Tip: Don't Be Fooled by Unlimited Wi-Fi Data Passes

July 07, 2017

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2 min read

Tip: Don't Be Fooled by Unlimited Wi-Fi Data Passes

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Next time you're in the air and looking to purchase a Wi-Fi package, make sure to look at what you're actually purchasing before entering your credit card number. Specifically, look at how much data you're getting for what you're paying — the wording can be very deceiving.

Take, for example, these three Wi-Fi options on a 12-hour LEVEL flight from Barcelona (BCN) to Los Angeles (LAX). The option for a full flight's worth of Wi-Fi came with just 200MB of data usage — and cost nearly 30 euro (about $34)!

What's wrong with that? Well, 200MB of data doesn't get you all that far — especially for a 12-hour transatlantic flight. In fact, while on the flight, I used up nearly half of the data in just 30 minutes by using Slack and sending emails.

The lesson here is to look at your options before you buy. If you're going to buy a "full flight" option, note if there are any restrictions to how much data you can use. Don't assume that a full flight or a three-hour plan — or any other timed plan — is what it's marketed as. Plus, you can often get a great deal if you purchase your Wi-Fi pass in advance before getting on the plane.

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