GigSky Visa Benefit
Here's a fun data point: The cards in your wallet can likely get you access to free data while traveling abroad. The GigSky Visa benefit provides complimentary and discounted eSim data plans as a perk across a broad range of cards. In fact, you can probably stack these perks from many earners already in your wallet. While the benefit itself isn't new and has long been touted as one of award travel's “hidden perks,” GigSky expands and/or introduces different promotions from time to time. There's currently one providing up to 7 days of unlimited data in select destinations, including a limited-time promotion for access in North America during the World Cup. If you don't already have an international plan through your wireless carrier, here's how to access this useful benefit.
How The Benefit Works
Several different cards have access to the GigSky Visa benefit. Those who hold premium Visa Infinite cards get access to more data for longer periods, as outlined below. It's also worth noting that the complimentary plans don't cover data on cruises, but the 20-30% discounts can be used to purchase GigSky cruise plans providing accessibility on more than 290 ships.
For Visa Infinite Cardholders
If you have some premium cards in your wallet, you probably have a Visa Infinite card. A few examples include the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, the Sapphire Reserve for Business℠, the United Club℠ Card and others. These cards allow you to redeem:
- 3 GB for 15 days: Works in over 175 countries. See the full list here.
- Unlimited data for 7 days: Works in eligible Visa destinations, including North America during the World Cup (through July 31, 2026), France, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Learn more here.
- 30% discount: On additional GigSky plans.
For Visa Signature Cardholders
A huge array of travel cards are Visa Signature cards. Examples include the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, the Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card and many more, including a ton of co-branded airline and hotel cards. If you're not sure if your card qualifies or not, you can simply check its eligibility using the activation instructions below. These cards allow you to redeem:
- 1 GB for 15 days: Works in over 175 countries. See the full list here.
- Unlimited data for 3 days: Works in eligible Visa destinations, including North America during the World Cup (through July 31, 2026), France, Thailand, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Learn more here.
- 20% discount: On additional GigSky plans.
For Other Cardholders
There are more limited plans for those with Visa Platinum, Gold, Classic and Traditional cards (including Visa Debit and Prepaid cards), which include unlimited data for 3 days in eligible Visa destinations and a 20% discount on additional GigSky plans.
GigSky also has partnerships with select issuers and cards including:
- A partnership with US Bank, affording US Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature cardholders with 5 GB of data every month in 175-plus countries, plus additional discounts.
- A partnership with UBS, which provides eligible cardholders with a complimentary 30-day 5 GB plan, plus other discounts.
- Those with the Navy Federal Visa Signature® Flagship Rewards Card can get a 15-day complimentary 3 GB plan.
- Chime Card ™ Visa Signature cardholders can get up to four 15-day complimentary 1 GB plans, plus discounts.
How To Activate The Benefit
Here's how to enroll in the GigSky Visa benefit for your next trip:
- Check your phone's eSim compatibility on the bottom of the GigSky homepage.
- Install the GigSky app, which is available on iOS and Android.
- Scroll to the bottom of the dashboard. Click on the “Unlock Exclusive Visa benefit” banner under “Offers & Benefits.”
- Tap on the “Check Eligibility” button, and input your card info. This will load a page verifying which benefits your card provides access to.
- Decide which plan works for your trip itinerary, and click “redeem.”
- If you are going to be traveling within in these eligible Visa destinations, you may want to start with that unlimited plan first and switch over to limited data plan afterward.
- Clicking “Redeem” will prompt you to create an account. Once you are ready to start accessing your data plan, click on “My Plans” and “install eSim.”
- You should have 365 days to install and start using your plan from the time you redeem it on your account.
- Plans not activated within 1 year will auto activate.
- You can redeem for each of the eligible Visa destination countries once every 365 days.
- Find the full offer terms and FAQ here.
Stacking Multiple Visa Benefits
You can add as many eligible cards as you want to use the GigSky Visa benefit. Once one expires, you can redeem a new one. You can also mix and match which type of plans you redeem, depending on which countries you'll be in and the duration of your travel plans. Each activated plan is only available for a single device, so stacking is also a nice way to stay connected across your laptop, phone and other devices.
GigSky Visa Benefit: ToP Thoughts
I'd expect most award travelers already have a large stack of cards eligible for the GigSky Visa benefit. If you load all your qualifying cards, it could amount to an extended period of time with free data. Just prepare yourself for some limitations with connectivity. Unlimited plans cap out after you've used 3.5 GB of high-speed data per day, and then operate at reduced speeds until the end of the 24-hour period. The data is generally more suited to texting and emailing than data-heavy video steaming. But for a busy itinerary when you're mostly going to be on-the-go all day anyway, this is another one of those cherry-on-ToP conveniences our credit cards give us access to. Have you used this card perk before? How did it work for you? Tell us in the comments over on the ToP Facebook Group.
