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The information provided on this page is purely factual and general in nature. You should seek independent advice and consider your own personal circumstances before applying for any financial product.
Have the American Express Platinum Charge Card? You can get a boost to Gold status in the Radisson Rewards program – formerly known as Club Carlson – giving you perks at Radisson, Radisson Blu, Radisson Collection, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn and Country Inn hotels.
Among those benefits, you can check-in up to two hours earlier than other guests and also depart the hotel two hours later at no extra cost (subject to availability), with room upgrades on offer as well, along with an in-room welcome gift with every stay.
Gold-tier Radisson Rewards members also enjoy 15% discounts at many on-site hotel restaurants (excluding alcohol and in-room dining), and earn an increased 25 Radisson Rewards points per US$1 spent on their stay: a 25% boost to the usual earning rate.
What’s more, because your status is being provided by American Express, you don’t need to climb the ‘status ladder’ in the usual way – so rather than needing 30 nights or 20 stays as normally required for Gold, you’ll be bumped up before your very first stay. Here’s how it’s done!
Requesting your Radisson Rewards Gold card from American Express
AMEX Platinum cardholders can begin by logging into their online banking account on the American Express website, browsing to the ‘Benefits & Help’ tab, and then choosing ‘Platinum Benefits’:
Don’t see this option? You may have multiple American Express cards linked to the one account. Try calling your Platinum card to attention by clicking on the Platinum card icon at the top right of the screen, and searching for the Platinum Benefits option again.
Once that’s sorted, you’ll be taken to that Platinum Benefits page – where you’ll scroll down to ‘Hotels’. Click the text labelled ‘enrolment’:
Then, scroll through the list of benefits until you spot Club Carlson Gold Elite, and then click the big blue ‘enrol’ button:
(Although the label says “Club Carlson” – the former name of the now-Radisson Rewards program – what you’re really requesting here is Radisson Rewards Gold status: American Express’ website just hasn’t been updated yet to reflect the program’s new name, but the two are one and the same.)
A box will pop open where you’ll confirm your details and provide your existing Radisson Rewards membership number, if you have one: if not, an account will be created for you, so don’t stress.
Once your request has been submitted, AMEX advises that it can take 10-15 business days to process – but recent delays have seen this pushed to three months or more – so you’ll want to file your request well in advance of any upcoming stays.
While waiting for your request to be processed, you’ll see this icon at the top of the same page…
… and once your status has been upgraded, that switches to a nice green tick…
… at which point, the Radisson Rewards website and mobile app will reflect your newly-upgraded status, and you’ll be able to access your digital membership card:
Even if you don’t have any stays planned with Radisson in the near future, it doesn’t hurt to request your status anyway – particularly given how long it can take to come through – so that if a Radisson stay does come up in the future, your status will be ready to go, giving you perks from your very first night.
Don’t already have an AMEX Platinum Charge Card and want to take advantage of Radisson Rewards Gold, along with other elite statuses including Hilton Honors Gold, Shangri-La Golden Circle Jade and SPG Gold? You can apply here.
When staying at Radisson hotels around the world, AMEX Platinum cardholders can also pick up two Membership Rewards Ascent Premium points per dollar spent on their charge card (equal to two frequent flyer points), in addition to points awarded directly through the Radisson Rewards scheme.
Disclaimer
Executive Traveller may receive a commission when you apply for these credit cards via our links.
The information provided on this page is purely factual and general in nature. You should seek independent advice and consider your own personal circumstances before applying for any financial product.
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
03 Nov 2014
Total posts 90
I've done this recently, but was not previously a member - received an email in less than two weeks...not sure if delays are for existing members, but I didn't see any delay. Great perks on the Platinum charge - even better with the $950 annual fee available to CPA Members
12 Sep 2017
Total posts 17
Radisson Gold gives nothing in terms of benefits. I was offered a 15%discount on food and bev during my last stay. Pretty useless.
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
03 Jul 2018
Total posts 50
It all depends on each individual hotel. An easy upgrade is always appreciated even if you are unaware of it, and if in doubt simply ask. In London or Paris,you can bypass a shoebox for something more generous in terms of size.
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