I know that they are quite pricey! Usually the people who frequent them are using a corporate account and not paying for their own individual use...with that said, I did pay for the service this last time I travelled, but that was only because I was making mulitiple trips (3 times in a month) between Japan and the Eastern US.
I can see where it would be useful if you travel quite often, but if you only travel once a year it isn't really worth the cost.