In celebration of Earth Day, Carlson Hotels Worldwide announced on Tuesday it will match the contribution of every goldpoints plusSM member donating points to Carbon Neutral from now through April 30, 2008, on a global basis.

Carbon Neutral is a UK-based carbon offsetting company that aims to offset CO2 emissions associated with travel. Last year, Carlson revamped its frequent guest program to include, on a global basis for the first time, the opportunity for its members to donate goldpoints to community-based carbon reduction projects that neutralize the CO2 pollution that results from global travel.

Members can redeem starting at 2,000 points by logging on goldpointsplus.com or by contacting the Member Service Center at 1-888-288-8889 in the U.S, and Canada or +1-402-501-5623 from the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America. To learn more about how to redeem points to support carbon reduction projects, please visit: goldpointsplus.com/carbonneutral.

"Environmental sustainability represents an extremely important strategic initiative for Carlson Hotels Worldwide on a global basis," said Fredrik Korallus, executive vice president of Revenue Generation, Carlson Hotels Worldwide. "More importantly, our customers and frequent guests have expressed a strong interest in participating in programs that contribute to environmental preservation. We are proud to offer this special program in recognition of Earth Day." 

Guests can enroll in goldpoints plus at nearly 990 Carlson affiliated hotels in 71 countries or at goldpointsplus.com or Carlson hotel brand Web site. Free night stays begin at 15,000 points. For more information on the loyalty program, visit goldpointsplus.com.

Last year, Carlson enhanced and expanded their frequent guest program, which offers members more ways to earn and redeem points for hotel rewards at nearly 1,000 locations.  The revamped program includes all of the hotels in the Carlson Hotels Worldwide network including: Regent Hotels & Resorts (regenthotels.com) the company's luxury brand, Radisson Hotels & Resorts (radisson.com), Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts (parkplaza.com), Country Inns & Suites By Carlson (countryinns.com) and Park Inn (parkinn.com).

Under the revamped program, travelers earn 50 to 100 percent more points per hotel stay without an increase in the redemption level for rewards (e.g. 20 points per U.S. dollar/Euro spent on full-service brand hotel stays).