Originally Posted by
jr1202sr
One has to sign up for the Rewards program to be a "rewards member". You do not need to be a Rewards Member to book a hotel through Marriott.
I stayed at chain this past year and didn't sign up for their Reward program, bc the chance of me ever staying there again was about 0. Wasn't worth the time. There are tons of people that stay at Marriotts that are not rewards Members for a variety of reasons.
I think you're misunderstanding either CHP-Flyer or Marriott's announcement or both. In Asia all Marriott Rewards members have had free internet access for a couple of years. Marriott is now rolling that out worldwide.
Marriott is not extending it to every person who stays at the brands (that are now joining the brands that already offer free wifi). Marriott is extending it to Marriott Rewards members only who book through official channels, not to people who stay at a Marriott that don't belong to the rewards program (even if they book through official channels).
Cheers.