How can I stop high-end hotels from charging me for internet access?
September 23, 2010 12:54 AM Subscribe
How can I convince high-end hotels to stop charging me for internet access?
When I travel, sometimes I stay at high-end expensive hotels and sometimes I stay at low-end budget motels. Usually the low-budget motels give me free internet access, but almost invariably the high-end hotels charge me for internet access.
To me, internet access is a basic need, like towels or soap, and it bothers me that the better hotels still treat it as a luxury I should pay for.
What's the best way to convince hotels to give up this (in my mind) antiquated practice of charging for internet access?
P.S. - I have a home network, so I know that ten bucks a day is an insane markup.
When I travel, sometimes I stay at high-end expensive hotels and sometimes I stay at low-end budget motels. Usually the low-budget motels give me free internet access, but almost invariably the high-end hotels charge me for internet access.
To me, internet access is a basic need, like towels or soap, and it bothers me that the better hotels still treat it as a luxury I should pay for.
What's the best way to convince hotels to give up this (in my mind) antiquated practice of charging for internet access?
P.S. - I have a home network, so I know that ten bucks a day is an insane markup.
Give your business to high-end hotels that do not charge for access; they exist.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:04 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:04 AM on September 23, 2010
Don't stay at hotels that don't have free internet. In my experience, many high end hotels do charge, but there are hotels across the entire spectrum of luxury that don't charge for internet. That information is often available online, and is definitely available with a quick call to the hotel. If you pass up a regular hotel of yours for a competitor that does offer free internet, take a minute to drop them a note to let them know why, and let the management of the hotels that offer free internet know that you value that service as a customer.
You send precisely the opposite message you seek to convey by continuing to stay at hotels that charge for internet and paying their expensive rates.
posted by zachlipton at 1:04 AM on September 23, 2010 [11 favorites]
You send precisely the opposite message you seek to convey by continuing to stay at hotels that charge for internet and paying their expensive rates.
posted by zachlipton at 1:04 AM on September 23, 2010 [11 favorites]
Don't stay at hotels that charge for internet, and when you pass up a hotel that charges, write a polite letter to the manager and head office (if it's a chain) letting them know why they didn't get your business.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 2:17 AM on September 23, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by EndsOfInvention at 2:17 AM on September 23, 2010 [2 favorites]
"Business hotels" tend to charge because they know that people staying at them are usually on expense accounts and will need the internet, so the hotel can make some extra money with little hassle. It's like online that sell something that should be about $10 including shipping, that list the item for a penny, but with $12.95 shipping. They end up showing up artificially high in the search results because of the low price.
Don't stay at those places, and explain to them why you didn't. And if the business you work for (or their travel agent) booked you into the hotel, explain to the people holding the checkbook why you don't want to stay there: "I'm trying to save you a buck, and I find their sneakiness offensive." Definitely be polite. I usually try to use something along the lines of "I'm very disappointed that a hotel with your reputation would stoop to such cheap and tawdry tactics to make a quick buck."
posted by DaveP at 3:34 AM on September 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
Don't stay at those places, and explain to them why you didn't. And if the business you work for (or their travel agent) booked you into the hotel, explain to the people holding the checkbook why you don't want to stay there: "I'm trying to save you a buck, and I find their sneakiness offensive." Definitely be polite. I usually try to use something along the lines of "I'm very disappointed that a hotel with your reputation would stoop to such cheap and tawdry tactics to make a quick buck."
posted by DaveP at 3:34 AM on September 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
I have found that by asking politely they will sometimes waive the fee.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 3:35 AM on September 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by JohnnyGunn at 3:35 AM on September 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Ok, I love to negotiate stuff like this away. Here's what you do:
When you check in, ask about internet services. Even if you know from their web page there is a charge, ASK.
When you're told there is a charge, ask the desk clerk to remove it, citing the high room rate,alternative lodging available, and your brand / hotel loyalty (if citable).
If he or she says they don't have the authority to remove the charge, ask to see the manager.
Repeat your argument to the manager.
Now the important part: regardless of whom you talk to, always be polite, respectful, and make light of the situation. Don't get emotional, threatening, etc. Tell them you'd love to give them your business, but you've got a nasty boss who won't pay for internet and you need it to get your work done, you can't eat dinner if you've gotta pay for internet, whatever story you've got to pitch to convince them to help you.
People love to help other people. They especially love to help nice people. The good people that work in the hotel business are no different. They just need a reason to help them help you.
I've used this technique to negotiate stuff costing far more than free internet in a hotel room; my biggest score was two free nights at The Waldorf Astoria in New York, a suite no less. I was there on holiday and rejected the first room we checked into ("dark and noisy"). After we rejected a second room (the fittings were old) I told the manager I didn't want to waste his time any longer and asked that he call and book us a room over at The Oriental. He folded, upgraded us to a suite for the same charge, and threw in the free nights for our trouble.
As JohnnyGunn mentions, just ask.
posted by Mutant at 3:44 AM on September 23, 2010 [20 favorites]
When you check in, ask about internet services. Even if you know from their web page there is a charge, ASK.
When you're told there is a charge, ask the desk clerk to remove it, citing the high room rate,alternative lodging available, and your brand / hotel loyalty (if citable).
If he or she says they don't have the authority to remove the charge, ask to see the manager.
Repeat your argument to the manager.
Now the important part: regardless of whom you talk to, always be polite, respectful, and make light of the situation. Don't get emotional, threatening, etc. Tell them you'd love to give them your business, but you've got a nasty boss who won't pay for internet and you need it to get your work done, you can't eat dinner if you've gotta pay for internet, whatever story you've got to pitch to convince them to help you.
People love to help other people. They especially love to help nice people. The good people that work in the hotel business are no different. They just need a reason to help them help you.
I've used this technique to negotiate stuff costing far more than free internet in a hotel room; my biggest score was two free nights at The Waldorf Astoria in New York, a suite no less. I was there on holiday and rejected the first room we checked into ("dark and noisy"). After we rejected a second room (the fittings were old) I told the manager I didn't want to waste his time any longer and asked that he call and book us a room over at The Oriental. He folded, upgraded us to a suite for the same charge, and threw in the free nights for our trouble.
As JohnnyGunn mentions, just ask.
posted by Mutant at 3:44 AM on September 23, 2010 [20 favorites]
I second Mutant, I have managed to get these charges waived off several times and usually the person you speak to at the desk goes into the little office behind the reception desk and come back smiling. I have also used the argument at times that given you have free internet in the lobby/business centre (which some of them do) then all you are doing is making me pay so much for the room and forcing me to spend all my relaxation time in the lobby.
However, don't expect this to work every time. If you wanted a slightly different approach you could try a membership to Boingo which is reasonable and you can take it out before each trip because it is a monthly subscription with no contract beyond. It says that Sheraton and Marriott participate in their programme but you may actually have to check if you have the coverage you are looking for. The additional feature is that you can link your wifi phone to it and make calls on voip.
Happy travels
posted by london302 at 4:04 AM on September 23, 2010
However, don't expect this to work every time. If you wanted a slightly different approach you could try a membership to Boingo which is reasonable and you can take it out before each trip because it is a monthly subscription with no contract beyond. It says that Sheraton and Marriott participate in their programme but you may actually have to check if you have the coverage you are looking for. The additional feature is that you can link your wifi phone to it and make calls on voip.
Happy travels
posted by london302 at 4:04 AM on September 23, 2010
The first reason for the high charge is the expectation that you have of service in a higher end hotel. In short, for $12.95 the internet will have to work or the hotel will have to fix it. This leads to significant costs to the hotel. When the internet is free and doesn't work then the complaints can fall on deaf ears.
The second reason is simple cost. There is a a big difference between Wi-Fi in a little hotel that has a few access points and a ADSL line coming in off the street and a large hotel where the internet bill will be hundred of thousands of dollars a year. A big hotel will need a pipe of 400 megabits per second, and the demand from individual rooms is growing exponentially as more and more guests watch video on line. If you are in a big hotel and getting free internet then you are paying for it somewhere else be it the room rate or the bar bill.
posted by priorpark17 at 4:35 AM on September 23, 2010 [4 favorites]
The second reason is simple cost. There is a a big difference between Wi-Fi in a little hotel that has a few access points and a ADSL line coming in off the street and a large hotel where the internet bill will be hundred of thousands of dollars a year. A big hotel will need a pipe of 400 megabits per second, and the demand from individual rooms is growing exponentially as more and more guests watch video on line. If you are in a big hotel and getting free internet then you are paying for it somewhere else be it the room rate or the bar bill.
posted by priorpark17 at 4:35 AM on September 23, 2010 [4 favorites]
If you stay at a higher-end business hotel enough times to achieve status, some status levels with some chains offer the benefit of dismissing the charges and offering you free net on every stay.
But, of course, if you've been staying at a particular hotel on a weekly basis enough weeks in a row to be on a first name basis with all of the staff, you can usually charm your way into that benefit long before reaching the requisite point level. Just be nice and go out of your way to think about the staff from time to time. My trick was that I regularly worked really late and one of the only places still open for food would be Taco Bell. Bought an extra bag of 10 tacos on occasion and gave them to the guys working the night shift. Took about twice before I could have pretty much anything I wanted at that place.
posted by allkindsoftime at 4:55 AM on September 23, 2010
But, of course, if you've been staying at a particular hotel on a weekly basis enough weeks in a row to be on a first name basis with all of the staff, you can usually charm your way into that benefit long before reaching the requisite point level. Just be nice and go out of your way to think about the staff from time to time. My trick was that I regularly worked really late and one of the only places still open for food would be Taco Bell. Bought an extra bag of 10 tacos on occasion and gave them to the guys working the night shift. Took about twice before I could have pretty much anything I wanted at that place.
posted by allkindsoftime at 4:55 AM on September 23, 2010
N'thing "Don't stay at hotels that don't have free internet."
Adding: Find some way to proimently post about which hotel you passed on and which hotel you chose, and why. It's the public dissemination of this kind of information that is the most effective.
posted by yclipse at 5:24 AM on September 23, 2010
Adding: Find some way to proimently post about which hotel you passed on and which hotel you chose, and why. It's the public dissemination of this kind of information that is the most effective.
posted by yclipse at 5:24 AM on September 23, 2010
Toss in another vote for "ask."
I do this all the time, and my go-to approach is to flirt and be friendly with the desk agent. I have a pretty high rate of success with this approach.
posted by broadway bill at 5:33 AM on September 23, 2010
I do this all the time, and my go-to approach is to flirt and be friendly with the desk agent. I have a pretty high rate of success with this approach.
posted by broadway bill at 5:33 AM on September 23, 2010
In cities, I often find that by sitting next to a window, I can pick up quite a few networks, one of which is either open or a far cheaper public access hotspot. And, yeah, the reason they do it is because business travellers don't care.
posted by rhymer at 5:46 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by rhymer at 5:46 AM on September 23, 2010
At the major hotel chains, elite members of the frequent guest program (HHonors Gold, Hyatt Platinum, Starwood Platinum) get free internet access at all properties.
Note that this includes lower-branded properties like Hampton Inn or Courtyard By Marriott which offer free internet to all guests.
However, at the higher-end properties, this can be a perk worth a few bucks.
There is NO WAY you should try to become a hotel program elite just because of free net access, but it is a nice extra given the other benefits you get if you're staying often enough.
FWIW, I usually don't even bother with the "free" net access anymore, and instead just use my tethered Android phone connection.
posted by QuantumMeruit at 7:14 AM on September 23, 2010
Note that this includes lower-branded properties like Hampton Inn or Courtyard By Marriott which offer free internet to all guests.
However, at the higher-end properties, this can be a perk worth a few bucks.
There is NO WAY you should try to become a hotel program elite just because of free net access, but it is a nice extra given the other benefits you get if you're staying often enough.
FWIW, I usually don't even bother with the "free" net access anymore, and instead just use my tethered Android phone connection.
posted by QuantumMeruit at 7:14 AM on September 23, 2010
QuantumMeruit is right -- I get free Internet at Hiltons from Hilton HHonors. I don't always stay at Hilton, but often enough. Sign up for the loyalty programs at any brand you stay at regularly. It's free, so there's no real harm other than the fact that you'll get more marketing crap from them (I recommend not giving them your cell phone number -- I use Google Voice for that kind of thing).
Beyond that, I just view the Internet fee (and, when applicable, resort fee, parking fee, etc.) as part of the cost of the room. It makes is slightly harder to compare prices, but I generally don't shop by price anyway, and the fees are out there if you want to do that kind of comparison. At the end of the day, if the total cost of the room including all taxes and fees is acceptable to me for the quality of the room and property, it's fine. If it's not, I look elsewhere. I'm not going to relegate myself to less nice hotels just because the nice ones charge for Internet service. You're paying for the Internet service at the other hotels too -- it's just rolled up into the cost of the room.
It is, of course, nice to have things for "free." But I think it's more rational to look at the overall cost rather than how any given hotel chooses to itemize it.
posted by sharding at 8:30 AM on September 23, 2010
Beyond that, I just view the Internet fee (and, when applicable, resort fee, parking fee, etc.) as part of the cost of the room. It makes is slightly harder to compare prices, but I generally don't shop by price anyway, and the fees are out there if you want to do that kind of comparison. At the end of the day, if the total cost of the room including all taxes and fees is acceptable to me for the quality of the room and property, it's fine. If it's not, I look elsewhere. I'm not going to relegate myself to less nice hotels just because the nice ones charge for Internet service. You're paying for the Internet service at the other hotels too -- it's just rolled up into the cost of the room.
It is, of course, nice to have things for "free." But I think it's more rational to look at the overall cost rather than how any given hotel chooses to itemize it.
posted by sharding at 8:30 AM on September 23, 2010
I agree with the above; don't stay at hotels that charge, let them know why you aren't staying, and get a phone you can tether to your laptop (I suspect we aren't long from the day that all smartphones will offer this as a standard feature).
posted by quin at 9:41 AM on September 23, 2010
posted by quin at 9:41 AM on September 23, 2010
nthing the just ask, if that doesn't work, just take your business elsewhere.
I've used this technique to negotiate stuff costing far more than free internet in a hotel room; my biggest score was two free nights at The Waldorf Astoria in New York, a suite no less. I was there on holiday and rejected the first room we checked into ("dark and noisy"). After we rejected a second room (the fittings were old) I told the manager I didn't want to waste his time any longer and asked that he call and book us a room over at The Oriental. He folded, upgraded us to a suite for the same charge, and threw in the free nights for our trouble.
Don't do this. People who work in hotels hate this and will give you the free nights just because they hate it, to make you go the f*ck away.
posted by IvoShandor at 12:48 AM on September 24, 2010
I've used this technique to negotiate stuff costing far more than free internet in a hotel room; my biggest score was two free nights at The Waldorf Astoria in New York, a suite no less. I was there on holiday and rejected the first room we checked into ("dark and noisy"). After we rejected a second room (the fittings were old) I told the manager I didn't want to waste his time any longer and asked that he call and book us a room over at The Oriental. He folded, upgraded us to a suite for the same charge, and threw in the free nights for our trouble.
Don't do this. People who work in hotels hate this and will give you the free nights just because they hate it, to make you go the f*ck away.
posted by IvoShandor at 12:48 AM on September 24, 2010
To expand, it may seem like a good idea - free stuff right? But most hotels note guests that are problems or complain too much, don't expect the best service after you reject multiple rooms or whatnot because they have old fixtures.
posted by IvoShandor at 12:54 AM on September 24, 2010
posted by IvoShandor at 12:54 AM on September 24, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
You're right, though. The level of network service at high-end hotels is absurdly inadequate. Frankly, my theory is that they want people to pay for the in-room-TV porn, so they have to cripple the internet.
posted by mr_roboto at 12:58 AM on September 23, 2010 [2 favorites]