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 4, 2016, 1:37 am
#2386
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Houston
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, UA 1.56MM (fmr UA1K)
Posts: 5,770
I don't know how far you were looking out... but I've often seen that when searching far out... like 2017... I'm not sure that means that it won't be offered but that it's just not offered yet perhaps
Sep 6, 2016, 3:10 pm
#2387
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,141
Radisson Blu Oslo Airport at OSL — no issues at check-in.
Sep 7, 2016, 3:15 pm
#2388
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: MRY/SFO/SJC
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 7,784
My apologies to the thread for crying wolf. I'm a newbie around here.
Sep 7, 2016, 6:24 pm
#2389
Join Date: May 2006
Location: BOS and ...
Programs: UA 2MM, AA 600k, DL 500k, Hyatt GP 1M, HH Gold, Rad. Gold, CP Gold, Miracle Fruit-su Club
Posts: 9,950
Completely off-topic, at least up to this moment: Some Carlson hotels I watch regularly don't load points+cash rates further into the future than a month out either.
Sep 8, 2016, 3:08 pm
#2390
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Houston
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, UA 1.56MM (fmr UA1K)
Posts: 5,770
After running some more random searches, I see your points. I don't recall seeing the grayish "rate not offered" box before or the "Unfortunately, the promotional rate you are searching for is not offered at this hotel." I always got the blue calendar if the rate was not available for my specific dates. I think the difference is you get the blue calendar if dates are not available during a period where the hotel has loaded dates vs the grayish "rate not offered" box when the hotel hasn't loaded availability at all for the far future.
My apologies to the thread for crying wolf. I'm a newbie around here.
My apologies to the thread for crying wolf. I'm a newbie around here.
In my informal poking around it seems like very few properties have this rate for 2017 loaded in. My guess is that we'll see this changes pretty quickly as we move in to the fourth quarter.
Sep 14, 2016, 2:57 pm
#2391
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EXP (LT Plat 2MM), Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Plat, SPG Plat75, UA1K
Posts: 1,248
Sep 14, 2016, 3:01 pm
#2392
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EXP (LT Plat 2MM), Marriott Plat, IHG Plat, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Plat, SPG Plat75, UA1K
Posts: 1,248
Stayed at the Radisson Blu Madrid Prado Aug 31-Sept 3. No issues using the F&F Rate - never questioned who I knew, etc. Rooms are TINY and pretty sparsely decorated. For 80 Euro - who could complain? The location was FANTASTIC - right on the Paseo del Prado, across from the museum and a stones throw from the Gran Via. Great restaurants just a few blocks behind the hotel.
Sep 16, 2016, 6:42 am
#2393
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Dayton
Programs: Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, United, AAdvantage
Posts: 223
I have one question if anyone has experienced that.
I made one F&F booking in Paris for 2 nights. I am staying in Paris for 3 nights and F&F rates were available only on last 2 nights. Now, if I add 1st night on points, I think I should be able to merge the 2 reservations but how breakfast benefits will be handled. Anyone has done something like this?
I made one F&F booking in Paris for 2 nights. I am staying in Paris for 3 nights and F&F rates were available only on last 2 nights. Now, if I add 1st night on points, I think I should be able to merge the 2 reservations but how breakfast benefits will be handled. Anyone has done something like this?
Sep 16, 2016, 11:53 am
#2394
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: MRY/SFO/SJC
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 7,784
Radisson Midtown USC
Los Angeles, CA
Another great stay, but this time, my room was on the opposite side of the hotel overlooking the parking garage and 110 freeway. I don't recall if there was a mini-fridge last time, but I had one this time. The bathrooms are teeny tiny - the kind where you have to watch your toes when opening or closing the door because it's so cramped. Again, ear plugs were on the nightstand, but the noise wasn't too bothersome. And again, great staff and no questions asked.
FYI, Uber to the heart of downtown (7th & Hill St) was $6 at 10 am.
Los Angeles, CA
Another great stay, but this time, my room was on the opposite side of the hotel overlooking the parking garage and 110 freeway. I don't recall if there was a mini-fridge last time, but I had one this time. The bathrooms are teeny tiny - the kind where you have to watch your toes when opening or closing the door because it's so cramped. Again, ear plugs were on the nightstand, but the noise wasn't too bothersome. And again, great staff and no questions asked.
FYI, Uber to the heart of downtown (7th & Hill St) was $6 at 10 am.
Radisson Midtown USC
Los Angeles, CA
Had a great stay. Fast, friendly check-in. The rate wasn't mentioned. Since the university is right across the street, there are plenty of restaurants, public bus options. I must say, I was a little nervous arriving by bus from Union Station. College kids walking around when I arrived 10 pm, plus LAPD officers strolling the streets.
My room faced the main street (Figueroa). The traffic noise didn't bother me at all, but I will say, there are hotel-provided ear plugs on the night stand! I wasn't there long enough to check out any of the hotel services or amenities. But I would highly recommend this place if the location suits you.
Los Angeles, CA
Had a great stay. Fast, friendly check-in. The rate wasn't mentioned. Since the university is right across the street, there are plenty of restaurants, public bus options. I must say, I was a little nervous arriving by bus from Union Station. College kids walking around when I arrived 10 pm, plus LAPD officers strolling the streets.
My room faced the main street (Figueroa). The traffic noise didn't bother me at all, but I will say, there are hotel-provided ear plugs on the night stand! I wasn't there long enough to check out any of the hotel services or amenities. But I would highly recommend this place if the location suits you.
Oct 10, 2016, 5:02 am
#2395
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: UK
Programs: AA, BA, DL, UA, SAS
Posts: 170
Just a heads up, the Radisson BLU Amsterdam Airport is asking for work email, job title, and then asks the "contact" to send an email confirming the rate. Luckily I have a real contact, but for those out there that don't, be aware that they're being quite aggressive about the reference.
Oct 10, 2016, 6:54 am
#2396
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: NEXUS; *A Gold
Posts: 990
Just a heads up, the Radisson BLU Amsterdam Airport is asking for work email, job title, and then asks the "contact" to send an email confirming the rate. Luckily I have a real contact, but for those out there that don't, be aware that they're being quite aggressive about the reference.
nowhere does it state that the employee must send an email to anyone
Oct 16, 2016, 4:28 am
#2397
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: 10 months VLC, 2 months everywhere else
Programs: *A
Posts: 3,770
Never had an issue since the promotion started, at least 5x/year. They asked the very first time and haven't asked since. I'm on a first-name basis with a couple of the desk people and am Gold, so that probably factors in.
Oct 18, 2016, 3:49 am
#2398
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,843
Radisson Blu Royal Astorija, Vilnius
No issues or questions at check-in for this hotel. However, the F&F did not lead to huge savings as hotel rates in Vilnius/Lithuania are fairly cheap (ordinary rates at the other Radisson Blu hotel in Vilnius are actully lower than EUR 80 most days but the location was not great for me)
Radisson Blu Royal Astorija has a great location in the old town/historical part of Vilnius. Rooms are well maintained, staff is friendly and breakfast is good. Had an enjoyable stay - would not hesitate to book again.
Radisson Blu Royal Astorija has a great location in the old town/historical part of Vilnius. Rooms are well maintained, staff is friendly and breakfast is good. Had an enjoyable stay - would not hesitate to book again.
Oct 27, 2016, 12:30 pm
#2399
Join Date: Mar 2016
Programs: TK Elite Plus, BA Silver, AF Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Spire
Posts: 58
Radisson Oslo Airport - no questions at all
Oct 30, 2016, 4:57 am
#2400
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: London, England
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 3,772