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US Bank has sent out a targeted spending offer for Radisson Rewards Visa cardholders that looks like a terrific deal: spend $500 each month between May 1, 2019 and July 31, 2019, get 20,000 Radisson points. That’s enough for 2 free nights at a Category 1 property or 1 free night at a Category 2 property — or, when combined with the 40K points existing cardholders receive at their anniversary, enough for a much nicer place or more nights. If you’re an existing cardholder (of any of the Radisson Visa cards), check your email for this offer as I think it’s a no-brainer to take them up on this one. Note that it is possible there are different versions of the offer — feel free to share your offer in the comments if you received something different.
The Deal
- US Bank is offering a targeted spending bonus for existing Radisson Rewards Visa cardholders: Spend $500, get 20,000 Radisson points
- Email subject line is: “Shopping has its bonuses!“
Key Details
- Must spend $500 each month from May 1, 2019 to July 31, 2019
- Targeted offer with a unique link
- The additional points will be credited to your account 10–12 weeks after the end of the promotion period.
- See email for full terms.
Quick Thoughts
We posted earlier today about the new highest-ever 120K offer for opening a new Radisson Rewards Premier Visa Signature card. In that post, I noted that I think this card is underrated; while it is far from my favorite card, I think it offers a very reasonable return on spend at 5x everywhere and I find Radisson points to be useful in niches. When combined with the 5x ordinarily earned, you’ll end up with 27,500 points with this offer. That’s a return of 18.33x. I’m happy to take that kind of return on everyday purchases any time I can get it.
That 27,500 points (20K from this bonus and 7.5K based on 5x earnings on $1500 in purchases) is enough for three free nights at a Category 1 property and just shy of two free nights at Category 2 hotel or one free night at Category 3. See the full award chart here. While properties within those categories are not plentiful in the United States and are not luxurious at those lower category levels, I still think it’s good bang for your buck if you ever take a road trip and/or need a night within a reasonable drive from an airport, etc.
Last year, they added the benefit of a free night certificate good for any property in the US after each $10K spent during your cardmember year up to $30K (those certificates are awarded after your anniversary). I completed $10K spend last year and enjoyed my recent free night certificate stay at the Radisson Blu Mall of America (even scoring a small upgrade thanks to my free Gold status that comes with the card). I was intending to spend $10K this year for a certificate good for a repeat visit next year — I’ll be happy to get that process started with this offer.
The link in the email brings you to an enrollment page with what appears to be a unique code pre-filled. That enrollment page shows images of the various other Radisson cards, so it is possible that there are different offers available and/or offers on multiple types of Radisson cards. It’s worth taking a look at your email if you have one of the Radisson credit cards.
H/T: Reader Carl
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I used to get great value staying at the Martinique in Manhattan, but sadly they lost that hotel. I save my points for places like Oslo where you can get amazing value.
I got the same 20k offer and jumped on it. Have mostly used the points in the U.K. but did have a decent stay in Asheville NC that would have cost quite a bit so have gotten good value so far.
[…] Hat tip to reader @glysdi1 and Frequent Miler […]
@Joanna…if 18+ points per $1 spend isn’t a good promotion in your opinion then I don’t know what is and I would like to hear how you earned more in other programs.
In Warsaw (Poland) a Radisson Blue valued at 28000 costs $85. In USA I see almost no value anywhere.
Well, you hand-picked one hotel in one country (with really low hotel rates in general) and your example gives $85 in value back on $1600 in required spend — $1500 for this offer + $100 more to earn the extra 500 points required — that’s a return of 5.3%. That’s a fantastic return on unbonused spend.
I recently spent a night at the Radisson JFK. While that costs more points than you’ll earn here, I got about half a cent a point on a night when I needed to be near the airport for a morning flight (and it’s right across from the airport). Not a luxurious hotel, but it worked for my purposes for the night.
Don’t get me wrong — you may not have any good use for Radisson points, and that’s fine. I’m not trying to convince you that you should take the offer. But as shown above, even with your example valuing Radisson points at 3 tenths of a cent each ($85 / 28,000 = 0.003), this offer is giving you a return of more than 5%. If you’re able to get even four tenths of a cent per point in value, this offer is giving you a 7.33% return. We could also hand pick plenty of instances where you’ll get more than half a cent per point in value.
If you’re not traveling to places with Radisson hotels and/or do not want to stay at Radisson hotels, this offer isn’t for you – no doubt. But as someone who likes to keep a variety of points on hand so I’m prepared when I need them, this is a great way to pick up a bunch of points on spend that otherwise wouldn’t earn a bonus.
Fair enough. My best return on Club Carlson was in Iceland, Hungary and Malta when second night used to be free before devaluation.
Right now i look at specific countries:Poland and Czech Republic and I do not see good value.
I already use HHonors card for unbonused spend for a free night after $15000 spend which I will use in NYC during Thanksgiving. Nick, I do appreciate your response and analysis. Maybe i will reconsider using Radisson Visa after all. I signed up for the offer 🙂
I see i got -2 likes 🙁
Which Hilton card offers a free night after $15k spend?
The Ascend. $15K spend each calendar year gets you a free weekend night anywhere (plus the points earned on spend).
My bad! I thought the spend was $20k to get the free night and not $15k.
It is still not a good deal. Radisson Visa is almost worthless now