I have reached Concierge Elite status today so my next stay conveniently tomorrow I get free breakfast.

How does the free breakfast work? Do you ask? Do you have to show card? Do you sort it out at checkout?

And what's to stop you sneaking a full breakfast instead of the promised continental? Are there Concierge police walking up and down?

And what about if your partner is with you?

I have stayed at enough Ckub Carlson hotels to know that there is a variety of knowledge of the scheme so tell me my fellow Elitists - what should I expect?!

I am about to follow in your footsteps this upcoming week
So I can't suggest any experience as of yet
Keep us posted!
Don't think there are two many of us this early on

They give you a voucher for a free continental breakfast (some hotels give you free full breakfast buffet) at check in. Feel free to ask if you don't get it-often times they seem to forget. Continental breakfast includes only cold items. (pretty much just cereal, muffins, toast, and coffee/tea)

You have to present it to the server at the cafe- he/she will know if you're having full buffet breakfast or continental breakfast. So, it's kinda hard to sneak in a full buffet breakfast.

Your partner (at check in) will get free breakfast too. (not listed as benefit but I've never seen them not give a voucher for another room guest)

I normally ask "is breakfast included in my room rate" when checking in. It is usually not. The receptionist then often replies that "it is not, but as you are CC Concierge we offer you complimentary breakfast anyway".

When they don't, I simply tell them that "it is my understanding that as CC Concierge...". After a short consultation with their boss it is always OK.

I have never received vouchers. The breakfast is normally charged to the room and charge removed at check out.

I normally travel alone, but have received free breakfast for both myself and partner when we have been together, also on award nights.

Thanks for the recent replies. Well I am min the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge and I was told I had booked a superior room (superior to what I don't know as it is the standard room) but that the hotel was full and the were no upgrades. That I can believe - London is heaving with tourists and the Olympic rush seems to have begun.

He started to say "breakfast isn't included" but then realised I was Concierge and corrected himself and corrected himself to say I could have a free one and marked my room card "Continental Breakfast" and "C" I assume for Concierge against "goldpointsplus" section.

The room is fine but no view just an atrium wall ironically I had better views when I was at Gold Elite level! Got a little tray of three shot glasses with blackberries, raspberries and strawberries and a dressing gown and slippers so overall 6 out of 10.

Thanks to everyone who responded.

Funny, I've only received vouchers...maybe that's what they do in U.S.

I have never received vouchers, but you will usually have to 'remind' them.
Sometimes, the breakfast charges still appear on the bill - so good to be vigilant.

The Radisson Blu in Chicago just gives you access to the business lounge with continental breakfast - nice basic selection, but cold eggs!!

In Malta (Golden Sands) they charged my partner's breakfast - not very nice.. but not much I could do.

Congratulations on your top tier status in Club Carlson
It's of my opinion when you are in a hotel and only one breakfast coupon is offered you should go to a front office manager perhaps a GM and explain why it might be in their best interest to please a frequent stay customer and the value to the hotels business as well as you as a valuable member in their program

Club Carlson is new at a true recognition program and hotels are first learning
What's important and what's not important for their program and to compete effectively against majors like Marriott Hilton Starwood IHG Hyatt and a legion of others
In the most frugal programs I know breafast may typically include for up to two persons and in the case of Hyatt up to 4 full breakfasts for registered guests in a room if there is no club lounge
And thats with a 25 less nights a year required to earn a similar status annually at Hyatt

Club Carlso will have to prove to me it's worth sticking around for to keep earning status with them.otherwise there are great program options to choose from instead
Here's to good consistent recognition in all your travels!
Cheers

I'll revive this thread a bit.

I will stay at Radisson Blu Beke in Budapest, Hungary the coming weekend. I contacted the hotel in advance for parking, and at the same time asked about my status being noted in the system and about the free breakfast. They insist the breakfast is only for me. My wife who is staying in the same room as I as well as my parents who stay in a separate room have to pay for breakfast. At 14€/pers/morning it's not a huge cost, but at the same time it wouldn't have been so for them either. Pretty lame to me.

On the positive side, they gave us late checkout for both rooms until 6pm for free. That's more than I asked for!

The radisson blu in dubronik and split both gave my whole family free breakfast and free in house movies. Myself my wife and two children aged 4 and 2 . Both great great places to stay, the dubronik way beyond expectations can't wait to go back !

Greetings All
This is Radissons/ Club Carlson�s first time out competing with major league programs with more relevant tier levels. And while it�s their biggest and best attempt at creating better engaged loyal customers it�s still a long way from the more successful oiled majors
I�m hoping the Radisson/Carlson folks will step up their game to make sure the program delivers more value to compete with lower tier levels at other programs. I give the program only a C minus
Having said that it�s outstanding to what they had before. In way will I make any attempt to requalify as the benefits clearly don�t match the 75 night requirement

Got the free breakfast as well as another person and me staying in the same room at the Radisson Blu Milan.

I have to update myself for the Budapest. I later got a mail from the hotel stating that they made a mistake, the breakfast is 17€, not 14€ as they wrote earlier. I replied that I do not accept this and that I will only pay 14€. I also said that all other CC properties have given free breakfast for the whole room.

First I received a message stating that they have to check with a superior, fair enough.

Today I received a mail stating that I will on this occasion receive breakfast also for my wife for free, and that they will honor the 14€ price for the persons in the second room in my booking. They also sent me the CC T&C which states that the breakfast is for cardholder only.

They also surprised me by pointing out that I had apparently booked two twin rooms and that I probably wanted two double rooms. That was good service. No mentioning about upgrades though, so let's see what happens tomorrow when I check in...

So far ok, but it took a few mails back and forth.