How to Burn 94,000 Club Carlson Points in 1 Day (Radisson Blu Amsterdam and Rome)
The Club Carlson credit card is great, but getting it is a major pain in the butt, read about the application process here: Freezing your ARS and IDA Credit Reports
Anyways, long story short, I got the card, spent the $3,000 minimum spend requirement and got the points on January 4. My current balance is 100,290 Club Carlson Points.
Generally speaking, the best Club Carlson properties are in Europe, but there are some properties all over the world (search Club Carlson map).
I am in Amsterdam on Sunday January 19 through Tuesday January 21 (anyone there those days?) and have always wanted to stay at a Radisson Blu property. Luckily for me, the Radisson Blu is right in the heart of town and costs 50,000 Club Carlson Points per night. I am going to Amsterdam in winter, so prices are probable much higher in spring/summer.
At the first checkout window, the price is 100,000 Club Carlson Points and $0 taxes/fees. If you read the small red print, it says that if you are a Club Carlson credit card holder (like me), you will receive 1 bonus award night per reservation (aka, second night costs 0 Club Carlson Points).
On the second checkout screen, the price is updated to reflect my Club Carlson credit card holder status. Now the rate is only 50,000 Club Carlson Points for my 2 night stay.
Clicking on the Bonus Award Night and Cancellation Details link bring up this info:
- The Club Carlson Member must have a valid Club Carlson Visa card.
- When you redeem Gold Points for Award Nights of two or more consecutive nights at the same participating Carlson Rezidor hotel property, you will receive the last night of the Award Nights of that stay free without deduction of any Gold Points from your Club Carlson account. The Club Carlson member must be the traveler to receive the Bonus Award Night redemption.
- For multiple night/multiple room bookings, only one room will receive the Bonus Award Night.
- Your Account must be open and reservation must be in the Club Carlson member’s name and use the member number associated with your Account to be eligible for the Bonus Award Night.
- The Bonus Award Night offer is available only on advance reservations for Award Nights paid in full with Gold Points and is not valid with standard paid reservations or Points+Cash redemption reservations.
- Only one Bonus Award Night will be available for a stay of two or more consecutive nights at the same hotel (early checkout with one night stay not eligible), regardless of the total length of stay, the total number of reservations or the number of check-in/check-outs, is subject to availability and all other terms and conditions and cancellation policies regarding Award Nights apply.
- Does not apply to additional reservations booked as contiguous stays at the same hotel.
- Only one room per reservation, per hotel for an Award Stay will be eligible to receive the Bonus Award Night offer.
- Maximum fifty (50) Bonus Award Nights per calendar year per member with an open Account (“Annual Maximum”).
- If a reservation with a Bonus Award Night is subject to a cancellation penalty, the Bonus Award Night from that reservation will count against the Annual Maximum.
- A Bonus Award Night has no Gold Point or cash value and cancellations involving a Bonus Award Night will not result in the credit of any additional Gold Points in your Club Carlson account.
On the last checkout screen, your reservation is confirmed and your Club Carlson Points are immediately withdrawn from your account.
On to the next reservation, 2 nights in Rome at the Radisson Blu Rome from Wednesday January 29 through Friday January 31 (anyone in Rome those days?). Since there is only 1 Club Carlson property in Rome, you will see this screen. A reward night costs only 44,000 Club Carlson Points per night.
On the first checkout screen, you will see the full price for the 2 night stay: 88,000 Club Carlson Points and $16.57 taxes/fees.
On the second checkout screen, the price is updated to only 44,000 Club Carlson Points + 12 Euros for a 2 night stay.
On the last checkout page, the reservation is confirmed and the points are immediately withdrawn from your account.
Speaking of Club Carlson Points, my new account balance is 6,290 points.
In case you were wondering, here is my complete 2 week circular tour of Europe, compliments of Great Circle Mapper (link).
- Amsterdam: 1/19 – 1/21
- Berlin: 1/21 – 1/25
- Vienna: 1/25 – 1/27
- Rome: 1/27 – 1/31
If anyone has any questions, please leave a comment below.
Great timing! Have a 4-night stay planned in Rome for March and trying to decide whether to go for Radisson Blu Rome. Have read some mixed reviews about it, so I’ll be looking forward to a review from you after your stay :) Have fun!
Thank you. Remind me to post my review if you don’t see it after the first week in February.
The Radisson Blu Rome is located at the side of Stazione Termini, not the best location in Rome. Do let us know how you like the property & the area. Thanks!
Ya I saw that. It’s close to the other hotel I am stating at. I will let you you know if it is too noisy there.
I’m sure you will love our hotel! See you soon
Thank you, I have a few people interested in the property and are looking forward to the hotel report. Cya guys soon!
Hi Grant
What airline will takeou you to This trip? Did you use any points or mileages?please let us know:)
I’m taking US Airways from San Francisco to Amsterdam (US Airways miles), KLM to Berlin (paid), Air Berlin to Vienna (BA Avios), Niki which is a subsidiary of Air Berlin to Rome (BA Avios), and KLM back to Amsterdam (paid).
Thank you,Grant!
Enjoy your trip!!
Thanks. I’ll try to blog during my trip so I’m not back-logged or “back-blogged”
Grant, can we do 2 consecutive 2-nights award stays?
Only if you book from 2 different Club Carlson accounts.
Thank you for the response I do have two accounts but only one with Gold status and the better credit card. The second Club Carlson account with lower status and inferior credit card.
Oh I see. Do both credit cards offer the last night free on each stay?
I really don’t know, do they?
If you log into both Club Carlson accounts and try to book 2 night stays, do they each get the BOGO price?
Thanks Grant! It did work … using two different accounts, the site allowed me to book 2 back-to-back 2-nights of premium award nights (4-nights in suite with breakfast) for a total of 114K points. Great redemption – current published rate $188 plus tax or 57K points per night.
Glad to hear that US Bank Club Carlson Personal Visa Signature and US Bank Club Carlson Personal Visa Platinum both provide the last night free benefit.