Being a techie on a budget sounds like an oxymoron. We can't help but want to shell out dough to keep up and stay connected. But if you're willing to do a little leg work, you can save money on some of it—like airplane wifi. By thinking ahead, you'll avoid making that $13 impulse buy as everybody settles into their seats. We've got a few tips for you.
Here's a little secret: Us home bloggers tend to be homebodies.
Ok, so that's not really surprising since you already know we work from home and adore our spaces. But every once in awhile, we do like to get out and travel—with the comforts of home, of course. That means that in-flight wifi is practically a necessity.
Luckily, we've found a few ways to cut corners and make this luxury downright affordable. If you think ahead, you can get it for cheap.
Try taking advantage of these tips:
Buy packages in advance.
GoGo In-Flight Internet provides air-to-ground wifi for 9 major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta and United. Check out their website before you leave and buy a package deal to save a bit on in-flight purchases. Somebody with a lot of connections can get a 24-hour pass for $11. Or grab a 6-pack to save 35 percent on in-flight prices.
Google for coupon codes.
There are websites out there in the interwebs that make it their mission to spread coupon codes to consumers everywhere. You might already be taking advantage when you go to buy gear, but the same sites can offer discount codes for in-flight wifi. RetailMeNot is always a great place to check.
Find a package deal locally.
Use your research skills to find deals that include free wifi bundled with something you were already going to buy. For example, if you always drive yourself to the airport, see if any of those nearby "Park and Fly" lots are offering free wifi with each purchase.
Ask around!
Here in Atlanta, where Delta and AirTran are headquartered, plenty of local travel industry pros have the goods on free wi-fi codes. You'd be surprised when you ask around to your travel agent and shuttle driver. You can also try to sweet talk the code out of airline officials once you get to the airport.
(Images: Flickr user davitydave with a Creative Commons License, Flickr member Magitisa with a Creative Commons license)
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AirTran's headquarters is located in Orlando, not Atlanta.
I don't get why we can't/don't have WiFi on Canadian airlines. I've accidentally left my BlackBerry on more than once and the plane never fell out of the sky.
How do you "accidentally" leave your phone on? There are so many reminders for those who don't travel much, and those that do should automatically turn the phone off when sitting down. Please don't take other people's lives into your hands!!!
wingfeathers: cell phones and internet usage cause no real problem with navigation systems so you can relax, no one was taking your life into other people's hands.
My guess is that sauceykat thought the phone was off; not that s/he ignored the announcements.
American safety requirements haven't relaxed even as technology has changed that is why there are these inconsistencies.
How do you "accidentally" leave your phone on? There are so many reminders for those who don't travel much, and those that do should automatically turn the phone off when sitting down. Please don't take other people's lives into your hands!!!
Oh, please, I know people who have used their cells/blackberries on purpose on planes and nothing ever happened. The real safety issue is mostly the takeoffs and landings anyways (hence the chairs/trays being upright/locked and pathways clear, headphones off in case you need to evacuate/duck for cover).
I'm not saying that they SHOULD use them inflight, or were right to do so, just that they're not really all that dangerous at all (hence in-flight wifi which uses ultra high frequency bands).
Anyways, as taqah pointed out, it was an accident. I thought I had turned it off but if you accidentally hit a button while it's shutting off then it will cancel the shutdown. It happens.
For flights that use Gogo Inflight WiFi, you can use the technique described in this video to get access to most websites for free.