fresnke66

I have joined the CC program some years ago, but have started to book CC hotels more regular this year. I will become Gold member this week and will grow to Concierge in less than 2 months.

In Germany I have stayed more than 10 nights in a Park Inn hotel (Dusseldorf Kaarst, Dortmund, Koln and Bochum).

Without exception, they charge me for internet (12,50€-17,50€) per day. When I claim that this should be free for CC members, they all tell me that this is only valid at Radisson and not at Park Inn. It makes a stay easily 10-15% more expensive.

Writing to CC is not helping at all. I get very general answers saying that it is up to the hotel.

What I don't understand is that when you are in these hotels, you see CC promotion everywhere, but when you claim one of the benefits they don't participate.

Does anyone has the same experience and did you manage to solve this?

Ciao
Frenske66

hobo13

Welcome to FT!

I stayed at the Park Inn Heppenheim and got free internet.

supermasterphil

I agree that it is a shame to charge for internet in a hotel, no matter if it is a 25 dollar dump somewhere off the street or the Ritz Carlton in Paris. These days I'd say one should expect it like flowing water in the bathroom but that is just me.

To get back on topic: just last weekend I was at the Park Inn in Stuttgart and Internet was for free, I doubt it was due to me being Concierge. I believe there was free internet at the Park Inn in Cologne as well when I was there at the end of last year but I am not too sure. It was a rather short stay
So maybe it is entirely up to the hotel which doesn't help you. Write to CC and at least tell them that you are unhappy. Many people complaining might just change their mind at some point.

berlinflyer83

This is interesting. The web site was always clear that Internet was free at Radissons only, however, now it says that CC members:

It's also listed on the web site:
http://www.clubcarlson.com/fgp/memberbenefits/home.do

When did this change? There's no mention hotels can opt out.

schauschun

I noticed this change about 4 weeks ago (about 01/MAR/2013 - before it was only free in the us and at all radisson blue propertys)

berlinflyer83

Why didn't they announce the change? Man, they really need to do a better job at promoting this stuff. I just dished out 125 CHF for a month of Swisscom access at the hotel I normally stay at.

mcgahat

I completely agree. You would think there would be a big announcement for this.

berlinflyer83

It's very confusing...I asked them about the new free internet policy, and whether they can do anything about refunding the money I've spent on Swisscom at one of the properties in Switzerland. Their response:


I really don't know what's going on. I'll have to ask if the hotel I'm staying at knows anything about the Internet access, but "receive free Internet at Radisson Blu, Radisson®, Park Plaza®, Park Inn by Radisson, and Country Inns and Suites By CarlsonSM hotels worldwide " is deceptive if they don't really mean it applies worldwide.

They did give me 5,000 miles, although that's not really worth the 125 CHF I've spent on Swisscom...

nacho

Did you write to CC or the hotel?

berlinflyer83

CC.

I asked at the hotel, too, and they didn't know anything about free internet.

christianj

Wondering if there has been a policy change within the last year. I remember staying at the Park Inn Frankfurt Airport in January of 2012 and I am pretty sure there was a charge for the internet. Fast forward to January 2013 and another stay in February and the internet was free.

newbieflyer1

i am currently staying in parkinn brussels and they said it was free for low speed 512kbps and for high speed need to pay