Carlson Hotels launches revamped Frequent Guest Programme

Carlson Hotels has launched goldpoints plus, a new generation frequent guest programme that brings new benefits to customers of Carlson's five hotel brands located in 965 locations and 71 countries worldwide. These brands, Regent Hotels & Resorts; Radisson Hotels & Resorts; Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts; Country Inns & Suites and Park Inn, have a major presence in the Asia Pacific travel market with 53 locations in 11 countries.

The new generation goldpoints plus programme provides customers with more choices to earn and redeem points on a global basis, along with options to engage in social responsibility and environmental initiatives through the points they earn.

Under the new structure, guests will receive 100% more points per hotel stay at Regent Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Hotels & Resorts and Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, and 50% more at Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and Park Inn, all without an increase in the redemption level for rewards.

Additionally, to mark the new generation of the programme, a "Five for Five" global promotion offers programme members the chance to earn 5,000 bonus points with every fifth night at any of the Carlson family of hotels through January 31, 2008.

"In developing a truly global programme that offers significant and meaningful value for our customers worldwide, we have redesigned our programme to ensure it puts our frequent guests centre stage," said Fredrik Korallus, executive vice president of Revenue Generation, Carlson Hotels Worldwide. "Over the last year, we have taken a closer look at industry standards and listened carefully to our customers to develop an enriched programme with a generous point-earning scale, measurable elite benefits and hotel rewards aimed at appealing to today's global traveller."

Improved benefits for elite members include best available room, 25 to 50% point bonuses, last room availability, early check-in and late check-out and elite-only offers.

New benefits and enhancements to the programme for Carlson Hotels Worldwide-Asia Pacific include:

- The ability to earn and redeem points at any of Carlson's 965 locations in 71 countries worldwide.
- Double points per U.S. dollar/Euro spent on a hotel stay (an increase from 10 to 20 points for full-service hotels).
- 50% increase in points per U.S. dollar/Euro on a hotel stay (an increase from 10 to 15 points for limited-service hotels).
- Points Plus Cash: Redeem points and small amount of cash to stay at hotels (for as low as $49 USD/70 Euro - subject to rate fluctuation) plus 5,000 points for free night stay.
- Express awards: Redeem points at hotels for special services or amenities (like a free movie or room upgrade).
- Recognition of Elite members with enhanced benefits including best available room, 25 to 50% point bonuses, last room availability, early check in and late check out and elite only points and cash offers.
- Ability to donate points to World Childhood Foundation, one of Carlson's key charitable partnerships, which is a global foundation that serves the some of the most vulnerable children, particularly those victimized by sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking.
- Availability of CarbonNeutral travel and accommodations. Guests can redeem Gold Points towards community based carbon reduction projects that balance out the equivalent CO2 associated with a trip.
- 500 points for booking online
- Opportunity to earn airline miles with 23 airline partners.

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