Room 618, Radisson Blu-Bologne
Club Carlson has announced a new credit card and a triple points offer on their website. The credit card gets an A+ from me and I’ll definitely be getting one soon not only for the 85,000 bonus points, but for the ability to get a free points night every time you redeem one…potentially a HUGE benefit.
Lots of bloggers have posted good summaries about the program. I recommend this one by Frequent Miler who gives some good tips about how to maximize the triple points promotion. While it’s no where near as good as the “stay once, get 50k promotions” of last year, it’s still pretty good.
George over at Travel Blogger Buzz asked a good question: once you have all of these Club Carlson points, what should you do with them? Points, Miles, and Martinis started a good list, but I wanted to add a few I have either tested or am aspiring to myself.
Level 1: Radisson Orlando I Drive
Level 2: Park Inn Nottingham (as is Robin Hood), England
Level 3: Country Inn and Suites at the Panama Canal (Deal Mommy Tested…this view is CRAZY! You’re right at the edge of the Panama Canal! For sheer unique-ness this is a DO. )
Level 4: Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Galway Ireland
Level 6: Radisson Blu Champs Elysses, Paris
Radisson Blu, Gran Canaria
And I wanted to share my opinion on deals in general:
A question I’m often asked is “how do you decide which deals to do?” Many bloggers have different answers to this question, but I’ll share mine. Before I decide to go with any promotion I ask myself this question: “Will I have fun?”
For instance, before trekking with the kids to make pretzels and visit Hershey’s Chocolate World, I asked myself “will this trip be fun?” If the answer was no, I wouldn’t have done it, points or no points.
Other bloggers are perfectly willing to check in and check out of a hotel just to earn the points, and if I were the Deal Chick instead of the Deal Mommy I might be so inclined. However, with both time and funds limited, I pick and choose using the above rule. Having fun doesn’t usually steer me wrong!
Read about my Club Carlson Adventures
Dining at Hershey
The case of the lost slipper
Park Inn: An Unexpected Treat
Radisson Blu Paris Boulogne Review
Why Radisson is paying me $146 to stay at their hotel tonight
Embracing your inner Griswold
Now to the big question: how will I spend all of these points? Stay Tuned.
How are you using your Club Carlson points? Please share!