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Virgin America to Start Charging for ViaSat Wi-Fi Service
Emily McNutt
Contributor
April 13, 2016
•
3 min read
Virgin America to Start Charging for ViaSat Wi-Fi Service
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Earlier this month, Alaska Airlines confirmed that it would be acquiring Virgin America — a deal worth roughly $4 billion. And while we don't know too much about the acquisition as of yet, we do know one change that Virgin will be making to its product before the acquisition is near finalization.
Starting later this month, Virgin America will begin charging customers to use its super fast satellite Wi-Fi. In July 2015, the carrier launched a partnership with ViaSat to bring its next-generation satellite-based Wi-Fi service to 10 A320s (53 of its aircraft still offer Gogo's ATG-4 service). The new Wi-Fi service is said to be eight to 10 times faster than other in-flight Wi-Fi services, providing travelers with Wi-Fi speeds similar to what they have at home. With it, passengers can stream everything from movies to HD YouTube videos, and, of course, browse the web and check email.
And now, the service is no longer complimentary. Virgin America will start charging travelers for its fast in-flight satellite Wi-Fi now that it's out of beta testing. Here is the cost breakdown for the service:
| Service Type | Flight Length | Price |
|---|---|---|
Short Haul i.e. LAX-SFO | <2 hours | $4.99 |
Short-Medium Haul i.e. SFO-DEN | 2-3 hours | $7.99 |
Medium Haul i.e. DAL-LAS | 3-4 hours | $9.99 |
Medium-Long Haul i.e. DAL-LGA | 4-5 hours | $13.99 |
Long Haul i.e. SFO-JFK | >5 hours | $17.99 |
There are some exceptions to the new fee. Gogo monthly and annual pass holders can access the ViaSat Wi-Fi for free. Virgin America and Gogo will send an email to pass holders with promo codes to connect. Pass holders can also use the ViaSat portal live chat once in-flight for assistance in starting a free session with the Wi-Fi service.
In addition, Virgin America Elevate Gold members will have complimentary access to ViaSat Wi-Fi through the end of 2016. Elevate Gold members should check their Communication Preferences under My Account to receive promotional emails from Virgin America with free ViaSat Wi-Fi codes. In addition, Elevate Gold members can also use the ViaSat portal live chat for assistance in starting a free session.
If you're looking to gain status with Virgin America, consider enrolling in a status match. If you have status with American, Delta, United or Southwest, you can enroll in a match for either Elevate Silver or Elevate Gold status. If you have either of Virgin America's credit cards, the threshold for maintaining that status through the end of 2017 is lowered — 3,000 Status Points for Elevate Silver and 8,000 Status Points for Elevate Gold (5,000 and 12,000 for Silver and Gold, respectively, for non-cardholders).
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- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.