Why can't some airlines figure out inflight Wi-Fi?
Getting internet access while in the air was once a dream. Nowadays, it's (mostly) a reality.
You'll find relatively cheap inflight Wi-Fi access on most major U.S. airlines. Of the "big three," American and Delta lead the way by offering the best and most reliable connections. American's been actively upgrading its domestic fleet to ViaSat's high-speed, satellite-based Wi-Fi, and the results are beginning to show. In fact, I've been impressed with internet speeds so good that I've had no issues uploading photos to Instagram or WordPress.
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Delta made headlines earlier this year when it tested offering free, unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi on some flights. Although the trial is now over, the carrier is committed to offering fleet-wide free Wi-Fi within the next two years.
United's inflight Wi-Fi offering has always been the least reliable of the "big three," but it's definitely getting better. About 75% of my United flights this year had working internet. And on those that didn't, at least I took good pictures.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6OWW8XFaaP/
The best part about internet access on the major U.S. airlines is that they charge for access based on time, without imposing data caps. In my experience on U.S.-based airlines, flight passes range from around $8 to $60 for the entire flight. There are even a bunch of credit cards that offer free inflight Wi-Fi.
While I'm excited for the day that airlines offer free internet access, the truth is that it's definitely a few years away.
If an airline charges for Wi-Fi, then there's only one passenger-friendly pricing model -- one based on time without data caps.
RELATED: Save money on inflight Wi-Fi with these tips
As more and more international airlines install inflight Wi-Fi, I've unfortunately seen a proliferation of usage-based internet pricing. For example, I recently flew the world's longest flight from Newark to Singapore (review coming soon). While Singapore offered Wi-Fi, it charged based on usage. The most expensive package offered was 200 MB for $15.99.
I bought the package and it took me just 15 minutes of refreshing my emails and Slacks to blow through the 200 MB. Had I wanted to stay connected for the entire 18 hours, I'd have been faced with a bill of over $1,100!
Singapore isn't the only global airline to offer usage-based Wi-Fi pricing. Several of the world's top carriers do too, including ANA (on some flights), Etihad and Swiss.
On my recent flight in Swiss first class, the largest Wi-Fi package was 220 MB for $60. Swiss offered "free" Wi-Fi to first-class passengers. However, the voucher I received was only valid for 50 MB of Wi-Fi, which I used to download my notifications and send a few texts. After that, I needed to pay (an arm and a leg) for Wi-Fi access.
In addition to transitioning to a time-based pricing model, airlines should give unlimited internet access to premium cabin passengers. When tickets sell for thousands of dollars, there's no worse feeling than being nickled-and-dimed for internet access. The marginal revenue that airlines get from premium-cabin Wi-Fi purchases just doesn't outweigh the feeling of being pinched for every last penny.
In my opinion, all airlines should follow Emirates's lead. On that airline, first- and business-class passengers get unlimited, unrestricted internet access, as long as they're members of the Emirates Skywards program.
Don't even get me started about global airlines that don't even have inflight Wi-Fi. As far as I'm concerned, Qantas deserves the award for the worst inflight Wi-Fi offering. Many of Qantas' international flights are ultra-long haul, yet Qantas doesn't offer an internet connection on any of its long-haul aircraft.
Bottom line
The U.S. airlines have done a great job at offering relatively cheap and reliable inflight Wi-Fi. Some international airlines have followed their lead, but other global carriers should reevaluate their inflight connectivity strategy. As technology and bandwidth continues to improve -- especially on international routes -- there's no longer an excuse for airlines to charge for internet based on data usage. Furthermore, premium-cabin tickets should include free Wi-Fi. It costs thousands of dollars (or miles) to fly up front, so why not bundle internet as well?
Airlines have clearly gotten away with extracting as much revenue as they can from inflight Wi-Fi. But now that we're entering 2020, it's time for usable and cheap inflight internet to become a reality on all global airlines.
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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
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- 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.
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.