Staying connected to the ground while in flight is very important for many of us. Without consistent and functional Wi-Fi on a six-hour transcontinental flight or a 12-hour international stretch in the air, getting work done becomes near impossible.
Even if we just want to post on social media while airborne, inflight access is valuable and becoming more common. Many airlines now offer free Wi-Fi, and some have even started implementing gate-to-gate connectivity so you can always be online.
Luckily, there are travel rewards cards that allow you to stay connected, even at 30,000 feet in the air. The key to free Wi-Fi may already be in your wallet, depending on what credit cards you hold. Here’s what you need to know.
Credit cards that offer inflight Wi-Fi passes or discounts
Several cobranded airline cards provide statement credits and discounts toward Wi-Fi purchases on their respective airlines.
*The information for the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite, the AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite , the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier and the United Club Business cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Alaska Airlines cobranded credit cards
For Alaska Airlines flyers, the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card and Alaska Airlines Visa Business card both offer 20% back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases, including Wi-Fi.
American Airlines cobranded credit cards
For American Airlines passengers, there’s the $99-a-year AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard that offers up to $25 in statement credits toward Wi-Fi purchases on AA flights and the AAdvantage Aviator Silver World Elite Mastercard (not currently open to new applicants) that offers up to $50 in statement credits per year.
Another option is 25% back in statement credits for Wi-Fi purchases made on the Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®.
Related: American upgrades inflight Wi-Fi, but stops short of making good on free messaging promise
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Southwest Airlines cobranded credit cards
For internet on Southwest Airlines flights, the Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card, with a $199 annual fee, includes reimbursement for up to 365 inflight Wi-Fi purchases on Southwest each year. Southwest charges $8 for an all-day Wi-Fi pass, so this card effectively gets you free Wi-Fi on Southwest every day of the year. Just pay for passes with the card, and your account will automatically be credited for the cost.
However, if you don’t have that particular Southwest card, you can receive 25% back on inflight purchases (including Wi-Fi) with the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card, Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Credit Card or Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business Credit Card.
Related: Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card review
United Airlines cobranded credit cards
United Airlines offers a similar 25% discount on Wi-Fi (and other onboard purchases) through its MileagePlus credit cards, issued by Chase.
Certain American Express and Bank of America cards
It’s also worth noting that airline fee credits on certain American Express cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express (up to $200 in statement credits annually; enrollment required) and Bank of America cards like the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card will generally not cover inflight Wi-Fi purchases on your selected airline. However, that is changing with some of the newer Wi-Fi systems on planes.
You must enroll in advance and choose a preferred airline for American Express cards. With Bank of America, credits only apply to U.S.-based airlines on flights departing from the U.S.
The best cards to use for inflight Wi-Fi purchases
If you are flying on an airline that doesn’t offer free inflight Wi-fi, using these cards can help you maximize your earnings on your Wi-fi purchases. Many inflight Wi-fi purchases don’t code as a travel purchase, so you may want to opt for a 2% cash back or catchall card like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, which earns at least 2 miles per dollar spent on all purchases or the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) which earns 2% cash back on all purchases (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay).
Airlines with free inflight Wi-Fi
Like most things in the tech world, the state of inflight Wi-Fi is fluid. It’s becoming more commonplace for airlines to offer internet access of some type, but finding a free connection can be challenging on some carriers.
Luckily, T-Mobile customers may be eligible for free Wi-Fi on domestic flights with Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
Here are some carriers that offer a free internet connection (assuming the plane is equipped with Wi-Fi):
- Aer Lingus: Free for business-class passengers and AerClub Concierge members, but Wi-Fi is only available on A330 aircraft (Wi-Fi, texting and data) and A321neoLR aircraft (Wi-Fi only).
- Air Baltic: Free.
- Air New Zealand: Free.
- British Airways: Free for first class.
- China Eastern: 258 yuan (about $37) worth of free Wi-Fi; must apply in advance.
- Delta: Free for all SkyMiles members on most domestic flights.
- El Al: Free for passengers in business class flying to/from North America and Top Platinum passengers in all service classes.
- Emirates: Free access to messaging apps for Skywards members in business class or Gold members traveling in any class; Emirates Skywards Blue member and above traveling in first class or an Emirates Skywards Gold or Silver member traveling in business Class or first class and Platinum members traveling in any class can access web browsing without being restricted to messaging apps.
- Etihad: Free for Platinum members and those in first class. Free inflight messaging for all passengers.
- Finnair: On long-haul flights, Wi-Fi is free for one hour for business-class passengers and Finnair Plus Gold members; free for the whole flight for Finnair Plus Platinum and Finnair Plus Platinum Lumo members. On short-haul flights, Wi-Fi is free for 30 minutes for business-class passengers, Gold members and Plus Platinum members. All Finnair Plus members receive free messaging on short-haul flights.
- Hainan: Free trial worth 298 yuan (about $43) on Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
- Hawaiian: Free Starlink Wi-Fi on entire Airbus fleet. Currently installing Starlink on Boeing 787 aircraft.
- Iberia: Free access to messaging apps for business-class passengers and Iberia Plus members on long-haul flights.
- Icelandair: Saga Premium and Saga Premium Flex passengers and Saga Gold members get free Wi-Fi for two devices.
- JetBlue: Free.
- Jet Suite X: Free.
- Nok: Free.
- Norwegian: Free.
- Philippine Airlines: All business-class passengers receive 100MB of free data; there’s also a 10MB plan available for free to all Philippine Airline passengers that’s good for messaging and browsing as well.
- Qantas: Free; currently only on domestic flights and select international flights to Asia (but only while flying over Australia); rollout to all international flights expected by middle of 2025.
- Qatar: Up to one hour for free on some flights; free messaging on most flights, but the duration of access varies. Free Wi-Fi is coming for all passengers with the installation of Starlink in the future.
- SAS: Free for SAS Business and Plus passengers and EuroBonus Gold and Diamond members.
- Singapore Airlines: Free unlimited Wi-Fi for Suites Class and first- and business-class passengers and PPS Club and KrisFlyer members
- SWISS: Free for first-class passengers and HON circle members. All passengers receive free messaging regardless of class.
- Turkish Airlines: Free for business-class passengers (up to 1GB), Miles&Smiles Elite/Elite Plus members (up to 400MB and free messaging) and Miles&Smiles Classic Plus members (up to 250MB and free messaging). Miles&Smiles Classic members receive free messaging. Business-class passengers who are Miles&Smiles Elite or Elite Plus members get unlimited free internet usage.
- United Airlines: In the process of rolling out free Starlink Wi-Fi on its entire two-cabin fleet.
- Virgin Australia: Virgin Australia Beyond, Velocity Platinum and Business class guests enjoy complimentary access.
- Xiamen Air: Free, but registration is required prior to flight.
In addition, the following airlines offer free inflight messaging through data-based services like iMessage, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger:
- Aeromexico
- Air France
- Alaska
- Delta
- Etihad
- Iberia
- KLM
- Saudia
- Southwest
- Swiss
- TAP Air Portugal
- United
Related: Fast, free Wi-Fi coming to Delta’s international jets with latest upgrade
Bottom line
You may not want to apply for a credit card for the Wi-Fi benefit alone, but it’s a nice perk to have if you’re a U.S.-based traveler.
Complimentary internet — or at least free access to messaging apps — is becoming more common. It’s also possible to get free or discounted Wi-Fi on Alaska, American Airlines and United with their cobranded credit cards.