Formalized hotel status match programs seem to be increasingly common. I’m not sure if it’s due to the consolidation which is occurring in the hotel industry, or if it’s simply a case of “monkey see, monkey do,” given that Hilton launched a status match program last year.
While Club Carlson has informally been status matching for a long time, they’ve now formalized the program, and have a webpage dedicated to the opportunity.
In order to request a status match from Club Carlson you’ll have to send an email to [email protected] with “Status Match” in the subject line (you’d think that wouldn’t be necessary, given the email address, but…), with the following information:
- Send us your full name
- Club Carlson membership number
- Name of other frequent guest program
- Membership number and tier level of the other frequent guest program
- Copy of your membership card from the other frequent guest program (PDF or JPG files only)
Per the terms, it can take up to one week for the request to be processed.
As you can see, you don’t actually need to provide proof of your stay history with a competitor, but rather just a membership card, meaning you could use comped or matched status for this.
The catch is that Club Carlson will only match up to the Silver Elite or Gold Elite tiers, and not up to their Concierge Elite tier. Here are the elite benefits for those tiers:
I’ve been Club Carlson Gold for many years through their co-branded credit card. The most significant perks are that you receive room upgrades and a welcome gift. Properties aren’t especially consistent in delivering either of those benefits, though I’ve certainly gotten some decent room upgrades as a result of my status.
Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel Copenhagen
Club Carlson Gold Elite welcome amenity
Bottom line
While Club Carlson isn’t my preferred hotel chain, they have properties in some locations which aren’t otherwise very well served, especially in Northern Europe. For example, next month I’ll be staying at the Radisson Blu Longyearbyen, which is the northernmost hotel in the world.
If you are considering staying at a Club Carlson property it’s at least worth being aware of the status match opportunity. Gold status won’t be life changing, but is better than nothing.
(Tip of the hat to Live from a Lounge)
@Joseph N.: I think an image taken with a phone might be fine...
I have two free Club Carlson nights in my accounts that I will burn this summer. But my question is: sitting on more than 500K points and Gold status - what to do with these?
Thank you!
"Copy of your membership card" ---
Huh? So they want me to drive to Kinko's and photocopy my Hyatt Diamond card?
I have quite a lot of stays with Carlson Properties, bit mostly in Europe in Radisson Blu properties. I am CC Congierge Member for 2 years now. Since I reached this level I always get an upgrade, in 80% even a suite. Some of them were great, like the 2bedroom suite in Cape Town at the Radisson Blu Waterfront. In addition I always use to 2-4-1 or the 4-4-2 rate, which means u often get...
I have quite a lot of stays with Carlson Properties, bit mostly in Europe in Radisson Blu properties. I am CC Congierge Member for 2 years now. Since I reached this level I always get an upgrade, in 80% even a suite. Some of them were great, like the 2bedroom suite in Cape Town at the Radisson Blu Waterfront. In addition I always use to 2-4-1 or the 4-4-2 rate, which means u often get rooms (or suites if you consider the upgrade) for less than 100 EUR. In Europe and Africa Radisson Blu has really some nice properties, I am an absolute fan of it.
@Jo per the Club Carlson Visa website "Earn one free night when you charge $10,000 then renew your Card." So, it looks like you'll have to wait a bit to get your free night. At least you'll be able to pair it with the 40k points for renewal to maybe book 2 free nights! We really enjoyed the Sydney property. We were upgraded to a suite and there was a bottle of champagne waiting for...
@Jo per the Club Carlson Visa website "Earn one free night when you charge $10,000 then renew your Card." So, it looks like you'll have to wait a bit to get your free night. At least you'll be able to pair it with the 40k points for renewal to maybe book 2 free nights! We really enjoyed the Sydney property. We were upgraded to a suite and there was a bottle of champagne waiting for us in our room. Sydney is a very walkable city and their subway is pretty great. We didn't even need a car while in Sydney the 2nd time around.
Would this new status be valid until February 2017 or 2018?
Actually, one of the best perks of Gold isn't even listed - the 4 for 2 and 2 for 1 weekend rates in EMEA are only available to Gold members.
I have been a gold elite for 5 years and never noticed the upgraded room was any better. So I would warn your readers to not expect much from this program . But perhaps could use this status for a match into another program.
That said extra points are never something to turn down.
@Lee I spent my $10k to get the free night cause I didn't have any other spends to make at the time of need. Is it true I have to wait until my next annual fee is due to get the free night credit?....I didn't know when I made the spend that I'd have to wait. I got a few free nights too with the previous deal. I have enjoyed their hotels in Europe and I have gotten upgrades. Going to stay at the Sydney properties this year. What do you think of them?
I have both the business and personal versions. The $85 fee for 40k points and Gold status is a great deal. I was totally bummed when they eliminated the "last night free" benefit. We used that benefit on 2-night stays in Chicago, Sydney, Amsterdam, Dublin, and London. At least you can still get a free night annually with $10k spend.