Come home with memories, not a shocking phone bill
The horror story goes something like this: A family returns from a trip abroad, and the luster of the vacation has barely worn off when a cell phone bill arrives with hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars in international charges. The phenomenon even has a name: bill shock.
Smartphones have become an indispensable part of international travel. You can use it to check in at the gate, cross borders, find your way in a strange city and pay for your breakfast on a terrace. It’s now easier than ever to use your phone as you would at home, without breaking the bank.
There are two main options: you can sign up for a data plan directly through your phone company, or you can replace your phone’s SIM card, a small chip that stores data about you and your carrier. On newer phones you can use an app that does that. the same. Here are a few tips:
Choose the right plan
The three largest U.S. carriers all offer some version of a comprehensive international data plan. Prices and countries vary. Some take effect automatically when you cross a border, and others require you to sign up before your trip. Almost all of them send a text message detailing your options when your phone connects to a foreign network.
AT&T offers the International day pass for $10 a day, allowing travelers to use their phones just like they would in the United States. AT&T automatically adds a day pass when customers with an unlimited plan connect to the network at a foreign destination.
Customers on this plan can use their phone for as many days as they want, but will be charged for a maximum of ten days per billing cycle. The plan covers approximately 210 destinations, including Canada and Mexico. Some exceptions: Cuba and the Maldives.
Verizon has a similar offer: Travel passwhich allows customers on Unlimited Plus, Unlimited Welcome, and other unlimited plans to call, text, and use data for $10 per day (there is no limit on the number of days you’ll be charged in a billing cycle) , or a $100 monthly pass. The first 2 GB of high-speed data per day is included; after that, travelers get unlimited data at a lower speed.
Unlimited subscription customers going to Canada or Mexico do not need to purchase a TravelPass, but for all other plans a day pass to those countries costs $5. TravelPass covers approximately 210 international destinations. Exceptions: Cuba and the Maldives.
T-Mobile automatically includes international coverage in its most popular plans at no additional cost, said Mike Katz, president of marketing, strategy and products. Depending on the plan, it includes unlimited texting to more than 215 destinations around the world 5 GB high-speed data per billing cycle (but most calls cost 25 cents per minute). Just like AT&T and Verizon, Cuba is not included, but the Maldives is.
T-Mobile travelers who need more high-speed data or free calling can upgrade day passes, from $5 (unlimited calling and up to 512 MB high-speed data). For longer stays, a 30-day plan with up to 15 GB of high-speed data costs $50.
Swap your SIM card
Subscriber Identity Module cards (small, removable chips that connect a phone to the owner’s network and phone number) offer another way to save money while you travel, especially if you are taking a longer trip or using a large amount of data . Instead of signing up for a US carrier’s international calling plan, you can buy a local SIM card, usually as part of a prepaid or prepaid package, usually at a cheaper rate. Rates vary depending on the provider, country and offer.
If you have a newer phone model, you probably don’t even need to exchange (and keep track of) physical SIM cards: you might have built-in eSIM capabilities instead.
Apps like Airalo Offer affordable eSIM options to hundreds of destinations around the world. Airalo’s options include Discover Plus, a global plan with 10 texts, 10 minutes and 1GB data, starting at $9 for seven days. There also is a regional plan (for places like Europe), starting at $5 for seven days, and a local plan (for one country only), from $4.50 for seven days.
Two caveats when switching SIM cards: your phone generally needs to be unlocked (not tied to a specific carrier), and you’ll usually receive a foreign phone number when you set up the new SIM card. So make sure you share that number with anyone who needs it. to contact you. (Your regular phone number goes to voicemail.) If you use an eSIM and have your phone Dual SIM Dual standby technology, maybe you still can to use your regular number.
Adapt the technology
There are a number of technological precautions travelers can take to avoid bill shocks.
First, check your data usage by turning off data roaming in your phone’s settings when you don’t need it. You can also download maps if you have WiFi and then use apps like Google or Apple Maps offline. You can also suppress data-hungry apps individually by disabling their access to mobile data in your phone’s settings.
Finally, consider using secure Wi-Fi (be wary of public networks) to make calls using services like FaceTime or WhatsApp, to avoid voice or long distance charges.