Why T-Mobile Is Easily the Best Cell Phone Carrier for Frequent Travelers

Choosing the right cell phone plan can make a world of a difference when traveling.

I learned this lesson the hard way during college, when I was still on a Verizon family plan and got charged $10 per day for international data. The bills piled up quickly, and I knew I needed to find a better solution for future trips abroad.

In 2021, I made the switch to T-Mobile and haven’t looked back since. Not only are T-Mobile’s unlimited plans more affordable than Verizon’s, they also come with several travel-friendly perks that are hard to beat. Here’s a closer look at those benefits.

Overview of T-Mobile Plans

Of all T-Mobile’s plans, frequent travelers should pay close attention to Go5G Plus or Go5G Next in particular. These plans include unlimited data in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, unlimited Wi-Fi on major domestic airlines, and up to 5GB of high-speed data in over 200 countries (with speeds reduced to 256 Kbps afterward).

Pricing starts at $95 per month for Go5G Plus and $105 per month for Go5G Next, with discounts available for multiple lines. Additionally, you can save $5 per line by enrolling in auto pay, though payment must be made via debit card or bank account — not a credit card.

I personally don’t enroll in auto pay and instead use The Business Platinum^® Card from American Express, which I find to be one of the best cards for paying cell phone bills thanks to its long list of benefits. By enrolling, I can receive up to $10 in monthly statement credits when I use my card to pay for wireless phone services from a U.S. carrier, including T-Mobile. Additionally, I benefit from complimentary cell phone protection against damage and theft, which makes skipping the auto pay discount worth it to me.

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The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

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This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

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The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome Offer

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

150,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$3,300

Annual Fee

$695

APR

18.74% - 27.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)

Cons

• High annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

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Card Highlights

• Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 5X Membership Rewards^® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card^®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card^®, here.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to the Card.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card^®.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
• $695 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.74% - 27.74% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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American Express Membership Rewards

Both plans also come with a range of streaming perks, offering free access to Apple TV+, Netflix (with ads), and Hulu (with ads), which are great bonuses even beyond travel benefits. I definitely make use of these services in my household — adding up to a savings of $300 per year.

1. Free Wi-Fi When Flying

T-Mobile provides complimentary inflight Wi-Fi, texting, and streaming on Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines for Go5G customers. These inflight Wi-Fi partnerships give T-Mobile a significant edge over other wireless carriers.

With the Go5G Next and Go5G Plus plans, customers enjoy unlimited Wi-Fi and texting for the entire flight, while the standard Go5G plan includes up to 4 full inflight Wi-Fi sessions per year and 1 hour of free Wi-Fi on all other flights thereafter. For frequent travelers, upgrading to Go5G Next or Go5G Plus is worthwhile for this benefit alone.

This complimentary Wi-Fi perk is available on 100% of domestic flights with these airlines with Intelsat, Viasat, Thales, and Panasonic systems, according to T-Mobile. To access it, simply switch your phone to airplane mode and connect to the airline’s Wi-Fi. You’ll be redirected to a portal where you can log in using your T-Mobile phone number, and you’ll receive a verification code to complete the connection.

2. Unlimited International Data

I travel internationally several times a year, though most trips typically last about a week or less. However, in 2023, I spent nearly 3 weeks in Japan and South Korea, and I was grateful to have a T-Mobile plan by then, which made staying connected much simpler.

While it’s possible to buy a new SIM card for international data, I found it much more convenient to stick with my T-Mobile plan. The Go5G Plus and Next Plans provide up to 5GB of 5G data and unlimited texting in over 200 countries per billing cycle. During my 3-week trip, I came close to hitting the 5GB limit but didn’t feel the need to strictly conserve the data I was using on my phone day by day.

Even if you exceed the 5GB limit, you still have unlimited data, though speeds slow to 256 Kbps. For longer trips, I always recommend using Wi-Fi when available. T-Mobile also offers reasonably priced additional data options:

• 24-hour pass (512MB): $5
• 10-day pass (5GB): $35
• 30-day pass (15GB): $50

It’s worth noting that international calls cost 25 cents per minute (except in Canada or Mexico, where it’s actually free!) so I generally avoid making phone calls while traveling. However, if unlimited international calling is important to you, you can add it to your T-Mobile plan for an additional $15 per month.

As mentioned earlier, I had been a Verizon customer for over a decade, and their international data rates are significantly higher. Verizon’s TravelPass costs $5 per day in Canada and Mexico and $10 per day elsewhere. Although it offers unlimited data, calls, and texts, only the first 2GB each day is at high speeds; after that, you’re limited to 3G speeds.

In essence, you can save a lot of money and avoid the hassle with T-Mobile’s plans, eliminating the worry of paying $10 per day for data. It may not be the best option if you’re a nomad or a long-term traveler, but T-Mobile is perfect for my 3 or 4 international escapades every year.

3. Other T-Mobile Benefits You Didn’t Realize You Have

While inflight Wi-Fi and international data are the main reasons I stay loyal to T-Mobile, the phone carrier offers several travel perks that you may not even realize you have.

Every Tuesday, the company’s T-Mobile Tuesdays offer rotating perks and deals. Some weeks are better than others, but I’ve taken advantage of $2 movie tickets, free Shake Shack burgers, $25 off Zappos orders (with no minimums), and more.

All T-Mobile customers are also eligible to enroll in complimentary Hilton Honors Silver elite status if they sign up before December 31, 2024, for benefits through March 31, 2025. Perhaps the best perk of having this elite status level is the ability to get your fifth night free on award stays and even a 20% points bonus on stays, helping you earn Hilton Honors points quickly.

In addition, T-Mobile customers can save 15% off Hilton stays, though a 1-night, nonrefundable prepayment is required.

T-Mobile customers can also enroll in a complimentary AAA membership for 1 year, which saves you $65. This can be especially useful for road trips and driving in general, as it provides access to 24/7 roadside assistance in the U.S.

Final Thoughts

T-Mobile has made it much easier for my family and me to stay connected while traveling, and at an affordable rate. I’ve found that the data speeds abroad are reliable, and the free inflight Wi-Fi on my phone saves me at least a few dollars every time I fly.

For the cell phone protection benefit of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12 month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.