2 tiers of internet access at Courtyard
 

Spent the weekend at the Richmond West Courtyard (the only Courtyard or Marriott in Richmond with an outdoor pool ?).

When I logged onto internet, I noticed that 2 services were being offered, a free service and a 'premium' service ($6.95/day + tax) that included faster speed and access to VPN (I should have kept a screenshot !). Needing to access my company VPN, I selected the premium service.

No problem I thought, being a PP MR member, it will be free.

Err ... nope .. Daily charge appeared on bill. When I queried at check-out, I was told that the charge would remain even though I was a PP MR member and that if I was unhappy I should take up the issue with Marriott customer services.

Can't believe I am the first >= gold MR member who has been charged for a 'premium' internet access at this (and presumably other) Courtyard ?

Anyone else had this experience ?

Never encountered it, but I would definitely take their advice and address it with MR Customer Service.

A new trend that Marriott will be implementing at Courtyards, FFI, SHS, across the country to address customer demands according to an article last week in USA Today.

http://travel.usatoday.com/hotels/st...8/1?csp=Travel

I am finding more and more Courtyards and FFIs that have terrible internet service. I don't know if this is the result of other guests using up all the bandwith, or the hotel along with the service provider intentionally withholding bandwith on the free service to force guests to pay for the higher speed service. But I have seen warnings on the sign in page and on a card given with the keys upon check-in indicating that the paid higher speed internet is not free for MR Elites! The card indicated the free service was suggested for checking emails and not recommended for heavy web surfing or watching videos.

Regards,

RIP...

As the "free" internet is becoming more widespread the hotels are starting to offer tiered service. Starwood has taken the line that SPG PLT members can choose the highest level of tiered service and it will be complimentary. Marriott should do the same.

I've seen this also but it specifically said free is free for all and paid one is paid for all (i.e. specifically said elites are not exempt from paying). Which I find discouraging.

Residence Inn also tends to offer free and paid.

and what will happen soon is that the free service will be soo slow and unstable that it will be completely unusable, forcing guests who actually need the connection to the pay option

trust me, this will happen (not that the connection speeds in FFI, CY, SHS, and RI are remotely adequate right now anyway)

I've heard that the Marriott Marquis in San Franciso is planning to introduce two tiers as well and believe only the lower tier will be free for Gold and Platinum members, although I'm not 100% sure about the latter. Definitely a sad trend...

I've seen this quite a few times at different properties. I choose the fastest and if it shows up I call down when I get the bill. Never been denied it being taken. The Marriott policy does not state that free is limited to the lowest tier.

Same here - I choose the premium service and have never seen a charge. They can weasel their way into saying that you could have had "free" internet, but it's a good way to tick off your elite members.

hmm, a page out of the UA playbook for treatment of elites. A race to the bottom. :td:

From the article:

"And hotels have been been buying more bandwidth in response, says Dave Garrison, CEO of iBahn, one of the world's top hotel Internet providers.

IBahn's latest data show that 40% of travelers are carrying two Wi-Fi devices, and 25% are carrying three or more. And they're using them for more than e-mail.

"The iPad revolution has changed mobile devices from being text- and voice-oriented to being about pictures, graphics and movies, whether FaceTime, YouTube or social networks," Garrison says.

Between March 2011 and December 2011, he says, iBahn saw the amount of data per session in hotels jump 50%, which translates into higher costs.

That, he says, is what's prompting hotel chains to re-examine whether to continue keeping Internet 100% free — or how much bandwidth to provide, how many mobile devices to allow for free or how many minutes that Internet access should be free.

"This is being played out around the world by operators trying to meet the demand for free Internet with the reality that the costs are running away," Garrison says."

So Marriott & Carlton are leading the fray currently w/ the 2-tiered pricing, but there's nothing to say the others won't switch to it & eliminate free for elites. Of course if they don't, it then becomes a competitive advantage over Marriott.

Cheers.

As already noted in this thread, Starwood hotels are already moving to this model. The big difference though is that SPG forces the hotels to offer Plats the highest speed access without charging. Marriott does not (at least as far as I can tell.)

I still say free internet at all US hosts is coming, tiered pricing will be a fad.....but then I've been saying that for 15-20 years now....but we're getting closer to it every day

Marriott customer care response - unbelievable
 

Dear wenzlydale
Thank you for contacting Marriott. We appreciate the opportunity to provide you with information.

We apologize for the misunderstanding regarding the terms and conditions for internet service. The Marriott Rewards terms and conditions state the following regarding internet services:

"Free High-Speed Internet Access: Complimentary Internet access at all JW Marriott, Autograph Collection, Renaissance Hotels, AC Hotels, Marriott Hotels & Resorts and Courtyard by Marriott (outside of U.S. & Canada only)."

These properties within the United States are not included in the free internet access.

If we can be of further assistance, we invite you to reply to this email.

Thank you for choosing Marriott.

Regards,
xxxxxxxx (to protect the incompetent)
Marriott Customer Care