Hotel WiFi - Where It's Free and What Elite Status You Need
In this day and age, having WiFi during hotel stays is essential, whether it be for business, personal use, or simply convenience. This is especially true when traveling abroad and wanting to avoid expensive data roaming charges for your personal devices.
However, many hotel chains, especially the higher-end ones, still do not offer free WiFi, and in fact, many charge upwards of $20 for you to surf as you would at home! There's nothing worse than arriving at a hotel after a long day of traveling and find out you have to pay $20 a day for super-slow internet.
Luckily, this seems to be slowly changing - both in terms of price and speed - and hopefully free WiFi will simply be a given at all hotels in the future. That' day's not quite here yet, but I did want to put together a simple list of the major hotel chains and which offer free WiFi, which charge, and how you can avoid those fees with elite status.
This list scratches the surface and lets you know where you can expect free internet generally, but for a more detailed look, you can also head over to HotelChatter's WiFi Report.
Accor: Accor, which owns Ibis, Mercure and Sofitel hotels, among more, is offering free WiFi in guestrooms and lobby at some of their locations including those in the UK. Currently, about 1700 of their 3,500 hotels have free WiFi and they are continuing to expand the service, including to many Sofitels and Novotels in Europe, where WiFi charges can be most expensive. Ibis, Mercure and Pullman hotels generally offer it for free. Definitely double check your property before traveling though.
Best Western: All guestrooms have free WiFi at all Best Western locations in the United States. Most, but not all, international locations offer it as well.
B Hotels: According to the BSignature Elements, the"B In Touch, which is a set of complimentary technology offerings including FreeB WiFi" are valid for all guests in room.
Club Carlson: They offer free WiFi if you sign up for the Club Carlson Rewards program, and this is valid all membership levels: Red, Silver, Gold and Concierge. All Radisson Blu locations offer free WiFi for all guests, in-room and in the lobby, as does Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inn & Suites brands.
Fairmont: WiFi is free in the lobby for all guests. If you want to have WiFi in your room, you must join the Fairmont President's Club (for free) or be sure to book a Fairmont Gold Room.
Hilton: WiFi is free for free for Gold and Diamond Hilton HHonors members at at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, and Hilton Grand Vacations. Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites and Home2Suites also offer free WiFi to all guests regardless of membership.
Hyatt: Platinum and Diamond members of the Hyatt Gold Passport program receive free in-room WiFi. Andaz hotels and the Hyatt House, Hyatt Place and Summerfield Suites brands offer free WiFi regardless of Gold Passport membership.
IHG: As of 2014, WiFi should be available to all members of the IHG Rewards program, whereas last year it was only available for Gold and Platinum elite members. All of the Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Hotel Indigo, Staybridge Suites, and Candlewood Suites locations also offer free WiFi regardless of elite status.
Joie de Vivre: Though most of the JDV Hotels offer free WiFi in public areas and guest rooms as a standard, there are a couple that still don't. However, members of the Joy of Life club can access internet for free at those locations simply for being members.
Kimpton: All InTouch member have free in-room WiFi at any of their hotels.
Loews: They have just recently launched free WiFi in every guest room at every resort. Hurrah!
Marriott: Gold and Platinum members receive free WiFi worldwide. WiFi access is also free to all guests at Courtyard Inn, Residence Inn, TownePlace Suites, SpringHill Suites, and Fairfield Inn brands in the US and Canada. Marriott Rewards is also launching free WiFi access across all their hotel brands located in the Asia Pacific region for any Marriott Rewards member.
Omni: Free WiFi is available when you sign up for the Select Guest Reward program (also free to join).
Peninsula: Most of the Peninsula hotels offer free WiFi the rooms. A few select locations only offer it in the lobby.
Shangri-La: WiFi is free in guestrooms and the lobby in all 78 Shangri-La locations. They are also rolling out free WiFi in all the Shangri-La hotel chauffeured cars and limousines.
Starwood: There is free WiFi for Platinum members. Gold members can choose to receive bonus Starpoints, free Internet or a free drink upon check-in. Starwood's Aloft, Element and Four Points brands offer free WiFi as a standard.
Swissotel: Once you join the Swiss Hotel Circle Program, you can get WiFi for free, though some Swissotel locations will offer it to all guests for free.
Wyndham: All Wyndham properties promote free WiFi as a brand standard.
Note: these policies are constantly changing. Feel free to leave comments if you find that a policy has changed or is different that you've read here, or you'd like to add something.
[card card-name='The Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express OPEN' card-id='22034407' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.