One of the most irritating hotel surcharges for many travelers is for Internet access. (And, as has been discussed on Consumer Traveler before, sometimes needing to pay twice for two-computer families.)
Budget hotels, curiously, often offer Internet access for free. It’s the high-end places that charge $10 to $15 a day for the privilege.
Fairmont Hotels has been a leader and a pleasant exception in this category, by offering members of their frequent stay “Presidents Club” free access, which is an especially nice perk as Fairmont doesn’t charge to join the club. And there’s no minimum number of nights.
But now Marriott, which has only had free Internet at their lower-priced Courtyard, Residence Inn, Fairfield, Springhill, and Towneplace properties, will stop charging their best customers at their main brands.
Marriott’s announcement, emailed to all their Rewards members recently, is probably in response to Hyatt, Hilton and Starwood, which already have the bonus for top elites. (In Hilton’s case, it’s a choice for elites between bonus points and free Internet, breakfast, and possible upgrade)
The new policy applies to Gold and Platinum status customers only, not standard Marriott Rewards members, and will start May 7. Oddly, however, it does not apply to Ritz Carltons, nor to the chain’s hotels internationally except for Canada. Hawaii is also excluded, no doubt to the chagrin of many teenagers who get dragged on family vacations and feel bereft while unplugged.
To reach even Gold status, however, members must stay at least 50 nights a year at some combination of Marriott properties, so it’s not as if the hotel chain isn’t making money off these travelers.
Since airlines have long exempted their elite frequent fliers from many fees, these hotel moves are a step in the right direction. But 50 nights a year is a lot. Silver members, who stay 10 nights a year, are for now out of luck.
And it’s not as if Hilton, Starwood or Hyatt are more generous. Hilton requires 16 stays or 36 nights to reach the necessary level, Hyatt wants 15 stays a year, without a night minimum, and Starwood requires 25 stays or 50 nights.
But stay tuned. Personally, it doesn’t seem like it would be that much of a stretch to expand the perk to more occasional travelers, who are more likely to be spending their own as opposed to their company’s money. Which might also make them more likely to change hotel brands to save $10 to $15 a day.
And while it often seems like travel suppliers compete to see who can charge for the most options, if the competition heats up, this could be a great step in the other direction.
(Photo by “Aprilandrandy” on flickr.com – creative commons – Marriott Renaissance hotel desk in DC.)
Janice Hough is a California-based travel agent a travel blogger and a part-time comedy writer. A frequent flier herself, she’s been doing battle with airlines, hotels, and other travel companies for over three decades. Besides writing for Travelers United, Janice has a humor blog at Leftcoastsportsbabe.com (Warning, the political and sports humor therein does not represent the views of anyone but herself.)
