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If you have an eligible Visa Signature or Visa Infinite credit card, you may already have access to free international mobile data — and you might not even know it.
Through Visa’s partnership with GigSky, eligible cardholders can receive a complimentary eSIM data plan for use in more than 175 destinations worldwide. Whether you’re using Google Maps in Tokyo, messaging friends in Paris or ordering an Uber in Mexico City, the benefit can help you stay connected without paying your carrier’s international roaming fees.
Here’s how the benefit works, which cards qualify and how to claim your free eSIM before your next trip.
What is the Visa GigSky eSIM benefit?
GigSky is a global mobile data provider that offers eSIM plans for travelers. An eSIM is a digital SIM card that lets you connect to a local cellular network without swapping out your physical SIM card.
Eligible Visa Signature and Visa Infinite cardholders can receive complimentary GigSky data through Visa’s partnership with the company.
Currently, the benefit includes:
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| Visa Signature | 1GB of international data valid for 15 days once per calendar year, plus 20% off additional data plans |
|---|---|
3GB of international data valid for 15 days once per calendar year, plus 30% off additional data plans |
The complimentary data can be used in more than 175 destinations where GigSky offers service, including many popular international travel destinations.
Related: How to travel on a budget: Here are our 20 top tips
How to claim your free GigSky eSIM
Claiming the benefit only takes a few minutes.
- Download the GigSky app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
- Create or sign in to your GigSky account.
- Navigate to the Visa offer within the app.
- Add and verify your eligible Visa Signature or Visa Infinite card.
- Claim your complimentary data plan.
- Install the eSIM on your compatible device.
- Activate the plan before or during your trip.
Once you redeem the complimentary plan, you’ll have up to one year to activate it before it automatically activates, making it easy to claim the benefit even if your next international trip is still months away.
Related: TPG’s top tips for travelers, from beginners to experts
Which Visa credit cards are eligible?
Many travel and rewards credit cards are issued as either Visa Signature or Visa Infinite cards, meaning you may already qualify.
Some popular examples include:
Visa Infinite
The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Visa Signature
The easiest way to determine whether your card qualifies is to look for the Visa Signature or Visa Infinite logo on the front or back of your card or verify your eligibility through the GigSky app.
Related: Best international phone plans for travel
Is GigSky worth using?
While the complimentary data may not completely replace your primary mobile plan during an international trip, it can be more than enough for navigation, messaging and other essential travel tasks.
TPG lead writer for loyalty programs, Katie Genter, recommends taking advantage of the benefit if you have an eligible Visa card.
“I’ve used it, and GigSky does work fine most of the time, so the eSIM benefit is worth trying,” Katie says. “And since you can get one for each eligible card, travelers with multiple Visa cards can end up with a ton of data.”
If you’re a heavy data user or plan to stream video frequently, purchasing a larger eSIM plan from GigSky or another provider may still make sense. However, for many travelers, the complimentary Visa benefit provides enough data to avoid paying expensive international roaming charges.
Bottom line
The complimentary GigSky eSIM benefit is one of the lesser-known perks available on many Visa Signature and Visa Infinite credit cards.
While the included data allotment won’t cover every traveler’s needs, it’s an easy benefit to claim and can help you stay connected abroad at no additional cost. If you already carry an eligible Visa card, it’s worth activating before your next international trip.
Related: 6 of our favorite under-the-radar credit card perks
