First introduced in 2011, Republic Wireless is a North Carolina-based service that promises a smartphone with unlimited Internet, voice, and texting for an absurdly inexpensive $19 per month. Most astounding of all: The phone seems to work.
wi-fi
While Airlines Add More Fees, One Travel Freebie Becomes Standard
Travelers will pay all-time high fees to hotels and airlines this year. In this atmosphere, it’s a surprise when any part of the travel experience is granted for free.
Airline Introduces Perk Passengers Actually Want — And It’s Free
JetBlue is responding to the popular sentiment of passengers by introducing free Internet service on aircraft starting in early 2013
It’s Not Just Airlines: Hotel Fees on Pace to Reach Record High in 2012
In the travel world, fees charged by airlines get the most attention, and for good reason: Fliers forked out $22.6 billion in airlines fees last year, on top of flight prices that seem to be hiked higher every other month. …
4 New Ways Travelers Are Being Tempted Into Spending More
Travelers naturally get agitated when they’re asked to pay for services that used to be provided at no extra charge—airline baggage fees being the most obvious example. While price hikes and new fees are rampant in the travel …
Wanna Tick Off Hotel Guests? Charge for Wi-Fi
Turns out hotel guests don’t like getting charged for something they can widely get for free outside the hotel. In the latest hotel-satisfaction survey, properties that charge for wi-fi received significantly lower ratings than …
Big Chain Restaurant Trends: Hot Menu Items, Hot Marketing Strategies
In recent years, the rise of better burger franchises and fast-casual chains such as Panera Bread and Chipotle has put pressure on sit-down chain restaurants and classic fast food joints alike. As the competition for diner …
Airline Already Collecting the Most Passenger Fees Wants $1 Billion More of Them Annually
In 2011, no U.S. airline pulled in more revenues from fees than Delta. The airline collected an industry-leading $767 million in reservation cancellation and change fees, and another $863 million in baggage fees. Delta isn’t …
Black Friday 2011: By the Numbers
The most hype-filled shopping day of the year will soon be upon us. Here’s a roundup of alternately eye-opening, quirky, and confounding facts and figures about Black Friday 2011.
6 Curious Displays of How the Struggling Economy Is Hitting the Middle Class
The impact of the Great Recession and its long-languishing fallout can be seen, among other places, in doctor’s offices, coffee shops, yard sales, and Nascar race tracks.
What You Wind Up Spending to Snag Free Wi-Fi: About $5
Starbucks made customers happy with its recent announcement giving everybody free Wi-Fi. But, as many a Starbucks patron knows, it’s highly unusual to enter one of its coffee shops without spending some money.
Free Wi-fi Soon at Starbucks. But Free Booze at Casinos Is Disappearing
Starting July 1, unlimited free wi-fi will be available at Starbucks.
