Radisson Rewards Points Valued at 0.14p to 0.21p
Radisson Rewards points have a fixed cash value, offering between 0.14 and 0.21 pence per point depending on redemption method.
Radisson Rewards points are currently worth between 0.14 and 0.21 pence each, according to an analysis by travel website Head for Points. The exact value depends on the percentage of a hotel room rate paid with points, with no opportunity for high-value 'aspirational' redemptions.
Head for Points states that the programme operates differently from other hotel loyalty schemes. Points have a fairly fixed cash value, which the site argues creates a psychological problem. It is difficult to get excited about Radisson Rewards because members can never 'beat the system' for outsized value.
How Redemption Value is Calculated
The pence-per-point value is directly tied to how much of a booking is covered by points. The site's analysis, adjusted for a recent devaluation, shows a clear range.
| Redemption Method | Pence Per Point Value |
|---|---|
| Partial payment (e.g., 10% of rate) | 0.14p |
| Full or near-full payment | 0.21p |
There is no logical reason to save points for a high-value redemption, the report concludes. The sensible strategy is to hold points until you have enough to pay for all, or almost all, of a room you are booking. 'Earn and burn' is the logical option, as long as you are paying a high percentage of the room rate.
The Impact of Discount Booster
A counterintuitive finding is that the best value can come from not earning points at all. Members with Premium or VIP status can activate a 'Discount Booster' feature in their account settings. This provides a substantial extra discount on the room rate but results in earning far fewer points.
Head for Points recommends that anyone with Radisson Rewards status, booking a personal stay, should turn on 'Discount Booster'. The site's writer states, "The cash saving is worth FAR more than the value of the points you are giving up." They confirm they use this feature on all their own Radisson stays.
Floor Value and Escape Routes
The analysis also establishes a floor value for the points, which acts as an escape route if the programme devalues further. The only viable alternative is to transfer points to airline frequent flyer programmes.
The transfer partners are Avios (via Finnair), Flying Blue (Air France KLM), and SAS. The transfer rate to Avios and Flying Blue is 10 Radisson points to 1 airline mile. If an airline mile is valued at 1p, this yields just 0.1p per Radisson point. The rate to SAS is 7.1 to 1, but the site notes this is unlikely to interest its readers.
Remember that Radisson Rewards no longer operates with classic 'reward nights'. Members search for a hotel as normal and are given the option to reduce the cash cost, in part or in full, using their points at the payment stage. The report also notes that Radisson hotels in the Americas are no longer part of Radisson Rewards, having been sold to Choice Hotels.
