Darren Mak's blog

Today was my first flight on a GoGo Wifi equipped flight on Air Canada, or any other airline for that matter! I have been looking forward to this ever since I heard of the service a few years ago, that allows you to connect to the Internet from any wifi equipped device while on a commercial airplane.

I have always looked forward to flying as a little bit of an escape from the outside world, but there are times when connectivity will help you with that project deadline, or just take your mind off the things you left on the ground.

Currently the service is only available on select Air Canada aircraft flying between Toronto, Montreal and Los Angeles. Part of this fact is because the service relies on terrestrial access points which are only currently licensed in the US. Air Canada is in the trial phase of this service, and I can say that because it has been used on various airlines in the US for the past couple of years, the login process, and the service itself is very polished.

Cost is currently $7.99 which for this five hour flight is pretty reasonable, but I have to say I am not sure if I would use the service on a 2.5 hour flight. Not because it is cumbersome to use, but because of the cost.

Today, SPG Platinum Members the world over are rejoicing at news of a new benefit... Free In-Room Internet at more than 940 hotels around the world, starting March 1, 2010.

It has long been a complaint of mine, and thousands of others, that high-end luxury hotels charge for Internet Access, while cheaper, lower-quality hotels often include Internet Access free of charge. The thinking has always been, that the people staying at these properties are either uber-rich or on business expense accounts, and that is why they charge so much for Internet Access, Valet Parking, and in-room telephone calls.

But Starwood Hotels has come through with a benefit for Platinum Elite members (those who stay 25 times or 50 nights a year), with free in-room internet. This is likely in response to Hyatt who offered the same benefit to its top-tier members in 2009, and Fairmont who offers all loyalty program members free internet access.

I know myself, I often take the added cost of Internet into account when booking a room, and have often adjusted my plans to avoid a hotel that doesn't include it or have left the hotel in search of a cafe with free or low hourly rates for Internet access.