High Speed Internet
 

I just made reservations in Chicago. I am surprised that they charge $12.95 per day for wired internet service and then $20.00 per day parking. I am spoiled with the Hiltons I suppose. I never thought of paying for internet on a business trip. Hmmm, reconsider hotels?

While this may change at some unkown distant point in the future, in general, FS Marriotts charge for Internet access (including to elites.) So unfortunately, your experience is par for the course.

A lot of the "lower-end" brands (Courtyards, Fairfield Inns, etc.) include internet access with the rate though. So if you are looking at free internet from Marriott Branded hotels, I would suggest looking there.

I would, its been a while since I've paid for internet access outside of Las Vegas (they seem to still want to gouge you even for the little things sometimes).

Have to agree with you on not normally paying for access. I have been loyal to Hilton Honors but thought I would try a Marriott. I never dreamed they charged for access. I noticed it after I made the reservation.

UM FS HIltons charge also

Charges for HS Internet will, IMHO, disappear within the next 12-18 months. It's all part of trying to recover fees for installing "new" technology and/or a revenue stream for as long as the hotel can get away with it.
I'm old enough to remember when TV's first started showing up in hotels in the 50's. And the few hotels/motels around at that time would all charge the exorbitant fee of $.25 to watch TV in your room. They had little coin boxes attached to the TV's.
Wasn't long before the upstart chains like Holiday Inn came along and offered free TV and everybody was forced to go along with the program.
Same thing is in progress here.

I've been in the Provo Marriott for the past two weeks. HS Internet is $9.95 per day in the guest rooms, PLUS if you want to sit in the lobby and use the wireless Internet (same provider as in the rooms), it's an additional $9.95/day. What a rip-off! I complained to the front desk and their response was "yes, we know."

Outrageous rip-off. Just for the principle, I stay at the Fairfield Inn in Provo to have the free wireless inroom.

Personally I agree with you but I've been sayign 12-18 months for 5 or so years now

Well, I do have to admit I said 12-18 months, 12-18 months ago as well. :o

But let's put it this way. It will happen. Anywhere from 12-X months from now. ;)

Paying for HS internet at the FS Marriotts has bothered me for a long time. I agree that they should change this.

I was speaking to a GM at one of the PDX FS Marriotts, and he asked me about my take on the charge for HS. I told him i didnt see the point. His point was they throw in free long distance calls, etc, at which point i held up my trusty cell phone..

I honestly don't think they've thought this one through. I can only hope this goes away. It dosen't drive me away from the FS properties all the time, but I've had to take it into account when on a tighter budget.

As other posters have pointed out the HS Internet in CY, FI and other properties are free. It's worth pointing out that i've never paid for HS at any Marriott property under a FS.

As far as parking in Provo, i think i just parked on the lot.. Just be aware that you don't have to valet park just because that's all they seem to offer. With a few exceptions (NYC and NOLA Marriotts for example) just about every property has regular lot parking, but you might have to look for it.

Hilton Chicago
 

Just made a reservation at the Hilton Oak Lawn. Free Wi-Fi.

High cost of WiFi and parking
 

I am in total agreement with OP's complaint about $12.95/day Wifi and $20/day for parking at where OP was. I just completed a stay at the SF Marriott Mascone where Wifi cost was the same, but parking was $49+ per day!! To combat high cost of travel, I went to a local Borders for free WiFi and parked at a public parking garage (5th & Mission, $23/day). Saw many young travellers with their notebooks sitting on steps at Union Square to surf free.

Glad to see I'm not the only Marriott-member who is surprised at getting charged for internet service at a FS-Marriott. When at a client's, I tend to select which of the Marriott family hotels I stay at based on internet access (wireless vs. wired), then dollars. Since I'm a computer tech, my clients fully support this methodology.

But, honestly, I'd rather be staying at a FS, both for the services and the points. Since I consider the upper end Marriott's to be the 'business' class of the family, it's always amused me that you have to pay for the 'net.

I don't want to sound cheap but since the higher end Hiltons are offering free high speed, you would think Marriott would match. I moved to a Hilton at the end of my stay after I added an extra day, for the free internet. If my conference were not so far away, I would stay there the whole time. I will definitely advertise the internet options at the conference. Maybe the next one will be at another hotel?