Planning a work retreat

Everybody likes to stay connected during trips. However, if you are travelling on a budget, you may be looking for ways to save money on the cost of Wi-Fi. Below are some top tips on how to keep the cost of using the internet down when staying in a motel.

Join a loyalty program

Some motels, particularly those that are part of a chain, will offer you the chance to join up to a loyalty program when you book your room or check-in. These programs will often offer a range of benefits such as discounted room rates, free breakfast and free Wi-Fi access. While you normally have to pay a small fee in order to join a motel loyalty program, if you are a frequent traveller, you may be able to save money in the long-run.

Connect using free public internet

Some motels will often allow guest to connect to the Wi-Fi for a limited time for free. While the speed of the internet connection is normally limited, it should be good enough to send and receive messages using email and social media. However, you will probably not be able to upload or download files or view images.

Pay for Wi-Fi when you book your room

If you book your room in advance, you should enquire about adding extras such as Wi-Fi and breakfast before you pay. Some motels will offer a special deal or a discounted rate when you book online or by telephone. However, you should be aware that you may not be able to amend or cancel your reservation without losing your deposit. However, if you are fairly certain that your plans will not change, then pre-booking and paying for Wi-Fi in advance can help you to save money.

Turn your mobile phone into a hotspot

If you have a smartphone, you should be able to turn it into a hotspot. This effectively turns your phone into a modem which you can connect to the internet using. However, you should be aware that using your phone in this way can quickly use up all of your data allowance. Additional data use can be costly, so if you are planning to do this, you should purchase additional data from your telephone company in advance.

If you have any questions about your options when it comes to using a Wi-Fi when on the road, contact your potential motel accommodations in advance.