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From the Virgin Atlantic Mastercard review on here it says:
Free global wi-fi access via Boingo (works on Virgin Atlantic flights)
How do you get it for free?
https://uk.virginmoney.com/virgin/credit-cards/vaa-cards/welcome/boingo.jsp
I literally typed “Boingo Virgin Atlantic Credit Card” into Google and the FAQS with a signup link (https://redeem.boingo.com/mcsi/) is the top result.
Not sure I’ve ever used it despite signing up but I don’t tend to fly VS.
Signup here if you have an eligible virgin Mastercard: https://redeem.boingo.com/mcsi/
It works reasonably well on Virgin flights but best to delete the app when not using it as it does cause problems on some other WiFi networks.
Thank you both, and yes I should have Googled!
I’m flying Virgin in a couple of weeks so pleased I read this again.
I love Boingo. I had it previously with something else but now the Virgin card. I did a day’s work on Swiss using Boingo flying to SFO (even though I was officially on leave) and was able to stay in touch with work on a flight to DXB during something delicate. I’ve used it on a few other airlines successfully too. I also found it handy in Japan, to connect to non-public wifi hotspots.
I’ve used the Boingo benefit from my Virgin Mastercard a number of times over the past few years (mainly on American Airlines domestically in the US and Virgin to/from the USA). A few things to be aware of:
1 – in March this year they “enhanced” the benefit but restricting in-fight wifi access to 12 times per year and 90 mins per session….so depending on the length of your flight, you might use up quite a few of those sessions.
2 – Not all Virgin aircraft use Boingo as their wifi provider. In my experience, you should be fine with the A350 and 787s. The A330NEO I was on last week only had Viasat which cost £18.99 for the entire flight (speeds were good). WiFi Onboard is another service provider that I’ve seen installed on the A330-300s.
3 – If you want to use multiple devices, best way is to logon using your phone and activate your hotspot to share that connection with another device ie. laptop/tablet. That way, you don;t use-up multiple sessions from your yearly allowance.
This is great info – thanks @Mikee !
OT, Boingo used to be a perk with the free HSBC MC, but my account got disabled and I can’t find any reference about this benefit on their website. Has it been silently pulled?
3 – If you want to use multiple devices, best way is to logon using your phone and activate your hotspot to share that connection with another device ie. laptop/tablet. That way, you don;t use-up multiple sessions from your yearly allowance.
This is a very useful thing, used the feature many times, I did this at a retreat spa were you could only connect one device to encourage you to detach from the outside world. However, not all phones do this, my Xiaomi does, my Samsung doesn’t (it turns off the WiFi “receiving” when a hotspot). Advice to anyone thinking of doing this, have a practice at home on your WiFi.
I’m connected right now on my flight to SFO. 😀
And for those who may have previously had the card and cancelled it, there is no harm in entering its details on the suggested links above (old statements should have the full 16 digit number if cards have been disposed of)
The app drained my battery and also caused issues with some other wifi profiles installed on my phone (o2 IIRC)
No need for the app which is terrible! Battery drain and messes up when trying to log into other WiFi hotspots.
Better just to use the browser interface to login your Boingo account. Works perfectly inflight, on my recent CPT flight once logged in once, connected the whole flight.
I used this to JFK the other day. Worked perfectly on the 350, just logged in with my Boongo account once I’d set it up. No need for an app. It kicked me out every 90 minutes though. Speeds were good.
On the return on the 330 Neo, no option to use Boongo but you could get 20 mins of free access if you watched an ad. Speeds were glacial.
Free Boingo WiFi was withdrawn from all Virgin flights on Saturday.
Most annoying. Never going to pay for it.
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