For ages, the trend in luxury hotels has been to charge its guests for access to the internet. In fact, the American Hotel and Lodging Association surveyed hotels to determine just how many charged for internet access. The results showed that while 92 percent of economy hotel chains offer free Wi-Fi, only 16 percent of luxury chains do.

When compared to the idea that luxury hotels are supposed to offer a better service due to their higher costs, the disparity in regards to wireless internet access is notable. However, Loews and Hilton are looking to shake the industry up a little bit as they are planning to implement this service, free of charge, across a number of their hotels over the following year.

There's a bit of a caveat, though.

Loews' free access to Wi-Fi will include internet; however, it will be a slower version than the brand's paid option. At $19.95 per day, guests to Loews' 18 properties can gain access to high speed internet, which will allow high-definition streaming through sites like Netflix, Hulu and Netflix. However, the free connectivity should still suffice for those who just want to browse the internet, check Facebook or just stay up-to-date on email.

Similarly, Hilton will be expanding worldwide with their free Wi-Fi program and is planning to have the option completely available in the Americas and internationally by the end of 2014. Like Loews, Hilton Worldwide offers a free, slower Wi-Fi at its locations. Yet, a number of Hilton brands are looking to add high-speed internet to its list of amenities at a negligible cost of $3.95 per day to Hilton Garden Inn, Home 2 Suites by Hilton, Homewood Suites and Hampton Inn.

With the ever-increasing presence of internet-enabled devices, it would seem that Loews and Hilton are making the right move by providing this free, albeit slower, internet access among their locations. It's about time that luxury brands caught up to economy chains in regards to this specific amenity, right?