Club Carlson Category 3 Hotel Rewards Analysis

Club Carlson category-3 saw the largest growth of the six hotel reward categories with 370 hotels orÂ 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, upÂ from the former rate of 15 points/$1.

Europe isÂ the points redemption reward playgroundÂ 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.

a table with numbers and text — 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.
23Â 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.