Maximise your Avios, air miles and hotel points

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

Links on Head for Points may support the site by paying a commission.  See here for all partner links.

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.

(EDIT: In the comments some people have not been upgraded again. It would be interesting to know if you did a stay after the badly worded ‘do a stay to retain your VIP benefits’ email was received in June – I did, as did my wife.)

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 (73)

  • 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
  • JamieM says:
    13 Sep13 September 08:12

    I matched via Avolta and still showing as having dropped to Premium (since end 08/25) Due to stay three nights in a fortnight and would love that free breakfast! Anyone in similar situation had any luck moving back to VIP?

    Reply
  • tomroll400 says:
    13 Sep13 September 08:19

    I would disagree that the Avolta to Radisson status match programme has now ended. I got it this month by just asking Avolta customer services. To my surprise they did it and I have Radisson VIP until 2027.

    Reply
    • Rob says:
      13 Sep13 September 08:50

      It’s not ended BUT it has seen ‘abuse’, so the bossman told me, so it has been removed from the app. You are correct that customers services will do it as an exception for anyone who asks.

      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
    • Rob says:
      13 Sep13 September 08:49

      Did you stay after that email turned up in June saying ‘do a stay to retain your benefits’?

      We thought it was a typo and that it meant ‘do your full 30 stays’ but perhaps not?

      Reply
  • Jack says:
    13 Sep13 September 08:55

    I also have 12/99 expiry VIP (via Avolta)

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Rob Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Please click here to read our data protection policy before submitting your comment

New to Head for Points?

Welcome!  We’re the UK’s most-read source of business travel, Avios, frequent flyer and hotel loyalty news. Let us improve how you travel. Got any questions? Ask them in our forums. New to Avios? Read this article first.

Get 25,000 Avios with the Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard

SPECIAL OFFER! GET A SIGN-UP BONUS OF 36,000 VIRGIN POINTS To 13th October!

Latest Forum Posts

SPECIAL OFFER: Get 80,000 bonus points (worth 80,000 Avios) and £400 of dining credit with The Platinum Card!

Check reward flight availability instantly for free!

See a whole year of reward seat availability on one page at SeatSpy.com

Get 10,000 bonus Hilton Honors points and instant Gold status!

Booking a luxury hotel?

Our luxury hotel booking service offers you GUARANTEED extra benefits over booking direct. Works with Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental, The Ritz Carlton, St Regis and more. We've booked £1.7 million of rooms to date. Click for details.

SME? Get the only free credit card with points which convert to Avios

SPECIAL OFFER: Get points worth 40,000 Avios with 'first year free' American Express Gold!

The UK's biggest frequent flyer website uses cookies, which you can block via your browser settings. Continuing implies your consent to this policy. Our privacy policy is here.

Got it!