Traveling for business today is maddening to say the least. But equally frustrating is the practice of more and more airlines and hotel programs devaluing the payback of membership in their loyalty programs by increasing the number of points needed to redeem a free night or flight.

According to Carlson Hotels Worldwide, its goldpoints plus program is bucking that trend as the company announced the global expansion of their frequent guest program. The program offers members more ways to earn and redeem points for hotel rewards at 965 locations in 71 countries worldwide through one seamless system, which provides more freedom and choices to travelers globally.

Under the new structure, travelers will have the opportunity to earn 50 to 100 percent more points per hotel stay without an increase in the redemption level for rewards. Also, the program includes the opportunity for earning airline miles with the participation of 23 airline partners.

Improved benefits for elite members include best available room, 25 to 50 percent point bonuses, last room availability, early check-in and late check-out and elite-only points and cash offers.

Travelers will be eligible to earn and redeem points at all of the hotels in the Carlson Hotels Worldwide network including: Regent Hotels & Resorts (regenthotels.com) the company's luxury brand, Radisson Hotels & Resorts, Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts (parkplaza.com), Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and
Park Inn.

"In developing a truly global program that offers significant and meaningful value for our customers worldwide, we have redesigned our program to ensure it puts our frequent guests center stage," said Fredrik Korallus, executive vice president of Revenue Generation, Carlson Hotels Worldwide. "Over the last year, we have taken a closer look at industry standards and listened carefully to our customers to develop an enriched program with a generous point-earning scale, measurable elite benefits and hotel rewards aimed at appealing to today's global traveler," Korallus explained.

Also, under the new program, Carlson will allow guests to donate to the World Childhood Foundation, (childhood.org) focused on the prevention of child exploitation and trafficking as well as being environmentally responsible with the ability to transfer points to Carbon Neutral, (carbonneutral.com) and help offset CO2 emissions associated with travel.

"It's been nearly 10 years since the last major hotel program revamp. In an age of member disappointment because of devaluation of their points, it's refreshing to know that there is a hotel company out there doing what's best for its customers," said Randy Petersen, editor of InsideFlyer and FlyerTalk and a noted frequent travel loyalty expert.

"Carlson Hotels has raised the bar for earning more points for their members, 100 percent for most hotel stays, and yet for the large majority of their rewards they have not raised the requirements for redemption."