eSims, what is your experience.

[p--and--t]

Japan

Visiting Japan for 2 weeks in March.with iPhone 15 pro on Boost (AU).

Turned off by Boost roaming options as look very expensive.

Mainly interested in having continuous data available (most contacts on Whatsapp) but open to all suggestions.

I would appreciate any tips or tricks/ best eSim recommendations for this situation?

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

Japan

Visiting Japan for 2 weeks in March.with iPhone 15 pro on Boost (AU).

Turned off by Boost roaming options as look very expensive.

Mainly interested in having continuous data available (most contacts on Whatsapp) but open to all suggestions.

I would appreciate any tips or tricks/ best eSim recommendations for this situation?

If you have a 28* card, they give you 2 weeks on FlexiRoam for free…

 

[Askance]

Japan

Visiting Japan for 2 weeks in March.with iPhone 15 pro on Boost (AU).

Turned off by Boost roaming options as look very expensive.

Mainly interested in having continuous data available (most contacts on Whatsapp) but open to all suggestions.

I would appreciate any tips or tricks/ best eSim recommendations for this situation?

Im heading there at the end of March too and i went with this Ozbargain offer

Mastercard: 15% Discount on All Airalo eSIMs Purchase and Top-Ups @ Airalo (Stackable with 50% off 30D 10GB Japan eSIM)

Deal: Mastercard: 15% Discount on All Airalo eSIMs Purchase and Top-Ups @ Airalo (Stackable with 50% off 30D 10GB Japan eSIM), Store: Airalo, Code: MASTERCARD15, Category: Mobile

www.ozbargain.com.au

 

[drron]

We ave used Airolo in Japan and asia several times now. data only. All the family are on Whatsapp now so no problems. Easy to use.

 

[RealtimeY]

Agree to go with Airalo for Japan in particular. They have the best value eSIM I've found so far.

 

[SYD]

Speaking of Airalo, has anyone else noticed that they’re now offering country plans with calls/txt.

eg Chile*

Data only


Click on “Data/Calls/Text”


Has anyone tried one of these yet?

*Note: not necessarily the best example but one I saw - I’m currently in SAm.

 

[Flashback]

Recently visited Mauritius and Emtel offers an eSIM, fill in form and pay online before arrival - but then need to go to the desk when you land to confirm ID and install/activate the SIM. All it really saves is the payment piece as they still manually enter all the details.... Hit my card at £13 and includes 200GB for 30 days. Decent.

 

[p--and--t]

If you have a 28* card, they give you 2 weeks on FlexiRoam for free…

Thanks. Following demise of Diners I only have two visas

Im heading there at the end of March too and i went with this Ozbargain offer

Mastercard: 15% Discount on All Airalo eSIMs Purchase and Top-Ups @ Airalo (Stackable with 50% off 30D 10GB Japan eSIM)

Deal: Mastercard: 15% Discount on All Airalo eSIMs Purchase and Top-Ups @ Airalo (Stackable with 50% off 30D 10GB Japan eSIM), Store: Airalo, Code: MASTERCARD15, Category: Mobile

www.ozbargain.com.au

Thanks. Don't have a Mastercard.

Agree to go with Airalo for Japan in particular. They have the best value eSIM I've found so far.

View attachment 372593

Thanks. Oh. This looks good, I look into that one.

 

[burmans]

Not Sure if anyone has experience with Global Yo but they seem to have a great deal currently.

I've been trying to find an ESim for Central America without a lot of success but have noticed that Global Yo have an ESim deal currently on their Global Plans. Somewhat incredibly the Global Plans seem much cheaper than the regional plans, e.g. you can get 10 GB for 30 days for US $10.

 

[Flashback]

Not Sure if anyone has experience with Global Yo but they seem to have a great deal currently.

I've been trying to find an ESim for Central America without a lot of success but have noticed that Global Yo have an ESim deal currently on their Global Plans. Somewhat incredibly the Global Plans seem much cheaper than the regional plans, e.g. you can get 10 GB for 30 days for US $10.

It's not as global as it makes it sound, but good if the list of countries works for you.

 

[burmans]

100 Countries to be exact. Covers all except Belize but that's my last country and I'm in Central America for 35 days so going to need to get a second eSim anyway for Belize (and US for that matter).

As much as for myself I thought others might find this useful!!

 

[Flashback]

100 Countries to be exact. Covers all except Belize but that's my last country and I'm in Central America for 35 days so going to need to get a second eSim anyway for Belize (and US for that matter).

As much as for myself I thought others might find this useful!!

For my upcoming trip of Madagascar, South Africa and Mauritius it only covers SA; so no good for me!

 

[SYD]

Yes, it pays to look carefully at “Global” coverage. My Flexiroam plan didn’t work in Uruguay (despite it being listed when I bought it last year - but later removed…). Their reasonably priced Latin America plan* worked fine.

*This plan covers bits of Central America but has doubled in price after Flexiroam rejigged their pricing (Global plans were halved). Anyone with a 28° MC (or other eligible card) gets 15% discount on Flexiroam.

 

[auriga]

Not Sure if anyone has experience with Global Yo but they seem to have a great deal currently.

I've been trying to find an ESim for Central America without a lot of success but have noticed that Global Yo have an ESim deal currently on their Global Plans. Somewhat incredibly the Global Plans seem much cheaper than the regional plans, e.g. you can get 10 GB for 30 days for US $10.

Only used them for thailand. 3gb 15 days for USD2.

 

[burmans]

Only used them for thailand. 3gb 15 days for USD2.

Great price! No issues?

 

[SYD]

Flexiroam rejigged their pricing (Global plans were halved).

Oh, I meant to post about this a week or so ago. So Flexiroam announced three things:

1. A new logo.....

2. Unlimited data plans
These are for selected countries. Obviously cost a bit more than the usual x GBs / y Days but will be attractive to those who need to stay connected.

3. Reduced the price of the Global Plans
The previously exorbitant rack rates have been halved to bring them pretty much in line with Airalo's plan rates.

What's not clear is if they'll still do the regular monthly promos for 70% - 90% off? I hope they do - some very good value to be had.

They do appear to have increased some plans - which is a negative. I bought a Latin America plan the other day and was pondering if I'd needed a top-up, but the price literally doubled overnight with the changes.... Fortunately I just rolled over to an existing Global plan once I left Uruguay.

 

[NM]

Planning for a USA trip with Mrs. NM later in the year. We both have eSIM compatible iPhones. My phone physical SIM is with Optus and provided/paid by my employer (phone is my own), and this is a personal holiday so I cannot just activate global roaming and use the company account SIM in a way that will incur cost to my employer while away. Mrs. NM uses personal Amaysim service, so we can activate global roaming for inbound SMS etc. on her SIM as any additional cost will be our own expense. We are seeking the following capabilities for 3 weeks in USA:

• Mobile data for use with things like Google Maps, Facetime/Messenger voice/video calls, email, banking, general web browsing
• Ability to receive SMS to our AU phone numbers for things like 2-factor authentication for banking etc. (no need for sending SMS)
• Ability to make USA phone calls for things like calling hotels to arrange shuttle services, modify travel plans, book a restaurant etc.

We have no need to receive phone calls to our AU numbers - will divert all calls to voicemail with an appropriate message.

I am considering the T-Mobile Network Pass (Try our network for 3 months). Would this meet our requirements above, especially ability to make a voice phone call to a USA number using a T-Mobile number when needed?

We will be together 99% of the time, and even if separated (in a shopping mall etc) we could still contact each other via data-only means such as Facetime/Messenger/iMessage.

Previously I have pre-purchased a travel SIM for use in the USA. But with today's reliance on SMS for 2-factor authentications for things like banking, swapping out the physical SIM does not seem to be the best option.

Thoughts? Other recommendations?

 

[SYD]

Planning for a USA trip with Mrs. NM later in the year. We both have eSIM compatible iPhones. My phone physical SIM is with Optus and provided/paid by my employer (phone is my own), and this is a personal holiday so I cannot just activate global roaming and use the company account SIM in a way that will incur cost to my employer while away. Mrs. NM uses personal Amaysim service, so we can activate global roaming for inbound SMS etc. on her SIM as any additional cost will be our own expense. We are seeking the following capabilities for 3 weeks in USA:

• Mobile data for use with things like Google Maps, Facetime/Messenger voice/video calls, email, banking, general web browsing
• Ability to receive SMS to our AU phone numbers for things like 2-factor authentication for banking etc. (no need for sending SMS)
• Ability to make USA phone calls for things like calling hotels to arrange shuttle services, modify travel plans, book a restaurant etc.

We have no need to receive phone calls to our AU numbers - will divert all calls to voicemail with an appropriate message.

I am considering the T-Mobile Network Pass (Try our network for 3 months). Would this meet our requirements above, especially ability to make a voice phone call to a USA number using a T-Mobile number when needed?

We will be together 99% of the time, and even if separated (in a shopping mall etc) we could still contact each other via data-only means such as Facetime/Messenger/iMessage.

Previously I have pre-purchased a travel SIM for use in the USA. But with today's reliance on SMS for 2-factor authentications for things like banking, swapping out the physical SIM does not seem to be the best option.

Thoughts? Other recommendations?

You’ll be able to receive SMS on your Optus sim without triggering the roaming charge (regardless of what your work arrangement is). Just make sure you have “Data roaming” turned off and don’t send an SMS nor make/receive calls. If you have an iPhone, disable sending iMessage as SMS.

The Optus $5 / day (actually $5 per 5GB) can be a bit flaky OS IME and can falsely trigger occasionally. If it does, contact Optus via the app chat function to reverse it.

Otherwise, any of the main eSiM providers will provide the data you need. If you really need to make calls, then that narrows the field down considerably. T-Mobile is probably a good option.

 

[Thibault]

I am considering the T-Mobile Network Pass (Try our network for 3 months). Would this meet our requirements above, especially ability to make a voice phone call to a USA number using a T-Mobile number when needed?

Yes - as long as you can download the app - you will be good to go.
Unlimited data and calls throughout the US - it worked very well.

You will then be assigned an US phone number.
Use the hotel address and their landline to sign up.

If the Tmobile service doesn't work, consider the Verizon Trial (could not make it work on my partner's phone but worked for me).

Ability to receive SMS to our AU phone numbers for things like 2-factor authentication for banking etc. (no need for sending SMS)

Receiving SMS is free overseas with Amaysim.
For Optus, might be good to get the account manager to cancel the Daily Roaming option if it is activated on your account to avoid costs.

Ability to make USA phone calls for things like calling hotels to arrange shuttle services, modify travel plans, book a restaurant etc.

Use the TMobile service or Verizon service for this.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[NM]

Yes - as long as you can download the app - you will be good to go.
Unlimited data and calls throughout the US - it worked very well.

Yes, I should be able to download the app. I have a second AppleID that I have used in the past for a some apps that are only available via the USA App Store. It's a bit of a pain swapping IDs, but can be done. Hopefully I can use my USA-linked AppleID on both our phones to download the app, then switch back to our own individual AppleID.

You will then be assigned an US phone number.
Use the hotel address and their landline to sign up.

Is the landline number used/verified by the setup process? Or just needs to have a valid number inserted for the process to complete? I assume I can't activate it until in the USA and we only have one night stay at a LAX airport hotel before flying on the following day. So will give me something to do that first night upon arrival at the hotel

If the Tmobile service doesn't work, consider the Verizon Trial (could not make it work on my partner's phone but worked for me).

Noted. Thanks.

Receiving SMS is free overseas with Amaysim.
For Optus, might be good to get the account manager to cancel the Daily Roaming option if it is activated on your account to avoid costs.

I expect its already disabled by default. But would be good if I can still receive SMS. I expect to leave "Mobile Data Roaming" to Off (as it is now), so Tmobile eSIM will used in USA and Optus will be used in Australia. I'll make enquiries with local team about what is/isn't activated by default on the company SIM.

Enjoy your trip!

That is the plan, thanks