Carlson Hotels Worldwide, along with its brands Radisson Hotels & Resorts®, Park Plaza® hotels, Country Inns & Suites By Carlson®, and Park Inn® hotels, today announced a new Elite level member status for its guest relationship program, Gold Points Reward Network, that enables its most frequent customers to earn benefits faster across its hotel brands. Beginning in March, Carlson Hotels Worldwide and four of its hotel brands will recognize more than 75,000 program members with Elite level status in appreciation for their exceptional loyalty.
To qualify for the Carlson Hotels Worldwide Elite program, members must earn a minimum of 30,000 base Gold Points® per calendar year for stays at participating Carlson hotels. The first wave of new Elite members earned Elite status in 2002 through stays at Country Inns & Suites By Carlson or Radisson Hotels & Resorts. In 2003, members can count stays at all brands to re-qualify for Elite level status.
“This new Carlson Hotels Worldwide Gold Points Elite level status creates a single, competitive customer relationship program which will enable us to further recognize our best customers across the hotel group,” said Jay S. Witzel, president of Carlson Hotels Worldwide. “These frequent guests are important to our hotel brands as their business generates a significant portion of our revenue.”

“We are pleased to enrich the value of the Gold Points program, creating a unified Elite level membership so our best customers can earn benefits faster across our hotel brands,” said Kathy Hollenhorst, executive vice president of customer relationship management for the Carlson Consumer Group. “Our Elite membership will recognize those customers and significantly expand and increase their bonus award opportunities.”
Carlson Hotels Worldwide Gold Points Elite members will be able to achieve accelerated Gold Points earnings at a Radisson hotel of 1,000 bonus points per night on top of the 1,000 base points per night, for a maximum of 10 nights on any one stay. They can earn a 20 percent bonus on points for stays at Country Inns & Suites, Park Plaza hotel and Park Inn locations. Carlson Hotels Worldwide Elite members have exclusive access to a dedicated call center and web site for reservations and inquiries, and an upgrade to best available room upon check-in.
According to Hollenhorst, Carlson Hotels is also planning to add additional special benefits at each brand to surprise and delight its Elite members, such as exclusive offers and hotel privileges such as early check-in when available.
“The Gold Points Rewards program reaches beyond traditional incentive programs by extending rewards throughout our major hospitality operations including hotels, resorts, restaurants and cruise ships,” Hollenhorst said.
With Gold Points Reward Network, members earn points based on dollars spent or nights stayed at any of Carlson Hospitality`s participating hotel, resort and restaurant locations in the Americas and at additional partner locations such as Thrifty Car Rental®, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises®, and The Flower Club®, just to name a few. Members earn even more points when they visit goldpoints.com and shop the dozens of featured online retailers or by using the no-annual fee Gold Points Visa® credit card. Gold Points can then be redeemed for future hotel stays, restaurant dining, exciting travel offers and hundreds of quality, brand name products.
Minneapolis-based Carlson Hotels Worldwide, part of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, includes five hotel brands, totaling 847 hotels in 66 countries. Hotel brands include: Regent International Hotels, one of the most respected brands in the luxury segment of the lodging industry; Radisson Hotels & Resorts, one of the world`s leading upscale hotel companies with more than 440 locations in 61 countries; Park Plaza hotels, positioned in the mid-scale to upscale segment of the full-service hotel category, have 35 hotels globally; Country Inns & Suites By Carlson, one of the fastest growing, mid-tier lodging chains with over 315 locations offering excellent value with upgraded services and amenities; and Park Inn hotels, with 56 hotels worldwide, are positioned within the economy to mid-scale segment of the limited service hotel category.
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