The new promotion from Club Carlson requires a 2-night stay at any property worldwide in the Radisson Blu, Radisson, Park Plaza, Park Inn and Country Inn & Suites brands to earn 10,000 bonus points.
Club Carlson registration link.
Points & Cash nights are not eligible for this offer.
This is a good rebate for inexpensive properties under $100 per night. Club Carlson sells 10,000 points for $70 and I think that is a fair value to give this bonus.
Promotion Analysis
Assume a 2-night stay at a Country Inn for $80 per night room rate.
$160 will earn 3,200 base points + 1,000 points online booking bonus for base members. That is 14,200 points and nearly enough for a category 2 hotel night at 15,000 points.
Silver and Gold elite members earn 2,000 points online booking bonus.
- Silver elite earns 25% bonus points. This is $160 x 25 points/$1 for 4,000 points and 2,000 points online booking bonus. 16,000 total points for a $160 2-night stay with a rebate value of about $112.
- Gold elite earns 50% elite bonus for a total 16,800 points for a rebate value around $117.
I try to take advantage of promotions that offer more than 50% of the rate I am paying in a points rebate. Two low cost nights will earn sufficient points for a free night at a Category 2 hotel.
Club Carlson Visa card members are eligible for a free night on an award stay, so this offer can provide two free nights at a category 2 hotel with the points earned from an $80 per night hotel stay.
Now the question for me is whether I will have a need for a two-night stay in a place with a Club Carlson hotel during this promotion period from May 13 to July 21, 2013?
I rank this Club Carlson offer for 10,000 bonus points as the best current hotel promotion next to Marriott’s MegaBonus where two hotel stays earn a free Marriott Rewards category 1-4 or 1-5 hotel night, from May 15-September 2, 2013. The Marriott Rewards promotion is a high earner for one night hotel stays.
I like this Club Carlson promotion as the highest earning offer if you need a two-night hotel stay. And since Marriott Rewards ‘Unexpected Bonus’ offer is available through September 2 and capped at two or three free nights, then this Club Carlson offer is one to use for May, June and July travel.
Then, pick up the Marriott bonus with late-July and August travel.
