When you travel abroad you need roaming data, and that usually means an eSIM. This blog has already covered a few options, such as:
- The free 5-day roaming perk on Rogers credit cards (this post 🔗)
- The free 15-day 3 GB eSIM some Mastercard products offer (this post 🔗)
- Paid Airalo eSIM plans (this post 🔗)
This post covers the free global roaming eSIM some Visa cards offer through GigSky. In short: for card collectors, knowing this perk usually means you barely need to buy eSIM data. A lot of Visa cards qualify.
GigSky is a U.S. company that sells international eSIMs in 175+ countries, including data on planes and cruise ships. Scan the QR code below to download the GigSky app.
🇨🇦 Canadian Visa and GigSky
These are the standard terms. They do not include extra data some banks add on specific cards.
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Visa Infinite Privilege
1 GB / 15 day complimentary plan 2x per year + 30% off all plans
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Visa Infinite, Visa Infinite +, Visa Infinite Business
1 GB / 15 day complimentary plan + 20% off all plans
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Visa Platinum, Visa Classic, Visa Gold, Visa Debit, Visa Business
10% off all plans
⚠️ These Canadian cards are known to add an extra 10 GB:
🇨🇦 Scotiabank Momentum Visa Infinite
🇨🇦 Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
🇨🇦 Wealthsimple Visa Infinite Privilege Card
🇺🇸 U.S. Visa and GigSky
These are the standard terms. They do not include extra data some banks add on specific cards.
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Visa Infinite
3 GB / 15 day complimentary plan + 30% off all plans, plus 7 days of unlimited data at Visa Destinations
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Visa Signature
1 GB / 15 day complimentary plan + 20% off all plans, plus 3 days of unlimited data at Visa Destinations
❗️ What do Visa cards from other countries get? Check the official site 🔗
Using GigSky with a 🇨🇦 Momentum VI
Image 1: the GigSky app home screen after you install it
Tap Visa Benefits at the bottom of the screen to get to Image 2. Enter your card number to see what you qualify for. The lower half of Image 2 is the newer Visa Destinations perk; scroll down to Image 3 for cities where you can use a free data eSIM.
After entering a 🇨🇦 Scotia Momentum VI number, you get the perks in Image 4: Scotia’s 15-day 10 GB, Visa’s 15-day 1 GB through GigSky, and Scotia’s year-round global data (limited to email, simple chat, ride-hailing, and maps). Image 5 is the 3-day unlimited destination eSIM shown in Image 3.
🇺🇸 Visa Infinite & Signature perks
I entered a 🇺🇸 Chase The Ritz-Carlton (Visa Infinite) and a 🇺🇸 Chase World of Hyatt (Visa Signature). The perks matched the terms above: 3 GB or 1 GB / 15 days of free data, plus unlimited data at Visa Destinations.
Four simple steps to use GigSky
- Choose Your Destination: Open the app or visit our site to find the perfect data plan for where you’re headed.
- Install Your eSIM: Follow our simple setup instructions. No physical SIM needed – just download and go.
- Activate When You Travel: Turn on your plan when you’re ready to use it. Stay connected from the moment you arrive.
- Top Up Anytime: Need more data? Add a new plan to your existing GigSky eSIM – no reinstall required.
