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
Aug 12, 2014, 10:21 am
#1966
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
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He did not mean that one needs to read 3/4 of the 130 page, but rather that 3/4 of the thread gives over and over again the information which makes the question asked irrelevant. In other word. If reading almost any page, or at most any random two pages would have led them not to ask that question.
Aug 12, 2014, 10:33 am
#1967
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: Most....Four elite air/ Three hotel elites - UA MillionMiler - DL RWT alum
Posts: 1,257
Originally Posted by spacecrafter
"Unfortunately Radisson Blu is enforcing the rule more strictly than other properties."
and
My understanding is that at least one in Radisson Blu Scandinavia's audit department in Sweden is confusing it with the employee rate, telling properties that only the employee can book it for their family members or friends. They are even telling the staff that it can't be booked on the website, which we all know isn't true.
The knowledge or experience of the local property management is the bellwether as to how the use of the rate is treated.
"Unfortunately Radisson Blu is enforcing the rule more strictly than other properties."
and
The knowledge or experience of the local property management is the bellwether as to how the use of the rate is treated.
Aug 12, 2014, 8:30 pm
#1968
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Internet
Posts: 865
I'm sure you'll show due "retaliation" and not only post negative reviews on TripAdvisor, etc. but also to lodge complaints with Radisson management. Sounds like the front desk manager needs some re-training.
Aug 12, 2014, 10:00 pm
#1969
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
The Radisson Blu Madrid Prado was highly hostile at checkout due to using the F&F rate. I legitimately used it as a college friend of mine is now a GM for one of the North America hotels, he has repeatedly told me to use the rate.
At checkout the front desk manager refused to discuss an ongoing issue I had during my stay, namely receiving unwanted wake up calls each morning. Instead, she threatened retaliation towards myself, and my friend for using the rate.
At checkout the front desk manager refused to discuss an ongoing issue I had during my stay, namely receiving unwanted wake up calls each morning. Instead, she threatened retaliation towards myself, and my friend for using the rate.
Aug 13, 2014, 12:35 am
#1970
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Western US
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Posts: 554
I would say that would be her by your description. Neither I, nor my friend are worried about retaliation. We are both escalating a complaint about the situation through the appropriate channels externally and internally.
Aug 13, 2014, 1:36 am
#1971
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
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That's the plan. The behavior was completely inappropriate.
I would say that would be her by your description. Neither I, nor my friend are worried about retaliation. We are both escalating a complaint about the situation through the appropriate channels externally and internally.
I would say that would be her by your description. Neither I, nor my friend are worried about retaliation. We are both escalating a complaint about the situation through the appropriate channels externally and internally.
Aug 13, 2014, 8:09 am
#1972
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
He did not mean that one needs to read 3/4 of the 130 page, but rather that 3/4 of the thread gives over and over again the information which makes the question asked irrelevant. In other word. If reading almost any page, or at most any random two pages would have led them not to ask that question.
Aug 13, 2014, 10:38 am
#1973
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 298
Any recent experiences in REK, Iceland? I have the name of an employee of a property that I had a problem with so I have a name and location. Anyone know if the REK properties are strict? haven't received an email asking for the info and I made the res about a week ago. I booked the Saga.
Aug 14, 2014, 3:31 am
#1974
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: London, England
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 3,772
She'll find the 1919 hotel to be much better, although she should realise the general standard of hotels in Iceland is (IMO) not up to the standards found elsewhere in Europe. The Saga is still good value though at €80. You definitely won't find anything better for that price (other than the 1919!)
Aug 14, 2014, 3:50 am
#1975
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
She'll find the 1919 hotel to be much better, although she should realise the general standard of hotels in Iceland is (IMO) not up to the standards found elsewhere in Europe. The Saga is still good value though at €80. You definitely won't find anything better for that price (other than the 1919!)
Frankly I think that Carlson should intervene on some properties:
the Radisson Blu Saga Hotel in Reykjavik should be modernized/restructured or dismissed as Carlson property. It's unacceptable that a Radisson property has so low standards. In particular if the reward redemption has been fixed at 57.000pts/night!
The same consideration is valid also for other properties.
IMHO I think that Carlson should preserve a minimum quality limit, that must not be crossed. Otherwise, if the renovation would be unprofitable, the property should be dismissed in the short-mid term by Carlson
Aug 14, 2014, 8:02 pm
#1976
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Internet
Posts: 865
US hotels are often better classed as motels. Definite variation in quality. Not good for the 'brand'
Aug 14, 2014, 11:09 pm
#1977
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Airline nobody. Sad!
Posts: 26,062
It isn't too different with other brands. Look at Hilton's Doubletree brand, remarkably inconsistent in how high-end or low-end some of the properties are. Radisson is bad in this department too, even Radisson Blu.
Aug 15, 2014, 9:08 am
#1978
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 35
FYI 2015 dates are now showing up when searching
Aug 15, 2014, 10:33 am
#1979
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 501
Radisson Blu Berlin
Just returned after 3 nights. No questions asked at registration. Great hotel in a great location. Can't beat the 80 Euro rate.