We are all about making travel as easy and cheap as possible here—and one of our favorite ways to do that is by taking advantage of credit card perks. For example, we carry travel credit cards that earn points and miles on travel, get us into airport lounges, and cover free insurance for our travel and cell phones.
But there are some hidden benefits that lots of credit card holders don’t know about or take advantage of. For example, Visa card holders around the world are actually eligible for a FREE eSIM from GigSky with complimentary high speed data in over 175 countries. If you want to take advantage of one of the best Visa perks, here’s everything you need to know about getting a free GigSky eSIM of your own!
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This article is sponsored by GigSky. All opinions are our own.
What is an eSIM?
Before eSIMs were a thing, getting data when you traveled internationally was a clunky experience, to put it nicely.
For example, you could buy an international data package directly from your cell phone carrier. However, these plans are often extremely pricey and, in practice, can lead to racking up even more expensive roaming and overage fees.
Alternatively, most international travelers have had the experience of waiting in line at an airport kiosk to pick up a physical SIM card to pop into your phone or wireless hotspot.
At best, physical SIM cards aren’t always compatible with all devices and can be a bit confusing to set up. At worst, it’s a well established scam to sell travelers a physical SIM card that works for a short period of time before failing, giving victims little recourse to get a refund and rendering them data-less in a foreign country.
eSIMs, on the other hand, are digital versions of a physical SIM card. They tend to be more straightforward to install and less expensive than their physical counterpart, PLUS you can purchase them from a provider, like GigSky, before you even leave your home country. You just simply select which area of the world you’ll be traveling to and how much data you need before making your purchase.
Once you install the eSIM on your phone, it will just work when you land in the new country, giving you instant access to all of the high speed data you purchased. No more standing in line at airport kiosks, no more praying that the physical SIM card you popped in your phone will actually work—woohoo!
eSIMs also typically use the same networks that locals that live in that area rely on, which usually offer much faster speeds than international roaming data.
What is GigSky?
GigSky began offering SIM card services to travelers in 2010 and, over the next several years, expanded into providing data in unique sectors, like airlines and cruises. By 2018, GigSky had started selling eSIMs to international travelers.
To be honest, there are TONS of eSIM companies to choose from, but GigSky has some really unique offerings, including eSIMs that work on 290+ of the world’s most popular cruise ships while they’re out at sea and for in-flight travel.
I’m something of an eSIM connoisseur and GigSky also provides a service I’ve never seen offered by any other provider—GigSky One, a subscription plan for high-speed data in 120 countries around the world. This is such a cool solution for digital nomads like my husband, Justin, and me, who are always moving around and may not want to have to fart around with buying a new eSIM every time we move countries.
All that is to say, GigSky has some really cool and unique product offerings that sets them apart from other eSIM providers. It’s no wonder they’ve provided data to over a MILLION travelers in 200+ countries!
How do I get a free eSIM from GigSky?
Okay, so let’s talk about one of the best Visa perks we’ve heard about in a long time—a free eSIM from GigSky!
These benefits vary depending on:
- what kind of Visa card you have, and
- where your credit card was issued.
You can check what kind of benefits you’re eligible for here.
For example, since I’m from the U.S. (as are the vast majority of Uprooted Traveler’s readers!), let’s take a look at the benefits available for Visa credit cards issued there.
Benefits for Visa Credit Card Holders in the U.S.
As mentioned above, in addition to where your credit card was issued, it also matters what kind of Visa card you have. Each credit card will usually be branded with a Visa logo in the lower right hand corner.
Here’s how the benefits break down:
Visa Infinite Private and Infinite Privilege
These cardholders are eligible for:
- Complimentary 15 day 3 GB plan in 175+ countries
- Complimentary 1-Year Travel Essentials Program: Enjoy data coverage in 175+ countries for a curated selection of popular traveler apps, from navigation and ride share programs to social media.
- 7 Days of unlimited data in Visa Destinations countries (i.e., North America during the World Cup, France, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Thailand)
- 30% off additional GigSky plans
Visa Infinite
These cardholders are eligible for:
- Complimentary 15 day 3 GB plan in 175+ countries
- 7 Days of unlimited data in Visa Destinations countries
- 30% off additional GigSky plans
Visa Signature and Platinum
These cardholders are eligible for:
- Complimentary 15 day 1 GB plan in 175+ countries
- 3 Days of unlimited data in Visa Destinations countries
- 20% off additional GigSky plans
All other Visa cards (including debit and prepaid!)
These cardholders are eligible for:
- 3 Days of unlimited data in Visa Destinations countries
- 20% off additional GigSky plans
Just be sure to check the terms and conditions. Of course, there are certain restrictions on these benefits—like, for example, you can’t use one of the complimentary 1 or 3 GB plans in your home country.
How to get your free eSIM by GigSky
You can see what perks you qualify for by downloading the GigSky app, following the prompts for the Visa extra benefits, and inputting your Visa credit card number to confirm your eligibility.
To be honest, before going through the process to check my eligibility, I just assumed I had a regular ol’ Visa, but turns out that my travel credit card is actually a Visa Infinite card—meaning I get a 15 day 3 GB plan in 175+ countries, 7 days of unlimited data in Visa Destination countries, AND 30% off all other GigSky plans!
Once you’ve verified your credit card number, you’ll have the option to redeem the GigSky plans that you’re eligible for, install your eSIM, and then use the data while you’re traveling!
You have up to 365 days from when you purchase your complimentary eSIM to activate it (it will automatically activate once the 365 day period expires).
Tips for taking advantage of the GigSky Visa perks
You can use multiple Visa cards
Good news—you can use the benefits from each of the eligible Visa cards that you have.
Between the two of us, Justin and I have six Visa cards, including two Infinite, three Signature, and two debit cards. We can use ALL of these to stock up on GigSky plans, although you do have to use the relevant Visa card to check out to get your complimentary eSIMs.
Don’t forget to use your discount if you need a specific GigSky plan
The complimentary GigSky plans are awesome, but they might not fit your specific travel needs. For example, the complimentary plans do not cover GigSky’s unique cruise eSIMs.
Still, you can use your Visa perks to get up to 30% off a GigSky eSIM to use on your cruise ship, which, even at the standard rate, is usually WAY cheaper than an onboard WiFi package you’d buy through your cruise operator.
GigSky has made it super easy to use this discount—once you’ve verified your eligible Visa card, your discount is automatically applied at checkout, without having to add in any extra promo codes or taking any additional steps. So long as you remain an eligible card holder, the discount will apply to every future purchase you make on GigSky!
Pretty awesome, right?
Certain cardholders get even extra benefits
Depending on which company issued your card, you might be eligible for even more benefits. For example, US Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature card holders are eligible for 5 GB of data every month!
You can check out which issuers have exclusive benefits here.
There you have it–everything you need to know about getting a free GigSky eSIM just by being a Visa customer. Do you have any questions about eSIMs, GigSky, or this unique Visa perk? Let us know in the comments below!
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