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Club Carlson loyalty program launches Mar 31, 2011 – replaces goldpoints plus

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.

a close-up of a stage

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.

13 Comments

  • Cornroaster February 14, 2011

    Any idea what will happen to points currently held in the Goldpoints Plus program? Should we immediately convert them to airmiles?

  • SocialAdept February 15, 2011

    Hmmm… 75 nights for the elite concierge level? Marriott can pull that off because they have a very robust product and concierge lounges at just about all of their full-service properties. How are their top-brands Radisson blu and Park Plaza going to handle this?

    I’m a GPP silver (though it’s easy to be matched to gold) but even so I’ve found little incentive to stay at Carlson when there’s a Starwood or Marriott nearby.

    I just don’t see how the worth in the Carlson properties currently to go for 75 nights with them.

  • don h February 16, 2011

    Its a very scary situation IMO for those that have large balances in their accounts
    The end of March is fast approaching and not a single word to the membership base
    Added to that no one in the call center has been briefed
    on any of these changes nor they can confirm or deny that postive or negative changes will take place with regard to the points to miles ratio.This program historically has been a failure with terms and conditions changes often leaving their members stranded
    by negative changes.looks like its business as usual for this program whatever the outcome may be for its members

  • Ric Garrido February 16, 2011

    Don H – This program was just announced to the hotel owners 48 hours ago. Of course the membership is not going to be notified before the hotel owners who actually have to pay for the program.

    March 31 is six weeks away. The changes announced so far are pretty damn good changes.

    Relax. The information will come out before March 31.

  • […] Club Carlson loyalty program launches Mar 31, 2011 – replaces goldpoints plus […]

  • Jessica February 24, 2011

    I work for a Country Inn & Suites and the points will NOT expire, just have a new name and new redemption and elite options. No worried about your current balance!

  • stephane March 19, 2011

    Wow, i’ve earn 779.000 goldpoints this year, will i be eligible for Elite level or will i’ve to earn the status again ??

  • […]  Club Carlson Loyalty program Launches March 31 – Replaces goldpoints plus (Feb 14) […]

  • greg April 25, 2011

    i have a gold points visa card that gets me points for carlson everytime i use it. anyone know if there is a club carlson visa card that will replace the old one?

  • […] Club Carlson Loyalty program Launches March 31 – Replaces goldpoints plus (Feb 14) […]

  • […] Club Carlson Loyalty program Launches March 31 – Replaces goldpoints plus (Feb 14) […]

  • […] Club Carlson Loyalty program Launches March 31 – Replaces goldpoints plus(Feb 14) […]

  • […] Club Carlson Loyalty program Launches March 31 – Replaces goldpoints plus(Feb 14) […]

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