Article: My Excellent Experience with Radisson Rewards VIP Status

[AFF Editor]

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https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/radisson-rewards-vip-status/

My Excellent Experience with Radisson Rewards VIP Status is an article written by the AFF editorial team:

My Excellent Experience with Radisson Rewards VIP Status

Despite being relatively easy to earn, Radisson Rewards VIP status would have to be one of the best hotel loyalty program status tiers out there.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[Daver6]

This reminds me. Did these guys ever sort out the issue where Amex Platinum Charge card holders who had Premium status were downgraded to pleb status?

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Great article, and particularly impressed with the food and beverage discounts offered as part of their loyalty program and not applied via an additional cost using a subscription model.

One other very large hotel program comes to mind who have tinkered with their food and beverage discounts recently who have certainly created some interesting and heated discussion.

 

[VPS]

So let me tell you about my experience with Radisson Blu at Heathrow in March.

I tried to book online but there were a number of reviews that said there were a lot of shubs and I needed a step free shower.

I emailed them and my email was ignored until someone actually acknowledged my email.

This is an extract of the email I sent to the manager


At no time in the initial query did they say contact reservations not reception and also explain that reservations are not available on the weekend. Why they didn’t refer me to reservations in the first place I have no idea.

I rang twice – the first person’s command of the English language was completely inadequate for a first point of call in reception. He assured me all rooms have showers and after trying to explain my needs I gave up and said don’t worry

I rang again and the lady said she couldn’t understand me which is when I sent the email.

The only good thing was Evita who responded to my email Monday morning and rang when she said she would. I do appreciate the fact that they matched the price that when I first contacted them, but that does not excuse the appalling customer service that I have come across in every interaction with this organisation.

When I arrived at the hotel I asked about breakfast as a VIP member and was told because I didn’t book it on the app I couldn’t have a free breakfast. Nowhere in the app does it state you have to book on the app to have a free breakfast – screenshot attached. The attitude of the receptionist was downright rude.

When I got to Heathrow I rang to check on shuttles. The first time I got to what I thought was the correct option and as soon as it was answered the call was disconnected

The second time I rang I got disconnected again on a different option

The third time I got someone in an office somewhere who had no idea where Heathrow was so I gave up and googled the Hoppa bus

For dinner I chose to eat a nearby hotel because I was so incensed with the treatment I had been given that I refused to give your hotel any more money. As soon as I walked into the Marriott the atmosphere was completely different and the staff were pleasant and helpful. At no time in the Radisson did I feel as though any staff member seemed helpful or welcoming.

After several back and forth emails with the manager he asked for my VIP number and I did remind him that every email had this as a header VIP number 6xx_xx_x query.

His excuse was the the VIP number wasn't in my booking but I told him I showed the receptionist my VIP status on the app.

After 6 emails from him and more prompting he finally admitted that I should have had a free breakfast and that if I came back to stay then they would "look after me" My response was I would never darken their doors again.

Most organisations would offer a discount or maybe some extra points but I got nothing

 

[VPS]

The room at the Radisson Blu at Heathrow - ended up being given an accessible room which I didn't need

One of the other things that irritated me was that they must have known I was a VIP because I got a fruit platter

When you came in the door you had to put your key into a slot to get lights and the door was incredibly heavy and there was no light. Pity someone with a real disability having to do this

 

[RooFlyer]

The spitting of Radisson explains why when I went into my Radisson Blu account and it kept telling me to change my app and when I tried it said it wasn’t available in my country. It was the old one.

So now I have the correct Radisson Hotels app and I’ll try for the Status Match and might give it a go in Saudi Arabia next year