Changes to free WiFi Elite benefit
Dec 12, 2014, 9:53 pm
#166
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: BOS
Programs: B6/Mosaic/AF/VX/AS Gold Hertz PC HH Dia. AMEX Plat SPG/Marr Gold Nat. EE FPC Plat
Posts: 833
The other weird thing about this, at least until now is the 4 or 5 Doubletrees I've stayed at in the past month or two all had free and decent speed wifi for all guests, not just HH elites. I'm wondering if this will stick or not.
The few times I have been at a Hampton Inn or HGI, wifi was free and decent speed.
Why is the Hilton brand seemingly affected? I wonder about the others like WA and Conrad.
The few times I have been at a Hampton Inn or HGI, wifi was free and decent speed.
Why is the Hilton brand seemingly affected? I wonder about the others like WA and Conrad.
Dec 13, 2014, 3:53 am
#167
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Scotland, UK
Programs: HH - Diamond BA - Blue
Posts: 426
I wonder about the others like WA and Conrad.
Dec 15, 2014, 11:26 am
#168
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: USA - all of it!
Programs: United Premier 1k, Avis First, HHonor Diamond, Marriot Gold
Posts: 195
Gold/Diamond Internet......not so free anymore.
So I may be late to the game here, but I am frustrating with a perk I use to enjoy that now I don't exactly enjoy anymore.
So Gold/Diamond are suppose to get internet access free of charge. Well apparently there are two levels of internet access now.
Complimentary (Translation - so slow that Gold/Diamond members will pick the price option)
Premium at cost (Translation - not really that fast, but WebEx works a little bit)
My bill showed a total of 40 dollars for 3 days worth of internet access. I was told by a previous hotel that it doesn't matter which option you pick internet is free. But this hotel billed me.
Now, I did contact the hotel but they wouldn't do anything about it.
My response was pretty much "So I get slow internet for free, huh?". I may sound like a spoiled guy, but a perk is a perk. My loyalty is going unrewarded. Does Marriott do the same thing?
Secondly, I feel like they are skirting around the advertised perk of free internet for Gld/Dmd members. "Hey we are losing a lot of money on free internet, lets give them a slow option and call it complimentary of which they will hopefully choose to buy internet from us. "
Thoughts?
So Gold/Diamond are suppose to get internet access free of charge. Well apparently there are two levels of internet access now.
Complimentary (Translation - so slow that Gold/Diamond members will pick the price option)
Premium at cost (Translation - not really that fast, but WebEx works a little bit)
My bill showed a total of 40 dollars for 3 days worth of internet access. I was told by a previous hotel that it doesn't matter which option you pick internet is free. But this hotel billed me.
Now, I did contact the hotel but they wouldn't do anything about it.
My response was pretty much "So I get slow internet for free, huh?". I may sound like a spoiled guy, but a perk is a perk. My loyalty is going unrewarded. Does Marriott do the same thing?
Secondly, I feel like they are skirting around the advertised perk of free internet for Gld/Dmd members. "Hey we are losing a lot of money on free internet, lets give them a slow option and call it complimentary of which they will hopefully choose to buy internet from us. "
Thoughts?
Dec 15, 2014, 11:34 am
#169
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,821
See these threads for a start:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...+complimentary
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...+complimentary
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...+complimentary
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...+complimentary
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...+complimentary
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...+complimentary
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...+complimentary
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...+complimentary
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...+complimentary
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...+complimentary
Dec 15, 2014, 11:57 am
#170
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: USA - all of it!
Programs: United Premier 1k, Avis First, HHonor Diamond, Marriot Gold
Posts: 195
The last two properties I stayed at with Hilton had the following outcomes.
HGI - Idaho Falls, ID. Premium internet at 4.95 per day. Complimentary free option available. Chose 4.95 per day. Hotel would not remove charges b/c I picked premium.
Hampton Inn Riverside - Premium internet at 4.95 per day. Complimentary free option available. Chose 4.95 per day.Hotel did remove charges for internet after I called them.
My opinion - This is Hilton's way of saying "Hey, here is a super slow internet speed that is fast enough for a Google search, but if you want to get your business work done (WebEx, Video tele conference, VPN, etc) then you need to pay for it."
Crappy!
HGI - Idaho Falls, ID. Premium internet at 4.95 per day. Complimentary free option available. Chose 4.95 per day. Hotel would not remove charges b/c I picked premium.
Hampton Inn Riverside - Premium internet at 4.95 per day. Complimentary free option available. Chose 4.95 per day.Hotel did remove charges for internet after I called them.
My opinion - This is Hilton's way of saying "Hey, here is a super slow internet speed that is fast enough for a Google search, but if you want to get your business work done (WebEx, Video tele conference, VPN, etc) then you need to pay for it."
Crappy!
Dec 15, 2014, 5:51 pm
#171
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: **ATL**/PHX/MIA/LAX/HKG
Programs: AA-EXP/DL-Diamond/UA-100K/Hyatt-Globalist/Hilton-Diamond/Marriott-Titanium - Many more....
Posts: 546
I hate to say this but, I have been seeing the same thing at Marriotts. It is really quite sad.
Dec 15, 2014, 8:29 pm
#172
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: AA(EXP)UA(1K/1MM) Marriott(PP,LifeTime Plat) Hertz(5*)
Posts: 449
They want to offer free internet to all but are also wanting to make good on the promise of free internet for gold/platinum as well with giving the higher speed for free.
I actually like the change as I am getting faster speeds then what I used to at some properties the old way.
Dec 15, 2014, 8:39 pm
#173
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: IAH / HOU
Programs: UA GS, DL-Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Somethingist, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 2,853
I have always received the higher speed internet free at Marriott. I mostly stay at Marriott hotels in the USA, and I don't have any reports on stays outside the U.S. since June 2014, but at domestic locations internet was free for me as recently as two weeks ago.
Dec 15, 2014, 10:58 pm
#174
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
Since Hilton is going to mirror Marriott's new cancel policy in January, I hope they also copy their internet policy and offer the highest speed for free to Hilton Diamonds.
Dec 16, 2014, 7:07 am
#175
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Nashville TN
Programs: National executive elite, Marriott gold, Hilton diamond, swa cp, DL DM
Posts: 71
This is aweful I can barely hit 1 mb up and down. So much for being productive on the road. Does anyone know what SPGs policy is on this?
Dec 16, 2014, 7:08 am
#176
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Belleair, Florida
Programs: AA ExP, HH Diamond, Fairmont Platinum
Posts: 10
Stayed at NY Hilton Times Square over the weekend. Complimentary wifi was offered for Diamond/Gold - but it was as slow as molasses. There was an option to select 'higher speed' or some such at an upcharge of $17.99 a day - that I didn't bother with - although the the connectivity was so slow as to render anything 'heavier' than email impossible to use effectively.
/ckd
/ckd
Dec 17, 2014, 9:26 am
#178
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: USA - all of it!
Programs: United Premier 1k, Avis First, HHonor Diamond, Marriot Gold
Posts: 195
Here is the response I got from a Hilton property. If you can read through the bad English, let me know what you think.
Good Morning Justin ~
Hilton Garden Inn's rolled out the new internet tier's earlier this year... Based on comments that they were getting that the internet was slow... (due to more people streaming video) they came up with a solutions... The internet that we've always offered is complimentary to all guest which allows you do to your basic work (check emails, read the news or chatting with friends) The Premium internet which you have to switch to is $4.95 per day... (This is something you have to accept the terms and conditions.)
Free internet is a My Way choice at the Full Service Hilton's or Embassy Suites where they do charge for internet and don't offer complimentary internet access.. Maybe down the road HHonors will switch the option for My Choices for the HGI brand but, currently where we offer complimentary internet and offer a premium internet choice for a charge they haven't made any changes...
I've attached some screen shots to explain a little better.
Please let me know if you have any other questions... and please know we appreciate your loyalty.
Angie Mago
Director of Sales
Hilton Garden Inn
700 Lindsay Blvd.
Idaho Falls Idaho 83402
208-522-9500 x710
208-339-7222 cell
208-522-9501 fax
Like us on..... Have a small meeting or group block ?
Good Morning Justin ~
Hilton Garden Inn's rolled out the new internet tier's earlier this year... Based on comments that they were getting that the internet was slow... (due to more people streaming video) they came up with a solutions... The internet that we've always offered is complimentary to all guest which allows you do to your basic work (check emails, read the news or chatting with friends) The Premium internet which you have to switch to is $4.95 per day... (This is something you have to accept the terms and conditions.)
Free internet is a My Way choice at the Full Service Hilton's or Embassy Suites where they do charge for internet and don't offer complimentary internet access.. Maybe down the road HHonors will switch the option for My Choices for the HGI brand but, currently where we offer complimentary internet and offer a premium internet choice for a charge they haven't made any changes...
I've attached some screen shots to explain a little better.
Please let me know if you have any other questions... and please know we appreciate your loyalty.
Angie Mago
Director of Sales
Hilton Garden Inn
700 Lindsay Blvd.
Idaho Falls Idaho 83402
208-522-9500 x710
208-339-7222 cell
208-522-9501 fax
Like us on..... Have a small meeting or group block ?
Dec 17, 2014, 9:31 am
#179
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
So Hilton is lagging their major competitors here. This is a major downgrade to Hilton elite status and will absolutely affect my stay decisions.
Dec 17, 2014, 10:48 am
#180
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
Starwood and Hilton moving in opposite directions!
Hilton HHonors is going in the opposite direction of Starwood SPG. Beginning in February, Gold members of Starwood will receive the highest speed of internet for free (they will not have to choose it as an alternate amenity). Platinum members already receive this benefit. Announcement made today:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...s-spg-app.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...s-spg-app.html