Aura
Alshaya Group
VS
Radisson Rewards
Aura vs Radisson Rewards: which loyalty program wins?
We score Aura and Radisson Rewards on the same five factors — earning rate, redemption value, partner network, ease of use, and point expiry — to help you choose the right program for how you actually spend.
Verdict
Aura is best for Mall shoppers, while Radisson Rewards is best for Frequent flyers.
Skip Aura if Budget shoppers outside malls, and skip Radisson Rewards if Occasional hotel guests.
Overall rating
| Aura | Radisson Rewards | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.4 / 5 | 2.8 / 5 |
| Earning | 4.0 / 5 | 3.0 / 5 |
| Redemption | 3.0 / 5 | 3.0 / 5 |
| Network | 3.0 / 5 | 3.0 / 5 |
| Ease of use | 5.0 / 5 | 3.0 / 5 |
| Expiry | 2.0 / 5 | 2.0 / 5 |
Earning structure
| Aura | Members earn 1 point for every 1 SAR spent at participating Alshaya brands, in-store and online. That's a 2% effective return on most purchases. Star tier members earn an additional 1% on top, and VIP members earn an additional 2% - bringing the top return to 4%. Bonus points are also offered during promotional events. Starbucks, Boots medicinal products, and Alshaya gift cards are excluded from earning. | |
|---|---|---|
| Radisson Rewards | Members earn Radisson Rewards points on every paid stay at participating Radisson Hotel Group properties globally. Earn rates vary by tier: Club (entry, default) earns 9 points per USD spent on eligible room charges (excluding taxes and fees); Premium earns 27 points per USD; VIP earns 36 points per USD. Points also accrue on hotel incidentals charged to the room at participating properties. Members can also earn through Radisson promotional offers and the unique Discount Booster (2026) which trades fewer points for a higher instant discount (up to 20%) on the stay. Points can be purchased (up to 250,000 per year) but purchased points don't count toward elite status qualification. There are no Radisson Rewards credit cards available - co-brand cards were discontinued globally. |
Redemption structure
| Aura | Points redeem at a fixed rate of 50 points = 1 SAR (0.02 SAR per point) directly at checkout in any participating Alshaya store or online site. There's no minimum threshold - points can be applied to any eligible purchase. Members can also redeem for exclusive experiences, member-only prices, and special offers via the Aura app. Points cannot be transferred, converted to cash, or redeemed at non-Alshaya partners. Refunds on items paid partly with points are returned in points. | |
|---|---|---|
| Radisson Rewards | Points redeem for award nights at any Radisson Hotel Group property worldwide. Standard room award nights start from 9,000 points, or 5,000 points with the Points + Cash option for partial payment. There are no blackout dates on standard room redemptions. Uniquely, members still receive elite benefits (room upgrades and late checkout) when booking with points — unlike some hotel chains. Award pricing is increasingly dynamic since 2022, though some sweet spots remain on the award chart. Members can also redeem for gift cards, merchandise, travel experiences, and donations to charity. Limited airline and travel partner transfer options exist but generally offer poor value due to the compressed point value (~0.25 cents USD per point industry valuation). |
Partner network · Tiers & status · Point expiry policy
| Aura | Radisson Rewards | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of partners | 0 | 0 |
| Partners | — | — |
| Number of tiers | 3 | 3 |
| Top tier | VIP | VIP |
| First-tier qualification | 6,000 points | 3 stays |
| Point expiry | 12 months | 24 months inactivity (reset on earn) |