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
Apr 1, 2012, 4:04 am
#961
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: BRU / SCQ / LUX
Programs: Iberia, BAEC GOLD/ Priority Club : ROYAL Amb / Miles and More: SEN
Posts: 913
Do you get the rewards on this fare?
Apr 1, 2012, 10:24 am
#963
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 27
Travelling to Argentina soon with a 4 day side trip to Uruguay to learn that my Radisson friend has just left his job this week!!! I have 3 nights in Montevideo and 1 in Colonia del Sacramento- should I cancel or brave it out?
Apr 1, 2012, 10:52 am
#964
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
If all is "ta" to this point, can you get one of his business cards?
Apr 1, 2012, 1:24 pm
#965
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,211
Carlson could stamp this loophole out very easily if they wanted to....they obviously don't.
Apr 2, 2012, 7:02 am
#966
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prague, Czech Republic, EU
Programs: Skywards blue, OK Plus, Delta Skymiles, Avios, Etihad Guest
Posts: 26
I also found that Doubletree by Hilton Financial District was offering some interesting rates during weekends on their website then, I recommend checking this one as well...
good luck
Apr 4, 2012, 9:06 am
#967
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: FRA, Germany
Programs: LH *Gold, Mariott Silver, BA Gold, (BMI Gold)
Posts: 19
Radisson Ambassador Plaza Hotel & Casino San Juan
I had a reservation at the Radisson Ambassador Plaza Hotel & Casino San Juan (which basically IS a casino with an attached hotel) in late March at the F&F - Rate.
At checkin I was asked for a confirmation letter
, not just a name and work location, which I certainly was prepared for. Since I only stayed one night I was still accepted to checkin at the F&F - Rate, however my impression was that I got a downgrade: It was the meeting room (in front of the door for the loudly talking cleaning personel, and they do not work 9 to 5), so it really was hard to get any sleep
.
This stay definitely was not worth the rack rate, may be even not the F&F Rate!
At checkin I was asked for a confirmation letter
, not just a name and work location, which I certainly was prepared for. Since I only stayed one night I was still accepted to checkin at the F&F - Rate, however my impression was that I got a downgrade: It was the meeting room (in front of the door for the loudly talking cleaning personel, and they do not work 9 to 5), so it really was hard to get any sleep.This stay definitely was not worth the rack rate, may be even not the F&F Rate!
Apr 4, 2012, 9:15 am
#968
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Internet
Posts: 865
It sounds like you were unfairly treated as a confirmation letter is definitely NOT needed for F&F rate. They may have confused it with employee rate.
You could potentially complain, but probably better to let the matter rest.
I was recently placed in a normal room instead of the booked/confirmed executive room with a F&F rate (different hotel to the one you mention). I didn't complain given the circumstances but it did reflect badly on the hotel.
You could potentially complain, but probably better to let the matter rest.
I was recently placed in a normal room instead of the booked/confirmed executive room with a F&F rate (different hotel to the one you mention). I didn't complain given the circumstances but it did reflect badly on the hotel.
Apr 4, 2012, 9:24 am
#969
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: FRA, Germany
Programs: LH *Gold, Mariott Silver, BA Gold, (BMI Gold)
Posts: 19
It sounds like you were unfairly treated as a confirmation letter is definitely NOT needed for F&F rate. They may have confused it with employee rate.
You could potentially complain, but probably better to let the matter rest.
I was recently placed in a normal room instead of the booked/confirmed executive room with a F&F rate (different hotel to the one you mention). I didn't complain given the circumstances but it did reflect badly on the hotel.
You could potentially complain, but probably better to let the matter rest.
I was recently placed in a normal room instead of the booked/confirmed executive room with a F&F rate (different hotel to the one you mention). I didn't complain given the circumstances but it did reflect badly on the hotel.
From my point of view there is no reason to complain: it will not give me (I am gone now) or anyone else an advantage, as it may take the rate on risk.
Apr 4, 2012, 10:23 am
#970
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 10
Radisson Edwardian Mercer Street
Just completed a 2-night stay at the beautiful Radisson Edwardian Mercer Street Hotel in London. One minute walk to Covent Garden, awesome hotel and brilliant location.
Btw, no questions asked.
Btw, no questions asked.
Apr 5, 2012, 6:53 am
#971
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: FLL/MIA
Programs: PC Platinum, Hyatt GP Diamond, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 248
Robinho,
Did the rate include breakfast?
I guess not.
I was able to snatch May 8-14 dates for this hotel and could not believe my eyes.
A day later all the availability was gone.
RM
Apr 5, 2012, 7:47 am
#972
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: ATL
Posts: 111
Just checked in at the Blu-Brussels...the desk acknowledged the F & F rate (and breakfast for 2). No employee name asked for.
Apr 10, 2012, 8:08 am
#974
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 115
Just stayed in Winnipeg under this rate. $160cad normal, got in for i think $74 cad...
No questions asked.
No questions asked.
Apr 11, 2012, 10:13 am
#975
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 53
Stayed at the Radisson Blu Hotel Zurich Airport last night. Location and services were both great (The "wine angels" were fantastic!); breakfast was also included and greatly appreciated since it was Zurich and could have easily cost a fortune to eat out.
I was however asked for the name and associated Radisson Blu hotel of the person "who made the booking" for me. I gave her the name of a random sales person from a random Radisson Blu that I had found on the internet. I was kind of worried that she would ask for that person's contact number - I had got it from the net too but it would have been awkward had she actually called that person. She of course did not ask for the contact number and my stay was grand
. I guess I could have just given her a fake name...
I was however asked for the name and associated Radisson Blu hotel of the person "who made the booking" for me. I gave her the name of a random sales person from a random Radisson Blu that I had found on the internet. I was kind of worried that she would ask for that person's contact number - I had got it from the net too but it would have been awkward had she actually called that person. She of course did not ask for the contact number and my stay was grand
. I guess I could have just given her a fake name...