Not always -- it depends on the billing software used by the hotel. I've never had to clone the MAC address, but sometimes I've had to initiate the transaction with the laptop hardwired and then connect the Linksys (or other wireless router -- I used to use a dLink). The Linksys (and dLink) have a "pass through" mode in which it just acts as a switch, rather than a router, and should permit activating an account without the hardwire step.