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New Radisson Rewards 2021 Changes: Part 2 — Digging for Values in Europe and Around the World

Posted on May 7, 2021 by Andy Shuman • 26 Comments

Radisson Blu Resort, Terme di Galzignano, a thermal spring resort in Italy: 38,000 –> 30,000

This is a mammoth post, the longest I’ve ever written. I was working on it for a few days and enjoyed every minute of it (and I don’t have a single Radisson point at the moment). If you think that’s a bit nutty, you ain’t wrong. 🙂

Here is my previous post on the best Radisson Rewards redemptions due to the upcoming 2021 changes in the Americas.

New Radisson Rewards 2021 Changes: Part 1 — Digging for Values in the Americas

Let me just say this first. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, even in a corporate communique.

This is not a straight-up devaluation!

Look, I know how we just love it when loyalty programs share their excitement about enhancing and simplifying things for our enjoyment (of course!), which almost always is the opposite of what they actually do. Because what’s not to love about that wonderful corporate doubletalk, right?

However, the more I crunch the numbers (i.e. compare the new Radisson Rewards chart to the old one), the less it looks like a devaluation. Don’t get me wrong, Radisson devalues plenty and not surprisingly in prime locations where most people want to stay. And if you only stay at the most luxurious hotels I’m sure you’ll be disappointed (although if you’re a dedicated devotee of luxury, you probably shouldn’t look at Radisson Rewards in the first place). 🙂

So yes, you’ll see the highest new Category 5 all in red, but, in fairness, those increases are by just 5,000 points, from 70,000 to 75,000. That’s hardly overwhelming. And yes, the second highest, Category 4 is having some 10,000-point increases from 60,000 to 70,000 points, but that category has more reductions than increases, and we’re seeing hotels in prime travel markets too (UK, Norway, etc.).

Looking at it arithmetically is not the best way of accessing the true value of the new program. I think if you dig in, you’ll find that most “devaluations” are only in the range of 1,000 or 2,000 points, which is what — $6 at most? (I’ll explain below).

So while I understand that not everyone will agree, I believe the 2021 Radisson Rewards changes are generally positive.

But you be the judges of that. 🙂

Before we go on, here are a few brief reminders.

The current Radisson Rewards chart

This is the upcoming Radisson Rewards chart

Notes and datapoints

This article is looking into the best Radisson Rewards redemptions in EMEA, Asia and the Pacific.
Yes, it’s subjective. Some places I think of as worthy of a visit are not always the same as the most popular travel destinations.
I value Radisson points at $0.25-$0.30, but a valuation is in the eye of the beholder. Also remember this:
- Cash rates fluctuate all the time. What you see at the time of this writing may change dramatically by the time you book your trip.
- Always count taxes and additional fees to determine the true value of your redemption (there are no taxes or fees, including resort fees, on award stays).
I’ve had a consistent upgrade experience at Radisson (Gold), better than at Hilton (Diamond).
The Radisson Rewards 2021 changes are here. I also used this list compiled by flyertalker FLYGVA (thank you!). Notably missing from both lists is the most luxurious of them all: Radisson Blu Resort Maldives (currently 70,000 points).
The Radisson elite benefits are here.
Some hotels are currently closed due to Covid, and unfortunately they don’t always indicate that on the front page.
Many, if not most, have suspended some services and closed some facilities. I would email and ask them rather than count solely on the accuracy of their website descriptions.

Unchanged doesn’t always mean “unchanged”

As I mentioned before, some hotels are only increasing their prices by 1,000 points or 2,000 points (from 44,000 to 45,000 and from 28,000 to 30,000). To me it’s an adjustment, not devaluation. So for the sake of avoiding unnecessary nose-picking, I’m listing these hotels as unchanged, but for the sake of thoroughness, here is a brief explanation.

New Category 2 hotels (30,000 points) that will transition from the former Category 3 hotels (28,000 points) are increasing by 2,000 points.
New Category 3 hotels (45,000 points) that will transition from the former Category 5 hotels (44,000 points) are increasing by 1,000 points.

So when you see unchanged in these two categories, it means the increases are so insignificant that I don’t care. Sorry if you disagree. 🙁

US Bank Radisson Rewards Premier Card

Anyone striving for the best Radisson Rewards redemptions strategy should look into this card IMHO (not an affiliate link), due to the impressive Radisson global footprint. There are plenty of properties in good places that can make opening and even holding this card worthwhile.

This is why I’ve decided to structure this post a bit differently than my previous one — looking at the best Radisson Rewards redemptions from utilizing the Radisson card’s welcome bonus.

Once again: if you have a spartner, apply in a 2-card mode. That doesn’t change. The current offer is 100,000 points after spending $3,000 in three months, and you get 40,000 every anniversary for as long as you hold the card (just spend $1,000 a year and you’ll have enough for a free night at a (new) Category 3 hotel, which is absolutely worth the $75 annual fee.

If you’re in no rush, you might want to wait for a better welcome bonus; the best one I remember was 125,000 points.

And now, without further ado…

Best Radisson Rewards redemptions for new Category 1 hotels: 15,000 points per night

Use the points when a nightly cash rate is $38-46 or more including taxes (per my valuations of 0.025-0.03 cents).

The Radisson credit card bonus haul:

8 nights in a one-card mode with 115,000 points (100,000 bonus and $3,000 required spend at 5x minimum). Spend another $1,000 to get the 8^th night.
15 nights in spartner mode: 230,000 points (or spend $2,000 more to get the 16^th night).
Can you wait? Are you planning to keep the card? You’ll get 40,000 points upon the card anniversary, which translates into 10 nights in a one card mode or 20 nights in the spartner mode. Spend another $1,000 to get the 21^st night.

The changes in this category are overwhelmingly positive and since there aren’t many hotels that cost less than $40-$45 a night, you’ll find the best value right here. Of course, let’s keep in mind that this category won’t usually get you many prime tourist destinations or top Radisson brands.

Having said that, there are some gems. Here are the highlights: Riga, Tallinn, Kaunas, Dresden, Budapest, Saint Petersburg.

Baltic states: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania

Park Inn by Radisson Central Tallinn, Estonia: 28,000 –> 15,000

Even in Old Europe, Tallinn’s Old Town stands out by having painstakingly preserved its historic heritage. The Old Town dates to the 13th century and shouldn’t be missed.

Park Inn by Radisson Riga Valdemara, Latvia: 28,000 –> 15,000
Radisson Blu Daugava Hotel, Riga, Latvia: 28,000 –> 15,000

Image courtesy of: Radisson Blu Daugava — great views, next to the Old Town

Riga is another old European city rich in culture and history and worthy of your time. And this is a Radisson Blu for just 15,000 points.

Park Inn by Radisson Kaunas, Lithuania: 28,000 –> 15,000

Kaunas is not a capital city, unlike Riga and Tallinn, but I liked it much more than the capital Vilnius, which I didn’t think was very historic and interesting. Keep in mind, though, that my latest memories of the Baltics go back to the 80s, the Soviet times. If you do decide to visit Kaunas, don’t miss the Devils Museum (one of the quirkiest museums I’ve ever been to) and Čiurlionis Museums. Čiurlionis was a genius artist, writer and composer, and arguably one of the most underrated creative giants in in the early 20th century Europe.

If you enjoy walking down old cobblestone streets taking in the sights of old Europe (not even mentioning some incredible sites of natural beauty), you must consider visiting all three countries, IMHO.

Germany

If you only have time for one place from this list, visit Wismar for its authentic Old Town and Gothic architecture. Otherwise, Dresden is a very pleasant city to spend a couple of days, and Dessau is a home to the world-famous Bauhaus School of Designe and several other World Heritage sites.

Park Inn by Radisson Dresden: unchanged
Radisson Blu Park Hotel & Conference Centre, Dresden Radebeul: 28,000 –> 15,000
Park Inn by Radisson Wismar: 28,000 –> 15,000
Radisson Blu Furst Leopold Hotel, Dessau: 28,000 –> 15,000

Hungary

Park Inn by Radisson Budapest: unchanged

Poland

Park Inn by Radisson Poznan: 28,000 –> 15,000

Russia

If you travel to Russia, you must at a minimum visit both Moscow and St. Petersburg. Otherwise, it’s a waste of a long flight.

If you have a little more time on your hands, add a few small historic cities from the famous Golden Ring: Suzdal, Vladimir, Yaroslavl, Sergiev Posad.

If you have a humongous amount of time on your hands, add Sochi (in summer), Kazan (amazing city!), Novgorod, and Yekaterinburg. These are the most interesting cities in Russia, IMHO.

Park Inn by Radisson Pulkovskaya Hotel & Conference Centre St Petersburg: 28,000 –> 15,000

This hotel has a huge spa, so it’s not the worst place to spend your downtime in Saint Petersburg. About 7 miles to the city center, but close to a Metro station.

Park Inn by Radisson, Pribaltiyskaya St Petersburg: 28,000 –> 15,000

Image courtesy of: Park Inn by Radisson, Pribaltiyskaya St Petersburg

Located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, about 5 miles from downtown, and 3 miles from the Hermitage and Peter and Paul Fortress.

Park Inn by Radisson, Kazan: unchanged
Park Inn by Radisson Yaroslavl: unchanged
Park Inn by Radisson Sochi City Centre: 28,000 –> 15,000
Park Inn by Radisson, Ekaterinburg: 28,000 –> 15,000
Park Inn by Radisson, Veliky Novgorod: 28,000 –> 15,000

Turkey

28,000 –> 15,000

The thing about Istanbul is that accommodations there are reasonably cheap in general. Still, if you’re happy with the location, why spend more points or money than you have to?

Park Inn by Radisson Istanbul Atasehir: unchanged
Radisson Blu Hotel, Istanbul Asia: 28,000 –> 15,000
Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Istanbul Tuzla: 28,000 –> 15,000
Radisson Blu Hotel, Ordu: 28,000 –> 15,000

Image courtesy of: Radisson Blu Ordu — 15,000 points or… $900+?

The Radisson Blu Hotel Ordu looks particularly amazing to me. It appears to be a very posh 5-star property overlooking the Black Sea and the city below from the top of the mountain. It connects to the beach and city via a cable car. The prices I see consistently run into $900-1,000+ per night! If that’s not a glitch, this might be a true destination hotel for 15,000 points, which represents a 6X or better point value.

The United Kingdom

When you think of Scotland, you’re probably thinking Edinburg or Glasgow, not Aberdeen. But Aberdeen can serve as a great base to explore Scottish coastal towns and villages. And only 15 miles away lies the picturesque harbor town of Stonehaven with the famous Dunnotar Castle nearby.

Dunnotar Castle, one of the most iconic Scottish castles – Photo by Leonard von Bibra on Unsplash

Park Inn by Radisson Aberdeen

Egypt

Radisson Blu Hotel, Alexandria: unchanged
Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis: 9,000 –> 15,000
Radisson Blu Resort, El Quseir: unchanged

UAE

It may sound kitschy, but I’m intrigued by this car-theme hotel overlooking the racetrack. Especially for 15,000 Radisson points.

Image courtesy of: Park Inn by Radisson Dubai Motor City

Park Inn by Radisson Dubai Motor City: 28,000 –> 15,000
Radisson Blu Hotel & Resort, Al Ain: 28,000 –> 15,000

South Africa

Park Inn by Radisson Cape Town Newlands: 28,000 –> 15,000
Park Inn Sandton (Johannesburg): NA –>15,000

Nepal

Radisson Hotel Kathmandu: 28,000 –> 15,000

Thailand

Radisson Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit – good hotel in a good location

I stayed at the Radisson Suites Bangkok when it cost 28,000 points, but every second night was free back then. For 15,000 points it almost brings us back to the good old days. At least in Bangkok, LOL.

Radisson Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit: 28,000 –> 15,000
Park Plaza Bangkok Soi 18: 28,000 –> 15,000
Park Plaza Sukhumvit Hotel, Bangkok: 28,000 –> 15,000

Best Radisson Rewards redemptions for Category 2 hotels: 30,000 points per night

Use the points when a nightly cash rate is $75-90 or more including taxes (per my evaluation of 0.25-0.3 cents).

The Radisson credit card bonus haul:

4 nights in the one-card mode with 115,000 points (100,000 bonus and $3,000 required spend at 5x minimum). Spend another $1,000 to get the 4^th night.
7 nights in the spartner mode: 230,000 points (or spend $2,000 more to get the 8^th night).
Are you planning to keep the card and willing to wait? You’ll get 40,000 points upon the card anniversary, which translates into 5 nights in the one card mode or 10 nights in the spartner mode. Spend another $1,000 to get the 11^th night.

Here are the highlights for the Category 2: Better and more central hotels in Riga and Tallinn; a Park Inn in Lille, several properties in Berlin (I love the location of Park Inn Alexanderplatz), Radisson Blu hotels in Athens, Lisbon and Liverpool; better hotels in Budapest, the thermal springs Radisson Blu resorts in Hungary and Italy; well-located Park Inns in York, Manchester and Glasgow; multiple Radissons in the best touristy cities of Poland (including posh seaside resorts), two Park Inns in Oman, the Radisson Blu seaside resort in Jeirba, Tunisia; and another Radisson Blu seaside resort in Phu Quoc, Vietnam.

Austria

Park Inn by Radisson Linz: 38,000 –> 30,000

The Baltics: Latvia, Estonia

Park Inn by Radisson Residence Riga Barona: 38,000 –> 30,000
Radisson Hotel Old Town Riga: unchanged
Radisson Blu Elizabete Hotel, Riga: 38,000 –> 30,000
Radisson Blu Ridzene Hotel, Riga (closed at the time of writing): 38,000 –> 30,000
Radisson Blu Latvija Conference & Spa Hotel, Riga: 38,000 –> 30,000
Radisson Blu Hotel Olumpia, Tallinn: 38,000 –> 30,000
Park Inn by Radisson Meriton Conference & Spa Hotel Tallinn: 38,000 –> 30,000

Belgium

Park Inn by Radisson Antwerp Berchem: unchanged
Park Inn by Radisson Hasselt: unchanged

France

Park Inn by Radisson Lille Grand Stade (closed at the time of writing): 38,000 –> 30,000

Germany

Image courtesy of Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz. Located in a major transportation hub right next to the TV Tower, it’s a great base to explore Berlin.

art’otel berlin kudamm: unchanged
Park Inn by Radisson Berlin Alexanderplatz: 38,000 –> 30,000
Park Plaza Wallstreet Berlin Mitte: 38,000 –> 30,000
Park Plaza Berlin Kudamm: unchanged
Park Plaza Trier: 38,000 –> 30,000

Greece

Image courtesy of Radisson Blu Park Hotel, Athens

For 30,000 points this one feels like a sure winner. Thoughts?

Radisson Blu Park Hotel, Athens: 38,000 –> 30,000

HungarY

art’otel budapest: 38,000 –> 30,000
Radisson Blu Beke Hotel, Budapest: unchanged
Park Inn by Radisson Hotel and Spa Zalakaros: 38,000 –> 30,000

Italy

Radisson Blu Resort, Terme di Galzignano: 38,000 –> 30,000 (but some really bad reviews, read more)

The Netherlands

A very short ride to the city center is the reason I’m listing these airport hotels.

Park Inn by Radisson Amsterdam Airport Schiphol: 38,000 –> 30,000
Park Plaza Amsterdam Airport: 38,000 –> 30,000

Norway

Radisson Blu Hotel, Haugesund: 38,000 –> 30,000

Poland

Image courtesy of Radisson Blu Resort, Swinoujscie — this posh seaside resort on the Baltic Sea, can command a $200+ cash rate in summer

Park Inn by Radisson Krakow: unchanged
Park Inn by Radisson Lubeck: 38,000 –> 30,000
Radisson Blu Hotel, Sopot: unchanged
Radisson Blu Hotel, Wroclaw: unchanged
Radisson Blu Hotel, Gdansk: 38,000 –> 30,000
Radisson Hotel & Suites, Gdansk: unchanged
Radisson Blu Resort, Swinoujscie: unchanged

Portugal

Radisson Blu Hotel, Lisbon: 38,000 –> 30,000

Romania

Park Inn by Radisson Bucharest Hotel & Residence: unchanged

Russia

Park Inn by Radisson, Sadu Moscow: 38,000 –> 30,000
Park Inn by Radisson, Nevsky St Petersburg: 38,000 –> 30,000

Serbia

Radisson Collection Hotel, Old Mill Belgrade: 44,000 –> 30,000!!!

Slovakia

Park Inn by Radisson Danube Bratislava: unchanged

Sweden

Park Inn by Radisson Malmo: 38,000 –> 30,000

Turkey

Radisson Hotel Istanbul Sultanahmet: unchanged
Radisson Blu Hotel Istanbul Ottomare: unchanged
Radisson Blu Residence, Istanbul Batisehir: unchanged
Radisson Blu Hotel, Istanbul Pera: 38,000 –> 30,000