In this vein, even if you don't generally stay at a Radisson or a Country Inn & Suites, it may be worthwhile to join their Club Carlson program. There's a 4500-point bonus for signing up right now, http://thepointsguy.com/2012/05/get-...or-signing-up/.

The bigger news, however, is the possible return of a promotion that could earn you 50,000 Club Carlson points for a one-night stay at a Radisson, http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/club-...-giveaway.html

At this point, this is strictly a rumor; however, CC ran this promo last winter, and it was fairly easy to get the points since only one night's stay was required and there was a relatively generous window to seek out a cheap Radisson stay (I did mine in Crystal City, VA, just outside of Washington, DC, on a planned trip to a football game). Although I've held onto my CC points, 54.5K Club Carlson points become 8500 UA/AA miles. If you have a trip planned anyway and a Radisson is available at a sub-$100 rate, which many are for weekend nights in the suburbs of a number of metropolitan areas, then it could be worth the price since 8000 AA miles cost $220 if you purchase them directly from AA.

And, if Radisson doesn't run the promo or you can't take advantage of it, the 4.5K CC points you earned for signing up can become 500 UA/AA miles. Every little bit helps!