Members of the Carlson Hotels goldpoints plusSM hotel rewards program will benefit from two changes in 2010: decreased award point levels at many of our hotels worldwide and a simplified award structure.

Beginning this week, more than 300 hotels and resorts worldwide among the higher categories will require fewer points for an award night, making it easier and faster to earn a free night. For example, a free night at The Regent Palms Turks and Caicos, a five-star luxury oceanfront resort, or another top hotel or resort will require only 60,000 points instead of 90,000 points.

In addition to decreasing award stay point requirements, goldpoints plus has simplified the overall award structure by eliminating the premium-priced award level (FlexNightsSM), effective Feb. 1. As a result, there will be one award level for all nights, making it easier and less expensive for members to redeem points at our hotels.

"These changes are one of many positive enhancements we have made to the goldpoints plus program. Customers seem to be embracing the changes as our membership has grown almost 20 percent in the last year. We will continue to focus on offering more value to our goldpoints plus members so look for more positives in the future," said Heather Passe, vice president of Customer Relationship Marketing, Carlson Hotels.

The goldpoints plus members who book more than one night in the same reservation will continue to enjoy 10 percent fewer points per night starting with the second night.

Carlson Hotels goldpoints plus hotel rewards program offers one of the fastest paths to a free award night per dollar spent and is recognized by InsideFlyer for outstanding point earning and redemption opportunities. The new reduced point levels apply to Regent®, Radisson®, Park Plaza®, Country Inns & Suites^SM and Park Inn® hotels.

For a complete listing of hotels by category, please click here or visit www.goldpointsplus.com/FreeNights.

For more information, please visit www.goldpointsplus.com/reducednights