Hilton Worldwide to introduce widespread free Wi-Fi to loyalty club members

Hilton Worldwide has become the latest global hotel company to offer free Wi-Fi throughout all areas of its hotels.

Some 40 million members signed up, free of charge, to the HHonours programme will be able to access Wi-Fi in the bedrooms as well as all public areas of the group's 4,300 hotels across 94 countries, from August.

Diamond members of the scheme will be able to receive free premium internet access during the second quarter of this year.

Currently, only diamond and gold HHonours members can access the internet without charge across all areas of a hotel, while blue and silver members can only receive free access in public areas.

A spokesperson for Hilton Worldwide, said: "Beginning in August, we will extend complimentary standard Wi-Fi access to blue and silver HHonors members when they book their stays directly through a proprietary Hilton channel or a global distribution system. Individual hotels operate differing policies with regard to non HHonors members and non-residents."

InterContinental Hotels is believed to have become the first global hotel company to respond to a call from consumers for widespread free Wi-Fi by introducing free internet access to its loyalty club members, following an announcement in 2013. Since then, other companies, such as Accor and Premier Inn have followed suit, with charges still levied in some cases for premium content.

InterContinental Hotels claims to be first global hotel company to offer free internet >>

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