Having a 3GS, I’m grandfathered in the unlimited data plan, so I’ve never had to worry about this. If I get a 3G iPad, I will.
Although there is one meeting room I go to where there is ethernet but no wi-fi. The iPad does not accept ethernet and At&T does not work there either. So I have to go online with my Verizaon mi-fi running the iPad. That one is unlimited.