Club Carlson makes it more difficult to transfer points between people

Loyalty Lobby has details of small but significant changes to the Club Carlson scheme from 1st June.  Club Carlson is the loyalty scheme for Radisson, Park Inn and Park Plaza hotels.

Carlson has historically had very loose transfer rules, which fundamentally let anyone give their points to anyone else. 

This was part of the reason that people went crazy over their ‘50,000 points for one stay’ promotion in 2011 and 2012, as they could open multiple accounts in different names and then consolidate the points later.

(In reality, it was never SO easy.  You had to do transfers by telephone and they would often insist on dialling in the other account holder at the same time to confirm ….)

The rules have now been changed …. a little.

Transfers for Red (base level) members are only now allowed:

if both accounts have been open for a year, and

if both members live in the same household, and

if the addresses on both accounts have not been changed in the past 30 days.

If you have Club Carlson status, the old rules still apply.  And as you can get Club Carlson Gold free if you have American Express Platinum, or if you ask Carlson to match your status in another hotel programme, this should not inconvenience too many people.

Looking at the exact wording, it seems that only the person transferring out needs to have status.

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How to earn Radisson Rewards points and status from UK credit cards (April 2025)

Radisson Rewards does not have a dedicated UK credit card. However, you can earn Radisson Rewards points by converting Membership Rewards points earned from selected UK American Express cards.

These cards earn Membership Rewards points:

• American Express Preferred Rewards Gold (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 20,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 60,000 Radisson Rewards points. This card is FREE for your first year and also comes with four free airport lounge passes.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

• The Platinum Card from American Express (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 50,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 150,000 Radisson Rewards points

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

• American Express Rewards credit card (review here, apply here) – sign-up bonus of 10,000 Membership Rewards points converts into 30,000 Radisson Rewards points. This card is FREE for life.

Membership Rewards points convert at 1:3 into Radisson Rewards points which is a very attractive rate.  The cards above all earn 1 Membership Rewards point per £1 spent on your card, which converts to 3 Radisson Rewards points.

Even better, holders of The Platinum Card receive free Radisson Rewards Premium status for as long as they hold the card.  It also comes with Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold and MeliaRewards Gold status.

We reviewed American Express Platinum in detail here. You can apply here.

Got a small business?

You can get free top-tier Radisson Rewards VIP status with the new Capital on Tap Pro Visa credit card for small business. Clck here to apply.

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review