Your complete guide to earning Radisson Rewards points
Radisson Rewards is one of those rewards programs that flies under most people’s radar. It made a big splash about eight years ago with its Big Win promotion, where booking one paid night earned you 50,000 points. At the time, this was enough for a free night at a top-tier Radisson hotel. The award chart has since been devalued but Radisson Rewards remains one of the most underrated hotel loyalty programs out there. Between its generous point-earning structure and powerhouse credit card, Radisson makes it incredibly easy to earn points for free nights.
Many people are skeptical about Radisson Rewards because they don’t have the most aspirational properties stateside. You may come across a suburban Country Inn & Suites or an airport Radisson on occasion, but not many properties worth saving up points for...until you look abroad. Radisson Rewards has over 1,100 hotels worldwide, with lots of luxury options in high-end markets like Paris, London, Mauritius and the Maldives.
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Earn points by staying at Radisson hotels
Radisson Rewards is one of the most generous hotel rewards programs when it comes to earning points. Radisson members earn 20-35 points per $1 spent, depending on status tier, plus up to a 10% bonus when booking through the app or website.
- Club – 20 points per $1 spent
- Silver -– 22 points per $1 spent
- Gold – 25 points per $1 spent
- Platinum – 35 points per $1 spent
With earning rates this high, you’d expect free nights to be unattainable, but that’s not the case. A free night in a standard room ranges from 9,000-70,000 points per night. As a non-elite Radisson Club member, you would need to spend just $450-$3,500 on hotel stays to earn a free night.
If you have Radisson Gold status from the Radisson Rewards Premier Visa Signature Card, those numbers drop down to just $360-$2,800. Pay for your Radisson stays with the card, earning 10 points per $1 and you’ll have enough points for a free night after just $257-$2,000 worth of spending.
That’s incredibly generous compared to a popular program like World of Hyatt, where you’d have to spend $1,000-8,000 to earn a free night (before even factoring in peak and off-peak pricing, which will go into effect next year). Granted, Hyatt does have a bigger footprint stateside with more upscale brands, but internationally Radisson has some pretty noteworthy properties that will make you want to save up for a free night or two.
Related: The Radisson Blu Maldives finally opens after a 7-year delay
Radisson promotions
While the days of 50,000-point bonuses are long gone, you can earn 5,000 Radisson points per stay through the end of the year. This promotion is valid on paid stays as well as award nights and Points + Cash bookings.
Related: 23 promotions that will make your next hotel stay more rewarding
Earn Radisson points with a credit card
The Radisson-branded credit cards are among the most underrated hotel rewards cards out there. Just like Radisson Rewards makes it incredibly easy to earn free nights, the cobranded credit cards offer generous rewards.
Radisson Rewards Premier Visa Signature® Card
Annual fee: $75
Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 points after your first purchase plus 35,000 points after spending $2,500 on your card within the first 90 days
Earning rates: 10 points per $1 spent at Radisson hotels; 5 points per $1 everywhere else
Elite status: Radisson Rewards Gold status
Other benefits: Earn a free night for each $10,000 spent, up to $30,000 (valid at any Radisson property in the U.S.); earn 40,000 bonus points each year when you renew your card
Radisson Rewards Visa® Card
Annual fee: $0
Sign-up bonus: Earn 30,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on your card within the first 90 days
Earning rates: 3 points per $1 spent at Radisson hotels; 1 point per $1 everywhere else
Elite status: Radisson Rewards Silver status
Other benefits: Earn a free night for each $10,000 spent, up to $30,000 (valid at any Radisson in the U.S.)
The information for the Radisson Rewards Premier and Radisson Rewards Visa Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Transfer Radisson points between accounts
Club Carlson is the only major hotel reward program that doesn’t have a transferable currency partner. While European Amex cardholders can transfer Membership Rewards to Radisson Rewards, there is no such option available in the U.S. That’s probably a good thing since an abundance of points on the market often spells a devaluation.
While Radisson doesn’t have a transfer partnership with a major bank, you can still transfer up to 80,000 Radisson Rewards points between accounts free of charge. This isn’t even restricted to members of the same household, if you have elite status. If you don’t have status, you can still transfer points to a member of your household. The only stipulation is that both of you must be Radisson Rewards members for at least 30 days prior to initiating a transfer.
In this case, both Radisson requires both accounts to be open for at least one year and the addresses must not have been updated within 30 days before the transfer request.
Related: The 9 transfer partners I hope Amex and Chase add this year
Radisson Rewards for business
Radisson Rewards offers a separate loyalty program for small businesses, meeting planners and travel agents. Through Radisson Rewards for Business, you can earn 5 points per $1 spent on meeting and event bookings and 10 points per $1 on hotel reservations. Members also qualify for up to 10% off and Silver elite status after just three stays rather than six.
If you regularly book conferences at the company you work for or are planning a wedding, Radisson Rewards for Business can help you maximize your point earnings on necessary expenses.
Earn Radisson points with retail partners
Radisson Rewards has a few retail partners that offer bonus points when you order wine, flowers or shop in-store. Some of these bonuses are pretty lucrative, even offering enough points for an award night.
Wine partners
Many airlines and hotels have partnered with wine clubs to offer lucrative bonuses. Radisson is no exception. You can earn 5,000 Radisson points (enough for a Category 1-3 Points + Cash award) on your first Vinesse Wines order. You’ll then earn 5 points per $1 spent after that.
Retail
If you find yourself shopping at a Bicester Village shopping center, you can earn up to 10x Radisson points on your purchases. You can find Bicester Village locations in 11 European cities and China. All you have to do is take your receipts to the on-site Village customer service center and you’ll get 10 points for every Euro or 10 points per 10 yuan spent.
Related: The best credit cards for buying clothes
Flowers
Whether you’re ordering flowers for a special occasion or just to brighten up your home during quarantine, there are lots of points and miles incentives for buying flowers. Radisson Rewards is one of them, offering 1,500 points per order through FTD.
Earn Radisson points on rental cars
Radisson Rewards partners with several major rental car companies to offer points when you rent a car. The best deal on short rentals is from Europcar, which offers up to 1,800 Radisson Rewards points per rental. On rentals of 3-5 days, Alamo and National are your best bet with 300 Radisson points per day.
- Alamo – 300 Radisson Rewards points per rental day
- Avis – 750 Radisson points per rental and up to 25% off the base rate
- Budget – 750 Radisson points per rental, plus up to 25% off the base rate
- Enterprise – 300 Radisson Rewards points per rental day in Europe
- Europcar – Up to 1,800 Radisson Rewards points per rental
- National – 300 Radisson Rewards points per rental day and up to 25% off.
- Sixt – 750 Radisson points per car rental worldwide, plus up to 15% off. Radisson Rewards Gold members get a free upgrade, based on availability.
Related: Current car rental promotions that will save you money
Buy points
I don’t recommend buying Radisson points unless you need them fast for an award and there are no other options. Radisson sells points in 1,000 increments and you can buy up to 80,000 points per year. TPG values Radisson Rewards points at 0.4 cents each while buying them will cost you 0.7 cents per point. Because of how easy it is to earn Radisson points and the disparity between cost vs. value, I wouldn’t buy them unless you’re purchasing them in small quantities and getting more value than you’re paying for.
Bottom line
Radisson Rewards is worth looking into if you’re looking for a hotel loyalty program that makes earning points and free nights incredibly easy. While it does not have transfer partnerships or offer the ability to earn points through dining rewards and shopping portals, it pays out lots of points on paid stays and credit card spending. So it’s ideal for even the most occasional traveler since even a single strategically booked hotel stay could result in enough points for a free night.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.