According to The Nielsen Company, people around the world spent more than five and half hours a day on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter in December 2009 – an 82 percent increase from 2008.
In response to the growing trend of staying connected, major companies, food chains, airlines and even hotels are offering WiFi access to help customers connect with the information and sites they need. In fact, McDonald, will waive its $2.95 fee for WiFi access this year. McDonalds is joining the ranks of Barnes & Noble and Borders. Free WiFi is popping up in unusual places, such as Taco Bell, IHOP and Denny’s.
Even Airlines are starting to expand their in-flight WiFi offerings. These in-flight WiFi options are not free – yet. I say yet as a few years ago, WiFi options in hotels were the big trend but most came with big fees as well.
Flash forward to today and there are many major hotel brands offering complimentary WiFi connections – these connections once required a fee. These brands include, but are not limited to, Courtyard by Marriott Hotels; Residence Inn Hotels; Four Points by Sheraton; Hampton Inn Hotels; and Hyatt Place Hotels. In addition, there are several hotels that offer free access with membership, which is free. These include: Kimpton Hotels: Omni Hotels; Fairmont Hotels and Wyndham Hotels. In the hotel industry, free WiFi connections are becoming “go” or “no go” decision points. Many people are choosing to stay at specific hotels or hotel chains based on whether they offer WiFi. I found a great report on WiFi and free WiFi offerings at hotels across the nation at www.hotelchatter.com or I am sure you can check a specific hotel by Tweeting them at @HotelChatter.
As you travel, whether for business or pleasure, you can and should be connected to the information you need when and where you need it. Even as you head to the airport, you can access the Web as more and more airports themselves are offering free WiFi options. To date, more than 219 airports offer some type of WiFi access. Travel Post has a great resource to see your options at airports, http://www.travelpost.com/airport-wireless-internet.aspx, or you can Tweet them to ask at @TravelPost.
Given that Accent Transportation Services is in the business of service, providing Phoenix airport executive car service and Scottsdale airport limo service, we offer free in-car WiFi in all of our cars, which range from Town Cars to stretch limos. To the best of our knowledge, we are the only Arizona-based limousine service to offer this option.
In today’s busy world, fewer people are “disconnecting” when traveling for business or pleasure. In addition to complimentary WiFi, we recharge your devices after a flight that typically drains your laptop, iPod, smart phone or other devices.
Where are your favorite places, as well as the most unusual, to get free WiFi? Tell us at http://twitter.com/transaccent or http://www.facebook.com/transaccent and we’ll add them to our list that we share with customers and will Tweet as well.
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