How to Get Gogo Inflight Wi-Fi Without Spending a Dime

Whether you travel often for work or pleasure, internet access is a much-loved luxury. Gogo is one of the most common Wi-Fi services for airlines. It allows you to catch up on business emails, update your slide deck, or browse your favorite blogs while you’re in the air.

However, the service can be expensive. But with one of the right rewards credit cards, you can enjoy luxurious travel perks — including free Gogo Inflight Wi-Fi, helping you save money during your flight.

What is Gogo Inflight Wi-Fi?

Gogo is an inflight internet company. When you fly on a participating airline, you can pay for Wi-Fi service through Gogo to work or access entertainment during your flight.

However, Gogo isn’t cheap. A one-hour pass costs $7, while an all-day pass — good for 24 hours of continuous access on domestic Gogo-equipped flights — will cost you $19. Those prices are if you buy an internet pass before your flight; if you wait until you’re on the plane to purchase Wi-Fi access, you’ll pay even more.

Gogo inflight internet is only available on select airlines, including United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, and Air Canada.

While Gogo can help you stay productive while you’re traveling, there are some downsides. You can use Gogo to access your favorite shows or movies, but streaming services can be spotty, slow, or even nonexistent when you’re in the air. The company recommends that you download shows and movies from GogoAir.com before you board your flight to enjoy a seamless experience.

3 cards that offer free Gogo Wi-Fi

Card	Annual fee	Gogo details
City National Crystal Visa Infinite Card	$400	12 free single-flight passes each calendar year
UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card	$495	12 free single-flight passes each calendar year
U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card	$400	12 free single-flight passes each calendar year

City National Crystal Visa Infinite Card

The City National Bank Crystal Visa Infinite Credit Card is a luxury credit card offering robust benefits. You’ll earn 3X points per $1 spent on airline, hotel, taxi, rideshare, limousine, rental car, train, bus, restaurant, fast food, and takeout dining purchases. And you’ll earn 1X points per $1 spent on all other purchases.

However, the real perks come in the form of the card’s benefits, including:

• $350 incidental airline fee credit
• $550 airline lounge membership credit
• Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• Complimentary Priority Pass Select Airport Lounge access
• Visa Infinite rental car privileges
• Visa Infinite hotel privileges

You’ll also get 12 complimentary Gogo inflight passes per calendar year. To use your passes, you must register for them before your flight. When it’s time for your flight, log into your account to use your pass.

UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card

Like the City National Bank Crystal Visa Infinite, the UBS Visa Infinite is a high-end card with a relatively high annual fee. With it, you can earn 3X points on air travel, 2X points on gas and groceries, and 1X points on all other purchases.

The card offers other luxurious benefits, too, including:

• Complimentary Priority Pass Select Airport Lounge access
• $500 statement credit for airline club purchases
• $250 air travel credit
• Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
• Access to the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection
• $700 service credit at Villas of Distinction properties

You’ll also receive 12 free Gogo flight passes annually. To use them, you must enroll ahead of time. When it’s time for your flight, sign into your account to use your passes.

U.S. Bank Altitude^® Reserve Visa Infinite^® Card

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite is another premium travel rewards credit card. You’ll earn 5X on prepaid hotel and car rentals booked in the Altitude Rewards Center; 3X points on eligible travel and mobile wallet purchases; and 1X points for all other eligible purchases. 

You can also earn a 50,000 point bonus after spending $4,500 in the first 90 days — which is up to a $750 value when redeemed for travel through the U.S. Bank portal.

The card offers some luxurious perks, including:

• Complimentary Priority Pass Select Airport Lounge access
• Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

• Silvercar rental access

• Discounted Groundlink Black Car Service

You’ll also get 12 free Gogo flight passes each year. To use your passes, sign into your account and register.

4 other options to get free internet during flights

Using rewards credit cards isn’t the only option to get free or discounted inflight Wi-Fi. Here are four other ways to score easy internet access when traveling.

1. Choose an airline that offers free inflight Wi-Fi

While many airlines charge you for internet service while you’re in the air, not all do. For example, JetBlue gives you free high-speed internet, regardless of what seating class you’re sitting in. If you travel often and want access to the internet, it may be worth switching to an airline that has Wi-Fi as a complimentary benefit.

2. Use a credit card that has an airline fee credit

Several of the best travel credit cards also offer airline fee credits that could cover the cost of incidental charges, such as Wi-Fi access. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with a $300 annual travel credit; the Citi Prestige offers a $250 annual travel credit

Note that these credits typically require you to make a purchase through an eligible airline to qualify. That means purchasing internet access through a third-party provider such as Gogo may not count. Read your card’s fine print before assuming inflight Wi-Fi is covered.

Similarly, some airline-branded credit cards may offer credit discounts on Wi-Fi. The United Explorer Card, for instance, offers 25% back as a statement credit when you make inflight purchases, including internet access.

3. Redeem miles for Wi-Fi

Some airlines will allow you to redeem your accrued miles for Wi-Fi access. With United Airlines, for example, you can use the company’s portal to purchase internet passes with your miles on select flights.

4. Take advantage of free offers

If you only need occasional internet access to check your email or finish up a project, you might not need to pay for a pass. Instead, you can take advantage of free offers.

For example, T-Mobile partners with Gogo to offer one hour of complimentary internet access to its customers on participating flights. This deal is available on Gogo-enabled flights with domestic carriers like Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.

Getting internet access while flying

If you’re a frequent traveler, you know how essential reliable internet access can be. With Gogo, you can stay productive while you’re in the air or catch up on your favorite television shows. And with the right credit card, you can enjoy Wi-Fi for free.