The post has been updated with the most recent credit card information.

It's important for us to stay connected while we're on the road. It's important for business travelers. Information can slip away if there is no consistent and functional wi-fi on a six-hour transcontinental flight or a 12-hour international flight.

Inflight access is valuable even if we don't want to post on social media. It may be years until more airlines give it away. While airlines such as Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines offer free access to messaging apps via inflight wi-fi, they don't charge for it.

There are travel rewards cards that allow you to stay connected in the air. It's possible that your wallet has the key to free wi-fi.

Credit cards that offer inflight Wi-Fi passes

There are a number of co branded airline cards that give statement credits and discounts on their purchases.

Alaska Airlines cobranded credit cards

The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card and Alaska Airlines Visa Business card both offer 20% back on Alaska Airlines inflight purchases.

American Airlines cobranded credit cards

The AAdvantage® Silver World Elite Mastercard is not currently open to new applicants, but it does offer up to $25 in statement credits for purchases made on AA flights. You can get 25% back in statement credits if you exhaust these options.

THE POINTS GUY

The Points Guy collected the information for the AAdvantage Aviator Red, AAdvantage Aviator Silver, and Citi Business AAdvantage Platinum cards. The card issuer did not review or provide the card details on this page.

There are American trials that offer free wi-fi.

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Southwest Airlines cobranded credit cards

The Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business Credit Card has a yearly fee of $199 and can be used on Southwest Airlines flights. This card allows you to get free wi-fi on Southwest every day of the year, even though Southwest charges $8 for an all-day pass. If you pay with the card, your account will be credited for the cost.

Southwest Rapid rewards performance business credit card review.

If you don't have a Southwest card, you can get 25% back on inflight purchases with the following credit cards.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

United Airlines cobranded credit cards

The 25% discount on onboard purchases is offered by United Airlines through its credit cards.

Certain American Express and Bank of America cards

Fees on certain American Express and Bank of America credit cards will not cover inflight purchases on certain airlines. Some of the newer wi-fi systems on airplanes are changing that.

You have to enroll in advance to use American Express cards. Credit only applies to U.S. airlines on flights departing from the U.S.

Airlines with free inflight Wi-Fi

The state of inflight wi-fi is always changing. It is becoming more and more common for airlines to offer internet access, but it can be difficult to find a free connection.

T-Mobile may be able to give away free wi-fi on domestic flights with several airlines.

Some airlines offer a free internet connection on the plane.

Aer Lingus has free wi-fi for business class passengers and AerClub Concierge members, but only on the A330 and A321neoLR aircrafts.

It's free to fly to New Zealand.

The free wi-fi must be applied for in advance.

Business class passengers in El Al are free.

Passengers in first class and Platinum members in any class have access to web browsing without being restricted to messaging apps.

Those in first class are free of charge.

On long-haul flights, Finnair offers free wi-fi for one hour for business class passengers and for Finnair Plus Gold members, and free for the entire flight for Finnair Plus Platinum and Finnair Plus Platinum Lumo members. Business class passengers, Gold members and Plus Platinum members can use the free wi-fi on short haul flights.

There is a free trial on the 787-9 aircraft.

Business-class passengers on long-haul flights can get free access to messaging apps.

Passengers and Saga Gold members get free wi-fi on two devices.

The airline is free

It's free in Norwegian.

Business-class passengers get an additional 100MB of data, as well as a free chat plan of 3 MB.

Qantas is free

On some flights, you can get up to one hour of free access.

For SAS Business and SAS Plus passengers, it's free.

First class and suites passengers are free. 100 MB of allowance is given to business class passengers. If you're in the economy, you can get 100MB or two hours of access to messaging apps.

It's free for first class passengers.

Turkish Airlines is free for business-class passengers with up to 1GB, and up to 400MB. unlimited free internet usage is given to business class passengers.

It's free, but you have to register before you fly.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Free inflight messaging is offered by the following airlines.

  • Aeromexico.
  • Air France.
  • Alaska.
  • Delta.
  • KLM.
  • Nok Air.
  • Saudia.
  • Southwest.
  • TAP Portugal.

There is a reason Delta doesn't have free wi-fi. The CEO says that tech limits are in place.

Bottom line

It is a nice perk to have if you are a U.S. based traveler.

It is possible to get free or discounted wi-fi on Southwest, American and United if you use a co branded credit card.

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