Changes to free WiFi Elite benefit
Dec 18, 2013, 11:51 am
#1
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Join Date: Aug 2001
Programs: DL GM, AA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat
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Changes to free WiFi Elite benefit
Gleff reported a couple of days ago that it looked like Free WiFi for elites at Hilton was going away:
http://boardingarea.com/viewfromthew...elite-benefit/
And it looks to be true as the confirmation I received for my stay next week at an ES has changed from "Complimentary High Speed Internet Access" to "Lobby WiFi Internet Access"
This really sucks. I'm going to complain to Hilton, and suggest that if you value this benefit, you do the same.
http://boardingarea.com/viewfromthew...elite-benefit/
And it looks to be true as the confirmation I received for my stay next week at an ES has changed from "Complimentary High Speed Internet Access" to "Lobby WiFi Internet Access"
This really sucks. I'm going to complain to Hilton, and suggest that if you value this benefit, you do the same.
Dec 18, 2013, 11:59 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta DM, 4MM, SC, AmEx Reserve, UA Plat, SPG/Marriott Platinum, Hertz Gold
Posts: 2,383
Interesting observation...it had me double-checking my reservations and the fine print for my upcoming stays. Mine don't show any indication that in-room internet is going away as a benefit. And the HHonors website still shows:
Complimentary In-Room and Lobby Wi-Fi Internet Access during stays at Waldorf Astoria™ Hotels & Resorts, Conrad® Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton™, Embassy Suites Hotels™ and Hilton Grand Vacations™
Complimentary In-Room and Lobby Wi-Fi Internet Access during stays at Waldorf Astoria™ Hotels & Resorts, Conrad® Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton™, Embassy Suites Hotels™ and Hilton Grand Vacations™
Dec 18, 2013, 12:26 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: ATL
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond
Posts: 1,061
The title of this thread seems a little exaggerated. It appears that Hilton removed the words 'high speed' but the words 'in room' remain in the description of Diamond Benefits. Maybe because some properties don't have high speed? (just a guess) But there is no indication that wifi is being eliminated as an Elite benefit.
Dec 18, 2013, 12:29 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Programs: Mainly Hilton Hhonors, SAS Eurobonus
Posts: 1,981
The lobby internet vs the highspeed internet notice seems to depend on when the bookings are made.
All bookings I made in November ( for next year ) show Highspeed internet and all the bookings I made in December ( also for next year ) show Lobby internet.
But it might just be a mistake because it seems to coincide with Hilton removing
highspeed internet for elite members ( in terms and conditions ). This does not necessarily mean no in-room internet but maybe a slower internet. Or maybe it is just that they don't want to use the term 'highspeed' so as not to get in to arguments about speed.
All bookings I made in November ( for next year ) show Highspeed internet and all the bookings I made in December ( also for next year ) show Lobby internet.
But it might just be a mistake because it seems to coincide with Hilton removing
highspeed internet for elite members ( in terms and conditions ). This does not necessarily mean no in-room internet but maybe a slower internet. Or maybe it is just that they don't want to use the term 'highspeed' so as not to get in to arguments about speed.
Last edited by helosc; Dec 18, 2013 at 12:38 pm Reason: spelling
Dec 18, 2013, 12:36 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: ATL
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http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...e-waffles.html
Dec 18, 2013, 12:48 pm
#8
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That's my guess, though it's only a guess. Could be that some hotels are or will be offering two internet options, with an extra charge even for elites who get the basic internet service as a complimentary perk.
Dec 18, 2013, 12:49 pm
#9
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Where do you see the internet type shown on your reservation? Moot at the moment because Hilton.com seems to think that all my upcoming reservations are not linked to my account. But I would like to check later
Dec 18, 2013, 1:05 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Programs: Mainly Hilton Hhonors, SAS Eurobonus
Posts: 1,981
But I see it on the reservation confirmation that Hilton emails me straight after booking. It is in the box called 'Hhonors Gold My Way on property benefits' together with the space available room upgrade notice.
Dec 18, 2013, 1:16 pm
#11
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Join Date: Aug 2010
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I will email the hotel, I will be mightily cheesed off if this is the case
Dec 18, 2013, 1:18 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,489
I saw the change as recently as late last month on the e-mail confirmations. My issue is that the way it is formatted makes it a bit ambiguous.
It used to read:
Complimentary
HIGH-SPEED
INTERNET ACCESS
Now it reads:
Complimentary
LOBBY WI-FI
INTERNET ACCESS
So it could mean either (a) Lobby Wi-Fi Internet Access is complimentary, OR (b) Lobby Wi-Fi AND Internet Access (presumably in the room) is complimentary
It used to read:
Complimentary
HIGH-SPEED
INTERNET ACCESS
Now it reads:
Complimentary
LOBBY WI-FI
INTERNET ACCESS
So it could mean either (a) Lobby Wi-Fi Internet Access is complimentary, OR (b) Lobby Wi-Fi AND Internet Access (presumably in the room) is complimentary
Last edited by dw; Dec 18, 2013 at 1:55 pm
Dec 18, 2013, 2:01 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: UA Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 149
I think what they've done is make a distinction between "lobby" wi-fi (which almost everyone gets) and "in-room" wi-fi, which comes only at certain brands or only with Gold or higher status. They've also removed "high-speed" from the wi-fi descriptions, probably from (overly, IMHO)-litigious complaints about what's "high".
Dec 18, 2013, 4:30 pm
#15
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The title to this thread is misleading. There is no evidence Hilton is changing its elite benefits, just a change in wording to eliminate "high speed" as a descriptive.
