Hotel Internet Question-Multiple Wireless Devices
Mar 5, 2011 | 12:03 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: MA
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Hotel Internet Question-Multiple Wireless Devices
As a Marriott Gold, I have internet charges waived. Here is my question:
Can I use two (or more) wireless devices from my room such as a laptop and a tablet, or will the system only allow one IP address per room? Next stay is the JW in Cancun, if the answer to this question varies by the type of system at a particular property.
Can I use two (or more) wireless devices from my room such as a laptop and a tablet, or will the system only allow one IP address per room? Next stay is the JW in Cancun, if the answer to this question varies by the type of system at a particular property.
Mar 5, 2011 | 1:43 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2004
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don't know about Marriott but have never had problems with Hiltons as daughter and I both travel with our own laptops - have to ask at reception so the system allows to log-ins with same room number/name. Am diamond with Hilton if that makes any difference.
Mar 6, 2011 | 8:14 pm
#3
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There have been people who have reported both ways, where they were charged for the other devices, and where there was no issue at all. It all depends on the terms and conditions in place at the hotel you are trying to use multiple devices at.
Mar 7, 2011 | 3:47 am
#4
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The obvious solution is to tether one device to the other (though I confess sharing Internet connexions on a Windows PC can be tricky to set up.
Last edited by catandmouse; Mar 7, 2011 at 3:58 am
Mar 8, 2011 | 2:38 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2010
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I have experienced situations where the internet connection was a paid service and was tied to the MAC address of the first device that logged onto the account. A call to technical support resolved this issue in a couple of cases as I told them that no where in the customer documentation does it specify one device per account. In other cases I did not fare so well as was basically told to live with it. Now I carry an apple airport express and use that to generate my own hotspot.
Mar 8, 2011 | 7:47 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Another possible solution is to use a a travel router.
(discussed at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...el-router.html )
The Asus WL-330GE seems to be recently recommended.
It appears you can connect the router to a single wired OR wifi connection in a hotel, and then share that connection with as many laptops/iphones etc, as you want, by creating your own personal in-room wifi hotspot.
As its a router, the hotel only sees one device/MAC address connected to their network.
(discussed at http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...el-router.html )
The Asus WL-330GE seems to be recently recommended.
It appears you can connect the router to a single wired OR wifi connection in a hotel, and then share that connection with as many laptops/iphones etc, as you want, by creating your own personal in-room wifi hotspot.
As its a router, the hotel only sees one device/MAC address connected to their network.
Mar 8, 2011 | 1:46 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2005
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If you do use a travel router make sure to spoof the MAC address if you can -- you can use your laptop's. I've been in a few hotels where you pay by the device and if they detect the manufacturer's segment of the MAC address is Linksys, D-Link, Buffalo, etc., they will block access.
Mar 8, 2011 | 11:01 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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You should always be able to use multiple devices at the same time.
Normally the catch is that you're charged per device, so you'll get dinged twice if you use it on two devices, etc. Given that you get it free this shouldn't be a problem, but I'd keep an eye out on your bill just to be sure that they don't try and charge you for one of the two - in which case just ask them to remove it.
As mentioned above, a travel router will avoid the issue as it'll show up as a single device no matter what's behind it - but I'm really not sure that it would be worth the effort just for this.
Normally the catch is that you're charged per device, so you'll get dinged twice if you use it on two devices, etc. Given that you get it free this shouldn't be a problem, but I'd keep an eye out on your bill just to be sure that they don't try and charge you for one of the two - in which case just ask them to remove it.
As mentioned above, a travel router will avoid the issue as it'll show up as a single device no matter what's behind it - but I'm really not sure that it would be worth the effort just for this.
Mar 9, 2011 | 6:01 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Connecticut
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On my recent stay at the St Kitts Marriott, I had 2 devices connected. The system would not allow a third - don't know why. I switched from wifi to wired using my travel router and was then able to use all three devices in the room. (I had a laptop and iPhone and my wife had her iPhone - hence 3).
At check out there were charges for two internet connections for a week each. As a Platinum Member, both charges were promptly removed. No issues at all.
At check out there were charges for two internet connections for a week each. As a Platinum Member, both charges were promptly removed. No issues at all.
Mar 9, 2011 | 6:13 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2009
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The OP should start using a travel router during his travels. That was the hotel will only see one device (the router) connected to its network, whereas several wireless devices can then be connected to the router to share the connection (laptop, iPad, phone, etc.).
Mar 9, 2011 | 8:50 am
#11
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Side note: Today, Wed Mar 9, newegg.com has a pretty good deal on the Trendnet TEW 654TR travel router kit - $19.99 with a promo code if you subscribe to their deals e-mail.
Mar 9, 2011 | 9:29 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Just thought that this thread might come in handy:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...lan-cable.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...lan-cable.html
Mar 9, 2011 | 5:31 pm
#13
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I am currently at a Marriott in Cancun, and was able to get two laptops hooked up wirelessly. If I had not gotten free internet access, it would not have been extra charge according to the front desk people.
The IP address of each laptop had to be inputted manually by the ISP, but this happened to me every time I come to Cancun and has nothing to do with the second laptop.
The IP address of each laptop had to be inputted manually by the ISP, but this happened to me every time I come to Cancun and has nothing to do with the second laptop.
Mar 10, 2011 | 3:33 pm
#14
Join Date: Feb 2000
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Having this problem in the UK this week. Multiple hotels want to charge me an insane 15 per device for one night's wifi. I got fed up and bought a pre paid MiFi device for the UK instead of trying to fight it. As if US$ 25/night wasn't bad enough, they got too greedy and killed the golden goose I was providing.
Last edited by bmr12; Mar 10, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Mar 10, 2011 | 7:38 pm
#15
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