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In today's world, it makes less sense than ever for guests to be charged hefty fees for Wi-Fi access in their hotels.
A few months back, David Rowan, the editor of Wired UK, wrote a column imploring all hotels to offer basic Wi-Fi to guests for free, and suggesting that travelers simply stop staying at the hotels that continue charging for the service. Rowan understands that hotels incur costs for setting up and maintaining Wi-Fi networks. But everyone can also understand that the costs don't justify the exorbitant rates some hotels charge for Wi-Fi access: $40 a day at the Ritz in London? Seriously?
Based on the widespread availability of free Wi-Fi—in hotels, airports, restaurants, and more—it seems silly for some hotels to keep charging for it. As Rowan writes:
If the local McDonald's or Starbucks can offer Wi-Fi for free, then why can't the world's top hotel chains? Because the current rip-off is unsustainable.
Perhaps, the argument should instead be that it's silly for hotel guests to keep paying for a service that's complimentary in so many other places.
The funny thing about Wi-Fi charges is that they're far more likely to appear at upscale hotels, where guests might otherwise reasonably assume that one reason they're paying more is that they're getting more for their money. That assumption would be dead wrong. Mid-level chains such as Microtel and Wingate Inns have been offering free Wi-Fi for years, as do Holiday Inn Express, La Quinta, and other brands.
The truth is that the guests staying at ritzier hotels are more likely to not care or not notice extra charges for things like Wi-Fi, and so these are the hotels that continue to charge for it.
But perhaps the days of this fee revenue stream are numbered. In a recent travel convention, Rowan told travelers they should simply stop giving their business to hotels that insist on charging for Wi-Fi. In today's world, such charges are unfair, and unjustifiable, Rowan said:
It’s like being charged to have a bath run then getting in and it's cold. Then you’re told if you want a hot bath it’s going to cost extra.
Will you join the boycott? Have you already basically been boycotting such establishments for years?
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I don't think WiFi is part of the implicit contract upon renting a hotel room--yet.
Now, boycotting hotels that tack on a mandatory "resort fee" (or energy fee, or anything else fee) instead of honestly stating the true room cost: THAT I could get behind.
Posted By Kate Y. on October 15, 2011, 1:18 AM
I agree about the resort fee, which they say includes WiFi, and parking (even if you don't have a car. Then the wifi doesn't work or is very poor. Also, paying extra for a fridge or being scolded for moving things around for my food & drugs. My "chain" of choice is Best Western--always free wifi, parking, fridge, microwave, pool and breakfast!
Posted By Lisa B on October 17, 2011, 11:17 AM
Meh. When I'm traveling for leisure, location and ease of use of public transportation is more important to me when I'm outside of the country. Wifi is nice, but unless you're traveling for business, in which case your company will probably reimburse you anyway, it's not a necessity. I spend 9 hours/day on a computer as it is, I don't need to "computer" on vacation.
Posted By Mike on October 20, 2011, 9:42 AM
Meh. When I'm traveling for leisure, location and ease of use of public transportation is more important to me when I'm outside of the country. Wifi is nice, but unless you're traveling for business, in which case your company will probably reimburse you anyway, it's not a necessity. I spend 9 hours/day on a computer as it is, I don't need to "computer" on vacation.
Posted By Mike on October 20, 2011, 9:42 AM
I have somewhat been automatically excluding hotels without wifi for years when searching for places to stay. If I find out they charge for internet I am unlikely to return and always try to find work arounds such as Starbucks, other local free signals or other inexpensive wireless connections I can get in the area - so to some extent I have already been boycotting hotels that charge for internet.
Posted By Richard Miles on October 20, 2011, 10:05 AM
Hotels charge for the phone, why not wi-fi? If you want free, stay in one of the cheap chains or become an elite member of a your preferred hotel chain.
Posted By lawthomas on October 20, 2011, 11:19 AM
I normally stay at an inexpensive motel that charges under $30/night. For this I get a clean, comfortable room, basic kitchenette, hot shower, and free Wi-Fi. On the rare occasions I spring for a major brand-name hotel, I think I'm being ripped off. The room is no cleaner, no more comfortable, there's no kitchenette, and no better Wi-Fi, but I pay 5 to 10 times as much -- that's why the occasions are rare.
Posted By Phoebe Ann on October 20, 2011, 1:01 PM
It's not just "cheap chains" that offer free wifi. All of the Hilton brands have it, as do a majority of Marriott units. High-priced places whose target customer is the business person charge extra for wifi because they know that the company will pay the bill and therefore the customer doesn't care. In the US I boycott the wifi chargers rigorously. In Europe and Asia it is an important consideration in my choice of hotels. Incidentally, this summer I stayed in a perfectly delightful little 2-star in Dusseldorf which had free wifi, so it is catching on in Europe as well as the US.
Posted By Sid Hill on October 20, 2011, 5:50 PM
Hey, thanks for the blog article.Really thank you! Keep writing.
Posted By Jazlyn on February 1, 2012, 12:45 PM