points). Hotel reward cost increase of 52%.
• 78 hotels former category-3 (30,000 points) are Club Carlson category-4 (38,000 points). Hotel reward cost increase of 27%.
• 10 hotels remain in category-4 and drop to 38,000 points from 40,000 points. Hotel reward cost decrease of 5%.

Canada

• 20 hotels in 7 provinces.
• 7 Country Inn & Suites. 
• 1 Park Inn. 
• 12 Radisson Hotels.
• 7 hotels former goldpoints plus category-2 hotels (25,000 points) are Club Carlson category-4 (38,000 points). Hotel reward cost increase of 52%.
• 7 hotels former category-3 (30,000 points) are Club Carlson category-4 (38,000 points). Hotel reward cost increase of 27%.
• 6 hotels remain in category-4 and drop to 38,000 points from 40,000 points. Hotel reward cost decrease of 5%.

Caribbean, Mexico and South & Central America

• 13 hotels in six countries and Puerto Rico.
• 1 Country Inn & Suites (Panama City, Panama).
• 2 Park Suites (Brazil).
• 10 Radisson Hotels.
• 1 hotel (Radisson Royal Cali, Colombia) former goldpoints plus category-2 hotels (25,000 points) are Club Carlson category-4 (38,000 points). Hotel reward cost increase of 52%.
• 7 hotels former category-3 (30,000 points) are Club Carlson category-4 (38,000 points). Hotel reward cost increase of 27%.
•  5 hotels remain in category-4 and drop to 38,000 points from 40,000 points. Hotel reward cost decrease of 5%.

Europe, Middle East and Africa

• 90 hotels in EMEA region.
• 80 hotels in 20 countries in Europe.
• 8 hotels in Middle East. Jordan 1, Saudi Arabia 4, UAE 2, Uzbekistan 1.
• 2 hotels in Africa. South Africa 1, Tunisia 1.
• 1 Country Inn & Suites (Germany).
• 10 Park Plaza hotels.
• 36 Park Inn hotels.
• 43 Radisson Hotels.
• 1 hotel (Park Inn Uppsala, Sweden) formerly goldpoints plus category-1 hotels (15,000 points) are Club Carlson category-4 (38,000 points). Hotel reward cost increase of 153%.
• 2 hotels in Saudi Arabia formerly goldpoints plus category-2 hotels (25,000 points) are Club Carlson category-4 (38,000 points). Hotel reward cost increase of 52%.
• 22 hotels formerly category-3 (30,000 points) are Club Carlson category-4 (38,000 points). Hotel reward cost increase of 27%.
• 46 hotels remain in category-4 and drop to 38,000 points from 40,000 points. Hotel reward cost decrease of 5%.
• 15 hotels dropped from goldpoints plus category-5 (50,000 points) to Club Carlson category-4 (38,000 points). Hotel reward cost decrease of 24%.
• 2 hotels (Radisson Blu Resort, Golden Sands Malta and Radisson Blu Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia) dropped from goldpoints plus category-6 (60,000 points) to Club Carlson category-4 (38,000 points). Hotel reward cost decrease of 37%.

Asia-Pacific

• 9 hotels in six countries.
• 2 Park Plaza hotels.
• 7 Radisson Hotels.
• 7 hotels formerly category-3 (30,000 points) are Club Carlson category-4 (38,000 points). Hotel reward cost increase of 27%.
• 2 hotels remain in category-4 and drop to 38,000 points from 40,000 points. Hotel reward cost decrease of 5%.

Link: Club Carlson Hotel Category 4

Club Carlson category-4 Hotels (March 31, 2011)

Related Posts:

Competitive Advantages of Club Carlson Hotel Rewards (April 10)

Club Carlson Hotel Rewards Category Reassignment Analysis – Overview and Category-1 (April 7)

Club Carlson Category 2 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 8 )

Club Carlson Category 3 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 8 )

Club Carlson Category 4 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 8 )

Club Carlson Category 5 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 9)

Club Carlson Category 6 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 9)

Club Carlson category-3 saw the largest growth of the six hotel reward categories with 370 hotels or about 35% of Carlson Hotels worldwide. There were 115 hotels in the USA in category-3 in GoldPoints Plus before Club Carlson and there are now 295 Category-3 hotels. A large number of formerly category-2 hotels at 25,000 points are now 28,000 points in Club Carlson category-3 for a 12% increase in reward cost. Link to Club Carlson Category-3 Hotels.

U.S. members may have seen some point devaluation on existing balances of goldpoints, but this increase in reward cost for all the new category-3 hotels is mitigated by the 33% increase in points with Country Inns & Suites and Park Inn stays now earning 20 points/$1, up from the former rate of 15 points/$1.

Europe is the points redemption reward playground where changes are rather favorable for many European hotels that decreased in reward cost with Club Carlson compared to the former goldpoints plus hotel loyalty program.

Club Carlson Hotel Reward Categories

USA Category 3 Hotels

• 295 hotels in 40 states.
• 18 hotels were formerly category-1 and increased in cost from 15,000 points per night to 28,000 points requiring 87% more points.
• 251 hotels were formerly category-2 hotels at 25,000 points and now are Club Carlson category-3 hotels at 28,000 points requiring 12% more points for a reward night.
• 23 hotels were category-3 before at 30,000 points and remain in category-3 at 28,000 points for a 7% decrease in reward night cost.
• 256 Country Inns & Suites hotels in USA.
• 39 Radisson Hotels in 25 states.

Canada Category-3 Hotels

• 7 hotels in 3 provinces.
• All were formerly category-2 at 25,000 points and are now 28,000 points.
• 5 Country Inns & Suites.
• 2 Radisson Hotels.

Mexico and South & Central America

• 6 hotels in 4 countries (Costa Rico, Mexico, Panama and Peru).
• 4 Radisson Hotels.
• 2 Country Inns & Suites (Costa Rica and Panama).
• 1 hotel formerly category-1 (Costa Rica) and increased from 15,000 to 28,000 points (87%).
• 2 hotels formerly category-2 and increased from 25,000 to 28,000 points (12%).
• 3 hotels remain at category-3 and decrease from 30,000 points to 28,000 points for a 7% decrease.

Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)

• 47 hotels in 17 countries in Europe.
• 1 Park Inn hotel Middle East (UAE).
• 3 hotels in Africa (Egypt and Tunisia).
• 3 Park Plaza hotels in Dublin, Berlin and Dresden.
• 28 Park Inn Hotels.
• 20 Radisson Blu Hotels.
• Radisson Sharm el Sheikh Egypt was formerly category-1 and increased from 15,000 to 28,000 points (87%).
• 6 Park Inn hotels in Europe rise from category-2 to category-3 and increase from 25,000 to 28,000 points (12%).
• 19 hotels were remain in category-3 and decrease from 30,000 points to 28,000 points for a 7% decrease.
• 22 hotels were formerly category-4 and dropped to category-3 for a reduction from 40,000 points to 28,000 points per night for a 30% decrease in reward cost.
• 3 hotels formerly category-5 at 50,000 points dropped to category-3 for a 44% decrease in reward cost.

Asia and Pacific

• 11 hotels in four countries (China, India, Philippines, Thailand)
• 3 Country Inns & Suites (India)
• 1 Park Inn (India)
• 1 Park Plaza (Bangkok Thailand)
• 6 Radisson Hotels.
• 1 hotel (Ghaziabad, India) was formerly category-1 and increased from 15,000 to 28,000 points (87%).
• 3 hotels were formerly category-2 to category-3 and increased from 25,000 to 28,000 points (12%).
• 22 hotels were formerly category-4 and dropped to category-3 for a reduction from 40,000 points to 28,000 points per night for a 30% decrease in reward cost.
• 1 hotel was formerly category-5 (Pune, India) and drops from 50,000 points to 28,000 points for a 44% decrease in reward cost.

Club Carlson Category-3 Hotels (March 31, 2011)

Related Posts:

Competitive Advantages of Club Carlson Hotel Rewards (April 10)

Club Carlson Hotel Rewards Category Reassignment Analysis – Overview and Category-1 (April 7)

Club Carlson Category 2 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 8 )

Club Carlson Category 3 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 8 )

Club Carlson Category 4 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 8 )

Club Carlson Category 5 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 9)

Club Carlson Category 6 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 9)

Club Carlson replaced goldpoints plus on March 31, 2011 as the hotel loyalty program for Carlson Hotels which consists of Radisson, Park Plaza, Park Inn and Country Inns & Suites hotel brands.

There was a significant shift in the hotel reward category assignments for U.S. properties. Most U.S. hotels were reassigned to a higher category and increased in points cost for a free night reward despite a reduction in the points required for a free night in each of the six categories of hotel rewards. 395 of 587 hotels in U.S. cost more for a reward night while 134 hotels decreased in reward night cost. 

In Europe and internationally the changes are substantially more favorable with a number of hotels decreasing in category and points cost per night in the new Club Carlson hotel reward category assignments. Europe, Middle East and Africa saw 271 hotels of 349 hotels dropping in cost and only 54 hotels rising in reward night cost.

Asia and Pacific hotels overall saw a decrease in hotel reward night cost.

Loyalty Traveler presents a detailed analysis of the hotel reward category changes in Club Carlson from the former goldpoints plus program and the impact on the cost in points for a free night in different regions of the world.

These reward category hotel assignment changes will be covered in a series of posts due to the length of this analysis.

Club Carlson unifies the Earn Rate Differentials

Goldpoints plus was often called the Radisson Hotel program (FlyerTalk) when in fact midscale hotel brand Country Inns & Suites is the largest brand by number of hotels in the Carlson Hotels family. Country Inns & Suites are predominantly in the U.S. and Canada (475 hotels) along with about 120 upscale Radisson Hotels. USA hotels comprise about 55% of the global properties of 1,070 Carlson Hotels in 77 countries. Carlson Hotels plans to grow to 1,500 hotels by 2015.

Club Carlson has a globally uniform earn rate at 20 points per U.S. dollar for all hotel brands in the 1,070 properties of Carlson Hotels. This program change eliminates the split personality aspect of the former goldpoints plus loyalty program where hotel stays had different earn rates depending on the location and brand of the Carlson hotel.

In the former goldpoints plus loyalty program, hotels in Europe, Africa and the Middle East earned 20 points per Euro for Radisson and Park Plaza hotels stays and 15 points per Euro at Park Inn and Country Inns & Suites . Hotel stays in the Americas and Asia-Pacific earned 20 points per U.S. dollar for Radisson and Park Plaza and 15 points per dollar for Country Inns & Suites and Park Inn.

The change in earn rate to 20 points/US$1 for all hotel stays globally benefits members in all areas.

Currently over 95% of the 500+ Country Inns & Suites are located in North America. Club Carlson members now earn 33% more points per US dollar in hotel spend at Country Inn and Park Inn brands. A Club Carlson member who earned 1,500 points for a $100 Country Inn stay last week earns 2,000 points for the same spend this week.

The majority of Park Inn locations are in Europe and the change to 20 points per dollar is a 33% increase along with a present-day currency factor of 1.40 US dollars per Euro. A member staying at a 100€ per night Park Inn last week earned 1,500 goldpoints in the former program and now with Club Carlson the same 100€ stay earns about 2,800 points, dependent on currency conversion rates. That is an 87% increase, so international members should keep this in mind if feeling slighted about the Club Carlson CWT Vacation rewards and Club Med options being restricted to U.S. and Canada residents at the present time.

Hotels in some countries, specifically the USA, see rises in the number of points required for a free night and hotels in other countries, particularly places in Europe see the cost of a free night fall to new lows.

Category 1 Hotels

There were 131 hotels assigned to Category-1 in goldpoints plus. Club Carlson reduced the cost of a reward night in Category-1 from 15,000 points per night down to 9,000 points per night, a 40% reduction in reward cost, yet also reduced the number of hotels assigned to category-1 from 131 to 51 hotels.

Category-1 hotel global distribution of 51 hotels.

• USA = 24 hotels
• Canada = 0 hotels
• Mexico = 3 hotels
• Europe = 14 hotels
• Egypt = 3 hotels
• China = 1 hotel
• India = 6 hotels

Earning 9,000 points for a category-1 hotel reward night takes only $450 in hotel spend for a general member, making Club Carlson the lowest spend to standard reward cost ratio among hotel loyalty programs. Club Carlson Concierge level members earn a 75% elite bonus and the cost of a free night requires only $257 in spend. Concierge elite requires 75 nights or 30 stays in a calendar year.

For comparison, HHonors Points & Points is the next lowest program with an earn rate at 15 points/$1 requiring $500 in spend to earn a 7,500 points category 1 reward night. Marriott Rewards requires $750 in spend for a category 1 reward night at 7,500 points. Keep in mind that the cost of a reward does not have a correlation to the number of hotels assigned to that reward category. For example, Hilton has about 40 hotels or only around 1% of its 3,600 hotels in category 1, whereas Club Carlson has 51 hotels in category 1 for nearly 5% of its global hotels. Marriott Rewards has about 250 hotels in category 1 or about 7% of its global hotels.

USA Hotels overwhelmingly reassigned to higher reward category in Club Carlson.

USA Category 1 Hotels

• 24 hotels in USA are Club Carlson category 1 hotels.
• Only 19 hotels of 107 hotels in the U.S. in category 1 last week remain in category 1.
• Only 3 hotels in the USA dropped from goldpoints plus category-2 to Club Carlson category-1.
• Over 50 hotels formerly category-1 increased to Club Carlson Category 2 and are still 15,000 points for a reward night in Club Carlson for no change in points required for a free night.
• About 20 hotels that were goldpoints plus category 1 increased to category 3 and currently cost 28,000 points compared to 15,000 points last week; an 87% increase in reward night cost.

Europe, Africa and Middle East (EMEA) Category 1 Hotels

• There are 17 hotels in Club Carlson hotel reward category-1. Europe sees a rise from 3 hotels formerly in category-1 to 14 hotels. Europe only had three category-1 hotels before Club Carlson and all were in Sweden. 
• Two of the Sweden hotels are now category-5 hotels and increased from 15,000 points to 44,000 points per night (193% increase) and one hotel is category-4 at 38,000 points (153% increase).
• The other three former category-1 hotels were in Egypt and two of these hotels remain at category-1 and Radisson Blu Resort Sharm el Sheikh was reassigned to category 3 and increased from 15,000 to 28,000 points per night.
• 14 hotels in Europe and one in Egypt were reassigned to category 1 in Club Carlson from the former Goldpoints Plus category-2 (7), Category-3 (6), and Category-4 (2). This is a dramatic reduction in the cost for a hotel reward night at these hotels.
• Park Inn Pribaltiyskaya St. Petersburg and Radisson Blu Alexandria Egypt dropped from category-4 at 40,000 points per night to category-1 at 9,000 points per night for a 72% reduction in cost. Four nights at these hotels are less than the cost of one night last week.
• 6 hotels in Europe dropped from category-3 (30,000 points per night in goldpoints plus) to Club Carlson category-1 at 9,000 points for a 70% decrease in reward night cost.

Club Carlson Category 1 Hotels and Former Category Assignment

Yellow-fill cells with no 2010 category were not listed on the Goldpoints Plus website in February 2011 when data was acquired.  (Click on image to open full size in separate window).

Links will be added to this post as more analyses are added to the Club Carlson hotel reward category reassignments.

Related Posts:

Club Carlson Hotel Rewards Category Reassignment Analysis – Overview and Category-1 (April 7)

Club Carlson Category 2 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 8 )

Club Carlson Category 3 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 8 )

Club Carlson Category 4 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 8 )

Club Carlson Category 5 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 9)

Club Carlson Category 6 Hotel Rewards Analysis (April 9)

Competitive Advantages of Club Carlson Hotel Rewards (April 10)

Club Carlson launches March 31, 2011 and celebrates with a new promotion: ‘Stay Twice, Earn a Free Night’ for hotel stays from April 15 - June 15. There is a limit of one free night earned during promotion period. Free night may be redeemed worldwide through December 31, 2011.

Book qualifying stays beginning March 31 through June 15.

Promotion registration is required at www.clubcarlson.com/freenight.

Club Carlson has 1,070 hotels in 77 countries. Club Carlson hotel brands include Radisson Blu, Radisson, Park Plaza, Park Inn and Country Inns & Suites.

To support the launch of Club Carlson, Carlson is offering a “Stay Twice, Earn a Free Night” offer at any of its more than 1,000 branded hotels worldwide – including Radisson®, Country Inns & Suites by CarlsonSM, Park Inn by Radisson and Park Plaza® hotels. Existing and newly enrolled members who register and then stay twice at a Carlson property during the promotional period between April 15 and June 15 can earn a free night’s stay to use by December 31, 2011..

For more information about the new Club Carlson program or the Stay Twice, Earn a Free Night offer, visit www.clubcarlson.com, and its new social sites, clubcarlson/facebook and clubcarlson/twitter, beginning March 31, 2011. To qualify for the offer, members must register at www.clubcarlson.com/freenight and book qualifying stays between March 31 and June 15, 2011, for stays between April 15 and June 15, 2011. 

Club Carlson Press Release

I am disappointed Club Carlson did not release the hotel reward category assignment changes prior to these changes taking effect tomorrow. The changes do not impact the high category rewards all that much, but many low category hotels today will require more points in the new system with the reassignments.

Club Carlson would have been the trump card in this 2011-Q2 round of hotel loyalty promotions if this promotion were not limited to just one free night.

The main question on my mind is whether there is an earning limit on free nights? Tomorrow we’ll know the promotion details.

Related Posts:

Club Carlson new loyalty program replaces goldpoints plus on March 31.

These Loyalty Traveler posts describe changes with Club Carlson: 

 Club Carlson Loyalty program Launches March 31 – Replaces goldpoints plus (Feb 14)

 Club Carlson Reward Category Changes March 31, 2011 (Feb 18)

 Club Carlson Hotel Reward Category Analysis (Feb 28) This post shows the number of hotels in each category and changes from 2010 level for different global regions.

Club Med resort credit for goldpoints. $100, $250 and $500 credit. Loyalty Traveler analysis March 10.

Club Carlson is replacing the goldpoints plus loyalty program for Carlson Hotels as of March 31, 2011. Carlson Hotels includes the hotel brands of Radisson, Country Inn & Suites, Park Plaza and Park Inn.

The announcement this week of major hotel loyalty program changes for goldpoints plus has many members wondering if they should burn their points now before Club Carlson changes go into effect.

There are still many unknowns for the program member. I’ll share what I know at this time regarding some of the changes.

Carlson Club Hotel Reward Category Table

The good news is the reduction in points for every category.

Loyalty travelers know the assignment of hotels within the hotel reward category structure is what really matters. And here the good news is mixed with bad.

Carlson Hotels communications team provided me a list of the new hotel categories. I have made a rough preliminary assessment. There are over 1,000 hotels and I will not be able to complete a detailed analysis for at least a week. The numbers I am sharing here are not precise.

My Preliminary Observations on Carlson Club Hotel Reward Category Changes

• Category 6 = 60 hotels in 2011 vs. 65 hotels in 2010
• Category 5 = 163 hotels in 2011 vs. 130 hotels in 2010
• Category 4 = 263 hotels in 2011 vs. 147 hotels in 2010
• Category 3 = 382 hotels in 2011 vs. 220 hotels in 2010
• Category 2 = 165 hotels vs. 436 hotels hotels in 2010
• Category 1 = 45 hotels vs. 134 hotels in 2010

Again, let me reiterate that these are not precise numbers. There appear to be about 75 hotels too many listed for 2010. I am sharing these rough estimates primarily to point out some notable changes and I will develop a more detailed, more precise analysis of hotel category shifts in the next two weeks.

Category 6 Hotel Rewards

The good news is a reduction from 60,000 points to 50,000 points for aspirational properties in the Club Carlson portfolio like the Radisson Royal Hotel Moscow, recently voted the #1 luxury hotel in Russia in the World Travel Awards 2010.

[Update Feb 18, 9:30pm -- I find it ironic when I saw an interesting coincidence to see Brian Kelly, The Points Guy quoted in this article published in The Independent yesterday:

"My biggest problem with Carlson is the lack of 'aspiration' properties - properties [where] I look forward to redeeming my hard earned points,” he told Relaxnews, “Radissons are hardly my idea of a retreat from the rigors of corporate travel.”

This landmark Russian hotel is one of the Seven Sisters skyscraper projects commissioned by Stalin. It is ranked the #3 Business Traveler hotel in Moscow on TripAdvisor and #12 overall of 161 Moscow hotels.

Look over the 60+ goldpoints plus category 6 hotels and you will find several aspirational hotels.]

Radisson Royal Hotel (formerly Ukraina Hotel), Moscow, Russian Federation

My analysis of the category 6 changes show 21 hotels currently designated as category 6 properties for 60,000 points/night will drop to category 5 rewards at 44,000 points per night.

1. Radisson Blu Palais Hotel, Vienna Vienna Austria
2. Regent Esplanade Hotel, Zagreb Zagreb Croatia
3. Radisson Blu Alcron Hotel Prague Czech Republic
4. Radisson Blu Le Dokhan’s Hotel, Paris Trocadero Paris France
5. Radisson Blu Hotel, Berlin Berlin Germany
6. Radisson Blu Resorts Schloss Fleesensee Goehren Lebbin Germany
7. Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel, Reykjavik Reykjavik Iceland
8. Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin Dublin Ireland
9. Radisson Blu Majestic Resort Galzignano Terme Galzignano Terme Italy
10. Radisson Blu Resort, St. Julian’s Malta St. Julian’s Malta
11. Radisson Blu Hotel Norge, Bergen Bergen Norway
12. Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Bryggen Bergen Norway
13. Radisson Blu Hotel, Bucharest Bucharest Romania
14. Radisson Slavjanskaya Hotel, Moscow Moscow Russia
15. Radisson Blu Hotel, Dakar Dakar Senegal
16. Radisson Blu Hotel, Madrid Prado Madrid Spain
17. Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh Edinburgh United Kingdom
18. Park Inn Russell Square London United Kingdom
19. The Regent Beijing Beijing China
20. Radisson Hotel Delhi New Delhi India
21. Park Plaza Hotel Gurgaon Gurgaon India

There are 19 hotels currently in goldpoints category 5 to be assigned category 6 in Club Carlson. The reward price will remain unchanged at 50,000 points per night, so I am not listing them here.

There are 2 hotels currently in category 6 dropping to category 4 in Club Carlson: (60,000 points now and dropping to 38,000 points.)

• Radisson Blu Milan   
• Al Muna Kareem Radisson Blu Hotel, Al Madinah, Saudi Arabia

One hotel currently in Category 4 (40,000 points) is rising to category 6 in Club Carlson at 50,000 points.

• Radisson Blu Hotel Astana (changes from 4 to 6)

[Update Feb 18, 9:30pm - I want to highlight an important aspect of Club Carlson category 6 hotel rewards. Last month I wrote a column for InsideFlyer “Scaling Peaks of High Category Hotel Awards“  showing how most hotel loyalty programs require $4,000 in hotel spend to earn a free night at the highest reward hotels. Carlson Club will be the fastest hotel program for earning a top category reward night.

Comparison of Hotel Spend to Top category reward night across major hotel loyalty programs

• Carlson Club = $2,500 in hotel spend to earn 50,000 base points = category 6.
• Hilton HHonors (Points & Points earner) = $3,334 in hotel spend to earn 50,000 base points = category 7.
• IHG Priority Club = $4,000 in hotel spend to earn 40,000 base points = InterContinental upper tier.
• Marriott Rewards = $4,000 in hotel spend to earn 4,000 base points = category 8.
• Hyatt Gold Passport = $4,400 in hotel spend to earn 22,000 base points = category 6.
• Hilton HHonors (Points & Miles earner) = $5,000 in hotel spend to earn 50,000 base points = category 7.
• Starwood Preferred Guest = $10,000 in hotel spend to earn 20,000 base points = category 6.
• These comparisons exclude higher end properties like Waldorf-Astoria (up to 80,000 HHonors points); Ritz-Carlton (up to 70,000 Marriott Rewards points); and SPG category 7 properties (up to 140,000 points).

Bad News comes at Low Category reward nights

The major negative change of Club Carlson is going to be the upward shift in hotel reward category for 200+ hotels in Club Carlson that currently are in the lower categories 1, 2 and 3 of goldpoints plus. 

Category 1 will be depleted by two-thirds of its current hotel category assignments when about 90 of the 135 hotels shift up in category. The decrease in reward cost from 15,000 points per night to 9,000 points (40% decrease) is tempered by the fact that the category will see most of its hotels move to higher category reward levels.

This change places Club Carlson  category 1 hotel assignments (45 hotels or about 4.2% of hotel portfolio) in a similar situation as Starwood Preferred Guest category 1 (31 hotels or about 3% of hotel portfolio) and Hilton HHonors category 1 classification (42 hotels or about 1.1% of hotel portfolio). 

Club Carlson has a truly accurate marketing statement, “the fast way to a free night”.

5 paid nights on $90 room rates or $450 in base points earns 9,000 points for a free night at a Club Carlson category 1 hotel.

Comparison of Hotel Spend to Earn Category 1 across major hotel loyalty programs

• Carlson Club = $450 in hotel spend to earn 9,000 base points = category 1 reward night.
• Hilton HHonors (Points & Points earner) = $500 in hotel spend to earn 7,500 base points = category 1 reward night.
• IHG Priority Club = $500 to earn 5,000 base points for PointBreaks reward night.
• Hilton HHonors (Points & Miles earner) = $750 in hotel spend to earn 7,500 base points = category 1 reward night.
• Marriott Rewards = $750 in hotel spend to earn 7,500 base points = category 1 reward night.
• IHG Priority Club = $1,000 in hotel spend to earn 10,000 base points = Holiday Inn low tier reward night.
• Hyatt Gold Passport = $1,000 in hotel spend to earn 5,000 base points = category 1 reward night.
• Starwood Preferred Guest = $1,000 in hotel spend to earn 2,000 base points = category 1 weekend reward night.

Even better is Club Carlson Concierge members will earn 9,000 points with just $257 in hotel spend.

Travelers will earn 9,000 points quickly, however, you will find fewer hotels designated as category 1 rewards offering these fast free nights.

Even worse I fear for the U.S.  traveler frequenting Country Inns is the large upward shift of category 2 hotels; currently the largest hotel reward category by number of hotels. These category 2 hotels are primarily Country Inn & Suites properties in the U.S. Over 60% of this category looks like it will shift to category 3, 4 and even 5.

• Country Inn & Suites Bloomington MOA rises from category 3 to category 5 (30,000 to 44,000).
• Country Inn & Suites New York City Queens rises from category 3 to category 5 (30,000 to 44,000).
• Country Inn & Suites Galveston Beach TX rises Category 2 (25,000) to category 5 (44,000).

The increase of earning points from 15 points/$1 to 20 points/$1 is a 33% earning rate improvement. Much or all of this improved earning rate will be lost at hotels rising 2 or more category levels.

The largest increase in reward cost will likely be seen for current category 2 and 3 hotels moving to category 4. I have not analyzed this specific shift, but looking at the overall change in properties in categories 2, 3 and 4 indicate there will be 100 to 200 hotels making this change.

A category 3 hotel currently at 30,000 points rising to a category 4 reward night at 38,000 points is nearly a 27% increase. Keep in mind though, this is probably a fair exchange since these Country Inns will earn 33% more points in Club Carlson when the earn rate changes from 15 points/$1 to 20 points/$1.

Carlson Club Points-to-Miles Exchange Rates will remain unchanged.

The word I have received is there will be no changes to the current points-to-miles exchange rates. Carlson has a dynamic exchange rate meaning the points-to-miles rate is better with higher points transfers. The exchange rate of 100,000 points to 18,000 airline miles in Club Carlson is only surpassed by Marriott Rewards with a better exchange rate at the 125,000 points for 50,000 miles exchange and Marriott’s Hotel + Air Packages.

Club Carlson exceeds SPG, Hyatt and HHonors for points-to-miles exchange rates.

What I Still Do Not Know

• Will the 10% reduced night rewards remain for multi-night reward stays?
• Will Points + Cash rewards remain unchanged?
• The reward cost for Club Med all-inclusive vacations and CWT independent hotels.

I will try and post the Club Carlson hotel reward category assignments in the next few days and complete a detailed analysis of hotel category shift by the end of February.

Related posts:

Club Carlson loyalty program launches March 31 – replaces goldpoints plus (Feb 14, 2011)

Carlson Hotels Press Release (Feb 14, 2011)

Big announcement at Carlson Hotels global conference in D.C today.

Club Carlson will replace goldpoints plus March 31, 2011.

Club Carlson will have three elite tiers with a new Concierge elite tier at 75 nights or 30 stays a year.

[Update: Feb 15, 2011 9amPST - After the Club Carlson session today I also learned there will be a change to the points earning system:

All brands in Club Carlson earn 20 points per US$1. Gone will be the differential between points earning in Country Inn & Suites (currently 15 points/$1) and gone is the Euro base points. All hotels will offer 20 points/$1.

Category 1 hotel rewards are being reduced in cost from 15,000 points to 9,000 points. I am still trying to get information on the full category reward night chart which was not provided in the presentation.]

Club Carlson Concierge elite level is expected to have about 4,000 members when Club Carlson replaces goldpoints plus next month.

Club Carlson Concierge Benefits include:

• 75% bonus points
• 3,000 points online booking bonus
• free breakfast

Free internet will be a benefit for all Club Carlson members at all Radisson hotels worldwide and all hotel brands in North America.

Other major change to loyalty program is elite rollover nights.

Carlson Hotels Press Release Feb 14, 2011: http://www.carlson.com/news-and-medi…p?article=2005

There are new partnerships with Club Med for points redemption at 80 all-inclusive resorts and a partnership with (Carlson Wagonlit Travel) CWT Vacations to offer U.S. members points redemption opportunities at hundreds of independent hotels and cruises.

There are also mobile booking applications launched and a small business loyalty program component.

There is a 10 million dollar budget for the new loyalty program launch.

I am interested to see the spring 2011 loyalty promotions.

I will have more specific details after a full session tomorrow on Club Carlson at the Carlson Global Conference at Gaylord National on the Potomac Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.

Loyalty Traveler Disclosure

Disclosure Notice: My standard room at the Gaylord National on the Potomac Resort and Convention Center, National Harbor, Maryland (not a Carlson Hotels property) was paid by Carlson Hotels as a press media attendee of the Carlson Hotels global conference 2011. I paid my own airfare.