“While many of the lower-cost and mid-cost hotels do not charge for Internet connections, the most expensive still are charging for connections to the Web. But the days of Internet access are numbered. The only question is when will the charges be totally eliminated…

Checking a list of hotel charges for Internet service one can see that most lodging establishments offer Web as a free service…

But, Crowne Plaza, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Fairmont*, Four Seasons, Hilton, Hyatt*, Ian Schrager, Intercontinental, Lowes, Marriott, Rennaisance, Ritz-Carleton, Shereton, Sofitel, St. Regis, W Hotels, Westin and Wyndham* all charge around $10 or more per day for access. (* free service for members of their frequent stayer programs)

Conrad by Hilton and Kimpton were the only two upscale hotel brands to offer free high-speed Internet to guests at all of their locations and without restrictions. At the other end of the spectrum, Red Roof Inn, inexplicably, has a deal with T-Mobile that adds $10 a day for web connections unless clients have their own T-Mobile account. ” (via consumertraveler.com ) by CHARLIE LEOCHA

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click here for our post from Dec. 2008 on this topic

“Coffee, tea, or porn? “I don’t think so,” say American Airline flight attendants.
Leaders of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents some 19,000 workers including American Airlines flight attendants, asked American Airline’s management this week to consider adding filters to its in-flight Wi-Fi access to prevent passengers from viewing porn and other inappropriate Web sites while in-flight.

A union representative told Bloomberg News that attendants and passengers have raised “a lot of complaints” over the issue.

American Airlines is one of several airlines testing in-flight Internet access as a way to lure more passengers. American has been offering the service on a limited basis since August 20th on some flights between New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, and between New York and Miami. The cost of the service on cross-country flights is $12.95, and it’s $9.95 on the New York to Miami route.

The current program is in a 3- to 6-month trial period, and the airline plans to review usage and feedback on the service at the end of that period, an American Airlines spokesman told Bloomberg.

The controversy has stirred up an ongoing debate about whether Internet access in public places should be restricted. Earlier this year, the Denver International Airport took a lot flack for blocking access on its free Wi-Fi network to Web sites that officials deemed offensive.

The argument was made by Denver airport officials that users must abide by their rules because they are providing the service for free. But that case is harder to make for in-flight passengers, who are paying for Internet access.” ( via news.cnet.com ) by Marguerite Reardon

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