Goldpoints devaluation

There is some discussion hidden in other threads about the changes to the GP program. The GP+ website provides very limited information about the changes. From my reading of the new T&Cs, the major changes are:

- Elimination of rewards network

- Changes to elite status qualification (15/35 nights or 10/20 stays for silver/gold, respectively). (As an aside, will there be meaningful elite benefits, then?)

- Changes to the number of GPs earned through hotel stays (100% or 50% increase, for different brands); addition of promos (5k bonus points for 5 nights/stays)

As with any program enhancement, the big question is, will there be a downside to these changes. In my opinion, we are virtually guaranteed to see a devaluation of GPs. This will likely apply to hotel stays, and it is certain to happen to the airline mileage conversion. Radisson can't double our earnings, and keep the redemption rules the same.

Please use this thread to discuss your redemption strategies, as well as share updates to the program as they gradually become known. Thanks!

hmm I don't think they can devaluate GPP anymore.
I hope though that there will be some more perks. Then again, for me to renew my USA gold took 1 night in a Radisson with 2 rooms.

I would love to see some perks like other chains have

Well they could devalue the points by doubling all redemption amounts, which is a breakeven for us when staying at the properties that earn 20pt/$, slight loss when staying at the properties that earn 15pt/$, and a big loss for our existing balances.

I'm looking for the "gotcha" in the announcement and new T&C, but since I don't see one (only positives) I have to guess it will have to come in redemptions.

Of course I hope it doesn't.

=aw

This is the email I got:

I'm writing to let you know that the Rezidor Hotel Group is expanding the
benefits of the goldpoints plus programme and as a result will transfer the
programme ownership to Carlson Hotels Worldwide. From 28th October 2007
onwards you will see some programme enhancements like a new website, new
redemption options, and more hotels to earn and spend featuring Carlson
Hotels in the Americas and Asia Pacific.

Particularly, I wanted to let you know that Carlson Hotels Worldwide will
now manage the goldpoints plus programme, which implies that your personal
data will be stored and processed in Minneapolis, United States of America.
Your membership will be subject to new terms and conditions* as per 28th
October 2007. You may click here
http://rzgp-members.com/go.asp?/bREZ001/q4JTP74/xZ0U9A to view our new
Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

There is a whole new world of goldpoints on the horizon with enhancements
designed with you. I hope that you enjoy them.

If you have any questions, please contact me at
mailto:[email protected] or call us on +44 (0)207 949 0378

Yours sincerely,
John Kennedy
Programme Director

yup just got that same email.

Me 3. I don't stay in Radisson hotels often, but signed up as even the basic level gave a few advantages. But since then, I have more than once been puzzled, because some Radisson hotels do not accept the Goldpoints card, claiming that it only works in America (something like this - that happened in London). But then I used it in Cape Town and accrued quite a few points.

Very weird programme.

SmilingBoy.

they have 2 programs. One for the USA one for Europe, Africa..
Its weird how to earn points. I had my USA one work just fine out in Europe. Its a lot easier to earn gold status on the USA one. 1 night in Prage SAS for 2 rooms and the gold bonus was enough for me to renew my gold. Euro version isn't that easy, and the benefits from what are listed and what I got are nowhere worth the hotewl stay requirement to make gold. Id rather go for starwood plat or some other chain.
I gotten hotel upgrades in Europe on my USA gold, but never on my Europe gold.

Adding the 20 stay option in addition to 35 nights would be good for me as am always just about making both SPG Plat and RZGP Gold

Main benefit EMEA gold is their 2 night for price of 1 or 4 nights for price of 2 option. Stayed many 4 night weekends across EMEA for just 200-300 euro. Let's hope this benefit stays!

As more and more information begins (slowly) to emerge about the GPP program changes, I was wondering if anyone has yet heard officially if there will, in fact, be a devaluation of points, including existing points...?

So far what's confirmed (if I understand everything correctly) is the separation of the GP and GPP programs with no loss of points (just loss of ability to earn/redeem in other than own program ), some perceived enhanced points and/or status earning opportunities in GPP, as well as the combination of European and USA GPP program administration.

But I haven't come across anything that specifically indicates that existing points will be devalued... yet.... anyone else?

Not perceived but explicitly doubled earning at Radisson and 150% at CI&S.

Of course this doesn't require devaluing existing balances but is there anyone who believes they won't, after their behaviour the last few years!? OTOH they might be willing to keep redemptions the same, if the earning is strictly from hotels and not 3rd-party shopping.

I'm really torn on transferring some to airline, I haven't paid to stay in a couple of years so I'd have to pay for a stay, then turn on auto-transfer. Does anyone know if the 1MM/yr limit is enforced by the auto-transfer? I have 1.8MM and wonder if I'll end up with 125K airline miles and 800K PGs or 225K airlines miles.

Thanks!
=aw

I guess no one's turned on auto-transfer with a balance >1MM. Oh well I'll ask GP to confirm it stops at 1MM but I'd prefer experience and not just the theoretical rules.

Is there a limit to how frequently one can change the option? That is, can I ask them to switch to auto-transfer to an airline program, then (assuming it stops at 1MM) ask them to switch back to leaving the points with GP?

Oh, and there are presently 12 airline programs in partnership. The "Coming Soon" page mentions 20. Are they actually adding 8 more on Oct 28?

Thanks!
=aw

I'm not saying it _will_ but it certainly _could_. Doubling the earning from hotel stays probably still wouldn't bring free nights as quickly as Starwood, still less Hyatt. So that's exactly what Radisson would need to do to have a credible program.

Quite a change from the current "goldpoints plus offers faster Elite qualification than any other hotel program, which means you can reach Elite status in as few as three hotel stays."

They could do that if they looked on the new earnings rate and producing more than double the net revenue (being only from hotels) than the old.

I'm still worried. October 28 isn't that far away. Last time they devalued the airline transfer (by 50%) there was no official warning, and they had the phone agents lie about what was happening.

=aw

Okay...I'm a little confused. I have a regular old boring Goldpoints account (www.goldpoints.com) with approx. 30k points in it. Not many points but at least enough for a 1 night hotel stay but I cannot figure out what is going on with the planned program changes. I realize there is a Goldpoints, Goldpoints Plus and a Goldpoints Rezidor program but I am trying to figure out what is going to happen with the plain old boring Goldpoints program. It sounds like Goldpoints Plus and GP Rezidor will become one program but what is happening to the Goldpoints program? Will there still be redemption opportunities with the Goldpoints program at hotels or will this turn into a strict shopping/purchases type of program?

Me too. If I'm remembering correctly, don't the GP and GPP programs separate 10/20?...then the new GPP program will start 10/28. Is there a week between these two events for a reason? I'm worried that something will be announced 10/21, like a new point-award structure, and it will be past the time to redeem the points in plain old GP...!

Speaking of awards, is there a typical turn-around time from staying at the property and the points then being deducted from the GP account?