Radisson Rewards points are a loyalty currency you earn by staying at Radisson hotels, and you can redeem them for free nights, room upgrades, or transfers to airline partners
When you book a room at a Radisson property, you earn points based on how much you spend. The exact earning rate depends on your membership tier and the specific Radisson brand — Radisson, Radisson Blu, Radisson Collection, and others each have slightly different point structures. You don't pay anything extra to join Radisson Rewards; membership is free, and points start accumulating as soon as you check in.
The most common redemption is a free night stay. A budget Radisson might cost 15,000 to 25,000 points for one night, while a luxury Radisson Collection property could run 50,000 to 100,000 points or more. You can also use points toward room upgrades at check-in, though availability varies by location and season. Some travelers transfer points to airline partners like United, American, or Delta, though the conversion rate is typically unfavorable compared to redeeming for hotel nights.
Key Takeaways
- You earn one point per dollar spent on room rate at most Radisson properties, with higher earning rates at elite membership tiers.
- Free night redemptions range from 15,000 to 100,000 points depending on the property category and location.
- Elite status (Silver, Gold, Platinum) unlocks benefits like room upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points on stays.
- Points do not expire as long as you have account activity at least once every 24 months.
- You can combine points from multiple Radisson brands under one account, since they all feed the same loyalty program.
How many points you earn per stay
Base earning is straightforward: you get one point for every dollar of the room rate. Taxes and resort fees do not earn points. If you book a $120 room, you earn 120 points, regardless of how many nights you stay.
Your membership tier multiplies this. A Silver member earns 10% bonus points on every stay. Gold members earn 25% bonus. Platinum members earn 50% bonus. Elite Plus members earn 75% bonus. So that same $120 room earns 180 points as a Platinum member instead of 120.
Credit card holders earn additional points. The Radisson Rewards credit card typically awards 5 points per dollar spent on the card at Radisson properties, plus a sign-up bonus. This stacks with your base earning and tier bonus, so a Platinum member using the credit card on a $120 room could earn over 300 points total.
Redeeming points for free nights
Radisson uses a dynamic pricing model for free night redemptions, meaning the point cost changes based on the property and the night you want to book. A free night at a standard Radisson in a mid-size city might cost 15,000 to 20,000 points on a weeknight, but 25,000 to 30,000 points on a weekend. Premium locations like New York or London cost significantly more.
You can search for available redemptions on the Radisson Rewards website by entering your destination and dates. The system shows you the point cost for each night before you commit. Unlike some hotel programs, Radisson does not require you to have a specific number of points in your account to search — you can see what's available and plan accordingly.
Free night certificates are also available as elite status benefits. Platinum members receive one free night certificate annually (up to 50,000 points), and Elite Plus members receive two. These certificates have a maximum point value and can be used at any Radisson property worldwide, though blackout dates may explore during peak seasons.
Elite status tiers and what they include
Radisson Rewards has five membership tiers: Member (base), Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Elite Plus. You move up by staying a certain number of nights per year or spending a certain amount on the credit card.
Silver status (10 nights or $2,500 spent annually) adds 10% bonus points and room upgrades when available. Gold (25 nights or $5,000 spent) adds 25% bonus points, may provide room upgrade or late checkout, and complimentary breakfast at select properties. Platinum (50 nights or $10,000 spent) adds 50% bonus points, suite upgrade or late checkout, one free night certificate, and lounge access at select properties. Elite Plus (75 nights or $15,000 spent) adds 75% bonus points, suite upgrade, two free night certificates, and additional lounge benefits.
Elite status is calendar-year based. You earn nights and spending toward the next year's status between January 1 and December 31. Status is confirmed in early January for the following year. If you fall short of your current tier, you drop to the highest tier you've reached, so you don't lose status mid-year.
How to avoid losing your points
Radisson Rewards points expire if your account has no activity for 24 consecutive months. Activity includes staying at a Radisson property, earning points through the credit card, or even just logging into your account. A single purchase or stay resets the 24-month clock.
If your points do expire, you cannot recover them. The best safeguard is to use your Radisson credit card at least once every two years, even for a small purchase, or to book a stay. Some members set a calendar reminder for month 23 of inactivity to may support they don't accidentally let points lapse.
You can check your account balance and last activity date on the Radisson Rewards website anytime. The site also shows you how many points you've earned year-to-date and your progress toward the next elite tier.
Combining points from different Radisson brands
Radisson operates multiple hotel brands under one loyalty program: Radisson, Radisson Blu, Radisson Collection, Radisson RED, Radisson Individuals, and Park Plaza. When you stay at any of these brands, points go into the same Radisson Rewards account. You don't need separate memberships or accounts.
This matters because it lets you pool points faster. If you stay at a Radisson Blu in one city and a Radisson Collection in another, both stays count toward your annual night total for elite status, and both earn points toward your free night redemption. The earning rate and redemption value are consistent across brands, so a point earned at a Radisson RED is worth the same as a point earned at a Radisson Collection.
Transferring points to airline partners
Radisson Rewards allows point transfers to airline partners including United MileagePlus, American Airlines AAdvantage, Delta SkyMiles, and several others. The transfer ratio is typically 1 hotel point to 1 airline mile, though some promotions offer better rates.
In most cases, redeeming points for a free hotel night is a better value than transferring to airlines. A 25,000-point free night is worth roughly $100 to $150 in hotel value, while 25,000 airline miles typically covers only a short domestic flight or a portion of an international ticket. Transfer to airlines only if you have a specific award ticket in mind and the math works in your favor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I book a free night and still earn points?
Yes. When you redeem points for a free night, you still earn points on the room rate value of that night. A free night that would have cost $120 earns you 120 base points (plus tier bonuses if you're elite). This is one reason free night redemptions can be valuable — you're earning points on a stay that cost you nothing.
What happens to my points if I cancel a reservation?
Points are only deducted when you actually stay at the hotel. If you cancel a reservation before check-in, no points are removed from your account. If you cancel after check-in, points earned during that stay are not reversed.
Can I use points to pay for part of a room and cash for the rest?
No. Radisson requires you to redeem either points or cash for a booking, not both. You can search for free night redemptions separately from paid bookings on their website.
Do I earn points on third-party booking sites?
Points are only may provide when you book directly through Radisson Rewards or the Radisson website. Booking through third-party sites like Expedia or Booking.com may not earn points, or may earn at a reduced rate. Always book directly with Radisson to may support full point earning.
How long does it take to get elite status after I reach the requirement?
Elite status is confirmed once per year in early January based on activity from the previous calendar year. If you reach your tier threshold in November, you won't see the status update until January 1 of the following year. Status benefits explore when ready once confirmed.