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 21, 2017, 8:00 am
#2446
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,784
I stayed at a property a few weeks back using this F&F rate. I gave an employee details, they reached out to him and he could not verify he knew me, he did know of me actually, vaguely, though must have said otherwise. The property now plan to charge me the full rack amount having been accepted on this rate and long since charged. Is there any recourse? Had I known I had to involve the employee in the booking I wouldn't have done so.
First, 2-for-1/4-for-2 gone for Gold, now this
I won't bother in future
Apr 21, 2017, 10:04 am
#2447
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
I stayed at a property a few weeks back using this F&F rate. I gave an employee details, they reached out to him and he could not verify he knew me, he did know of me actually, vaguely, though must have said otherwise. The property now plan to charge me the full rack amount having been accepted on this rate and long since charged. Is there any recourse? Had I known I had to involve the employee in the booking I wouldn't have done so.
Some people keep special bank cards for use in a way so as to limit hotels from charging way more than expected.
Apr 21, 2017, 12:21 pm
#2448
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Houston
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, UA 1.56MM (fmr UA1K)
Posts: 5,770
Apr 21, 2017, 1:50 pm
#2449
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
You got caught so pay up...
Apr 21, 2017, 10:21 pm
#2450
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,838
And FYI, dispute did not go through as they fought it back hard. The employee got involved as well and contested he didn't know the customer therefore he wasn't eligible for the rate.
Apr 22, 2017, 3:30 am
#2451
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: YOW
Programs: UA, AA
Posts: 35
In Radisson Suites Sydney now, $104.14 AUD, breakfast for 2 included, no name. Stayed 2 weeks ago, 2 nights, same as this stay. Great staff. (Breakfast buffet is $25 otherwise and quite good.)
Apr 22, 2017, 11:57 am
#2452
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Houston
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, UA 1.56MM (fmr UA1K)
Posts: 5,770
I have a more than 4 posts and I know for a fact it happened with another person. Same story, they wanted confirmation from the friend, didn't get one, charged BAR.
And FYI, dispute did not go through as they fought it back hard. The employee got involved as well and contested he didn't know the customer therefore he wasn't eligible for the rate.
And FYI, dispute did not go through as they fought it back hard. The employee got involved as well and contested he didn't know the customer therefore he wasn't eligible for the rate.
Use this rate or any rate you're not entitled to at these hotels or at any hotel chain and you're taking a risk--and be prepared to pay. This is common sense.
Apr 25, 2017, 6:18 am
#2453
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 1
This is a huge thread. Looking to go to Myrtle in May, where can I find this family and friends code?
Apr 25, 2017, 6:32 am
#2454
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
It never stops..... 
Apr 25, 2017, 7:44 am
#2455
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,431
Actually not only does it never stop, it's getting worse. Is it some weird self entitled thing. Why bother reading....somebody should just tell me what to do, seems to be the trending at FT. Sad.
Also to those that get caught without the proper creds....newsflash....you are not entitled to the rate so pay up or move on.
Also to those that get caught without the proper creds....newsflash....you are not entitled to the rate so pay up or move on.
not bad
Apr 26, 2017, 4:31 pm
#2458
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
May 2, 2017, 5:16 pm
#2459
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 13
Based on a reservation request I just made for Boston over President's Day weekend, I tried using the F&F promotional code OP provided and it seemed to work leading me to believe the expiration date has been extended at least through Feb'10. Have not tried dates further out. I did not see anywhere in T&C/fine print where breakfast is included with F&F rate as others have noted. Does it vary by hotel?