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Have you ever tried to the guess the pass key of a locked down WiFi?  As more and more travelers try to seek out free WiFi, they encounter a new trend: paid and free WiFi.  It seems, offering WiFi for free does have some benefits when used as a give and take.

The latest to try this method is Starbucks.  When AT&T takes over, they will offer 2 free hours as long as you have a Starbucks gift card.  Loyalty still gets you something these days.  Whether it is viewing an add or signing up for a loyalty program, more and more free WiFi is the benefit.  Omni Hotels is trying just this method: free WiFi if you sign up for their program or paid service if you’d rather not.  The result? Two-thirds join while one-third pays.

Denver Airport is trying the free WiFi with a mandatory advertisement at log on.  Not a bad trade off, though the Airport does censor the web to protect the young eyes that don’t wish to watch porn over your shoulder.

Airports seem to be changing over to this method of give and take as their contracts expire with WiFi service providers such as Boingo.

Read [New York Times] *note: requires subscription (free)

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