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
Dec 11, 2011, 2:38 pm
#751
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Internet
Posts: 865
Really? Train runs direct from Schiphol to Amsterdam Centraal regularly and takes no more than 20 minutes, for less than EUR4 in change. It has to be one of the better airport2city connections in the world.
Dec 11, 2011, 11:16 pm
#752
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: DUS
Programs: BA Gold, A3*G, HH DIA, SPG Plat
Posts: 160
I stayed at the Radisson Blu Hotel Berlin at the weekend. No questions, no problems. Great hotel, breakfast was included.
Dec 11, 2011, 11:21 pm
#753
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: GOT, LAX, CDG, NRT, ICN
Programs: M&M, FB, DL, BA, UA...
Posts: 790
Yes, but I agree that one of the central Amsterdam properties would be more convenient for sightseeing (getting to/from the station on both ends would probably make it closer to 40-60 minutes instead of 20.) The Park Plaza Victoria is directly across from the train station, so you would only be 20 minutes from the airport at the same price as the airport hotel.
Dec 12, 2011, 4:12 am
#754
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SDU, CPH
Programs: A3*G, FB Gold, EB
Posts: 109
Has anyone used the FF rate at the Radisson Blu in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi?
Dec 12, 2011, 6:44 am
#755
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: RTM
Posts: 130
Absolutely true, but the Park Plaza unfortunately isn't at the airport itself. It's located between Badhoevedorp and Zwanenburg, a 15-minute shuttle ride to the Airport (Or a 30-minute tram ride to Amsterdam). So for sightseeing, the Park Plaza Victoria or the Radisson Blu Amsterdam might be more convenient. Apart from that, Schiphol-Amsterdam by train is a great connection :-)!
Dec 12, 2011, 1:01 pm
#756
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Tit, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold, Carlson Gold, UA*S,
Posts: 1,363
Looking forward to a stay at the Park Plaza Riverbank London! Never ever crossed my mind to stay at this place until the amazing Ł68 a night FF rate! Unbeatable for London!
Plus a nice surprise:
- Buffet Breakast and VAT included ^
- 25% discount on food and beverage (excluding alcohol) in the all day restaurant ^
Plus a nice surprise:
- Buffet Breakast and VAT included ^
- 25% discount on food and beverage (excluding alcohol) in the all day restaurant ^
Dec 17, 2011, 1:28 pm
#757
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 341
Looking forward to a stay at the Park Plaza Riverbank London! Never ever crossed my mind to stay at this place until the amazing Ł68 a night FF rate! Unbeatable for London!
Plus a nice surprise:
- Buffet Breakast and VAT included ^
- 25% discount on food and beverage (excluding alcohol) in the all day restaurant ^
Plus a nice surprise:
- Buffet Breakast and VAT included ^
- 25% discount on food and beverage (excluding alcohol) in the all day restaurant ^
Dec 18, 2011, 4:13 am
#758
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 36
I'm going to cancel a 3 days reservation in Paris (27/12-30/12)... Very sad... 
Dec 18, 2011, 7:42 am
#759
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 339
Just completed a stay at the Cebu property. Was only there overnight but nice rooms, good decor and staff friendly enough. Overall, good value. Views out of front facing rooms may be better though. Also got a coupon for 50% off at the bar. Breafast looked good though I didn't indulge as I was in a rush. It's not included in the rate.
Dec 19, 2011, 10:01 am
#760
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: CHI
Programs: UA 1K, MR Titanium, IHG Gold, National Exec
Posts: 3,841
Absolutely true, but the Park Plaza unfortunately isn't at the airport itself. It's located between Badhoevedorp and Zwanenburg, a 15-minute shuttle ride to the Airport (Or a 30-minute tram ride to Amsterdam). So for sightseeing, the Park Plaza Victoria or the Radisson Blu Amsterdam might be more convenient. Apart from that, Schiphol-Amsterdam by train is a great connection :-)!
Dec 19, 2011, 10:00 pm
#761
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 60
First off -- thank you OP!
Stayed for a week at Radisson Blu Bosphorus in Istanbul on FF rate in November. 80 euros/night and included buffet breakfast every morning. Was not asked for friend/employee name or hotel. Very nice introductory first stay at Radisson! Would stay again!
Stayed for a week at Radisson Blu Bosphorus in Istanbul on FF rate in November. 80 euros/night and included buffet breakfast every morning. Was not asked for friend/employee name or hotel. Very nice introductory first stay at Radisson! Would stay again!
Dec 19, 2011, 10:41 pm
#762
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: NYC (often in Thailand, Israel and Sweden)
Programs: Turkish Elite, AA Platinum, Royal Orchid Plus Silver
Posts: 382
Where do you put the code in?
Tried booking on the Carlsson site but couldn't see where to enter this code. Appreciate finding out.
Thanks
Thanks
Dec 20, 2011, 2:51 am
#763
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Internet
Posts: 865
It depends on which site you're on but it's always labelled Promotion Code or similar. If you can't see it on a booking form look for a link that says More Options and enter it there.
Dec 20, 2011, 9:01 am
#764
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYJ
Programs: Aeroplan,Alaska,Airmiles
Posts: 265
asking for name of friend
I have an upcoming stay in AMS. I want to be ready if they ask for my friends name. Do I just need to provide the name and what hotel they work at? Any additional details would be helpful.
Dec 21, 2011, 1:43 pm
#765
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 3
I work for Carlson and I've been trying to book two nights in London in January using this rate for a while and no matter what dates/hotel I try I can't find any eligible at all! I've never been able to find availability. Anybody have any luck for January bookings in London?