Q. I find it ironic that higher-quality business hotels continue to charge guests for in-room Internet access, while the lower-priced brands generally offer it for free. After all, these days web access is even more important to business travelers than having a telephone in the room. Is there any chance that the higher-end hotels will relent and change this policy?

A. They already are -- but only for their best customers. Just this month, for example, Marriott Rewards introduced free Internet access to its Gold and Platinum-level elite members when they stay at Marriott, JW Marriott and Renaissance hotels in the U.S. and Canada (notably absent from the list: Ritz-Carlton). Free Wi-Fi is already standard at lower-level Marriott brands. A few months ago, Starwood started offering free Internet for Platinum-level members of its Starwood Preferred Guest program, unless their reservation is prepaid or booked through a third party. Last year, Hyatt introduced free Internet for elite-level members of Gold Passport at upscale Hyatt, Grand Hyatt and Park Hyatt brands (free Wi-Fi is standard at Hyatt Place properties). For a few years now, top-level members of Hilton’s HHonors plan have been able to select free Internet as an optional benefit in its MyAway program (unless they prefer to take free breakfast or bonus points) – although in view of the changes at other frequent stay programs, some HHonors elite members have been grumbling that free Wi-Fi should be removed from that options plan and made more generally available.