Stop paying roaming fees. You might have a free international data plan sitting on your card right now.
It’s called the Visa GigSky eSIM benefit. And unless you’ve looked closely at your credit card perks, you probably missed it.
Eligible holders of Visa Signature and Visa Infinite cards get a free data plan through GigSky. That covers over 175 countries. Use it for Google Maps in Tokyo. Or Uber rides in Mexico City. Or just texting friends from Paris. No carrier roaming charges. Just connectivity.
Here is exactly how it works. And which cards actually count.
What is this Visa GigSky perk?
GigSky sells global data. They use eSIMs. An eSIM is digital. No plastic chip needed. No swapping physical SIMs. You just download a profile. Connect to the local network.
Visa partners with GigSky to offer this service for free.
If you hold a Visa Signature or Visa Infinite card, you qualify.
The benefit gives you complimentary data. You can use it in more than 175 Destinations where GigSky operates. This includes most major international hubs.
Related: How to travel on a budget: Here are our 20 top tips
How to claim your free GigSky eSIM
It takes minutes. Don’t overthink it.
- Download the app. Get GigSky from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
- Log in. Create an account or sign in if you have one.
- Find the offer. Look for the Visa promotion inside the app.
- Add your card. Input your eligible Visa Signature or Infinite details. Verify it.
- Claim the data. Confirm the free plan.
- Install. Add the eSIM to your compatible phone.
- Activate. Turn it on before you leave. Or while you’re abroad.
You have up to a year to activate the plan after you claim it. It expires on its own after that. This is useful. Claim it now. Save it for a trip months from now.
Related: TPG’s top tips for travelers: from beginners to experts
Which Visa cards qualify?
Many travel cards carry the Visa Signature or Visa Infinite branding. If your card has that logo on the front or back, you likely qualify. Check the app to be sure.
Here are some common examples.
Visa Infinite
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® [Rates and fees]
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve® Visa Infinite® [Closed to new applicants]
Note: Details for the U.S. Bank card are collected independently by The Points Guy. Not reviewed by the issuer.
Visa Signature
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card [Rates and fees]
- Chase Freedom Unlimited® [Rates and fees]
- Chase Freedom Flex® [Rates and fees]
- Ink Business Preferred® [Rates and fees]
- Ink Business Cash® [Rates and fees]
- Ink Business Unlimited® [Rates and fees]
- Wells Fargo Autograph® [Rates and fees]
- Wells Fargo Autograph Journey [Rates and fees]
- Wells Fargo Active Cash [Rates and fees]
Note: Card details on this page are not reviewed by the issuers.
The easiest check? Look for the logo. Or just try adding your card in the GigSky app. If it works, it works.
Related: Best international phone plans for travel
Is GigSky worth it?
The free data isn’t infinite. It won’t replace your primary plan if you stream 4K video all day.
But for essentials? Yes.
Navigation. Messaging. Email. The included data usually handles these tasks. It saves you from expensive carrier roaming fees.
Katie Genter, lead writer for loyalty programs at TPG, uses it.
“I’ve used it, and GigSky works fine most of the time,” she says. “So the eSIM benefit is worth trying. Since you can get one for each eligible Visa card, travelers with multiple cards end up with a ton of data.”
Heavy users? Maybe buy a larger plan from GigSky instead.
Most people? The free Visa benefit is enough to avoid roaming shocks.
Bottom line
This is a hidden perk. Many people ignore it.
The data allotment varies by card. It won’t suit everyone’s heavy usage needs. But the claim process is simple. Activation is easy.
If you have an eligible Visa card, activate this benefit before your next trip. Stay connected for free.
