Cardholders of World and World Elite Mastercards are about to lose one of the best complimentary benefits available, as wireless provider Boingo is set to pull the plug on free in-flight Wi-Fi for eligible cardholders.
As first reported by Rewards Canada, World and World Elite Mastercard cardholders will lose their popular free global Wi-Fi benefit from Boingo as of September 30, 2024.
Mastercard Products Losing Boingo Wi-Fi as a Benefit
One of the best complimentary benefits available to cardholders of eligible Mastercard products is access to Boingo Wi-Fi.
Unfortunately, that perk is set to be sunsetted in the near future, and you’ll no longer have access to Boingo Wi-Fi as a Mastercard perk as of September 30, 2024.
When we contacted Boingo, a representative mentioned that the service is set to be pulled globally, and not just on Canadian products. The representative also noted that accounts will be deactivated, and no retention offers are being offered from Boingo at this time.
When you go to register an eligible Mastercard on the Boingo website, a blurb appears informing you of the soon-to-be-sunsetted benefit.
There doesn’t appear to be any other notification from either Boingo or Mastercard, and in fact, the Boingo website is still advertising the perk for Mastercard cardholders.
Cardholders of World and World Elite Mastercard products have been enjoying the benefit of complimentary Wi-Fi for quite some time.
The free service has been one of the most popular benefits to cardholders, even after it was reduced from unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi to just a dozen 90-minute sessions per year back in 2023.
In March of last year, eligible Mastercard cardholders were downgraded from unlimited in-flight Wi-Fi to twelve 90-minute in-flight sessions per year. Now it looks like even that will be gone as the service is set to end September 30, 2024.
As it stands, eligible Mastercard holders can enjoy access to Boingo Wi-Fi on flights with a number of airlines, including the following:
- Aer Lingus
- American Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- Etihad Airways
- Japan Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Singapore Airlines
- TAP Air Portugal
- Virgin Atlantic
- WestJet
In July of this year, WestJet and Telus unveiled the first step in a multi-year strategic partnership that will provide WestJet guests free high speed internet, delivered by Starlink onboard WestJet aircraft.
WestJet said it plans to complete the Wi-Fi installation on its modern narrowbody fleet by the end of 2025 and upgrade all wide-body aircraft by the end of 2026.
While it’s good news for future travel, it unfortunately won’t help fill the gap for Mastercard holders as of September 30, 2024 when Boingo pulls the plug on the free in-flight Wi-Fi for Mastercard cardholders.
Conclusion
After many Mastercard cardholders have enjoyed free in-flight Boingo Wi-Fi service for years, the complimentary and popular benefit appears to be coming to an end.
As of September 30, 2024, World Elite Mastercard and World Mastercard products will lose the free global Wi-Fi benefit from Boingo. It appears that this will affect eligible cardholders worldwide.
It’s unfortunate to see another negative change come to cardholders, especially with very little communication on it. Neither Mastercard nor Boingo have issued a statement, in fact the Boingo website continues to advertise the free in-flight Wi-Fi for eligible Mastercard cardholders in Canada.