V-Flyer

It looks as if Hilton in the UK are starting to roll out free wi-fi as part of their status offering. It's active at the Deansgate Hilton in Manchester (I'm posting this from the Exec lounge there - same views as Cloud23, free booze, what's not to like ) and chats with management at the Caley in Edinburgh suggest it's in their plans too.

Paul

Hotels should offer it free to all.

locutus wrote:Hotels should offer it free to all.

Agree, but still a good ploy to retain loyalty

buns

buns wrote:

locutus wrote:Hotels should offer it free to all.

Agree, but still a good ploy to retain loyalty

buns

I too agree - given that every b&b / motel / coffee shop / hotel we visited in our recent West Coast trip offered it except for the Hilton Union Square. I'm sure the day will come...

Yes, certainly HH diamond status now gets you free wifi at all Hilton group hotels worldwide, believe it also applies to gold card holders, although ISTBC on that one.

Yes gold card members can chose it as an option reward.

hiljil wrote:Yes gold card members can chose it as an option reward.

Yes, that has been the case for quite a while now, but I'm pretty certain it is now just a free benefit, allowing you to choose either bonus miles or upgrade as the reward option, that certainly is what has happened to me as a Diamond,

Anna is half right. Up until recently free internet would have been an option under the "My Way" choices for gold and diamond members - the other alternatives being a space available upgrade including breakfast or extra points (1,000 for Hilton, less for Embassy suites, etc).

Now, its free for golds and diamonds. Personally, it won't make much difference. I always have my preferences set to space available upgrade, and have an Orange dongle. But for others, it could represent a saving of £15 a day - overpriced to start with but a good saving on previous rates.

Regards
R3dV

Mmmm...worked fine earlier in the exec lounge, but my room seems to have no wireless signal available to it (apart from the omnipresent "free public wi-fi"). So back to 3G for me for the moment...

Slightly off topic, but I've been through an airport recently where access to a wifi network was free. I was quite surprised.

Just can't remember which one... It might have been Charlotte in NC or ORD....

rich1664 wrote:Slightly off topic, but I've been through an airport recently where access to a wifi network was free. I was quite surprised.

Just can't remember which one... It might have been Charlotte in NC or ORD....

Someone else who has been to Charlotte! I spent way too many hours there a few years ago - it is very dull at 2 am, take my word for it.

SEA has free wi-fi..

Paul

buns wrote:

locutus wrote:Hotels should offer it free to all.

Agree, but still a good ploy to retain loyalty

buns

Service should retain loyalty.

(That's why I am returning to Virgin for the 3rd time in 3 years, even though the alternatives are cheaper)

pjh wrote:

rich1664 wrote:Slightly off topic, but I've been through an airport recently where access to a wifi network was free. I was quite surprised.

Just can't remember which one... It might have been Charlotte in NC or ORD....

Someone else who has been to Charlotte! I spent way too many hours there a few years ago - it is very dull at 2 am, take my word for it.

SEA has free wi-fi..

Paul

Boise and Palm Springs have free Wi_Fi too.

I've always said hotels should offer it free. It probably works out at about £1 a night, per person. When they charge £10-£15 per night, per person it really sticks.

Neil wrote:Yes, certainly HH diamond status now gets you free wifi at all Hilton group hotels worldwide

Not if you book through Expedia, you get zilch no points no recognition **** all.

Sealink wrote:

buns wrote:Agree, but still a good ploy to retain loyalty

buns

Service should retain loyalty.

I see it as a bit of both. I retain a loyalty to the Hilton brand due to the use I've been able to make of its HHonors programme for myself and family. I retain a loyalty to specific Hilton properties because of the service I have received from the staff when I really needed it.

jaguarpig wrote:

Neil wrote:Yes, certainly HH diamond status now gets you free wifi at all Hilton group hotels worldwide

Not if you book through Expedia, you get zilch no points no recognition **** all.

Even if you have status - it isn't recognised because you've booked through the third party ? If so, I must warn a colleague about that...

Paul

pjh wrote:Mmmm...worked fine earlier in the exec lounge, but my room seems to have no wireless signal available to it (apart from the omnipresent "free public wi-fi"). So back to 3G for me for the moment...

D'oh. It's actually free internet, both wired and wi-fi, not just the latter...

I had free Wi-Fi access in the EWR Hilton last week in the public area. You couldn't move - it was wall to wall laptops! LOL!

If they can do it within the public areas why in heaven's name can't they in the rooms? Last year I had no choice but to stay in a Holiday Inn Express in the US. It was the only hotel in the town I was visiting but it had free Wi-Fi in the room. It was a godsend! Especially in that unique town (unique being a derivative of unus = one and equus = horse)!!

Cork Airport also has free Wi-Fi. I love it, especially when the incoming flight is late!

Oh, and I nearly missed a flight in Seattle thanks to the free Wi-Fi there!

I hate boingo!