Delta says it made the change to more clearly distinguish between products. "We want easily recognizable branded products that reflect thoughtful and reliable amenities for each of our customer types," Delta spokesman Paul Skrbec said to Today in the Sky.

Budget-driven passengers will be able to book "Basic Economy" fares on selected Delta flights. But that choice will come with significant restrictions. Basic Economy passengers will not be able to choose seats in advance, make changes, fly stand-by or receive refunds for unused tickets. In addition, customers will be barred from upgrading to Delta's premium economy seats, which will be rebranded "Delta Comfort+," according to the carrier.

Starting February, all guests at Hyatt hotels worldwide get free Wi-Fi on an unlimited number of devices in both guest rooms and public spaces. They won't have to be members of Hyatt's loyalty program. Nor will they have to book directly with the hotel rather than a third-party site like Expedia or Travelocity.

Hyatt believes the move "doesn't just help travelers. It helps us just as much," Kristine Rose, vice president of brands for Hyatt, wrote in a blog item. "We can't continue to differentiate and innovate our guest experiences when we're charging some guests for the technology that powers future improvements."