Mar 9, 2014, 4:07 am
Last edit by: bhatnasx
The Friends and Family rate is intended to be offered to travellers who are "friend and family members" of a Carlson employee. That could be a hotel employee, a travel agent (Carlson Wagonlit) or restaurant employee (TGIF) (TGIF sold to Sentinel Capital Partners as of July 2014).
When you book the rate, you are supposed to have the basic data on your friend available at check-in for the hotel to verify that you are indeed authorized to use that rate. Generally, if they ask, they ask for:
1) Employee Name
2) Work location
Please consider that, as per T&C, only employee name and location can be requested only at the check in time.
The new code is RHGRFNF
NOTE:
Booking a rate that you're not entitled to book may result in rate adjustments and Club Carlson account freezing.
In general, the rate is €80 per night in Europe.
*These stays post as "Ineligible" - non-qualifying, non-stay, non-points earning ... so, in sum, don't associate a F&F reservation with your Gold Points account, unless elite perks you hope to enjoy are worth the risk.
When you book the rate, you are supposed to have the basic data on your friend available at check-in for the hotel to verify that you are indeed authorized to use that rate. Generally, if they ask, they ask for:
1) Employee Name
2) Work location
Please consider that, as per T&C, only employee name and location can be requested only at the check in time.
The new code is RHGRFNF
NOTE:
Booking a rate that you're not entitled to book may result in rate adjustments and Club Carlson account freezing.
In general, the rate is €80 per night in Europe.
*These stays post as "Ineligible" - non-qualifying, non-stay, non-points earning ... so, in sum, don't associate a F&F reservation with your Gold Points account, unless elite perks you hope to enjoy are worth the risk.
Carlson Hotels (Radisson) Family & Friends Rate - 2009 - 2017 Thread
Sep 27, 2014, 6:18 am
#2026
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Oslo, Norway
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, Skyteam E+, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,030
Used F&F twice in Seattle and once in Philadelphia earlier this month, no questions asked. Was even upgraded to a business room in PHL - and I am not even a member of CC. Free booze in the lounge 
Earlier this week at SkyCity Radisson at ARN (lowest rate was 2500 SEK, so paying 735 SEK F&F saved me a lot of money), and no questions asked there as well....
I have a friend who works at Radisson, so I can provide the information either way. But why do some properties demand e-mail addresses? Did anyone get into trouble when not being able to provide this?
Earlier this week at SkyCity Radisson at ARN (lowest rate was 2500 SEK, so paying 735 SEK F&F saved me a lot of money), and no questions asked there as well....
I have a friend who works at Radisson, so I can provide the information either way. But why do some properties demand e-mail addresses? Did anyone get into trouble when not being able to provide this?
Sep 27, 2014, 8:54 am
#2028
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LHR
Programs: M&M,HH Gold,Accor Plat.,Priority Club Plat. Ambassador,Club Carlson Gold,Marriott Gold,GHA Plat.
Posts: 1,627
Used F&F twice in Seattle and once in Philadelphia earlier this month, no questions asked. Was even upgraded to a business room in PHL - and I am not even a member of CC. Free booze in the lounge
Earlier this week at SkyCity Radisson at ARN (lowest rate was 2500 SEK, so paying 735 SEK F&F saved me a lot of money), and no questions asked there as well....
Earlier this week at SkyCity Radisson at ARN (lowest rate was 2500 SEK, so paying 735 SEK F&F saved me a lot of money), and no questions asked there as well....
Furthermore i suggest you to edit you comment if you want to avoid thousand of beggings PM
Sep 27, 2014, 6:57 pm
#2029
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 390
Sometimes I wish threads would die. As a genuine F&F beneficiary, I don't want the absolute rubber necked scum that hide on the bargain hotel deal fkyertalk pages to ruin another good deal...
What's even more funny is these professional hand out merchants are the first to complain after they ruin it all #ironic
What's even more funny is these professional hand out merchants are the first to complain after they ruin it all #ironic
Oct 13, 2014, 8:10 am
#2030
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NYC/Northern NJ
Programs: 1K - UAL, Platinum DL, Marriott, Hilton, SPG
Posts: 1,815
@Telabadmanwot - I slightly understand the apprehension of public sharing of such things as even if it benefits hundreds or thousands of good people. There is always the 1% which screw it up for everyone else by being entitled or abusing the situation.
I stayed at Radisson Blu SkyCity Hotel, Stockholm-Arlanda (ARN). Check-In person requested my Friend or Family details.. Provided name and location (legitimate contact) and offered phone or email - she said not necessary and continued check-in. Breakfast included.
I stayed at Radisson Blu SkyCity Hotel, Stockholm-Arlanda (ARN). Check-In person requested my Friend or Family details.. Provided name and location (legitimate contact) and offered phone or email - she said not necessary and continued check-in. Breakfast included.
Oct 13, 2014, 8:46 am
#2031
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,042
At Radisson Blu Krakow, I used Club Carlson credit card bonus points on the second night free deal. 66,000 points for a Business Class room that included an upgraded room, internet, and breakfast. Upon check in, I was further upgraded to a large corner junior suite with views of Wawel Castle and Old Town, a sofa and a lounge chair, and a large bath with separate tub and shower. I had booked the third night on F & F rate at 80€ and there were no questions about who's the friend. They let me keep me the same junior suite the third night. BA rates were running over $300 for my dates in October, so Club Carlson did really well by me. The hotel food is good and reasonably priced (nice to find really good quesadillas on the bar menu). The walk into Old Town is short, easy and pleasant. There are some Polish specialties on the very good breakfast buffet, a chance to sample a a little bit of things you might or might not like. We didn't attend, but the hotel puts on a Saturday night buffet which featured game, Polish specialties and live music. The hotel is quite popular and the staff couldn't be kinder or more attentive. I had not stayed in a Radisson Blu or any Carlson property, so if the purpose of the bonus points is to win converts, it worked and I'm impressed.
Oct 15, 2014, 6:42 am
#2032
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prague, Czech Republic, EU
Programs: Skywards blue, OK Plus, Delta Skymiles, Avios, Etihad Guest
Posts: 26
Has there been a change to the rules? I was contacted ten days before check-in and asked to provide the hotel with an email sent from an official rezidor email address. This never happened to me before.
I know some people at Radisson, but I do not want to bother him/her with it...
I know some people at Radisson, but I do not want to bother him/her with it...
Oct 15, 2014, 8:26 am
#2033
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,780
It is quite common by now; at least for the European/Scandinavian properties. The rules have not changed but some properties are now asking for contact details in advance.
Up to you if you want to provide details by email in advance or reply that you will provide name and location at check-in. For sure you will have to provide contact details one or the other way to check-in.
Up to you if you want to provide details by email in advance or reply that you will provide name and location at check-in. For sure you will have to provide contact details one or the other way to check-in.
Oct 15, 2014, 9:09 am
#2034
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LHR
Programs: M&M,HH Gold,Accor Plat.,Priority Club Plat. Ambassador,Club Carlson Gold,Marriott Gold,GHA Plat.
Posts: 1,627
Has there been a change to the rules? I was contacted ten days before check-in and asked to provide the hotel with an email sent from an official rezidor email address. This never happened to me before.
I know some people at Radisson, but I do not want to bother him/her with it...
I know some people at Radisson, but I do not want to bother him/her with it...
It is quite common by now; at least for the European/Scandinavian properties. The rules have not changed but some properties are now asking for contact details in advance.
Up to you if you want to provide details by email in advance or reply that you will provide name and location at check-in. For sure you will have to provide contact details one or the other way to check-in.
Up to you if you want to provide details by email in advance or reply that you will provide name and location at check-in. For sure you will have to provide contact details one or the other way to check-in.
Oct 16, 2014, 7:27 am
#2035
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,384
It's sad that being a Facebook friend is insufficient. A lot of companies have friends and family rates that they openly share and let propogate over the internet.
Oct 16, 2014, 7:31 am
#2036
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
There's nothing sad about a hotel not wanting to offer rooms for a fixed price vs the regular rate which normally is 2-3x as much. What's sad is people complaining about it.... be glad when it works, find another rate or property when it doesn't.
Oct 16, 2014, 7:33 am
#2037
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LHR
Programs: M&M,HH Gold,Accor Plat.,Priority Club Plat. Ambassador,Club Carlson Gold,Marriott Gold,GHA Plat.
Posts: 1,627
, for example?
Oct 16, 2014, 3:12 pm
#2039
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: LHR
Programs: M&M,HH Gold,Accor Plat.,Priority Club Plat. Ambassador,Club Carlson Gold,Marriott Gold,GHA Plat.
Posts: 1,627
Oct 17, 2014, 7:18 am
#2040
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,384