Reading Time: 3 minAs a frequent international traveler, one of my most useful hacks has nothing to do with points or mistake fares — it’s my phone plan.
After 15+ years as a loyal Verizon customer, I made the switch to T-Mobile in 2021. It didn’t take long to realize just how much value T-Mobile brings to frequent travelers. Two of its top unlimited options (the Experience More and Experience Beyond plans) are especially packed with perks.
I’m on the Experience Beyond plan, which I share with my siblings, and together we pay $170 per month for three lines. Considering all of the built-in travel and lifestyle benefits, we’ve found it to be an incredibly reasonable deal.
Here are four reasons I'm glad I made the switch.
This is the perk I use most. Eligible T-Mobile customers get free in-flight Wi-Fi on most major U.S. airlines, including the ones I fly most often. Right now, that list covers Alaska, American, Delta, and United.
Every time I open the Wi-Fi portal mid-flight and see the bright magenta T-Mobile logo, I can’t help but smile knowing I won’t be charged a cent to get online.
It’s become such a reliable perk that my friends who don’t have T-Mobile have always asked to use my phone number to log in. Recently, T-Mobile introduced two-step verification to keep others from piggybacking on your Wi-Fi access. With that update, my friends are seriously considering switching carriers themselves.
I still remember when Verizon charged me $10 per day just to access data and texting abroad. Back in college, when I studied overseas, I even had to buy a local SIM card and juggle a new phone number just to stay connected.
Now, with my T-Mobile plan, all of that hassle is eliminated. I get free international data and texting in more than 200 countries, essentially anywhere I want to travel.
While speeds can be slower than what I get in the U.S., the convenience of keeping my own number is unbeatable. Truthfully, the speeds feel about the same as what Verizon offered internationally anyway.
I usually try to connect to Wi-Fi whenever possible, but one of the best perks of my plan is the unlimited mobile hotspot. If Wi-Fi isn’t available, I can simply turn my phone into a hotspot without stressing about burning through data.
This feature has been a lifesaver. Whether I’m stuck with unreliable airport Wi-Fi or trying to knock out tasks from the passenger seat on a road trip, having a reliable hotspot keeps me connected and productive.
Whether I’m on the road or relaxing at home, my T-Mobile plan helps me save with its built-in entertainment perks.
I get Netflix Standard with ads, Apple TV+, and Hulu at no extra cost, which are all subscriptions I’d otherwise be paying for out of pocket. That’s a game-changer, saving me hundreds of dollars each year on streaming, and it’s just as useful for passing time in the skies as it is unwinding in a hotel room after a long day.
Switching carriers felt daunting, but four years later, I can say it was absolutely worth it. This isn’t an ad — my plan has just genuinely changed the way I travel.
