Up to 50% off Radisson and Park Inn hotels in the UK

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• Lloyd says:

  8 Jul8 July 07:45

  I joined Club Carlson recently and got a status match to Gold and then made a large number of forward bookings mainly with Park Inn. I have only stayed at Park Inn thus far, all in UK and outside of London. My experience thus far is:

  – Upgrades have not been offered so far even at what is obviously an empty hotel at a weekend.
  – No welcome gift offered thus far.
  – When presenting the Club Carlson card at the bar, most staff seem perplexed and dont know what to do with it. On the plus side one member of staff knocked off 25% off the bar bill rather than the advertised 15%. Some staff have asked ‘is that gold?’ as the card does not say (though the colour of the background should be a give away!)
  – Have experienced 15% knocked off at the bar when charging to my room and then had another 15% deducted upon checking out.
  – To date no points have been automatically credited to my account. All have required chasing.
  – Advanced payment bookings have not been requested from my credit card for some reason.

  Clearly some of the above is to my favour and some isnt – I actually really like the Park Inn, suits my needs very well, plus the best benefit being pay one night, get two nights at weekends at limited locations. Its always fun trying to find somewhere new to go at a weekend!

  • nick says:

    8 Jul8 July 18:12

    Just curious, but was this experience on cash stays or redemptions? I generally find that I get the good stuff if I’m paying cash, but not if I’m pushing points.

    • Lloyd says:

      8 Jul8 July 20:39

      All cash!

      It seems to me at least that where I seem to be staying that Club Carlson status is a bit unusual and are not even aware of the benefits that are supposed to be given. I also get the impression that most of the hotels are just franchises, so why give something away for free that will cost the hotel?

      • Rob says:

        8 Jul8 July 22:46

        ‘cos they have to, it is in the rules. Almost all branded hotels these days are franchises or management contracts.

        My last Radisson stay as a Gold was a good result. Got upgraded to a business class room, which de facto meant I also got free breakfast, free pay TV films and a Nespresso machine in my room.

• Armo says:

  8 Jul8 July 08:13

  I stayed in the Park Plaza in Vauxhall last Saturday. I got an upgrade to a suite. I had a drink in the bar and forgot to ask about the 10% discount on the bar bill. (I should have as that grey goose was bloody expensive.)

• James says:

  8 Jul8 July 12:47

  Nooo the Manchester airport blu is my favourite due it’s amazing views over the apron 😉

• Susan says:

  8 Jul8 July 14:11

  OT-ish Just back from 2 nights in (very decent) Radisson Blu in Bratislava – w/e 2-4-1 and CC-gold upgrade to business room which included breakfast so under £80 for 2 nights B&B for 2 people. Didn’t remember about 15% in bar – dagnabit – but can’t really complain at that price! Bratislava’s absurdly pretty if anyone’s looking for a cheap getaway.

• Andy says:

  8 Jul8 July 16:42

  Do you think those who have got Club Carlson Gold via a status match or the promotion for Amex Gold cardholders are treated any differently in respect to perks offered? For example, would they look at the fact that I have no points or stays under my belt and then maybe decide not to offer an upgrade? I am planning to book a Club Carlson hotel and wondering what the chances of getting the gold benefits are? Thanks.

• timezonehopper says:

  8 Jul8 July 16:57

  In answer to Andy’s question – I’ve been CC Gold for a couple of years now, the first year off a status match, the second year due to stays. I definitely do not have the impression that status-matched golds are treated any differently. I think that Lloyd has maybe been a little unlucky, I am almost always upgraded as a CC gold and have had some pretty impressive welcome gifts including a huge bowl of fruit and chocolates in both rooms that I booked with a 2-4-1 (CC Gold benefit) in Stockholm.

  • Lloyd says:

    8 Jul8 July 20:42

    Yes hopefully unlucky – is it possible that it could be because of staying at Park Inn rather than the more luxurious brands in the group?

• Andy says:

  8 Jul8 July 17:30

  Thanks timezonehopper, great to hear your positive experience. I planning to book a 4-4-2 with the CC Gold card I got free for having an Amex Gold and would love to get an upgrade as I can only book a standard room with this promo.

• Rob says:

  8 Jul8 July 22:48

  Yes, covering this later in the week. Some London hotels included this time.

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