One Week Only: Buy Club Carlson Points With a 75% Bonus
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Earning points via the traditional method (actually staying in hotels) is just one way to work toward your next free night. Fortunately, hotels make it relatively easy to accrue rewards without traveling, whether through top credit card offers or by utilizing shopping portals and dining reward programs. You can also purchase points directly from the hotel.
This week, Club Carlson launched a compelling new buy points promotion. Now through October 30, you'll get a 75% bonus when buying Club Carlson points. The standard cost of Club Carlson points is 0.7 cents each, so the bonus effectively brings the price down to just 0.4 cents per Club Carlson point.
Here's how to take advantage of the promotion:
- Visit Club Carlson's Buy Points link.
- Sign in with your email address or Club Carlson number and password.
- Enter your credit card information, accept the terms and conditions and click "Pay Now" to complete your purchase.
Keep in mind that the usual restrictions for purchasing Club Carlson points apply to these transactions, including:
- Points may be purchased in increments of 1,000 points, up to a maximum of 40,000 points per calendar year. Bonus points will not count toward the annual 40,000 points purchase maximum.
- Purchased points are non-refundable.
- Bonus points will post within 2 to 5 days.
Note that the purchase is processed by Points.com, so you won't get any travel category bonuses from this purchase. Make sure to use the best non-bonus category credit card for your situation. Based on TPG's point and mile valuations, the Chase Freedom Unlimited's 1.5x Ultimate Reward points would be the most rewarding choice.
Is It Worth It?
In his latest valuations, TPG values Club Carlson points at 0.4 cents each. This 75% bonus brings the cost of buying points down to just 0.4 cents each, so this promotion deserves a look. Club Carlson is the loyalty program of brands including Radisson, Radisson Blu, Park Inn and Park Plaza. While Club Carlson's reward program isn't as great as it once was, there's still some value left in the program. The value seems especially focused at low-level Club Carlson hotels, but there are still some higher-category hotels that make for awesome redemptions.
Looking for a cheaper way of getting 85,000 Club Carlson points? You can earn this as a sign-up bonus Club Carlson Premier Rewards Visa Signature Card after spending $2,500 in the first 90 days. The annual fee is just $75 and the card easily makes up for this cost with automatic Gold Elite Status and an annual 40,000-point renewal bonus.
Bottom Line
This promotion matches the best bonus offer Club Carlson has offered in quite a while. At the effective cost of 0.4 cents per point, this promotion is worth considering if you've got upcoming travel. Or, if you're still sitting on Club Carlson points since the devaluation in June 2015, this promotion might be a good time to top off your account for a final redemption or two.
H/T: One Mile at a Time
Are you planning on buying points during this promotion?
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.