A hotel credit card will be discontinued in the coming weeks, and will automatically be product changed to another card with a totally different value proposition.
In this post:
Radisson Rewards Visa becomes US Bank Altitude Go Visa
Per a letter to cardmembers, the Radisson Rewards Premier Visa Signature Card will be automatically converted into the US Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card as of May 2022:
- The card has historically offered 40,000 bonus Radisson Rewards points on the account anniversary every year (the main reason to have this card), and that benefit will be discontinued as of April 30, 2022
- The card has historically offered up to three free night certificates per year, one for each $10,000 spent (up to $30,000); only spending through April 30, 2022, will qualify toward that
- The US Bank Altitude Go Visa doesn’t have an annual fee, and the Radisson Rewards Visa annual fee will be credited back to accounts on a prorated basis going back 12 months
- Cardmembers should receive the US Bank Altitude Go Visa in June, featuring the same card number
- Any points earned with the card will continue to be available in your Radisson Rewards Americas account
- The US Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card earns 4x points on dining, 2x points on grocery stores, gas stations, EV charging stations, and streaming services, and 1x points on everything else (points are generally worth once cent each); while the bonus categories are decent, it’s hard to get excited about the card otherwise
Why is the Radisson Rewards Visa being discontinued?
There’s no explanation as to why the Radisson Rewards Visa is being discontinued, so all we can do is speculate.
Keep in mind that in mid-2021 we saw the launch of the Radisson Rewards Americas program, as Radisson Rewards’ loyalty program was split in two due to requirements by the US government to limit how much information is shared with the Chinese government (Radisson is owned by a company controlled by the Chinese government). So there have been big changes to the program in general.
That doesn’t necessarily answer why this card is being discontinued, though, rather than just being rebranded to reflect the Radisson Rewards Americas change. I’d say there are a couple of most likely explanations:
- Perhaps Radisson wants to partner with another credit card issuer to create a different type of product, as US Bank isn’t big in the co-brand travel credit card space
- Perhaps the portfolio simply wasn’t profitable, and it wasn’t worth it for US Bank or Radisson to continue offering the card; Radisson has a lot more name recognition in Europe than the United States
Is it worth keeping the US Bank Altitude Go Visa?
I’ve had the $75 annual fee Radisson Rewards Visa for many years. The reason is very simple — the card offers 40,000 anniversary bonus points, plus Gold status for as long as you have the card.
I value Radisson Rewards points at 0.3 cents each, so I consider the 40,000 points to be worth $120, which is a deal, and that’s not even factoring in the status. So holding onto the card has been an easy choice, even if I haven’t spent much on the card.
Now the card is being transitioned to a no annual fee card that essentially offers rewards worth 1-4% back, based on the spending category. Given my portfolio of cards, I can’t imagine I’ll get much value from the card.
That being said, there’s no reason to cancel the card — holding onto cards for a long time is good for your credit score, and the ideal card with which to do that is a no annual fee card, since it’s not costing you anything. So I have no plans to use the card, but also don’t plan on spending on it (my card may eventually be canceled due to inactivity, but then again, I don’t know the last time I spent money on my Radisson Rewards credit card).
Bottom line
The Radisson Rewards Visa Signature Card will be discontinued shortly, and cardmembers will automatically be switched to the US Bank Altitude Go Visa Signature Card. There’s no explanation for why this is happening, though suffice it to say that the two cards are very different.
If you liked the Radisson Rewards Visa, it’s unlikely that you’ll like the US Bank Altitude Go Visa, since the cards have totally different perks, annual fees, and rewards structures. Since the US Bank Altitude Go has no annual fee, I guess I’ll hold onto it, but I can’t imagine I’ll be using it.
I’m curious to see if Radisson Rewards is simply exiting the US credit card market, or if there’s more coming.
What do you make of the Radisson Rewards Visa being discontinued?
(Tip of the hat to Tennen)
The customer service for RADISSON americas has been extremely poor and frustrating!!! I’ve had some serious problems. There are several good hotels I enjoy but others have deteriorated and I won’t stay. With the removal of the credit card I am disappointed and likely to choose another hotel brand. Niw I find out Chinese owned and further unlikely to use
I am trying to find out status of free night certificates earned with spend on the Radisson VIsa card. Have free night certificates been emailed to card holders? or transferred to Radisson Rewards Americas accounts?
I paid the fee for the Radisson business card back in September, usually the points post in November, nada. Could not find them, nor use the points in my international account, couldn't merge the accounts, couldn't transfer them over, wound up canceling the card. What a hassle. I didn't realize the reason is they are owned by a Chinese company, and I do appreciate the "why" for all of the trouble I had.
Hi,
Thanks for the update. Any word on the business version? I have that.
I just saw the letter. The Radisson Rewards Business version is sadly being converted to the Triple Cash Rewards Visa Business Card.
Hi Lucky,
Per the letter it says the Annual Renewal Bonus provided with payment ends on 4/30/2022. I'm wondering If our annual fee is due 2 weeks before this end date, are we still going to get the 40,000 Renewal Bonus points with our annual fee payment? Because I can't remember how long it takes for the 40,000 Renewal Bonus points to post to our accounts after the annual fee was paid. I'm trying to...
Hi Lucky,
Per the letter it says the Annual Renewal Bonus provided with payment ends on 4/30/2022. I'm wondering If our annual fee is due 2 weeks before this end date, are we still going to get the 40,000 Renewal Bonus points with our annual fee payment? Because I can't remember how long it takes for the 40,000 Renewal Bonus points to post to our accounts after the annual fee was paid. I'm trying to decide if it's worth paying the fee or not. Thanks for any reply/answer to this inquiry.
There was a question like this in another forum. YMMV but it seems to me they picked 4/30 to cover the 2 months it takes to post the 40K points. And yeah I looked, it takes 2 months and couple of days for the 40K to post historically. My letter says..."The points you earn through your June statement closing date will remain in you RRA account..." Not sure any agent you call at USBank and...
There was a question like this in another forum. YMMV but it seems to me they picked 4/30 to cover the 2 months it takes to post the 40K points. And yeah I looked, it takes 2 months and couple of days for the 40K to post historically. My letter says..."The points you earn through your June statement closing date will remain in you RRA account..." Not sure any agent you call at USBank and def no one at Radisson will give you an informative answer. But good news is since they will prorate the annual fee back to you after the June conversion - it's just two months of annual fee [75/12]x2 to take a chance and see if the 40K will post - you are certainly entitled to it. I think for anyone with an annual fee in May and beyond is pretty pissed - they paid a whole year, wont get any more bonuses, and won't get any prorated refund.
Hi Ben, could you find out what happens to our Gold Status from the card? I know it will go away but will status automatically disappear with the transition of the card in June or last until the end of the qualifying year 02/2023? If you have any contacts at Radisson to clarify this - that would be great.
Mark... it will last until 2/23 (as stated on your Radisson account).
Lots of nice hotels in Europe but literally every Radisson I have stayed at in the US has closed or rebranded e.g. SF Fisherman's Wharf (dump but nice staff), Radisson LAX, Wall St. NYC, Martinique NYC, Radisson Blu Warwick in Philidelphia, etc. So except for the odd Country Inn, the best things about the card for me were the annual 40k points and the points never expiring. Gold is kind of useless.
Radisson America points are worth at least $ .05 everyday with opportunities for even better redemptions. Before the devaluation last year, it was one of the most rewarding cards for non bonus spend. Unfortunately Radisson has a small footprint in the Americas. US Bank has better customer service than the larger credit card issuers.
Any news on the Radisson Business card, and, for that matter, the KAL cards?
I was looking at signing up this year before making an annual payment. I went hunting for a sign-up bonus and couldn't find one, now it all makes sense. I'm hopeful they sign up with another issuer, preferably Barclay to avoid the limits on Chase and AmEx.
I visit Scandanavia every few years and the Radisson points would be extremely valuable in this part of the world, less so at home in the USA.
Fingers crossed.
If you live in the US, you have to be a member of Radisson Americas. (North America/South America/Central America/Carribbean). And that is where you have to use your points. You should double check - I don't think you can use them to stay in Scandinavia.
Kind of looks like US Bank is getting out of the co-brand game. Our 4 new go cards that are currently Radisson will go nicely with the go card that we recently got from our Latam account that was discontinued. I think that this will leave them with no co-brands at all
What happens to my Radisson rewards gold status after April 30, 2022?
Gold status continues until the expiration date listed on your Radisson Rewards account. For most people, that would be 2/23
Your Gold status will continue until the expiration date listed on your Radisson Rewards account. For most people (everyone?), that would be 2/23
What about the free Radisson Rewards visa? I haven’t received a letter about that.
I have to disagree with this statement you made..."That being said, there’s no reason to cancel the card — holding onto cards for a long time is good for your credit score, and the ideal card with which to do that is a no annual fee card, since it’s not costing you anything"
My P2 was recently turned down for a card and the reason they gave was "Too many revolving accounts". So, based...
I have to disagree with this statement you made..."That being said, there’s no reason to cancel the card — holding onto cards for a long time is good for your credit score, and the ideal card with which to do that is a no annual fee card, since it’s not costing you anything"
My P2 was recently turned down for a card and the reason they gave was "Too many revolving accounts". So, based on that , it can cost you something. It can cost you getting a bonus and a card you might actually use by keeping it open rather than closing it.
I am heartbroken! This is my main credit card that I’ve used for 8 years since the general spend earning was so strong, was earning about 12-15 nights a year on it. Also the first hotel card I signed up for. I’ve become a Radisson brand fan boy because of this card, and now I’ll need to pivot elsewhere.
I have the business card and was notified yesterday that it too will be discontinued.
Will the business card be canceled or transitioned to another card and which? I can't see through my letter in Informed Delivery.
Now that it's more American-oriented, I suspect Radisson can get a better deal from AmEx or Chase or even Barclays. US Bank is a minor cc player.
@Lucky - Will the business card be discontinued too?
@ Elliot -- I haven't heard anything one way or another, so I'll report back if I find out.
I have the business card and got the same notice, except I am obviously getting a business version of the new card product. It has 3% on office supplies, gas, and restaurants -- obviously, nothing exciting.
I can confirm this. I have the business card and got the same letter
I have this card. What about people who started spending towards the $10,000 annual spend in good faith to earn a free night, but who won't make it by April 30? It seems unfair for Radisson to just say "too bad, thanks for the spend" and not given them the promised chance to earn a free night
@ gavinmac -- I totally agree such short notice isn't exactly in good faith. Unfortunately I'm also not surprised, and I'm not sure there's a whole lot that can be done. As a concept, it's not that different than loyalty program members earning points toward a specific reward, only for it to be devalued before it's reached.
The Radisson Rewards BUSINESS Visa is also being discontinued and will be transitioned to the TRIPLE CASH REWARDS VISA BUSINESS CARD, according to the letter I received today.