Exit Hilton and Enter Club Carlson?

The news was all over the blogosphere last night (Travel Summary has a great...well...summary of the changes and others that have written about it)  that Hilton is changing their redemptions levels to ridiculously high amounts for their top hotels and overall represents a huge devaluation to a program that has been my absolute favorite in the past few months. I love Hilton Hotels and I have to say that their properties are generally very nice no matter where you go. That combined with my granted Gold Status in HHonors by having the Citi Hilton Reserve Card has saved me tons of money on wi-fi fees and a free breakfast every morning of my stay. But, I don't know if it will be worth it now because I won't be gaining points of much value in return from Hilton stays.

Enter Club Carlson....

Club Carlson is quickly becoming on of my favorite hotel chains around the country and I think that this Hilton devaluation is where they can start to compte with the big boys and move up to take some business from frequent travelers.

The first reason Club Carlson is so great is their constant promotions. Last summer the "Big Nigh Out" promotion that earned 50,000 points for a one night stay at a Radisson and 40,000 for a stay at a Country Inn earned Kelsey and I enough points to stay for free two nights each at the 50,000 points a night Radisson Blu Edwardian Mercer Street in London and the Radisson Blu Amsterdam.

Their stay one night, get one night promotion also earned each of us a free night at any Club Carlson property in the United States, one of which we used at the Radisson Martinique in New York City which often goes for over $300 a night!

Now look, I've had some great stays at Club Carlson and some just so-so stays, but with the exception of one hotel on Christmas Eve where they were sold out, the staff has been absolutely amazing! They go above and beyond to try and make you feel welcome and they are often willing to bend over backwards to help you out. Their elite program is also very generous. I status matched over from Hyatt Platinum to Club Carlson Silver and was ALWAYS upgraded to a "Business Class" room or a suite, even while staying on an award night.

The best thing is you can earn Club Carlson points on the cheap. Just by being a Club Carlson member you earn 20 points per dollar spent on hotel nights and an additional 1,000 points by booking on Club Carlson's website! If you are a Silver or Gold member you earn 2,000 points by booking online and 3,000 points if you are the top tier Concierge status level. That's great when free nights start at 9,000 points per night!

Or you can also book at a standard cash and points option as well. 

These great redemption rates and cheap promotions that can earn you tons of points makes Club Carlson look like a great option for the traveler who is looking to take their loyalty to someone else if they are fed up with Hilton. Don't forget that Club Carlson has their new visa card which offers up to 80,000 Gold points after a spend (50,000 after first purchase and 30,000 after $2,500 in the first 90 days). But know that US Bank who issues the card is notorious for their denials because of too many recent inquiries so apply at your own risk. As always, make sure you can afford to apply for this and any card you decide to apply for. Your credit is one of the most precious things you have, don't let the allure of one night in a nice hotel ruin it!

So...does Hilton have you thinking of switching? Where are you headed?


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