Why do luxury hotels charge for wireless internet, but cheap ones don’t?

If you've ever stayed in a high-end hotel, chances are you wanted Wi-Fi and you had to pay for the privilege. Or, more specifically, now, it's packaged into a "resort fee" that they attach. But if you stay at a Holiday Inn Express, Super 8, Days Inn, etc., WiFi is usually free.

What's going on?

Toni Repetti, a professor of hospitality management at the University of Nevada, believes the answer is simple: “Because they can.”

Yes— The reason is greed.

The thinking is that people who can afford to pay $300, $400, $500 or more a night for accommodation won't care about an extra $15, $20 or $25 for internet. , because they have paid so much for the room. On the other hand, people staying in budget hotels are more price-sensitive, so hotel managers offer free WiFi to compete with other hotels in the area that don't charge for it. Is there any way to get free wifi?

Just because a hotel charges for WiFi doesn't mean you have to pay (well, unless it's part of the resort fee, then you probably have to pay). There are several ways to avoid this:

1. Become a hotel member

Even if you never earn enough points to get a free hotel stay (actually, earn enough points It’s not hard to do this), and some hotel brands offer free WiFi just because they’re a member.

2. Have the right credit card

If you pay for your room with a hotel-branded credit card, many hotels will provide you with free WiFi (note: usually, you must pay directly from Hotel website booking, not third parties like Expedia, Ctrip, Fliggy).

3. Leave your room

Some hotel rooms charge for WiFi, but WiFi in the lobby or bar is free.