eSims, what is your experience.

[RealtimeY]

Some good deals on physical and eSIMs here

25% off All Travel SIM Cards including eSIM – Europe, USA, NZ, Japan, Korea, Asia from $11.25 + Free Shipping @ TravelKon

Deal: 25% off All Travel SIM Cards including eSIM – Europe, USA, NZ, Japan, Korea, Asia from $11.25 + Free Shipping @ TravelKon, Store: Travelkon, Code: KONNECT25, Category: Mobile

www.ozbargain.com.au

 

[Kangol]

Used the free 15 days Flexiroam esim deal through 28 degrees Mastercard pretty painlessly in Europe last month.

Do you have a copy of the T&Cs for the free 3Gb for 15 days?
Looks like you need to download the app and sign up first to find out.
Is the free 15 days considered the "Complimentary starter pack"?

 

[SYD]

Do you have a copy of the T&Cs for the free 3Gb for 15 days?
Looks like you need to download the app and sign up first to find out.
Is the free 15 days considered the "Complimentary starter pack"?

28° MC (and others) is eligible for this - once per year but discounts on other Global packages.

FlexiRoam Mastercard

mastercard.flexiroam.com

 

[Kangol]

28° MC (and others) is eligible for this - once per year but discounts on other Global packages.

FlexiRoam Mastercard

mastercard.flexiroam.com

Thanks, couldn't see anything specific to the 28 degrees offer of free 3Gb for 15 days, but it looks like I can order the (physical) Sim card and activate it on the day I need it, as long as it's within 6 months. That was my main query, whether you have to activate it immediately or within a certain time, to get the bonus.
I know this is an eSim thread but I only looked up Flexiroam after seeing a 28deg ad for the bonus.

 

[auriga]

Thanks, couldn't see anything specific to the 28 degrees offer of free 3Gb for 15 days, but it looks like I can order the (physical) Sim card and activate it on the day I need it, as long as it's within 6 months. That was my main query, whether you have to activate it immediately or within a certain time, to get the bonus.
I know this is an eSim thread but I only looked up Flexiroam after seeing a 28deg ad for the bonus.

You can activate it later (when required).
I got the sim pack a couple of months prior to travel.

 

[Scarlett]

Do you have a copy of the T&Cs for the free 3Gb for 15 days?
Looks like you need to download the app and sign up first to find out.
Is the free 15 days considered the "Complimentary starter pack"?

I think I just followed basic instructions from 28deg website which probably did involve downloading the Flexiroam app as the primary step. I recall it was quite a simple process from there: something like enter card number to check validity (my 28 deg was valid - it rejected another Mastercard number I tried…).

Can’t remember whether there was an issue of selecting start date for the 15 days or it started during that registration process. I think to be safe I activated it in the Istanbul lounge enroute to France.

The app ‘home’ page looks like this and it does say Complimentary starter pack there in the middle.

 

[Mattg]

I’m currently in Kazakhstan and purchased a 1GB/7 day eSIM plan from airalo.

It works fine, but one minor disadvantage of using an eSIM rather than a physical SIM card is that pretty all the public wifi networks here require you to verify your phone number before you can connect to the network. (To do this, you receive an automated phone call which you’re told to reject, but you then need to enter the last four digits of the number that called you as a verification step.) The problem with this is that most wifi login pages will only let you enter a local Kazakh phone number starting in +7. Which you don’t get with an eSIM.

 

[djkelly69]

I think it is the fact that you have a data (only) sim rather than esim that means you don't get a number. I believe either a data or normal phone Sim can be of the E variety.

 

[SYD]

The problem with this is that most wifi login pages will only let you enter a local Kazakh phone number starting in +7. Which you don’t get with an eSIM.

I can hear Anastasia saying Kazakh wifi is for Kazarkhstanis….

But seriously, even a lot of the great physical travel SIMs in years gone by had UK numbers. Only SIMs you pick up in country would have a local number.

 

[Mattg]

But seriously, even a lot of the great physical travel SIMs in years gone by had UK numbers. Only SIMs you pick up in country would have a local number.

Yes, absolutely. But it wouldn’t have been an issue to pick up a local SIM card at the airport on arrival in this case.

Not a big deal - just a minor inconvenience.

 

[SYD]

Not a big deal - just a minor inconvenience.

Yeah. Different if it’s somewhere you’re expecting to visit regularly *and* the online management of the SIM account is in English or a language you understand.

 

[Kangol]

You can activate it later (when required).
I got the sim pack a couple of months prior to travel.

I think I just followed basic instructions from 28deg website which probably did involve downloading the Flexiroam app as the primary step. I recall it was quite a simple process from there: something like enter card number to check validity (my 28 deg was valid - it rejected another Mastercard number I tried…).

Can’t remember whether there was an issue of selecting start date for the 15 days or it started during that registration process. I think to be safe I activated it in the Istanbul lounge enroute to France.

The app ‘home’ page looks like this and it does say Complimentary starter pack there in the middle.
View attachment 333933

Thanks, good to know!

 

[craven morehead]

Following

 

[kookaburra75]

But seriously, even a lot of the great physical travel SIMs in years gone by had UK numbers. Only SIMs you pick up in country would have a local number.

We have a trip to Samoa in several weeks, and I had working through the options. I have a Pixel 7a using the eSim for my Woolies mobile, leaving the SIM card slot spare. I've been looking at the different options, including Woolies roaming and Airalo, but I'm going to get a Vodafone Samoa Tourist SIM when I arrive, as the reviews suggest they have the best coverage. The main reason though, is to get a local number, so if we're making bookings etc, people can call us back easily as things change.

But if I was back in Europe or the UK, I think I'd go for putting in a Woolies SIM Card and freeing up the eSim for Airalo or similar. Having in-country number isn't so much of a need there.

 

[Kangol]

Thanks, good to know!

In case anyone is wondering, the physical SIM has a shipping charge of US $9.90.

 

[Kremmen]

I have to agree about the AIS Thai sim card, I have one and top it up every couple of months using my Qantas money card. OK I lose 50Cents on the exchange rate but it gives me a contactable number as soon as the plane lands

You can top up the AIS SIM by credit card. Even if you have a foreign exchange fee, it would add less than 2c on a 10 baht (42c) top-up. I've topped mine up to just under my min plan cost (35 baht/7 days). That way, one 10-baht top-up on the day I arrive will trigger it.

 

[jkbaus]

In case anyone is wondering, the physical SIM has a shipping charge of US $9.90.

Contradictory info on their site RE free or $ charge.

Recently took advantage of 28 degrees flexiroam free physical sim.
Was not charged

 

[Mattg]

Wow - Airalo has launched a loyalty program with status tiers (Silver, Gold and Platinum, no less) and cashback rewards.

I've started a new thread to discuss it here:

New Airalo Loyalty Program

Wow - eSIM provider Airalo has launched a new loyalty program with Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers. 😂 You get cashback rewards, which are higher if you have a higher tier level. I've been using Airalo a lot lately - I find it a very convenient and reliable service when travelling overseas -...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[unclebobl]

I am interested in the concept of eSims but have no experience with them.
The notion of running my local sim plus having an international sim for phone use while in USA and EU could be handy.
What have members experience been? TIA

I purchased a new Pixel 7 prior to Christmas 2022 and replaced my conventional Sim by just downloading from the Amaysim website using their App. I then removed the Physical Sim and replaced it with my Thai Sim, that I use in Asia. Also replaced my Wife's Sim when she purchased a new pixel a couple of weeks ago. No issues so far

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Simcorner is very good.
Pinged to 2deg Nz right on landing.
Esim and no pharfing around with set up.
They send QR code to email, you can set up with smartphone camera before keaving home ie Au and it's done.
No further set up or activating on arrival.
Turn flight mode off and it's on to roaming asap.