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I recently wrote about the branding changes within the Radisson Hotel Group (formerly Carlson Rezidor), in particular the loyalty programme ‘Club Carlson’ changing to ‘Radisson Rewards’:

Club Carlson is Dead! – Long Live ‘Radisson Rewards’

Many readers and I were hoping for genuine enhancements to the scheme when the revamp was announced. Things have moved quickly, and some ‘enhancements’ have indeed arrived.

Let’s walk you through the changes one by one.

New earning rates

Radisson Hotel Group has (slightly) changed the points earning ratio for the Radisson Rewards loyalty scheme. You will now earn:

• Club (basic level) members earn 20 Points per USD (same as before).
• Silver members earn 22 Points per USD (used to be 23).
• Gold members earn 25 Points per USD (used to be 27).
• Platinum members earn 35 Points per USD (same as before).

These changes are minor, but negative.

It will be easier to qualify for elite status

• Silver: you now need 9 nights or 6 stays (used to be 15 nights or 10 stays)
• Gold: you now need 30 nights or 20 stays (used to be 35 nights or 20 stays)
• Platinum: you now need 60 nights or 30 stays (used to be 75 nights or 30 stays)

The reductions seem sensible – though 60 nights is still a lot for Platinum, considering the relatively limited benefits.

Platinum only phone line

Platinum members now have access to a dedicated customer service hotline.

Water

All members now receive two complimentary bottles of water per stay.

You can find out more about the new scheme and the benefits changes on the dedicated webpage here.

Bottom line

Nothing changes in terms of upgrades, early check-in/late check-out benefits and free breakfast. It would have been nice to see something like guaranteed suite upgrades for top-tier members or guaranteed late check-out. These remain subject to availability and I find the check-in/-out benefits particularly nasty. As per the small print, early/ late check-in/out is defined as “two hours prior to or later than the hotel’s published check-in and check-out time”.

Also, free breakfast is currently only offered to Platinum members but not to the second registered guest. It’s the little things like that which make Hilton, for example, more attractive to me. Two free bottles of water per stay won’t make me shift my business to Radisson…

Let me know in the comments what you make of these changes.