Yeah I used the wifi on my Westjet flight too. It was super convenient to have. I think it's a fair trade if planes have no entertainment system but offer free wifi. I hope it's the standard going forward.

I guess people like me with a dumbphone have to miss out. :badpokerface:

stop using that Nokia already :lol

Or you can read the safety pamplet x100 for entertainment ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Snake for life!

:inoutugh:

If they aren't going to have screens they need to start having some kind of clamp mount for your phone/tablet. Holding it or staring down at the tray for hours sucks. I went back to reading paperback books on flights and not using the wifi, it was kinda nice.

Funniest shit. When I flew to New York last year the plane had Direct TV. It only worked in US airspace because direct TV is not available in Canada. The plane had the signal but they had to cut it.

Starlink is the real deal. Our neighbour at my parents cabin, a true British gent and madam in their 80s, have lived there since 1985. It is in the middle of nowhere with barely a bar of 3G signal for call and they have tried every internet option available to them to stay connected with the family other than their landline.

Like... instead of duke who try to stick old school for whatever reason, they stick old school because there's no other feasible option.

He said he never knew what was the big fuzz about the whole HD, 1080P or 4k thing... until he got Starlink.

You just wait, that wifi will be an add on only, for all flights in a year or two

The same way seat selection useto be free and now its a moneygrab to increase profits

I recall going to a hotel in seattle a few years ago, dont recall what one, but they offered 1hr free wifi, and then 15$USD for wifi.
Gave that hotel a solid 1 star review. And it was a large chain too. 15$ for wifi? What the fuck? I guess someones stock profits are a direct correlation to that

Oh you want a seat mount for your phone? Yeah that will be 8.99$ for this flight

Wow, talk about a cash-grab!

A few questions:
1. Any chance you could dig up which hotel chain this is? (No rush. Just for my own future reference.)
2. Do you (did you?) have a loyalty membership with this hotel chain? I ask because WiFi is often free if you are a member of their loyalty program.

I'm genuinely curious because I've slowly shifted away from Marriott hotels because their prices are becoming outrageous where I'd get better value out of a Four Seasons or Mandarin Oriental some times. And yes, if you don't have a loyalty membership account with certain hotel chains, they rape you on WiFi. I've been staying at IHG Hotels this past year and some Hilton and WiFi has been free as long as you have an loyalty account with the chain.

Thanks in advance.

:badpokerface: :badpokerface: I stick to old school because I don't want to get cancer, COVID, dementia, measles. and ideas to move to Calgary from 4G and 5G towers. :badpokerface: :badpokerface:

IHG hotels are pretty decent but I found their reward points a pain to use because they limit how many rooms can be booked with points at a given time. So if that hotel doesn't have any for the dates you want you have to pay cash for it.

Lost access to my old expedia account, dont know the name

It probably was a "loyalty" hotel, your right. And no i did not.

The fact that you need a "loyalty" account to use basic shit is a fucking joke.

Image going to a restaurant, wanting a burger (a hotel room), and they ask you, "whats your loyalty number?" to which you say you dont have one. "oh ok, the lettus and sauce is not included, that will be an extra 2$ please"

Next up its going to be extra for bedding, washroom access, and blinds closed until you pay 10$ to activate your "view" of the parking lot.


--------------------

I have enough cards, accounts, website logins. The last thing i want is another "loyalty" account, or "membership" that is going to spam my email, send me texts for shit i dont want / shit i only use 2 times a year.

IHG? Sure they have some nice intercontinental and six senses property but you'll be living in a lot of holiday inns.

Marriott is still best in canada cause they have a co-branded amex here. Plus they have a lot of aspirational hotels all over the world to redeem points. Once you hit platinum status they treat you pretty good.

Hilton is kinda like marriott but they diluted the shit out of their rewards program.

Hyatt is the best but too hard to rack up stays cause they don't have a lot of hotels.

100% agreed. Majority of our stays have been Holiday Inn/Holiday Inn Express. I don't love it, but the price point works. We were supposed to do a two night stay in a Kimpton but had to reschedule our trip due to my school schedule. A majority of our road trips over the past two years have been through the mid-west of America so it works for us.

Also 100% agree. I love Marriot hotels and their sub-brands, but man, they are getting VERY expensive. I don't stay in a lot of Marriot-branded hotels in Canada except when on business, but the glory days of corporate travel in my current role are over (cost cutting / back to office mandates etc.) I really miss Starwood before Marriot took over. My top personal preference is still, by far, Marriott. I have lifetime Platinum and yes, I do enjoy their perks. :D

Hilton for me is just run-of-the-mill. I feel they aren't as great compared to Marriot, but since starting school, price is king. :okay:

My thoughts are the same as your on Hilton where I feel it's kind of like Marriott but with a diluted rewards program.

Hyatt - My cousin is a die-hard Hyatt fan and they travel only where a Hyatt exists. No Hyatt? The reluctance to travel is diminished significantly. I've personally never cared too much for Hyatt.