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Carlson Hospitality Launches Customer Loyalty Program Leveraging the Strength of Its Hotel  Brands - Radisson and Country Inns
 
MINNEAPOLIS, March 2, 1999 -  Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, one of America's largest hotel and restaurant companies which includes such well-known brands as T.G.I. Friday's(R) restaurants, Radisson Hotels Worldwide(R) and Country Inns and Suites By Carlson(R), today unveiled a dynamic new customer loyalty program reaching into hundreds of American cities and neighborhoods with dining, travel and merchandise awards for its customers.

The launch of the new Gold Points Rewards(SM) program was announced by Curtis Nelson, president and CEO of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, who said the program sets new standards in customer loyalty for the hospitality industry.

"The Gold Points Rewards program reaches beyond traditional incentive programs by extending rewards throughout our major hospitality operations including hotels, resorts and restaurants," Nelson said. "Gold Points Rewards has been designed with the personal wishes of our customers in mind, providing travel, dining and merchandise awards, including some of today's most sought after products and services," he added.

With Gold Points Rewards, customers earn points based on dollars spent or nights stayed at 800 of Carlson Hospitality's hotel, resort and restaurant locations in the United States. Gold Points(R) can be redeemed for future hotel stays, restaurant dining, travel and merchandise. There are additional opportunities to earn and redeem Gold Points through special offers from participating service and retail companies in the Gold Points national partner network.

"We are excited to welcome the brands of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide to the Gold Points network," said Harold Schrum, Gold Points vice president and general manager. "Gold Points customers know that our merchandise and service partners must meet strict standards for excellence. Carlson Hospitality brings outstanding service quality to its customers every day and now Gold Points Rewards brings additional value."

Other Gold Points national network partners currently include such well-known names as MCI WorldCom, a residential long distance service, and SkyMall, a popular in-flight merchandise catalog known for its collection of innovative and unique products. SkyMall retailers include Sharper Image, Orvis, Brookstone and Wine Enthusiasts. By joining the Gold Points network, customers of Carlson Hospitality brands can leverage the company's unique position as an international leader in providing superior hospitality services and solutions, while capitalizing on the popularity of its hotel and restaurant brands.

Country Inns Suites By Carlson: Participation at 150+ Locations

Under its new loyalty program, Country Inns Suites By Carlson awards Gold Points for every dollar spent. Gold Points can be earned and redeemed at more than 150 Country Inns Suites locations in the United States. The popular mid-tier hotel brand boasts a 98 percent guest satisfaction rating and offers many amenities often found at higher-priced hotels such as complimentary breakfast, in-room coffee maker, in-room iron and ironing board, and weekday morning newspaper. Country Inns Suites is known for its consistently high quality accommodations and personal, warm hospitality.

Radisson Enhances Customer Relationships with Gold Points

Radisson Hotels Worldwide offers Gold Points with each stay at a Radisson hotel. Bonus points are awarded for multiple Radisson stays. With Radisson Gold Rewards, Gold Points are earned and redeemed at the more than 200 Radisson hotel and resort locations in the United States. The upscale hotel company, offering a 100 percent customer satisfaction guarantee, is committed to providing personalized, professional guest service and genuine hospitality a personalized, professional guest service and genuine hospitality at every point of guest contact. Radisson Gold Rewards will not only build customer loyalty, but also enhance customer relationships, which are the cornerstone for Radisson's Genuine Hospitality(TM) service culture.

T.G.I. Friday's and Three Other Carlson Restaurants Join Gold Points Loyalty

T.G.I. Friday's, the worldwide leader in the casual dining industry, along with its sister restaurants, Friday's Front Row(R) Sports Grill, Friday's American Bar(R) and Italianni's(R), has enhanced Frequent Friday's(R) by joining the Gold Points program. Since 1996, nearly five million T.G.I. Friday's guests have become members of Friday's(R) frequency program, and Friday's has issued more than 13 billion points to guests. In addition, hundreds of thousands of prizes have been awarded to frequent diners, including 334 cruises, more than 1,100 hotel stays and more than one million free appetizers. Friday's(R) Gold Points(R), which can be earned at more than 400 restaurant locations in the United States, will have the same basic prize and point levels as Frequent Friday's-with more places to earn and redeem points. 

Customers can enroll in Gold Points at any U.S. location of Country Inns Suites, Radisson hotels, T.G.I. Friday's restaurants, Italianni's restaurants or any other participating Gold Points network partner. 

Carlson Companies is an international leader in providing superior hospitality, travel and marketing services and solutions to corporate and consumer clients. Based in Minneapolis, Carlson Companies operates in more than 140 countries. The corporation's brands employ 147,000 people worldwide and generated in excess of $22 billion in 1998.

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Contact:
Kristi Arndt 
of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide
612-212-5626
[email protected]
http:/www.goldpoints.com
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Also See: Carlson Hospitality Worldwide Introduces New Generation Central Reservation System; Curtis-C Sets New Industry Standards in Technology Sophistication / Jan 1999 

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