For most of us, the Internet is our professional and personal lifeline. So why go an entire flight without checking email, browsing social media, or even streaming TV shows? It may be difficult to stomach another incidental charge on top of a pricey airline ticket—a day pass on Gogo®, the Wi-Fi provider used by American Airlines, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines/Virgin America, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, costs $19—but sometimes you don’t have to pay a dime. Here’s how to get free inflight Wi-Fi and keep connected on your next journey up in the air.
Fly JetBlue Domestically
Through its Fly-Fi program, free, high-speed Wi-Fi is accessible to anyone who has a JetBlue TrueBlue account and flies domestically on a JetBlue flight. The connection is available gate-to-gate between domestic flights and within a certain coverage area just beyond the US mainland. JetBlue is the only airline to offer such a service on a complimentary basis. If you don’t already have an account, don’t worry. You can sign up on the flight and gain immediate Web access.
Take Advantage of a Lesser-Known T-Mobile® Benefit
On all Gogo-equipped domestic flights, T-Mobile provides customers one free hour of Wi-Fi, plus unlimited in-flight texting (with iMessage, Google Hangouts, WhatsApp, and Vibe), picture messaging, and access to T-Mobile Visual Voicemail throughout the entire flight. Note the quick setup process required before flying: Be sure to confirm an E911 address through your T-Mobile app (this takes a few seconds) and make a Wi-Fi call with your SIM card installed. Once you’re connected to Gogo Wi-Fi network in-flight, open the browser, and select the “T-Mobile FREE hour of in-flight Wi-Fi and unlimited texting” option.
Get Free In-Flight Wi-Fi Passes with U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite®
Enjoy 12 free Gogo passes per calendar year as one of the many benefits of the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card. In order to get these e-passes, you must register online via the “Redeem Rewards & Access Card Benefits” option after logging in. This is the only personal premium credit card to offer such a perk. On the business side, Business Platinum Card from American Express OPEN offers 10 free Gogo passes annually (though the personal Platinum Card does not).
Use Your Credit Card Travel Credit on Southwest Airlines
Internet access costs $8 a day per device on Wi-Fi-enabled Southwest Airlines aircraft. While fee-based Gogo purchases do not process under “Travel” when charging to credit cards, Southwest’s Wi-Fi service does. This means that, in some cases, each $8 purchase will count toward the annual travel credits that come with most premium credit cards. This applies toward the $300 annual travel credit with Chase Sapphire Reserve℠, the $200 annual travel credit with Mastercard® Gold Card™, and the $100 annual travel credit with Mastercard® Black Card™.
