Hotels Are Still Charging $25/Night for WiFi in 2026 - Here's How to Never Pay It

It is genuinely wild that in 2026, some hotels still charge $15-25 per night for basic internet access. You are already paying hundreds of dollars for a room, and they want to nickel-and-dime you for the ability to check your email. The irony is that budget hotels almost always include free WiFi, while luxury properties are the worst offenders.

The landscape has shifted, though. Increasing competition has pushed most major hotel chains toward offering free WiFi - at least for loyalty program members. IHG Rewards members at any tier get free internet at all properties worldwide. Kimpton Hotels gives free WiFi simply for signing up for their free Karma Rewards program. Hilton offers it to Gold and Diamond members, and Hyatt provides it for Platinum and Diamond tiers. The trick? Join every loyalty program before you travel. They are all free to join.

If you are stuck at a hotel that charges, there are workarounds. The lobby almost always has free WiFi even when room access costs extra. Booking through third-party sites sometimes bundles WiFi into the rate. You can also try asking at check-in: front desk agents often have the ability to comp internet access, especially if there is any ambiguity about what your booking includes.

The deeper issue is that hotel WiFi passwords are inconvenient even when they are free. Every property has a different login process - some use room number and last name, others have a portal page, and some give you a card with a unique code. Crowfy eliminates this friction. Previous guests share the WiFi details so you can connect instantly, whether it is the network name, the password, or tips about which network actually works best.