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T-Mobile expands free onboard texting to all airlines

June 16, 2023
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3 min read
Little boy playing with tablet on the airplane
T-Mobile expands free onboard texting to all airlines
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T-Mobile users (with qualifying plans) already receive many travel benefits, including free Wi-Fi on all United Airlines-operated flights, complimentary high-speed data in more than 200 countries, free AAA membership and exclusive hotel deals.

Now, T-Mobile users can enjoy unlimited inflight messaging and access to inflight Wi-Fi on all major U.S. airlines by opting into one of its Go5G plans. Users can expect these benefits on eligible Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United flights to, from and within the U.S.

With the Go5G and equivalent plans, you can access unlimited messaging and one hour of inflight Wi-Fi with streaming on every eligible flight. You'll also receive four full-flight Wi-Fi and streaming passes a year, which you can choose to use as you wish. If you don't have any streaming service subscriptions, you're in luck: The Go5G plan includes Netflix access for one screen, as well as six months of free Apple TV.

The Go5G Plus and equivalent plans are a bit more expensive, but they offer access to unlimited inflight messaging, Wi-Fi and streaming. This plan also includes Netflix access for two screens and an Apple TV subscription.

T-MOBILE

Regardless of which plan you choose, you'll enjoy more access to hot spots, which is a great perk for business travelers who may need to work on the go.

The Go5G plan offers 15 gigabytes of high-speed mobile hot spot data and unlimited mobile hot spot data at 3G speeds after 15GB. The Go5G Plus plan has the same setup but offers 50GB of high-speed mobile hot spot data and then unlimited mobile hot spot data at 3G speeds after 50GB.

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All T-Mobile phone plans include unlimited talk, text and data on its 5G network. Head to the T-Mobile website for more details on what each specific plan offers.

Note: If you're not a T-Mobile customer but are a Delta SkyMiles member, you can get free Wi-Fi on select Delta flights within the U.S. American Airlines is also in the middle of a big push to help passengers stay connected in flight.

Related reading:

Featured image by NARVIKK /GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    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.