Starwood Hotels & Resorts next year will start offering
free WiFi to loyalty members who book directly, but unlike a recently introduced Marriott program that leaves out agents, Starwood's program enables some agent bookings to get complimentary WiFi.
Starwood’s
policy differs from Marriott’s in that its offer includes reservations that are
booked through travel professionals who are signed up to SPG Pro, the program
Starwood launched in October specifically for travel agents and meetings
planners. That program awards Starpoints, upgrades and potential Elite status
to travel agents and meetings planners who book room reservations and special
events.
Starting Feb. 2, Starwood will give free WiFi at all of its hotels
to Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) members who book their rooms through
Starwood’s websites and mobile apps, and agents who book through SPG Pro. Starwood’s brands are Sheraton, Four
Points by Sheraton, Luxury Collection, W, Le Meridien, Element, Westin, St.
Regis and Aloft.
“Our SPG members believe high-quality Internet access is a
basic necessity, right up there with a great bed,” said Chris Holdren,
Starwood’s senior vice president of SPG and digital. “Offering free in-room
Internet access just relieves one more pain point in the travel experience and
recognizes our loyalty to SPG members who travel with us.”
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Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.com.
Correction: An earlier version of this report incorrectly said there were similarities between Marriott's program and Starwood's.