GigSky has been selling travel data since before most people knew what an eSIM was, and it now leans on two things rivals can’t easily copy: a deal with Visa and a fleet of cruise ships. We looked at what the discounts are actually worth, what the plans cost and where it falls short.
Promo Code box
Offer: Up to 30% off every GigSky plan for eligible Visa cardholders, or 25% off your first plan through a friend’s referral
Promo Code: None needed
Who qualifies: The Visa discount applies to eligible Visa cards (tier decides 20% or 30%). The referral discount is for new customers using a friend’s code.
Key terms: The Visa discount applies automatically at checkout once your card is verified in the app. Referral and promo codes cannot be combined with the Visa discount, so only one applies per purchase. New users also get a free trial plan with no card required.
| Offer detail | What you get |
|---|---|
| Promo Code | None needed |
| Welcome offer | Up to 30% off every GigSky plan for eligible Visa cardholders, or 25% off your first plan through a friend’s referral |
| Who qualifies | Eligible Visa cardholders (card tier decides 20% or 30%); new customers using a friend’s referral code |
| Key terms | Only one discount per purchase, as referral and promo codes cannot be combined with the Visa discount; new users also get a free trial plan with no card |
| How to claim | Verify your Visa card in the app for the automatic discount at checkout, or enter a friend’s referral code |
GigSky: key facts
- Official website: gigsky.com
- Owner: GigSky, Inc.
- Headquarters: Palo Alto, California, USA
- Founded: 2010
- Support: Email: help@gigsky.com
- Ratings: App Store 4.5 (1.1k ratings, UK App Store); Trustpilot 4.3 (7,992 reviews)
- Headline offer: Up to 30% off every plan for eligible Visa cardholders, or 25% off your first plan through a friend's referral
- Promo Code: None needed
- Price from: US$2.99 (£2.24 / €2.66), 1GB for 7 days in the UK, USA or Japan
- Free plan or trial: Yes: 100MB in 125 countries or 500MB across Europe, 7 days, no card needed
- Payment methods: Credit or debit card, Apple Pay, PayPal (depending on device), Cryptocurrency (USDC, USDP)
- Best features: 20% or 30% off for eligible Visa cardholders; Free trial with no card required; Cruise coverage across 290-plus ships
Key facts
- Coverage: 200-plus countries and destinations advertised (some GigSky pages say 175), plus 290-plus cruise ships
- Plan types: Fixed data, daily-capped unlimited, regional, world and cruise plans, plus the GigSky One monthly subscription
- Cheapest plan: US$2.99 (£2.24 / €2.66) for 1GB over 7 days in the UK, USA or Japan
- Unlimited from: US$3.49 (£2.62 / €3.11) for one day, with 3.5GB a day at full speed
- Free plan or trial: 100MB free in 125 countries, or 500MB across Europe, no card needed
- Hotspot: Yes, on unlimited plans too
- Phone number: No. Data only, with no calls, SMS or local number
- Trustpilot: 4.3/5 from 7,992 reviews
Verdict
GigSky is a sensible, slightly old-school choice that becomes very good value if you hold the right Visa card. Its fixed-data prices in the UK and Japan undercut most rivals, and nobody else is as focused on cruise passengers. The “unlimited” plans are really 3.5GB a day, support has been handed largely to a chatbot, and prices shift depending on which region your app is set to.
Pros
- Fixed-data plans are cheap: 10GB for 30 days in the UK costs under US$10
- Free trial with no card, plus up to 10GB free for some Visa cardholders in the Americas
- Strong cruise coverage across 290-plus ships
- Hotspot allowed on every plan type
- Prepaid only, with no auto-renewal on standard plans
Cons
- Unlimited plans throttle after 3.5GB a day
- No phone number, calls or SMS
- Visa and referral discounts cannot be stacked
- Refunds are decided case by case, with no fixed rules
- Prices vary with the app’s region setting, which makes comparison awkward
GigSky discount codes, Visa offers and referral credit: what actually works
GigSky does not run a standing public promo code on its own site. Instead, the discounts come in three forms, and you can use only one per purchase.
The most generous is the Visa benefit. Add an eligible Visa card in the app’s Offers section and GigSky knocks 20% or 30% off every plan, cruise plans included, with the higher figure for the top card tiers. Nothing is charged when you add the card; it is purely an eligibility check. Each eligible card carries its own benefit, so a couple with two cards gets two sets of perks.
The second is Refer a Friend. Every account has a referral code under Refer in the app, and a friend who enters it under “Apply promo code/coupon” gets 25% off, with the same reward going back to you.
Third, there are codes circulating on coupon sites and partner blogs. Some work, many are limited to particular plan types such as land-only or exclude inflight plans, and GigSky’s own advice is to test them at checkout.
Worked example: a 10GB Europe plan valid for 30 days lists at US$22.99 (£17.25 / €20.47).
- With a friend’s referral (25% off): US$17.24 (£12.94 / €15.35)
- With a Visa Signature-tier discount (20% off): US$18.39 (£13.80 / €16.38)
- With a Visa Infinite-tier discount (30% off): US$16.09 (£12.07 / €14.33)
Is there a GigSky free trial or free eSIM?
Yes, and it is one of the better ones going. New users can claim a free 100MB plan, valid for 7 days, in 125 countries including the USA, Australia and Japan, without entering a card. Europe gets a more useful version: 500MB for 7 days across the regional plan, again with no card. It is a one-time offer per new user.
The Visa route is more generous still. Eligible Visa Infinite and Signature cardholders from the USA, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean get between 1GB and 10GB free (the amount depends on the card), valid for up to 15 days. Visa cards issued elsewhere can qualify for 3 or 7 days of free unlimited data in selected destinations, which include the UK, France, the USA, Thailand and the UAE.
A word on timing: the free plan starts once the eSIM is installed and active in a covered country, so claim it at home and switch it on when you land.
GigSky prices: UK, Europe, USA and Japan compared
GigSky’s prices are listed in US dollars but change with the region set in your app, and promotions come and go weekly. The figures below are list prices before any Visa or referral discount, so check the app for the current figure before you buy.
| Destination | Plan | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | 1GB | 7 days | US$2.99 (£2.24 / €2.66) |
| UK | 10GB | 30 days | US$9.79 (£7.35 / €8.72) |
| UK | Unlimited (3.5GB/day) | 7 days | US$14.49 (£10.87 / €12.90) |
| Europe | 3GB | 15 days | US$8.49 (£6.37 / €7.56) |
| Europe | 10GB | 30 days | US$22.99 (£17.25 / €20.47) |
| Europe | Unlimited (3.5GB/day) | 7 days | US$24.49 (£18.38 / €21.81) |
| USA | 10GB | 30 days | US$21.49 (£16.13 / €19.14) |
| USA | Unlimited (3.5GB/day) | 7 days | US$24.49 (£18.38 / €21.81) |
| Japan | 5GB | 30 days | US$10.29 (£7.72 / €9.16) |
| Japan | 10GB | 30 days | US$16.79 (£12.60 / €14.95) |
The pattern is clear enough. Single-country fixed-data plans are where GigSky earns its keep: a fortnight in Kyoto on 10GB for under US$17 is hard to beat. Its Europe regional plan is pricier, and the unlimited plans are only competitive on shorter trips.
There is also GigSky One, a subscription covering more than 120 countries with 25GB, 50GB or 75GB of high-speed data a month. GigSky’s own guide puts the entry plan at US$17 (£12.76 / €15.14) for the first month, then US$33.99 (£25.51 / €30.27). It auto-renews and is non-refundable once bought.
Countries and coverage: where GigSky works
GigSky advertises coverage in more than 200 countries and destinations, although some of its own pages give 175, which suggests the count depends on what you include. The free trial and a handful of plan types cover fewer.
Regional bundles include:
- Europe: 43 countries on one eSIM, including the UK and Turkey
- North America: USA, Canada and Mexico
- Caribbean: 48 destinations
- Asia Pacific, including Japan
- Middle East, Africa and Latin America
- World Plan: 120-plus countries, with a cheaper World Plan Lite tier
- Cruise and Land: 290-plus ships, including Carnival, Celebrity, Disney and Royal Caribbean, plus ferry and offshore plans
In the UK, GigSky connects to Three, O2 and Vodafone. Coverage in Jersey and Guernsey may differ, so check the app before a Channel Islands weekend.
GigSky reviews: what users say
GigSky scores 4.3 out of 5 on Trustpilot from 7,992 reviews, with 67% of reviewers giving five stars and 8% giving one.
The praise is consistent: the app is simple, installation takes minutes and topping up mid-trip is painless. Erin, from Canada, summed up the mood: “Easy to use- worked great and saved me money on using data!”
The complaints cluster around patchy coverage in places and, more pointedly, customer service. A.J., also from Canada, wrote: “They have a dumb AI chat bot in place of customer support.” Several reviewers mention slow or intermittent speeds, which is the usual risk with any roaming eSIM that rides on partner networks.
How to sign up and use GigSky
- Check your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM (dial *#06# and look for an EID number).
- Download the GigSky app on iPhone or Android and create an account.
- If you hold a Visa card, add it under Offers to check for free data or a discount.
- Search your destination, pick a plan, and apply a referral code if you have one.
- Install the eSIM at home on a good Wi-Fi connection, then switch it off in your phone’s SIM settings until you travel.
- Turn the eSIM and data roaming on when you arrive.
When validity starts: the plan starts once the eSIM connects to a network in a covered country. Installing a Caribbean plan while still in the USA, for example, can start the clock early, so keep the line switched off until you need it. Unused plans must be installed within a year of purchase.
Hotspot: allowed on all plans. A family of four sharing one unlimited plan in Tokyo will get through the 3.5GB daily allowance quickly, after which speeds drop until the 24-hour reset.
Phone number: there isn’t one. Keep your home SIM active for calls, texts and bank codes (roaming charges may apply), and use WhatsApp or FaceTime over GigSky data.
Payment: GigSky is prepaid and the app price is the final price. It takes credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, PayPal on some devices and selected cryptocurrencies.
GigSky vs Airalo vs Ubigi: which is cheaper?
All prices are list prices in USD before discounts. Where a provider doesn’t sell an exact match, the nearest plan is shown with its validity.
| Plan | GigSky | Airalo | Ubigi |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK unlimited, 7 days | US$14.49 (£10.87 / €12.90), 3.5GB/day | US$27 (£20.26 / €24.05) | US$21 (£15.76 / €18.70), 25GB then 2Mbps |
| UK unlimited, 30 days | Not published | US$69 (£51.78 / €61.45) | US$44 (£33.02 / €39.19), 60GB then 2Mbps |
| Europe 3GB | US$8.49 (£6.37 / €7.56), 15 days | US$11 (£8.25 / €9.80), 7 days | US$7 (£5.25 / €6.23), 30 days |
| Europe 10GB, 30 days | US$22.99 (£17.25 / €20.47) | US$31 (£23.26 / €27.61) | US$15 (£11.26 / €13.36) |
| USA unlimited, 7 days | US$24.49 (£18.38 / €21.81), 3.5GB/day | US$25 (£18.76 / €22.26) | US$23 (£17.26 / €20.48), 25GB then 2Mbps |
| USA unlimited, 30 days | Not sold (15 days: US$44.99, £33.76 / €40.07) | US$68 (£51.03 / €60.56) | US$62 (£46.52 / €55.22), 60GB then 2Mbps |
For a week in London, GigSky is the cheapest of the three on paper, and comfortably so. For a month in Europe on fixed data, Ubigi wins on price, and its 30-day validity on small plans is more forgiving than Airalo‘s 7 days. Airalo is rarely the cheapest here, but its app is polished and its Locals Insider code NEWTOAIRALO15 takes 15% off a first eSIM.
Pick GigSky if you hold an eligible Visa card, are taking a cruise, or want a short, cheap single-country plan. Pick Ubigi for longer European trips on fixed data. Pick Airalo if you value its broad catalogue and don’t mind paying a little more.
GigSky FAQs
Is GigSky legit?
Yes. GigSky has sold travel data plans for years, partners with Visa and major cruise lines, and holds a 4.3 rating on Trustpilot from nearly 8,000 reviews. Complaints focus on support and patchy speeds rather than anything shady.
Does GigSky have a promo code?
GigSky has no permanent public code on its own site. The reliable discounts are the Visa benefit (20% or 30% off for eligible cards) and the 25% referral discount via a friend’s code. Codes on coupon sites vary and often exclude certain plans.
Is GigSky really unlimited?
Not quite. Unlimited plans give 3.5GB a day at full 4G or 5G speed, after which speeds drop until the allowance resets 24 hours later. That is plenty for maps and messaging, less so for a day of video calls.
Can I get a free GigSky eSIM?
Yes. New users get 100MB for 7 days in 125 countries, or 500MB for 7 days in Europe, with no card required. Eligible Visa cardholders can get between 1GB and 10GB, or several days of free unlimited data in selected countries.
Does GigSky give you a phone number?
No. GigSky is data only, so there’s no number, calls or SMS. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or similar apps, and keep your home SIM active for texts.
Can I use GigSky as a hotspot?
Yes, tethering is allowed on all plans, including unlimited. Bear in mind every connected device eats into the 3.5GB daily high-speed allowance.
Does GigSky offer refunds?
GigSky reviews refund requests individually, considering the issue, whether the plan has been activated and what troubleshooting you’ve tried. Approved refunds go to your original payment method or as GigSky Credit, which can be used immediately.
Is GigSky cheaper than Airalo?
Often, yes. A 7-day UK unlimited plan costs US$14.49 with GigSky against US$27 with Airalo, and GigSky’s Europe 10GB plan is US$22.99 against US$31. Airalo’s first-order code narrows the gap.
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