Most of us celebrate when a hotel offers free Wi-Fi, but there’s often fine print attached. So here’s what you need to watch out for with free Wi-Fi at hotels.
Brands like Hilton and Hyatt have announced that they’re offering free Wi-Fi access in their guest rooms. But only their higher-tier loyalty members will get premium, high-speed service for free.
All other loyalty club members get the basic level of Wi-Fi, which limits the bandwidth. This means it’s too slow to stream videos or download large files.
Marriott has announced free, basic Wi-Fi for its lower-tier loyalty members. But to qualify, guests have to book directly through the hotel’s website, app, or reservations line.
Some hotels and resorts will advertise that Wi-Fi is included in the room, but then they charge a daily resort fee—which they claim is to cover other amenities, not just the Wi-Fi.
In some cases, your free wireless is limited to a certain number of devices, so you might be able to connect your laptop and phone. But if you or someone else wants to add a tablet, it could cost you.
For more information about hotel rates and perks, check out:
- Added Hotel Fees & How You Can Avoid Them
- The Craziest Things Hotels Will Lend You
- How You Can Get the Best Hotel Room
Keep reading for more travel tips.
