Club Carlson - Gold for shareholders?

HI

I've just found this (http://awardwallet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1948) :

Google translated from http://kackalorum.se/2012/02/23/easy-travelling-101


Do you stay sometimes at the Radisson / Holiday Inn / Holiday Inn / Park Plaza hotels?

In that case:
1: Buy some shares in REZT, Rezidor Hotel Group AB on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. Is 25 SEK / pc, one should be enough ...
2: Open an account at Club Carlson, http://www.clubcarlson.com
3: Pull off an email to Investorrelations@Rezidor.com and asks to be compad to gold level and shareholders.
4: Get automatic upgrades and the like. Stay as Jens without paying as Jens, kind of.


25 SEK would be roughly $4, well worth spending to be Gold (for life?)!

(some official info: http://www.investor.rezidor.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=205430&p=irol-shareholders)
:-)


Regards

HI

I've just found this (http://awardwallet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1948) :

(some official info: http://www.investor.rezidor.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=205430&p=irol-shareholders)
:-)


Regards

That's funny, why is google translating Country Inn and Park Inn as Holiday Inn?

I just found this on rezidor.com as well. I sent them an email, and there are no minimum requirements. If there is not a "catch" here, this is a very good offer for people like me that has no chance of getting gold status!!

Cheers

I bought 10 shares yesterday, sent them an email, and woke up to Gold Elite status this morning :)

I bought 10 shares yesterday, sent them an email, and woke up to Gold Elite status this morning :)

Congrats! I just wondered why my Swedish blog got so many hits from USA and the likes... well, now I know :-)

I bought 10 shares yesterday, sent them an email, and woke up to Gold Elite status this morning :)

What type of documentation did you have to provide? I'm specifically asking to know if the shares have to be registered in your name. Thanks.

What type of documentation did you have to provide? I'm specifically asking to know if the shares have to be registered in your name. Thanks.

I though it was kind of odd, but I did not need to send them anything. First I sent them an email to ask if there were a minmun amount of shares you had to own. A nice lady responded that there were in fact not a minimum amount, and that I should let her know when I had bought a/some shares. I bought 10 shares through my broker which is Nordnet (I live in Norway) and just told her I bought some shares. I did not hear from her that day, but when I woke up yesterday I had received another email from Service center one that could confirm my upgrade to Gold Elite. I logged in at CC and now had Gold Elite next to my points :)

I don´t know if they have a way of checking, but I would kind of assum they did. So I wouldn´t try to get it if you do not own any shares as this might come back and hit you later... I would hate to lose all my points if they "cought" me because I was not a shareholder...

What's the easiest way to buy the shares?

What's the easiest way to buy the shares?

From an online broker. I use Nordnet for my other stockholdings, so I bought through them :)

I logged in at CC and now had Gold Elite next to my points :)


Great! Any idea how long that status will last? As long as you are a shareholder? How could they know if you sold the shares?

Great! Any idea how long that status will last? As long as you are a shareholder? How could they know if you sold the shares?

Well I was wondering about that my self, but in the email I received upon being upgraded, it looks like the status is only valid for a year and that you have to requalify:

--

We are happy to inform you that at the request of Rezidor we have upgraded your account to Gold Elite. Your status is valid until 2014. We have ordered a membership card for you, which you should receive within 4-6 weeks. Until then you can enjoy Gold benefits by quoting your membership number whenever you stay at our hotels.


· Offer available exclusively for shareholders of the Rezidor Hotel Group.
Upgrade to Gold Elite status will be effective approximately 10 working days following enrolment through February 2013. To maintain Elite status, members must re-qualify annually per programme rules.
Offer is non-transferable, may not be sold, and is subject to change or termination without notice.
By enrolling in Club CarlsonSM and participating in this offer, you agree to the Club CarlsonSM programme terms and conditions.

--

However there are 2 different timeperiods in the email. First it states my status is valid until 2014, then it sais February 2013. I do think it is weird that there is so little information about this. How do they know that I bought? And like you said, how would they know if you sold?

To what email-adres did you sent it?

However there are 2 different timeperiods in the email. First it states my status is valid until 2014, then it sais February 2013. I do think it is weird that there is so little information about this. How do they know that I bought? And like you said, how would they know if you sold?

Thanks for the detailed information! Even if it's "just" for a year it's still a good thing!

Bought 15 shares yesterday and sent a mail to CC. Awaiting reply.

Thanks for the detailed information! Even if it's "just" for a year it's still a good thing!

I agree :) But I should of bought more than 10! I bought at 23,3 and they are now at 25,2 Who knows, maybe this is a goldmine as well haha

To what email-adres did you sent it?


The email is: investor.relations@rezidor.com and it is located on the bottom of the text on this page:

http://investor.rezidor.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=205430&p=irol-sharebenefits

Well I was wondering about that my self, but in the email I received upon being upgraded, it looks like the status is only valid for a year and that you have to requalify:

That would be a disapointment. I believe you need to ask again for an upgrade once the gold status has expired. The probably need to see again proof that you are still/again a shareholder.

Unfortunatly, sharebuilder doesn't have access to the Swedish stock exchange

I am thinking of giving this a shot too... I would prefer if the gold elite is lifetime or at least as long as you own those shares. If the share perform well enough, I will hold and keep buying more :)

I bought some stock on Friday. I'll send a snapshot of of account today and see what happens.

I bought a handful of shares through my broker last week. Settled on Friday. I contacted Rezidor investor relations that day but haven't had any reaction yet.

Chris

I bought a handful of shares through my broker last week. Settled on Friday. I contacted Rezidor investor relations that day but haven't had any reaction yet.

Chris



Same situation here. No answer from them! They don't answer my emails and they also don't answer my letter :td:

Same situation here. No answer from them! They don't answer my emails and they also don't answer my letter :td:

Seems kind of weird. I posted this in the norwegian forum flyprat.no and it seems to be the same situation, some people got the answer and got upgraded, and some didn't. Me personally got an answer within 12 hours and was upgraded within 36 hours of my first email. I guess you should just try to send a new email?

Seems kind of weird. I posted this in the norwegian forum flyprat.no and it seems to be the same situation, some people got the answer and got upgraded, and some didn't. Me personally got an answer within 12 hours and was upgraded within 36 hours of my first email. I guess you should just try to send a new email?

I wonder if a US traded ETF... ...

I wonder if a US traded ETF... ...

you mean ADR?

you mean ADR?

Not necessarily, there are few ETFs that hold the exchange which holds rezidor. Unfortunately, they did not accept that and you have to be "on the list" or show proof of ownership.

Though, an ADR, if existent, may be an even better solution.

Though, an ADR, if existent, may be an even better solution.

There is not an ADR for this stock. . . unfortunately.

Same situation here. No answer from them! They don't answer my emails and they also don't answer my letter :td:

did you get now reply regarding your request. I have also bought shares and I am waiting for confirmation

Does any US broker offer access to the exchange? Has anyone in the US done this?

It looks like it is possible to buy it online through Schwab ($50 fee on top of regular commission), and Fidelity (SEK180 fee, about $25).

The US ticker is REZIF.

Maybe I'll try it...

I've emailed two different addresses now (most recently yesterday) but haven't had a response yet.

Chris

sounds not good, to get no response after 3 weeks -
anybody that applied successfully during the last weeks ?

I just noticed that the rules have changed. From now on, you need to own at least 200 shares to qualify for Gold Elite-status. And the status is valid for one year, then you will have to re-qualify the "normal" way.

I purchased shares last week and asked for a status upgrade. Haven't heard anytning since, and now the rules have changed. Wonder if I will get the Gold Elite?

Link: http://www.rezidor.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=205430&p=irol-sharebenefits

I just noticed that the rules have changed. From now on, you need to own at least 200 shares to qualify for Gold Elite-status. And the status is valid for one year, then you will have to re-qualify the "normal" way.

I purchased shares last week and asked for a status upgrade. Haven't heard anytning since, and now the rules have changed. Wonder if I will get the Gold Elite?

Link: http://www.rezidor.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=205430&p=irol-sharebenefits

That's sneaky!

I just noticed that the rules have changed. From now on, you need to own at least 200 shares to qualify for Gold Elite-status. And the status is valid for one year, then you will have to re-qualify the "normal" way.


I think you are wrong in this matter.
You have to requalify every year per program rules.
The rules is for the sharholder program... = you have to have 200 or more shares..

good decision that I have bought 300 shares :-)
hope that the program rules are really just to own the 200 shares to requalify;
did anybody already send a mail to clarify ?

I've emailed two different addresses now (most recently yesterday) but haven't had a response yet.

Chris

after one week of no reply at all, I resent the mail, but also included also goldpointsplus@carlson.com; within 4 hours I got a reply that I am Goldmember now

I think you are wrong in this matter.
You have to requalify every year per program rules.
The rules is for the sharholder program... = you have to have 200 or more shares..

I have contacted customer service and they informed me that the requalification can only be done by reaching the number of stays / nights. Having > 200 shares is only enough for the first year of Gols status.

Actually a bit strange for me. I would rather recommend them to increase the number of shares instead. My wife will now not buy any shares but match instead with another hotel program.

Does anyone know if you can qualify with the stock traded in berlin, under this symbol: RPZ.BE? It is listed as Rezidor Hotel Group, and its shares are only trading around $3 per share, which would be much better than the approx $6 that REZD is trading at.

Also, is it definite that you have to hold the 200 shares the qualify? Anyone have any luck otherwise?

While my thoughts may be unpopular here, I hope they do only allow one year of Gold status to shareholders. . . unless of course one stays enough nights or stays during that year to re-qualify the traditional way.

I have been considering whether to go through the annoying process to buy this stock on a foreign exchange (I'm in the U.S), and it would be an annoyance to me and no real benefit to the company if I only buy a couple hundred shares. On the other hand, if one can be perpetually gold, then I will probably do it, or else I would feel that I am a sucker for not being gold the easy way. Over time, however, the gold benefit would have to be diluted (more golds competing for free upgrades, etc.), as more and more people would take advantage of this. . . and then I would lose out whether I qualify for gold with stays or with the stock.

If they want to offer gold status in perpetuity for a stockholder, then I think the minimum holding requirement should be at least $10K or more (and require that you demonstrate your continued holdings annually). . . so that at least the company would derive some theoretical benefit and gold status will not be diluted.

While my thoughts may be unpopular here, I hope they do only allow one year of Gold status to shareholders. . . unless of course one stays enough nights or stays during that year to re-qualify the traditional way.

I have been considering whether to go through the annoying process to buy this stock on a foreign exchange (I'm in the U.S), and it would be an annoyance to me and no real benefit to the company if I only buy a couple hundred shares. On the other hand, if one can be perpetually gold, then I will probably do it, or else I would feel that I am a sucker for not being gold the easy way. Over time, however, the gold benefit would have to be diluted (more golds competing for free upgrades, etc.), as more and more people would take advantage of this. . . and then I would lose out whether I qualify for gold with stays or with the stock.

If they want to offer gold status in perpetuity for a stockholder, then I think the minimum holding requirement should be at least $10K or more (and require that you demonstrate your continued holdings annually). . . so that at least the company would derive some theoretical benefit and gold status will not be diluted.

Good point on aligning interests. Though a lot of the benefits shareholders receive in various programs have either no minimum or 100 minimum share limits. 100 shares could be more or less than $10K depending on company share price. Why should I be responsible for the fact that the company's shares lost value? And what valuation date do you use?

Maybe offer X stays credit per Y shares? Though I could see that becoming cumbersome.

I have contacted customer service and they informed me that the requalification can only be done by reaching the number of stays / nights. Having > 200 shares is only enough for the first year of Gols status.

Actually a bit strange for me. I would rather recommend them to increase the number of shares instead. My wife will now not buy any shares but match instead with another hotel program.

At businessclass.se some member also contacted Clubcarlson an get a different answer Look at link http://www.businessclass.se/hotell/2982-club-carlson-gold-elite-18.html#post53038 and use translation..
If you can prove you own >200 shares you will be gold next year too. And so on...

I'm new to CC and have a question. If I buy 200 shares today, would I get Gold for only the rest of 2012, or both 2012 and 2013, or one calendar year from the date of enrollment?

you will get gold until the end of 02/2013 - but -up to the cs- maybe you get lucky and they will give you gold valid until 02/2014.

If you get an Amex Platinum you will get carlson gold as long as you are a platinum member, without stay requirements

If you get an Amex Platinum you will get carlson gold as long as you are a platinum member, without stay requirements

How do you activate this? I'm not sure it's a benefit for USA Amex Plat holders. It seems you can get SPG gold, but I don't see anything about club carlson.

I dont no about usa platinum card benefits but in europe its a benefit club carlson gold eg. In austria or germany

I dont no about usa platinum card benefits but in europe its a benefit club carlson gold eg. In austria or germany

Thanks. That's awesome. I think the deal Amex has with Starwood in the US is exclusive, so we can't get this.

If you get an Amex Platinum you will get carlson gold as long as you are a platinum member, without stay requirements

I have AMEX plat, how do i get gold status?

Sometimes if you log in to your amex account check the benifits site and there you should be see a link or a application form.
If not just call customer service and ask to be enrolled.

Sometimes if you log in to your amex account check the benifits site and there you should be see a link or a application form.
If not just call customer service and ask to be enrolled.

Not in my account, and then i call CS they don't know anything of this. It seems is Targeted for Europe only.

I'm new to CC and have a question. If I buy 200 shares today, would I get Gold for only the rest of 2012, or both 2012 and 2013, or one calendar year from the date of enrollment?

I recieved my card a few days ago, and it states status valid thruogh 02/2014

It looks like it is possible to buy it online through Schwab ($50 fee on top of regular commission), and Fidelity (SEK180 fee, about $25).

The US ticker is REZIF.

Maybe I'll try it...


Anyone in the US bought this and upgraded? for how long?

I can buy and hold forever if lifetime gold ...

I have been dealing with the people at Carlson hotel for about three weeks and not yet upgraded. This is a totally unprofessional department and gives me a bad impression about the the chain. No wonder, I will keep staying at Hilton, SPG etc

I have been dealing with the people at Carlson hotel for about three weeks and not yet upgraded. This is a totally unprofessional department and gives me a bad impression about the the chain. No wonder, I will keep staying at Hilton, SPG etc

18 nights so far this year and upgraded 17 nights.. Maybee its about you??
I never ask for a upgrade, it just happend.

WHAT is about me? All I need to do is to purchase the shares, to inform the InvestorsRelations people and then it's up to them to upgrade my account! An easy task which shouldn't take three weeks or longer!

While my thoughts may be unpopular here, I hope they do only allow one year of Gold status to shareholders. . . unless of course one stays enough nights or stays during that year to re-qualify the traditional way.

I have been considering whether to go through the annoying process to buy this stock on a foreign exchange (I'm in the U.S), and it would be an annoyance to me and no real benefit to the company if I only buy a couple hundred shares. On the other hand, if one can be perpetually gold, then I will probably do it, or else I would feel that I am a sucker for not being gold the easy way. Over time, however, the gold benefit would have to be diluted (more golds competing for free upgrades, etc.), as more and more people would take advantage of this. . . and then I would lose out whether I qualify for gold with stays or with the stock.

If they want to offer gold status in perpetuity for a stockholder, then I think the minimum holding requirement should be at least $10K or more (and require that you demonstrate your continued holdings annually). . . so that at least the company would derive some theoretical benefit and gold status will not be diluted.


Your wishes seem to be fullfilled. It took about two months from the purchase of the shares to the upgrade of the account. I have no words for that!

Finally, I got this from "Dub Gold Points" in my mail box. Needless to say that this strange message/sender landed in my spam box:

"Dear Customer,

You have been upgraded to Gold Elite status in the Club Carlson-program since you purchased Rezidor shares. A card has been posted to the address in your profile and should arrive within 4-6 weeks from now, however your Gold Elite-benefits are valid from the day of the upgrade. Please see below for the Terms & Conditions of this offer. For any queries regarding Club Carlson or your Gold Elite-status, please let us know on clubcarlson@carlsonrezidor.com


- Offer available exclusively for shareholders of the Rezidor Hotel Group.
- Upgrade to Gold Elite status will be effective approximately 10 working days following enrolment through February 2013.
To maintain Elite status, members must re-qualify annually per programme rules.
- Offer is non-transferable, may not be sold, and is subject to change or termination without notice.
- By enrolling in Club CarlsonSM and participating in this offer, you agree to the Club CarlsonSM programme terms and conditions.


Kind Regards,

Member Services | Club Carlson
t: +44 20 7949 0378/9 | f: +353 (1) 212 3751 | clubcarlson@carlsonrezidor.com
5th Floor, Block 6 | Belfield Office Park | Clonskeagh | Dublin 4 | Rep Ireland | www.carlsonrezidor.com"

On the official shareholder website does it not say that the gold status is only for one year. Club Carlson, it was not worth to purchase the shares, you don't play by the rules and you are therefore no alternative to my other hotel programs :td:

On the official shareholder website does it not say that the gold status is only for one year. Club Carlson, it was not worth to purchase the shares, you don't play by the rules and you are therefore no alternative to my other hotel programs :td:

Why should they make you a lifetime gold for a one-off spend of less than SEK 5,000?

They're running a business not a charity!

Chris

Why should they make you a lifetime gold for a one-off spend of less than SEK 5,000?

They're running a business not a charity!

Chris

Easy for them if they have such customers like you!

If they write on their website that one get's a one-time upgrade to gold then is all right. But they don't write that it is one time! So easy and simple!

anyone with usa amex plat did get the status?

If USA Amex plat holders call the Amex plat European phone #, do you think they will get upgraded to Gold status?

It took about two months from the purchase of the shares to the upgrade of the account. [...] Finally, I got this from "Dub Gold Points" in my mail box.

I emailed my request on 6 September and my account was upgraded today, 12 September. So no complaints about that.

My email confirmation came from "ServiceCenterOne". No Dublin address (and no other physical address), phone numbers in London and Dublin.

My message was also written to "Dear Customer" -- and no effort was made to conceal the email addresses (and in some cases real names) of the other recipients. :td: :td: :td:

Good point on aligning interests. Though a lot of the benefits shareholders receive in various programs have either no minimum or 100 minimum share limits. 100 shares could be more or less than $10K depending on company share price.

Actually, in the US the stock trades OTC or on the pink sheets for less than $3.5. If a lot of people start buying $10K worth of the stock, you can only imagine what would happen. Besides, there's hardly any trading volume (if any at all) on a given day for that stock. It'd harder to sell or unload a large volume of those OTC shares. On a interesting side note, they are indeed a small company compared to others larger chains like Marriott, IHG, Hyatt, etc. That's a 500M market cap compared to 6.6B for Hyatt or 12.8B for Marriott.

If you're willing to spend $10K, it seems easier to do it in another hotel chain and have CC match your status to Gold.

Has anyone had recent success with this? I emailed 3 weeks ago and have not heard back.

Actually, in the US the stock trades OTC or on the pink sheets for less than $3.5. If a lot of people start buying $10K worth of the stock, you can only imagine what would happen. Besides, there's hardly any trading volume (if any at all) on a given day for that stock. It'd harder to sell or unload a large volume of those OTC shares. On a interesting side note, they are indeed a small company compared to others larger chains like Marriott, IHG, Hyatt, etc. That's a 500M market cap compared to 6.6B for Hyatt or 12.8B for Marriott.

If you're willing to spend $10K, it seems easier to do it in another hotel chain and have CC match your status to Gold.Rezidor's market cap is 3.3 billion.

Rezidor's market cap is 3.3 billion.

Market cap isn't necessarily correlated with trading volume and outstanding shares available for trade. Their stock is traded in the US on the pink sheets for a reason.

Has anyone had recent success with this?

Fairly recent (September: see post 62 above), but I haven't received a card yet.

My limited knowledge of pink sheets gives me pause. Aren't pink sheets used to give companies listed on a foreign exchange access to US funds, i.e., US investors? A 3rd party sets the price, and is the buyer and seller in a substantially unregulated market? [please do correct any misinterpretations].

While ~$700 isn't huge, it is still money and not worth losing (tied up in unsellable stock) for a year (or more) of Gold status.

Cheers -

Market cap isn't necessarily correlated with trading volume and outstanding shares available for trade. Their stock is traded in the US on the pink sheets for a reason.