You can get free Wi-Fi at every Marriott hotel if you’re a Marriott member beginning January 15, 2015.
There is no cost or obligation to stay at Marriott to sign-up for their loyalty program. So everyone should sign-up just in case!
Free Wi-Fi for Marriott Members
Some of Marriott’s value priced hotels such as Courtyard and SpringHill Suites already offer free internet.
But starting January 15, 2015, you get free Wi-Fi if you’re a Marriott member when you stay at all Marriott hotels. But you have to book with Marriott. You can NOT book through a discount site like Expedia or TravelPony.
Marriott hotels include:
- AC Hotels by Marriott
- Autograph Collection Hotels
- Courtyard by Marriott
- EDITION
- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
- Gaylord Hotels
- JW Marriott
- Marriott Hotels
- Marriott Vacation Club
- Moxy Hotels
- Protea Hotels (you can use Marriott points starting 2015)
- Renaissance Hotels
- Residence Inn by Marriott
- Ritz-Carlton
- Springhill Suites by Marriott
- TownePlace Suites by Marriott
And unlike other hotels such as Hilton and Hyatt, you do NOT need to have elite status to get free Wi-Fi with Marriott starting January 15, 2015!
Hotel Chains That Offer Free Internet
These following hotel chains offer free internet to guests. Some hotels require you to belong to their loyalty program, but it’s free to join so you might as well sign-up just in case.
- Best Western (all guests)
- Choice
- Club Carlson (must be a Club Carlson member)
- IHG (must be an IHG member)
- Marriott (all Marriott members beginning January 15, 2015)
- Ritz-Carlton (all Ritz-Carlton members beginning January 15, 2015)
But to get free Wi-Fi at Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels, you have to also book your hotel through Marriott. I think this is a sneaky way to charge for “free” Wi-Fi because you can’t book the cheaper rates on sites like Expedia or TravelPony if you want free wireless internet.
Hopefully the other hotel chains won’t follow Marriott’s lead. I don’t think they will because most folks would rather pay less and use discount booking sites than pay more just for “free” Wi-Fi.
Hotel Chains That Offer Free Internet With Elite Status
You get free internet at these hotels if you have elite status:
You get Gold elite status (free breakfast and internet) with Hilton from the American Express Hilton Honors Surpass and Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve cards.
The Hyatt card gets you Platinum elite status (free internet and late checkout).
Free internet is 1 of the benefits of Hilton Gold elite status, and the key benefit of Hyatt Platinum elite status.
What the Future Might Bring
Offering free internet – but only to folks who book directly through the hotel website – is a very smart idea! That’s because hotels don’t have to pay a commission to websites like Expedia or Priceline if you book directly through them.
And the cost of providing free internet is less than the cost of the commission (which the hotels would otherwise pay)!
So I’m optimistic that other hotels will start offering free internet!
Bottom Line
As a Marriott member, you’ll get free internet at all Marriott hotels starting January 15, 2015. And you do NOT need to have elite status! But you must book directly with Marriott.
Several other hotel chains offer free internet to all their guests such as Best Western and Choice hotels. You have to be a hotel loyalty member with Club Carlson, IHG, and now Marriott and Ritz-Carlton to get free internet. Signing-up for a hotel loyalty program is free.
Only elite status members with Hilton, Hyatt, Starwood, and Wyndham get free internet.