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Bits: comped Radisson VIP statuses extended (to 2027?), Marriott Amex bonus issues

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News in brief:

Radisson seems to have extended your comped VIP status

Last December, many hundreds of HfP readers got free top-tier VIP status in Radisson Rewards when the Club Avolta duty free scheme offered it as a benefit to top tier elites.

(This is no longer available. Ironically, the Club Avolta elites only had that status because they took part in an earlier status match we promoted, when Avolta was matching anyone with airline or hotel status.)

Whilst Radisson Rewards often gets a hard time on HfP, you can’t argue with the benefits of VIP status. You are given the best available room in the hotel at check-in, and many hotels includes suites too. You also receive free breakfast.

Readers started this thread in our forum to share their VIP experiences at Radisson, Park Inn, Park Plaza and art’otel hotels.

Those who got VIP status in December 2024 were due to lose it in August 2025.

September came around and we all remained as VIP. We thought we had been extended but then, on Tuesday, we all dropped to Premium. A reader called Radisson and was told this was a mistake and, lo and behold, on Thursday we were all VIP again!

My app shows this, which is interesting:

Not only am I back to VIP, but apparently I will keep it until September 2027. If this is correct, it is an excellent result.

It will also result in more of my stays going to Radisson, of course, so it is shrewd business sense on their part too.

PS. Don’t forget that Radisson Rewards transfers to Avios will end on 30th September. If you want to empty out your points, do it now.

Problems with the recent Marriott Bonvoy American Express offer

Marriott Bonvoy recently ran a special offer for holders of the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card.

You usually earn 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per £1 when using the card at a Marriott hotel. Under this promotion, you would earn a bonus worth an extra 6 Marriott Bonvoy points per £1 at selected hotels.

Unfortunately American Express has messed this up.

It is NOT awarding an extra 6 points per £1.

It is awarding an extra 6 points. Full stop.

From my Amex app:

I’m sure it will be fixed in time, but keep an eye on your Marriott account if you took part in this offer.

Category

Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott Bonvoy American Express, Radisson Rewards

Comments (25)

  • Nico says:
    13 Sep13 September 06:19

    I booked a stay when VIP for next week, dropped to premium, what benefits will I get?

    Reply
    • The Original David says:
      13 Sep13 September 07:28

      This is a great question – all through the booking process as a VIP it says “free breakfast”, even for stays you’re booking beyond your status expiry. So would seem harsh if they don’t honour the free breakfast, but I’m also keen to find out!

      Reply
      • Nico says:
        13 Sep13 September 07:35

        T&Cs don’t seem to answer the question, I sent them an email.
        It is weird also, that we don’t get an email stating that status changed.

        Reply
    • Mat says:
      13 Sep13 September 07:43

      I’m afraid you wouldn’t get any benefits since I had a booking as VIP that part of the booking confirmation’s Price Summary indicating the following lines in addition to room cost and taxes,

      Rewards – VIP GBP 0.00
      Rewards – VIP Breakfast for 2 GBP 0.00

      But as soon as my status dropped to Premium the above lines and ‘Breakfast included’ disappeared from booking summary page on my panel. Consequently I cancelled and re-booked when VIP status was re-instated after 24h.

      Reply
      • Nico says:
        13 Sep13 September 07:50

        Yes, I noticed it disappeared from the booking summary on the app, pretty weird managed.
        Did you call them to get the status back or was it automated as Rob mentions?

        Reply
        • Mat says:
          13 Sep13 September 08:09

          I called them telling that I have screenshots proving I had the required 20 stays to qualify then agent gave me an email address to submit my evidence. 24h passed and they responded,

          ”your account will be restored to its original tier status within the next 24–48 hours.”

          They also apologized for the mistake!

          Reply
          • Nico says:
            13 Sep13 September 08:35

            Ah, so for you a genuine mistake, glad they fixed it, can’t say I have done the 20 nights, so let’s see what they reply.

  • TimM says:
    13 Sep13 September 06:37

    I had to look up the word “comped”.

    “The term comped is slang that originated in the gaming industry, particularly in Las Vegas casinos. It is a shortened version of the word “complimentary.” In this context, it refers to receiving free benefits, such as a complimentary room, food, or drinks, from a casino in exchange for having spent a significant amount of money on gambling.” [fluentslang.com]

    I do wish HfP would stick to using regular (British) English. Using American slang just detracts from the point the article is trying to convey.

    Reply
    • JDB says:
      13 Sep13 September 07:16

      I don’t mind the use of the word ‘comped’ but trouble comes with the increasingly sloppy use of language, as people stop realising what the correct (underlying) word is or how to spell that word. In this example, one can see from past comments and forum posts that some don’t know the difference between complimentary and complementary.

      Reply
    • Andrew J says:
      13 Sep13 September 07:35

      Or the invention of the verb – to gift. Particularly when used in the past tense – “John gifted the book to me”

      Reply
  • Josh says:
    13 Sep13 September 07:26

    First stay at Radisson collection in spain. I was upgrades to a beautiful suite and free breakfast. So I was pleased and will stsy again at Radisson.

    Reply
  • PeterK says:
    13 Sep13 September 07:34

    I received a confusing email from RR implying my VIP status would be extended if I stayed once before 31-Aug. I called RR to confirm my understanding and 3 times on the call the agent confirmed this was correct.

    I made a booking at our local Radisson Hotel in June. This week I have dropped to Premium. I’ve emailed with the dates of the call I made to RR and the name of the agent I spoke with but so far I’ve had no response and my account remains premium. I guess I need to now call?

    Reply
  • t0m says:
    13 Sep13 September 07:44

    I’m excited to have my VIP back. I celebrated by booking a night at the Art’otel Hoxton. Will definitely send more of my business to Radisson.

    Reply
  • Robert says:
    13 Sep13 September 07:52

    This makes me wish I’d triggered the Club Avolta match sooner! I done it around the December time and my RH VIP has a tier start 1/25 and tier updates 1/26 telling me to complete 17 nights to keep it. Doubt I would be as ‘lucky’ as you’ve all been to just ring up and tell them there’s a ‘mistake’ with my downgrade to Premium.
    It shows there’s no harm in ringing up these companies and trying it on a bit.
    My main problem is that whilst I work on collecting the 17 nights, it means I’m going to loose Bonvoy and HH status as not crediting nights to them. Here’s hoping for more status matches at the end of this year!

    Reply
  • Geoggy says:
    13 Sep13 September 08:43

    We aren’t all back to VIP – I’m stuck at premium and followed the HFP advice to get VIP. How do I get it back?

    Reply

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