Wifi everywhere has become more and more ubiquitous over the last several years, including in the skies. With the advent of Gogo and other similar companies, it becomes harder and harder to find somewhere that does NOT have wi-fi.
I have not been flying a ton lately and when I have, I’ve either been flying first class or flying Southwest or other carriers that don’t have Gogo, or regional jets that are not wi-fi equipped
(SEE ALSO: Which major airline does NOT have Gogo in-flight wifi?)
12 Gogo wifi passes with the US Bank FlexPerks card
I have written about this before, but one of the (lesser-known) perks of the US Bank FlexPerks card is that you get 12 free passes for Gogo in-flight wifi.
The FlexPerks card was in the news recently due to its Olympics bonus (expired)
I already had the FlexPerks personal card, so I ended up applying for (and being approved for) the business FlexPerks card.
How I missed out on free Gogo in-flight wifi
So in preparation for my upcoming trip (READ: 3 states, 2 countries and 1 crazy exclave), I went to the US Bank Flexperks Gogo promotion page, entered in my 16 digit card number and ….
…was told my card was not eligible.
I called up US Bank and after being transferred around I was told that you were only eligible for the Gogo benefit if you have made a purchase with your card in the past 12 months.
Since I’ve basically sock-drawered this card (though I know there are people that MS on this card), I was not eligible. I was told that if I were to MAKE a purchase, my Gogo benefit would be activated in 2-3 weeks, and that paying the annual fee does NOT count towards keeping your card active.
In my case, I was able to reach out to Grant from Travel with Grant, who had a few soon to expire passes that he let me use. I did tell him I’d link to his blog though, so you should check it out. Of course, you should have been checking it out already, because he’s got some cool stuff. I especially enjoy his series on Transfercar and free one-way RV rentals, which is something I want to try one of these days.
(SEE ALSO: List of cheap one way car rental discount codes)
In fact, I’m writing this post at 30,000 feet using my free Gogo wifi right now 🙂
Did you know about the 12 month purchase rule for the FlexPerks wifi passes? Ever been bitten by that policy?
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
I’m so bad at using any of my internet passes too. Doesn’t the Platinum AMEX also have free internet?
I don’t think the Platinum has a Gogo benefit like this
I believe the Discover It Miles CC will reimburse up to $30/year for in-flight Wifi.
You’re right Grant, yet since you brought it up, an important distinction needs to be planted. My wife has a Discover IT card too, but apparently not the “Miles” version….. Didn’t “discover” that there were half dozen different flavors now of the Discover “IT” card, and that we’d conflated two different versions — til after paying for wifi on Southwest with “IT”…. (ya know, the airline where using your laptop on their 737 cattle cars is just a miserable experience) Did this three times, but no reimbursement. Felt like an idiot not realizing the difference. (and Discover never did respond to our polite secure message inquiry. bloggers don’t help by repeating this benefit as if comes with all the discover cards)
Anyway, one more reason to like JetBlue — as in no WIFI charges in the first place!
The Platinum AMEX, at least in Germany, includes free BOINGO coverage.
You’re right – SPG Amex also has the Boingo benefit I believe
The business platinum does, 10 passes… the personal platinum has the boingo pass…