Tagged With "onboard WiFi"
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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: 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: 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: 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: 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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Germany moves toward more free WiFi
Germany tries again to encourage password-free WiFi by protecting providers from being sued for what users download.
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Germany tests 'be your own conductor' app
Punch your own ticket? There's an app for that, and Deutsche Bahn is trying it out.
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Why you should try a Yacht Vacation!
Looking for a unique way to explore the European coast? Adi shares reasons why you should consider a yacht vacation (sponsored content)
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Traveling Essentials for Everyone
Some good suggestions for what to include on your packing list for your next big travel adventure (sponsored content)
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Huntingdon, Pennsylvania: Peaceful Holiday Getaway
Stephanie explores the historic treasures of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, including fantastic car and antique collections.
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Is your hotel's WiFi fast enough? Check here!
Hotel WiFi Test, a company that collects WiFi data and uses it to help travelers find a hotel where they won't scream in frustration at bad WiFi, has published a list of rankings for chains and hotels in the U.S. and internationally. They...
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Barcelona's free beach WiFi also tracks trash
Barcelona is rolling out free WiFi on the city's beaches this summer, and expects eventually to extend it city-wide. It's already been tested at nearby beaches. Aside from the convenience for visitors and residents on the beach, the WiFi will...
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Free Unlimited Wifi at Spain's Airports by Years End
Spain's airport authority, AENA, approved a plan to provide free unlimited Wi-Fi in 46 airports across Spain by the end of the year. Now, most Spanish airports have free Wi-Fi, but there is a short 30 minute time limit. Read More:...
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Not just passengers want free WiFi...ask Spirit!
Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant are U.S. ultra-low-cost carriers famous for wanting a nickel for everything they don't charge a dime for—and they're also among the very few U.S. carriers not offering WiFi. If you've wondered why,...
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New life for Italy's 'ghost towns'
Italy has numbers of abandoned villages, emptied by earthquakes, landslides or economic losses, and some of them are now being brought back to life as resorts, artists' colonies and more. A recent article on TheLocal.it gave some examples,...
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Greyhound expands to Mexico, offers $1 promo fare
Greyhound, long the biggest intercity bus operator in the U.S., is expanding into Mexico, where it will become the first U.S. operator to run domestic routes in Mexico. Service is starting with Monterrey and Nuevo Laredo, connecting to Greyhound hubs...
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Anatomy of a Trip (details, details)
Money Planning well under way and a picture emerging of how I might spend my time in Oaxaca, the question of obtaining pesos begins nagging. We all know what to do, assuming there’s nothing left from the last...
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Luxury cruise: Cabin as big as a house for $10,000
It seems as if there's no limit to the luxury market (after all, the 1% has most of the world's money), and here's the cruise accommodation to prove it. Regent Seven Seas next ship, now being built, has a $10,000 a night cabin that's already sold out...
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JetBlue at JFK: A most unusual rooftop lounge
JetBlue likes to keep up its passenger-friendly image (despite imposing baggage fees this week) so it's not a big surprise that they've blazed a new path in airport amenities: a rooftop lounge on top of their Terminal 5 at JFK. The space is...
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Carnival's WiFi gets faster, sort-of-cheaper
Carnival Cruise Line, which has recently tried out faster internet with lower package prices on three of its ships—and gotten good marks for it from passengers—is adding it to nine more ships, and plans to include the majority of its fleet...
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Cruise ships to offer free limitless wifi?
Good news for cruise lovers! Regent Seven Seas Cruises will be adding free unlimited WiFi access for every passenger. The company announced that its fleet would be offering this service starting late 2016. Currently only...
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Interview: Orion Travel Tech's Gary German
While writing Travel Gumbo’s Travel News, we came across one of the most interesting stories this year, Orion Travel Tech’s plan to put advertising on luggage, and getting travelers to display the ads as they travel, and be paid by...
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'Fee Creep' continues in cruise industry
Norwegian Escape (above) arrives with new dining charges Photo: Arno Redenius / Wikimedia Perhaps taking a cue from the airlines, a number of cruise lines have recently added...