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
May 25, 2016, 3:38 pm
#2311
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Berlin
Posts: 14
At the Zurich Airport Hotel they always ask you for the Rezidor employee name and working location at checkin. They don't validate the data.
May 26, 2016, 8:46 am
#2312
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Leeds UK
Programs: BD, AA, BA, CO Marriott Plat>gold, Hyatt Diamond>Plat,Hilton Gold SPG Gold PC Plat
Posts: 1,093
Radisson Suites, Liverpool Street, Sydney. No questions at check in, upgraded from Studio to 2 bedroom apt. Carlson Gold. Great deal for Sydney.
May 28, 2016, 10:52 am
#2313
Join Date: Jun 2011
Programs: Hhonors Diamond; Marriott Gold; IHG Platinum
Posts: 87
Re: F&F Rate Ending?
I just tried to book a Friends and Family rate early in 2017. It looks like it is available until the end of 2016 - perhaps ending contemporaneous with the closing of the sale to HNA Tourism.
May 30, 2016, 12:48 am
#2314
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: United 1k aa exec plat
Posts: 1,842
Exclusively for Family & Friends
Vacations. Family reunions. A well-deserved weekend getaway to recharge. It's time for a break!
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group invites all employees, affiliates, partners, franchisees, family and friends of the entire Carlson organization including Carlson Wagonlit Travel and Carlson Hotels to enjoy special savings at our hotels around the world.
Book today and save off your next stay at participating Radisson Blu®, Radisson®, Park Plaza®, Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSMand Park Inn by Radisson hotels using the Carlson Family & Friends rate through December 2016.
Vacations. Family reunions. A well-deserved weekend getaway to recharge. It's time for a break!
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group invites all employees, affiliates, partners, franchisees, family and friends of the entire Carlson organization including Carlson Wagonlit Travel and Carlson Hotels to enjoy special savings at our hotels around the world.
Book today and save off your next stay at participating Radisson Blu®, Radisson®, Park Plaza®, Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSMand Park Inn by Radisson hotels using the Carlson Family & Friends rate through December 2016.
May 30, 2016, 10:49 am
#2315
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
Just managed to book Radison Blu Hotel Madrid Prado and Radisson Blu Zurich Airport for Labor Day Weekend Trip. $90USD including VAT & Breakfast - works for us! Was going to do SPG Cash + Points at Westin Palace in Madrid but figured save the SPG's for another trip.
Jun 6, 2016, 10:24 pm
#2316
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 166
I have checked in today at a Radisson today in Denmark and they did ask for an email from the employee to confirm our friendship. Obviously the email has to come from a corporate email...
Until then, I am on the Rack Rate (ouch!).
I will try to fight it back tomorrow morning but it might be too late...
Until then, I am on the Rack Rate (ouch!).
I will try to fight it back tomorrow morning but it might be too late...
I have a 3 night stay in Copenhagen (Falconer) and am not excited about them needing to email my friend. This is the first I have heard of them going to this extent... I have no problem producing my friends name, email, title, etc. I'm not will to pay rack rate for a hotel I wouldn't otherwise stay at!
Last edited by adschnei; Jun 6, 2016 at 10:31 pm
Jun 7, 2016, 12:21 am
#2317
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY, SK, TK
Posts: 7,602
Oh, thanks for the headsup FF lasting only till 2016, good to know for planning...
Jun 7, 2016, 1:17 am
#2318
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: SK Gold, ITA Executive, Sixt Diamond, Hertz PC, Avis PC, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,164
I think it is the hotel dependent.
As I am still seeing the rate available in 2017. [unless those hotels are too slow in removing the rate?]
As I am still seeing the rate available in 2017. [unless those hotels are too slow in removing the rate?]
Jun 8, 2016, 2:09 pm
#2319
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Houston
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, UA 1.56MM (fmr UA1K)
Posts: 5,770
Exclusively for Family & Friends
Vacations. Family reunions. A well-deserved weekend getaway to recharge. It's time for a break!
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group invites all employees, affiliates, partners, franchisees, family and friends of the entire Carlson organization including Carlson Wagonlit Travel and Carlson Hotels to enjoy special savings at our hotels around the world.
Book today and save off your next stay at participating Radisson Blu®, Radisson®, Park Plaza®, Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSMand Park Inn by Radisson hotels using the Carlson Family & Friends rate through December 2016.
Vacations. Family reunions. A well-deserved weekend getaway to recharge. It's time for a break!
Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group invites all employees, affiliates, partners, franchisees, family and friends of the entire Carlson organization including Carlson Wagonlit Travel and Carlson Hotels to enjoy special savings at our hotels around the world.
Book today and save off your next stay at participating Radisson Blu®, Radisson®, Park Plaza®, Country Inns & Suites By CarlsonSMand Park Inn by Radisson hotels using the Carlson Family & Friends rate through December 2016.
Jun 17, 2016, 10:46 am
#2320
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 27
Forthcoming London reservation..received email requesting my friends name, place of work and works department, without this, best available rate will apply...
I wrote back pointing out terms and conditions and ask if this was new Carlson policy.
email back to say that it was new procedure and to supply requested details.
I have friends details to provide but thought I would flag this up as it seems that Carlson are tightening up to ensure this rate is not abused...I have used this rate before and have always been asked for these details at check-in which I have provided and afterwards in discussions with friend learned that they had never been contacted...
I wrote back pointing out terms and conditions and ask if this was new Carlson policy.
email back to say that it was new procedure and to supply requested details.
I have friends details to provide but thought I would flag this up as it seems that Carlson are tightening up to ensure this rate is not abused...I have used this rate before and have always been asked for these details at check-in which I have provided and afterwards in discussions with friend learned that they had never been contacted...
Jun 17, 2016, 11:11 am
#2321
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: YYC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Fairmont Plat, IHG Spire, SPG Gold, WS Gold, Hertz PC, National E Elite,
Posts: 2,768
Forthcoming London reservation..received email requesting my friends name, place of work and works department, without this, best available rate will apply...
I wrote back pointing out terms and conditions and ask if this was new Carlson policy.
email back to say that it was new procedure and to supply requested details.
I have friends details to provide but thought I would flag this up as it seems that Carlson are tightening up to ensure this rate is not abused...I have used this rate before and have always been asked for these details at check-in which I have provided and afterwards in discussions with friend learned that they had never been contacted...
I wrote back pointing out terms and conditions and ask if this was new Carlson policy.
email back to say that it was new procedure and to supply requested details.
I have friends details to provide but thought I would flag this up as it seems that Carlson are tightening up to ensure this rate is not abused...I have used this rate before and have always been asked for these details at check-in which I have provided and afterwards in discussions with friend learned that they had never been contacted...
Jun 17, 2016, 11:34 am
#2322
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Boston, USA
Programs: AA EXP, TK Elite, HH Gold, SPG/Marriott Gold
Posts: 939
Forthcoming London reservation..received email requesting my friends name, place of work and works department, without this, best available rate will apply...
I wrote back pointing out terms and conditions and ask if this was new Carlson policy.
email back to say that it was new procedure and to supply requested details.
I have friends details to provide but thought I would flag this up as it seems that Carlson are tightening up to ensure this rate is not abused...I have used this rate before and have always been asked for these details at check-in which I have provided and afterwards in discussions with friend learned that they had never been contacted...
I wrote back pointing out terms and conditions and ask if this was new Carlson policy.
email back to say that it was new procedure and to supply requested details.
I have friends details to provide but thought I would flag this up as it seems that Carlson are tightening up to ensure this rate is not abused...I have used this rate before and have always been asked for these details at check-in which I have provided and afterwards in discussions with friend learned that they had never been contacted...
any Carlson employees (on the forum) that could tell us if the details
they ask for , go into a workflow for someone to check ? There was
no answer...My hunch is that all that information goes nowhere...
Your email confirms it...F.A.
Jun 17, 2016, 1:11 pm
#2323
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Houston
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, UA 1.56MM (fmr UA1K)
Posts: 5,770
Forthcoming London reservation..received email requesting my friends name, place of work and works department, without this, best available rate will apply...
I wrote back pointing out terms and conditions and ask if this was new Carlson policy.
email back to say that it was new procedure and to supply requested details.
I have friends details to provide but thought I would flag this up as it seems that Carlson are tightening up to ensure this rate is not abused...I have used this rate before and have always been asked for these details at check-in which I have provided and afterwards in discussions with friend learned that they had never been contacted...
I wrote back pointing out terms and conditions and ask if this was new Carlson policy.
email back to say that it was new procedure and to supply requested details.
I have friends details to provide but thought I would flag this up as it seems that Carlson are tightening up to ensure this rate is not abused...I have used this rate before and have always been asked for these details at check-in which I have provided and afterwards in discussions with friend learned that they had never been contacted...
Jun 17, 2016, 7:31 pm
#2324
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: New York Metropolitan Area 45 km from JFK
Programs: UA,AA,AS,BA
Posts: 4,607
I am curious which hotel in Denmark this happened at, and what ever came of this? Did you end up getting F&F Rate?
I have a 3 night stay in Copenhagen (Falconer) and am not excited about them needing to email my friend. This is the first I have heard of them going to this extent... I have no problem producing my friends name, email, title, etc. I'm not will to pay rack rate for a hotel I wouldn't otherwise stay at!
I have a 3 night stay in Copenhagen (Falconer) and am not excited about them needing to email my friend. This is the first I have heard of them going to this extent... I have no problem producing my friends name, email, title, etc. I'm not will to pay rack rate for a hotel I wouldn't otherwise stay at!
For sure I would have a Plan B i.e a different ( cheap hotel with free cancellation) Evening or night check-ins are the worst since the Plan B may not be there. Denmark is probably the highest risk destination for this.
Jun 18, 2016, 12:22 am
#2325
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,852
At one of the Copenhagen properties a backoffice person even tried to call my friend at Radisson to get verification after furnishing the check-in agent with name and workplace of my friend. My friend was out of reach due to maternity leave so I was "extraordinarily" allowed to use the F&F rate (admittedly, it may have triggered this scrutiny that I had booked 3 rooms for several nights and the hotel was fully booked for at least one of nights).
I'm always asked for name and work place at the Copenhagen properties (and often asked to write it down on a piece of paper at check-in). Occasionally, I will also be reminded that next time the email-adr. of my friend needs to be in the reservation (rather than my own); whenever I hear this I just nod (and laugh inside).
I'm always asked for name and work place at the Copenhagen properties (and often asked to write it down on a piece of paper at check-in). Occasionally, I will also be reminded that next time the email-adr. of my friend needs to be in the reservation (rather than my own); whenever I hear this I just nod (and laugh inside).
Last edited by SK AAR; Jun 18, 2016 at 12:28 am
