Avast, me hearties! Learneth the secrets to keepin' yer phone ship-shape whilst sailin' foreign waters.
2023-08-17
Venturin' afar can bring a shipload o' charges and fees from yer phone carrier, me hearties! Fear not, for Kurt "The CyberGuy" Knutsson shall reveal a treasure trove o' international plans and SIM card options to keep ye wallets intact!
Ever felt the sting of international roaming charges? Bonita from Hampstead, North Carolina, surely did, which is why she reached out to us. She was all set to embark on a UK adventure but was hit with the realization of facing hefty international fees.Here's how she needs our help:
"I am going to the UK next month and to Spain later on in the year. I have an AT&T iPhone. Their international charge for even 1 text message is $10 per day, a maximum of $50 per month. Would it be better to get a SIM card in Europe and change it out or even an entirely new inexpensive phone? The messages are mostly from pet sitters who send pics to reassure me that the animals are all safe. The rest are usually junk calls. Suggestions welcome. Thank you." Bonita, Hampstead, North Carolina
To address Bonita’s concerns and help her navigate the maze of international roaming charges, there are several solutions worth considering that can save her from the exorbitant fees while staying connected during her UK and Spain travels.
If you plan on using your phone frequently while traveling abroad, getting a SIM card could be worth considering. However, the first thing you need to do before anything else is to check in with your phone provider and see if they can offer you an international phone plan for your trip.
In Bonita's situation, she has an iPhone under an AT&T phone plan. If Bonita wanted to keep her current phone and phone number with her, AT&T offers an International Day Pass plan for iPhone and Android phone use throughout Europe. As she mentioned, the plan costs $10 per day for up to 10 days, but what she didn't mention is that after 10 days, each additional day is free, so long as she is within one billing cycle. The pass resets during a new billing cycle, and texting is unlimited with this package.
For Verizon customers, the carrier offers a travel pass as well. You can get unlimited talk, text, and data in over 210 countries and destinations. It typically costs $10/line per day or $5/line if you're only going to Canada or Mexico. Roaming is also included in Canada and Mexico with Unlimited Plus, Unlimited Welcome, and other Unlimited plans.
T-Mobile offers international plans that allow you to use your phone while traveling abroad without incurring roaming fees. Their plans include unlimited texting and data at 2G speeds in over 210 countries and destinations, with the option to purchase high-speed data, passes for faster internet access. Calls are charged at a rate of $0.25 per minute in most countries.
Whether it is more affordable to opt for an international plan or to get a SIM card while traveling abroad depends on various factors, including your specific needs, the duration of your travel, and where you’re traveling to.
If your phone carrier does not offer an international plan that meets your needs while traveling, you may want to consider purchasing a local SIM card for your phone.
A SIM card is a tiny chip that can connect your phone to your cellular network while you're abroad and allow you to make calls, send text messages, and use data services. They come in a variety of different sizes, and you can get one that works in multiple different countries in case you plan on going to multiple places.
In a world where staying connected is crucial, the struggle against international roaming charges is a battle many of us face when traveling abroad. Bonita’s dilemma resonates with globetrotters everywhere, highlighting the frustrating prospect of paying exorbitant fees just to keep in touch.
Whether you opt for the convenience of an international plan, the flexibility of a local SIM card, or the simplicity of a budget phone, the key is finding the right balance between staying connected and saving those hard-earned dollars.