Hotels offer internet free, tighten policies

And the bad news: Starting Jan. 1 two of the largest hotel chains in the world are making it harder for travelers to cancel reservations.

FREE WI-FI

Among the expected changes, free access to the Internet will affect the most guests. Possible savings of $10 to $15 a night, can really add up over a weeklong vacation. But there are a few strings attached. The majority of chains will require guests to sign up for their free loyalty programs. Basically, if you share a little more personal information, they'll let you surf the Web for free.

At the beginning of 2014, InterContinental Hotels Group, the parent company of Holiday Inn, became the first major chain to offer free Internet to all members of its loyalty program. That's a benefit that had been generally limited to frequent guests who have elite status.

Others have since followed suit.

TOUGHER POLICIES

Not all of the expected changes will be good for travelers in 2015.

Hilton and Marriott are rolling out new cancellation policies, forcing guests to abandon plans earlier on. Many hotels currently allow guests to cancel as late as 6 p.m. on the night of arrival. That's about to change.

Both hotel chains will, as of Jan. 1, require guests to cancel by midnight the day before they arrive in order to avoid a cancellation fee, typically equal to one night's room rate. Hilton and Marriott both justified the change saying it will make more rooms available for last-minute accommodations.

Some travelers have been making reservations, but then use last-minute deal apps from HotelTonight, Priceline and others to book cheap rooms.

hours before checking in and then cancel the original reservation. Hotels feel undercut and are left with unused rooms. This change, while not great for deal seekers, will help the hotels better manage inventory.