Tagged With "onboard WiFi"
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Re: Crashing the geocache
Hello TatToo, I live in Europe especially Germany. I do know Geocaching and of course the game is known here. If you don't have a GPS device with a European card in it you can use your mobile phone as long you have the geocaching app. Before your son goes to Europe just with that mobile phone, make sure he looks for geocaches in areas he will be first and download the map and the cache itself. Even if you don't have an Internet connection they can use it via GPS. I did it in USA and it has...
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Re: Should Wi-Fi be free in all hotels?
I am amazed at how internet access to tourists vary by city.Not only WiFi but libraries.Some cities libraries either sell a one hour guest pass or won't even let a visitor on the computer.While other cities are generous
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Re: Should Wi-Fi be free in all hotels?
Technically, it would be possible to create very large WiFi zones, whether free or paid. But since someone gets paid (either on the meter, or a fee for the project) and there is a cost to constructing/installing the equipment to broadcast that signal...it won't happen unless someone is paying. In the case of the hotel, picking up on rbciao's point about breakfast--have you noticed that the free WiFi and the free breakfast tend to come with the budget chains, while the high-end places charge...
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Re: Should Wi-Fi be free in all hotels?
Good discussion! WiFi has for me become an indispensable part of traveling. It allows me to stay in touch with family easily and cheaply (remember how hard it was even 25 years ago -- a phone call could run you $5 a minute? And there was no email). It lets me spend evening hours clearing out a hefty email que, and doing research on what I am going to see tomorrow and the next day. And with "Gumbo on the Go", it lets me share my travels as they happen with fellow Gumboites! I echo PHeymont's...
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Re: Should Wi-Fi be free in all hotels?
Actually, privatized toll roads are the coming thing these days! Some states have sold off roads; others have allowed private companies to build from scratch. The road to Dulles Airport near Washington is a prime example. But the comparisons to WiFi here don't really work. No one charged extra for electric light in hotels when it was new; it simply replaced the gas lighting. It took 70 years of broadcasting to create a pay system. As for WiFi, or internet access in hotels generally, it's not...
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Re: Should Wi-Fi be free in all hotels?
Originally Posted by JohnT: Maybe it's the old capitalist coming out in me, but I think "should" is a strong word. Free access to wi-fi certainly helps me determine where I'll stay, just like free breakfast is...but if a hotel has enough other amenities so that people are willing to pay for it's wi-fi then so be it...although it is easy enough to get free somewhere, I don't value it enough to pay for it. I agree with you John, that market forces will drive this. But the demand for "free"...
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Re: How'd We Live Without Travel Apps?
I had Viber on my phone and it was nice in the beginning. But when my calls got interrupted a lot and the quality of the talk was bad too, although I have WiFi at home, I deleted it finally. I think Skype is still the best for me.
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Re: How'd We Live Without Travel Apps?
I had Viber on my phone and it was nice in the beginning. But when my calls got interrupted a lot and the quality of the talk was bad too, although I have WiFi at home, I deleted it finally. I think Skype is still the best for me.
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Re: Budget Way to Use a Cell Phone and VOIP in Europe
Thanks for sharing that PHeymont.It's definetly not a perfect solution and my thinking it's a partial solution to those who normally don't travel with a cell phone. Or if travel with one,they can use is in conjuction with theirs.It's also a great solution for people who don't have good cell Phone connection at home if they have WiFi,no need to run outside for coverage. phone reception in their house.
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Re: WiFi on the way for international flights
Last time I went from Mexico to Philadelphia they had no Coffee. So we received free WiFi for the flight. Was great fun saying Hello to friends. They would all ask where are you ? "I'll look out the window - somewhere above the clouds in the Gulf of Mexico!" Beat that !! And Facetime on the IPad was a hoot!
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Re: Denver airport leads the charge for your phones
Having traveled to Denver in the past month, I'll vouch for that fact there a lot of places to charge your devices. And there are still lots of gates that completely lack chargers, so they still have a long way to go. The free wifi at Denver is quite fast and widely available. Much appreciate! I think this should be a top priority for all airlines -- places to charge that phone and iPad before you fly. It would be good if the consumer organizations provided comparative scores.
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Re: How to not miss a connecting flight
There are a lot of good tips in the article about streamlining your connections. While I mostly enjoy flying, travel days are busy and tiring enough that I hate to be rushed. I try to get to the airport early (often I've been grateful that I gave myself that extra time), and I don't take flights that have connections I consider too tight. I like at least 1.5-2 hours between my connections. I've been delayed on arrival often enough that having less time than that is no fun. As planes travel...
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Re: JetBlue makes its fans blue: Less space, more fees
The very slight bit of good news is that JetBlue still plans on keeping its basic wifi free. More on that story at this link .
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Re: Marriott to offer free wi-fi to all its Rewards member
A lot travel agents are upset with this because they say it puts them at a disadvantage because clients cant get free wifi booking through them http://www.travelmarketreport....omote-Direct-Booking
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Re: Help with mobile phone for Morocco
While I haven't been to Morocco for over 2 years, phone service for locals in non-industrialized nations all over the world tends to be cheap phone, available locally, with prepaid sim cards that you reload. It depends a great deal on what services your friend wants and can they, for instance, do without data and use the wifi in their accommodations or will they go to pieces without having it all, all the time. If that's the case, I can't help and will be expensive, all things relative, I...
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Re: More WiFi in NYC Subway...soon...maybe.
Transit Wireless is a company formed for this project; it's owned by the phone and data carriers, which have paid part of the costs. The other revenue stream is the potential for advertising, and also sponsorships ("WiFi at this station is sponsored by...") Everything here seems to be a big to-do; we've been on lots of European systems that have had full service, including tunnels, for quite a while. We're also way behind on "train will arrive" signs, because the NYCTA way is to design from...
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Re: Marriott to offer free wi-fi to all its Rewards member
In my experience, loyalty is built with perks the customer doesn't have to think about or read the rules to decipher. I always stayed at the same hotel in Tucson prior to flying out because they were happy to let me leave my car indefinitely. I didn't have to figure it out. The wifi issue is the same, just give it to everyone. Nickel & diming leisure travelers will, I suspect, often lead them to look at other options every time they book a hotel.
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Re: Marriott to offer free wi-fi to all its Rewards member
I think you're exactly right, PortMoresby. For quite some time, we've looked mostly at the inexpensive chains precisely because they offer clear and valuable perks: Free breakfast, free parking, free WiFi. Our occasional high-end hotels through Priceline have sometimes moved the per-room fee down to a lower tier, but after you've paid $20/day for parking, $11.99 a day for WiFi...not so lower! The two-tier WiFi issue is becoming a bug for me, too. I recently stayed at a DoubleTree by Hilton...
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Re: Marriott to offer free wi-fi to all its Rewards member
The main clients of larger upscale hotels are business travelers, not mom and pop travelers. These are the same travelers that pay 10x what we pay to fly at the back of the plane for the privilege of a slightly larger seat and being able to get out 4 minutes before I do. Most don't care about wifi charges because their businesses pick them up. I think Marriott's action is a step in the right direction and they should be applauded for it. I've been a premier Marriott member for years so I get...
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Re: Marriott to offer free wi-fi to all its Rewards member
While business travelers are important to those brands, Marriott and the others make a big pitch to fill those rooms with vacationing and weekending families and couples, too—and I'm sure you've seen a lot of them there. As you point out, the cost of WiFi for business travelers is usually absorbed by the company, so it's hard to see why this new benefit would be attractive to them, since it's already essentially free for them. So it seems obvious that the benefit is, in fact, aimed at the...
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Re: What do Travelers of all ages want at hotels? Connectivity
As I pick Airbnb apartments (or hotels) for each trip, WiFi is certainly one of the first things I make sure of...in fact, lack of it, or poor reviews, is a deal-breaker. Not only for daily upload of pictures, but also follow-up on questions from the day's sights, plans...it's become as necessary as a bed.
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Re: How do you use the internet while traveling?
One problem I had was the places I stayed at had no Wi-Fi , so I noticed the lack of public wi-fi a lot more than on other trips. In Japan, besides the airports, Starbucks and 7-11, I had rarely could find Wi-fi and they blocked my VOIP phone, which I don't remember from previous trips. In Europe it wasn't much better and even some major train stations were lacking Wifi. I talked to a lot people in Europe and heard the same feedback about lack of Wi-Fi .
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Re: How do you use the internet while traveling?
I see what you are getting at! I don't stay at a place unless it has WiFi. It's as important to me as a good bed and a quiet room. I rarely use public WiFi except at airports because I don't think it is as secure. So I can't really comment on that.
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Re: Do Airlines offer the Best Loyalty Rewards Programs?
A very interesting interview...and one of the points that comes clear from it is the one I've always made: What are you looking for? He gives examples, for instance, of how younger people may want low-cost rewards (dinner, say) that they can get immediately. Others may be mainly interested in the free wifi, lounges and upgrades some hotels offer. And others, like I, who seldom stay in hotels (Airbnb, thank you!) are interested mainly in convertibility to air travel. For those in my...
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Re: American to drop seatback entertainment
BTW, about a year and a half ago I was part of a focus group for Amtrak that discussed adding a wifi entertainment system for long haul trains.
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Re: American to drop seatback entertainment
I'm curious...Did the focus group favor it? On the Sunset Limited last summer, without even WiFi, I saw quite a few people with DVD players, so I'd imagine a streaming service would be popular. Even though the best entertainment was the window!
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Re: American to drop seatback entertainment
Most people were interested in having the wifi entertainment, especially if there were some levels that came at no extra cost. BTW this did not include wifi connections that extended off of the train. only to give passengers access to entertainment
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Re: Gate-to-Gate WiFi joins Gate-to-Gate devices
Probably a smart move for Southwest, who has so many business people traveling with them. They are charging an $ 8 per day fee to use the WiFi. I know that they have costs but it does seem a little outside of the Southwest spirit to have a fee. Then again, fees have been creeping into Southwest http://www.southwest.com/html/...ice/travel-fees.html
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Re: Camera Advice, Please?
In the end, I've gone with a camera that is bigger than I hoped (but I wasn't going to get all my wishes in a compact...I knew that). I've gotten a Sony HX300, with more zoom than I imagine I'll need (50x), 20Mp and Zeiss lenses. It's one of those "bridge" cameras; looks like a DSLR but lens doesn't change and viewfinder is not optical, but electronic. In fact, it's a miniature of the LCD, viewed through an eyepiece...but that's fine when the sun is too bright. AND, the LCD pulls away from...
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Re: Camera Advice, Please?
Travelling as light as you do it would be an awful burden Rob. I found a lovely bargain today. A Samsung ST 72 camera. It has wifi to view the pix on my TV and its so tiny that I could tuck it into my sock. $50 US and brand new ! Its been in the stores for over a year. So its reduced ! Getting to be a collector I'm afraid ! Sounds just like your "Cup of Tea" though Rob
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Re: Camera Advice, Please?
Three-year later follow-up on my original camera-quest. Still happy with the Sony despite its size, but never made a complete switchover: there are just some times when you have to have something that's pocket size. So, sometimes that's my Samsung S7 phone, but especially on the road, it's a camera that fit ALL of my original specs. It's the Panasonic Lumix ZS-50 (TZ50 outside the US). Eye-viewfinder (electronic), built-in WiFi to link to phones, 30x optical zoom and the Leica lenses. I've...
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Re: Replacing iPhone Abroad
My husband would never switch phone allegiances! So, he'd still have to buy a new iPhone at home. Right now he's using his laptop to iMessage from the hotel wifi. But it's a good idea, and one that other travelers may want to try.
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Re: Delta: Cheap inflight WiFi for Smartphones
It seems to me the smart thing for all the airlines to do would be to offer free wifi for any device, any flight, any distance. Southwest has stood out from the crowd by continuing to offer a free checked bag when others haven't and have gained loyalty as a result. May it continue. I understand that baggage fees have added a huge amount to the bottom lines but brand loyalty is worth a lot too. By giving away a $2 item and thereby correcting the notion, to a certain degree, that airlines mean...
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Re: Pancakes, Bacon & WiFi: what travelers want
I'm not very surprised that free breakfast and free wifi are important to travelers. Given a choice, I'd rather have the wifi than breakfast. I use my computer a lot and the freedom wifi gives me to go about my business is critical to my travels. I don't book rooms that lack wifi anymore.
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German worry: WiFi lag hurts business and travel
You'd think Germany would be rich in WiFi, like many of its neighbors, but it turns out that public WiFi is scarce, and often unavailable to restaurant and hotel guests, because of a 2010 legal ruling. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has promised to...
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WiFi in the air spreads on regional jets
The networks of regional flights that connect the major airline hubs to smaller cities are getting wired...or rather, wirelessed. Delta has already added some, United recently announced plans, and yesterday, American put in its bid, announcing that...
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Hyatt Latest Chain to Announce Free Wifi
Starting in February, Hyatt will offer free wifi to all hotel guests at its properties . Earlier this year ,Marriott announced free wifi but for members of its loyalty rewards program. Read More: ...
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Wifi Speeds in Air About to Increase
The FCC has given it's approval for Gogo's 2Ku next generation in-flight connectivity for use on aircraft. Airlines, like United and Virgin Air ,will be among the first to use it in the second half of 2015. Wifi speed...
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Marriott, Hotel Lobby, drop request to allow WiFi jamming
Marriott, which last year was fined $600,000 for blocking private WiFi hotspots at a convention hotel (forcing participants to pay up to $1000 for hotel service) has withdrawn from a petition it started (along with the American Hotel and Lodging...
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32 years later, Marriott opens its 1000th Courtyard
Hard to believe there was a time before Hilton Garden Inn or Holiday Inn Express. Back in those days over 30 years ago, Marriott pioneered the idea of a hotel aimed at busy people traveling, often sales people or businessmen on the...
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AA flight delays blamed on pilot iPad crash
American Airlines, the first airline to ditch huge paper pilot flight books for iPads, has had a little trouble with them this week. The airline reports that 24 flights on Tuesday (4/28) and 50 more yesterday were delayed by failure of an app that...
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When do we want it? Now! What do we want? Read on...
But does it have WiFi? A new survey tells us that WiFi is holding its place as the #1 desired hotel amenity—but not as many people listed it as #1 as last year. Breakfast held #2. And almost nobody cares about the mini-bar with its...
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JetBlue, Amazon team for free WiFi, Prime benefits
It's almost enough to make you forget JetBlue's upcoming bag fees. Passengers will continue to enjoy the lower-end (Simply Surf) tier of JetBlue's Fly-Fi product, courtesy of Amazon, and Amazon Prime members will be able to use the service to access...
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I'll have flax with my plane, please!
Flax!?! Yes, flax. Airlines are remodeling their planes' interiors more frequently than ever. There are benefits to this -- high tech videosystems, larger overhead bins, and inflight wifi come to mind, but there are also...
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Airlines defend holding onto fuel surcharges
The airlines, stung by criticism that they are holding onto fuel surcharges even as fuel prices plummet, are making the argument that now that fuel is cheaper, they are able to spend the money—a billion a month by their estimate—on more...
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Trinidad de Cuba
Trinidad de Cuba seems frozen in time. That was my immediate reaction on arrival. That was my leaving thought after exploring it for a week too. It's difficult not to fall in love with such a enchanting and unique city especially after experiencing a...
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Barcelona free WiFi now on city buses
Barcelona's free public WiFi network now covers its entire city bus system, but for real speed you'll still need to go indoors
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8 Tips To Actually Relax On Family Vacation And More
Traveling has many benefits in terms of both physical and mental health, which is an effective way to improve mood. However, the feeling of traveling alone or with friends is not the same as when you go with the family members. It will be the most precious moments to help the members closer. You are looking forward to your family holiday and you really need a vacation, but at the same time you fear the packing, children’s behavior, their potential sickness and unpacking all over again? You...
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Germany moves toward more free WiFi
Germany tries again to encourage password-free WiFi by protecting providers from being sued for what users download.