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
#2116
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: MRY/SFO/SJC
Programs: AS MVP, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 7,784
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.
#2117
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC, UA, IHG, SPG, Carlson
Posts: 193
Does staying with the F&F rate count towards any points promo (stay 2 nights earn xxxx points)?
#2118
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: SK Gold, ITA Executive, Sixt Diamond, Hertz PC, Avis PC, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,163
#2119
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1
Friend
Is there anyone who would like to be my 'friend' from the group? Would really like to be able to use this discount and provide a legitimate name. Could work out a deal if necessary. Please PM.
#2120
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 390
Or just become real friends with a rez employee, its not that hard being friendly.
#2121
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: DL-Polished Aluminum, Air Mobility Command-Chartreuse
Posts: 394
#2122
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: SK Gold, ITA Executive, Sixt Diamond, Hertz PC, Avis PC, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,163
Park Inn OSL Apt emailed asking for F&F details two and half months in advance, saying that if they don't receive them in 3 days, they'll change the booking to "actual daily rate" whatever that is.
#2123
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: LHR
Programs: Ex-NWA Plat
Posts: 1,480
I am surprised that a representative from Carlson / Radisson in corporate communications/marketing has not come on to this thread and given their authorization to use their name while making the bookings under the CARLSONF rate.
Its a viral marketing rate. I doubt there is a level of abuse - had this been the case, the rate would have been yanked off the site, a long time ago.
I suspect it is more to do with individual hotels not wanting to honor the rate whenever possible. I had this happen to me once at ZRH where they insisted on the employee details several weeks in advance (and insisted too that they would not honor this "employee" rate otherwise.) A bit irritated, I was happy to cancel the stay.
Regardless, I doubt that it is the intention of Carlson globally, to p#ss off prospective customers with these kind of irritations. So... I would have figured that they would have allowed people to use this rate using an employee pseudonym at the very least.
Its a viral marketing rate. I doubt there is a level of abuse - had this been the case, the rate would have been yanked off the site, a long time ago.
I suspect it is more to do with individual hotels not wanting to honor the rate whenever possible. I had this happen to me once at ZRH where they insisted on the employee details several weeks in advance (and insisted too that they would not honor this "employee" rate otherwise.) A bit irritated, I was happy to cancel the stay.
Regardless, I doubt that it is the intention of Carlson globally, to p#ss off prospective customers with these kind of irritations. So... I would have figured that they would have allowed people to use this rate using an employee pseudonym at the very least.
#2124
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 501
No More Friend
I made reservations almost 4 months ago for a hotel in Ireland. I do/did have a friend who was employed in NYC. Now that friend just told me that she is leaving for another job and will no longer be working for Carlson. I am looking for a suggestions as to what to do.
I guess one option is to keep the family and friends reservation and give my friends name and prior work location if they ask. Another option is to cancel the reservation and look elsewhere.
What do you suggest.
I guess one option is to keep the family and friends reservation and give my friends name and prior work location if they ask. Another option is to cancel the reservation and look elsewhere.
What do you suggest.
#2125
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 205
I made reservations almost 4 months ago for a hotel in Ireland. I do/did have a friend who was employed in NYC. Now that friend just told me that she is leaving for another job and will no longer be working for Carlson. I am looking for a suggestions as to what to do.
I guess one option is to keep the family and friends reservation and give my friends name and prior work location if they ask. Another option is to cancel the reservation and look elsewhere.
What do you suggest.
I guess one option is to keep the family and friends reservation and give my friends name and prior work location if they ask. Another option is to cancel the reservation and look elsewhere.
What do you suggest.
Can't your friend simply ask to one of her friends to be your friend too?
#2126
It's nice while it lasts, comments like yours will only get it revoked that much sooner.
#2127
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,211
Please stop this nonsense... The rate being booked is clearly not something most of us are entitled to. Use it at your own risk, but stop blaming CC or the properties when they don't honor our potential abuse.
It's nice while it lasts, comments like yours will only get it revoked that much sooner.
It's nice while it lasts, comments like yours will only get it revoked that much sooner.
What they shouldn't be doing is hounding customers into supplying information early when the rate clearly states needs only to be given at check-in.
#2128
It's really a bit hard to swallow that people that are clearly violating the rate rules themselves are complain about a property not following the rules by asking for the information ahead of time, or blaming a property for offering low rates for f&f which nearly all posters here are not
It's not like they publicly advertise the rate.....
Last edited by RTW1; Mar 4, 2015 at 8:22 am
#2129
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,211
No, people should be grateful they can use a rate that they are not qualified for and that gets them a substantial saving .... and stop complaining. It's all the whining that will kill this rate eventually.
It's really a bit hard to swallow that people that are clearly violating the rate rules themselves are complain about a property not following the rules by asking for the information ahead of time, or blaming a property for offering low rates for f&f which nearly all posters here are not
It's not like they publicly advertise the rate.....
It's really a bit hard to swallow that people that are clearly violating the rate rules themselves are complain about a property not following the rules by asking for the information ahead of time, or blaming a property for offering low rates for f&f which nearly all posters here are not
It's not like they publicly advertise the rate.....
Any hotel who sends an email demanding you send them F&F evidence contrary to what the rate conditions say needs to be questioned. As they don't know at that stage whether your F&F contact is legitimate or not, not only are they being very unprofessional they are most likely breaking some consumer protection law by threatening to change your booking to full rate if you don't comply with their wishes.
#2130
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 390
I made reservations almost 4 months ago for a hotel in Ireland. I do/did have a friend who was employed in NYC. Now that friend just told me that she is leaving for another job and will no longer be working for Carlson. I am looking for a suggestions as to what to do.
I guess one option is to keep the family and friends reservation and give my friends name and prior work location if they ask. Another option is to cancel the reservation and look elsewhere.
What do you suggest.
I guess one option is to keep the family and friends reservation and give my friends name and prior work location if they ask. Another option is to cancel the reservation and look elsewhere.
What do you suggest.
By the way, many of the rad hotels in Ire are the same price as the F&F rate anyway. (if not a little cheaper)