Optus $99/Mth Sim Only Plan - 60,000 Qf Pts

[DontGetMeStarted]

We applied and approved for two, two separate accounts and email said physical sims on their way so will activate as soon as they arrive

 

[N860CR]

To avoid starting a new thread... has anyone used the international roaming option as yet? I'm getting very mixed messages from Optus on exactly how it works.

Unlike Vodafone (which just kicks in when you activate your phone overseas), Optus requires you to purchase a 24 hour or 7 day roaming bundle ($5 or $35). I've been told the following by Optus;

- Don't buy it until you arrive as it starts right away and you'll lose however long the flight is
- When you buy the $5 daily option it will renew daily until you stop it
- It takes 15 mins to 4 hours for it to "activate" once purchased in the app
- It "should" not charge you any roaming while waiting to activate
- I don't know what happens for the few minutes it takes for you to open the app and select the bundle. Maybe you get charged for those few minutes?

Has anyone actually used it in practise? I'm thinking land, open the app, buy the package and you're good to go. Interested in what happens if your phone downloads a massive email in the few minutes it takes to buy the package.

 

[Chief Wiggum]

To avoid starting a new thread... has anyone used the international roaming option as yet? I'm getting very mixed messages from Optus on exactly how it works.

Unlike Vodafone (which just kicks in when you activate your phone overseas), Optus requires you to purchase a 24 hour or 7 day roaming bundle ($5 or $35). I've been told the following by Optus;

- Don't buy it until you arrive as it starts right away and you'll lose however long the flight is
- When you buy the $5 daily option it will renew daily until you stop it
- It takes 15 mins to 4 hours for it to "activate" once purchased in the app
- It "should" not charge you any roaming while waiting to activate
- I don't know what happens for the few minutes it takes for you to open the app and select the bundle. Maybe you get charged for those few minutes?

Has anyone actually used it in practise? I'm thinking land, open the app, buy the package and you're good to go. Interested in what happens if your phone downloads a massive email in the few minutes it takes to buy the package.

I'm about to find out end of next week when arriving USA.
Plan to give this a go for the $35 bundle.
I have another AT&T Prepaid SIM (physical) with "unlimited" 4G data (30 days)
So will have that and the Optus eSim active as backup.

Planning to do the same as you're thinking... activate upon arrival. (the AT&T sim will be preactivated an din the phone before leaving Sydney)
I have a couple of hours to wait on arrival for a connecting US flight, so will play with the Optus App and see how it goes.

 

[SYD]

Has anyone actually used it in practise? I'm thinking land, open the app, buy the package and you're good to go. Interested in what happens if your phone downloads a massive email in the few minutes it takes to buy the package.

I can’t answer the specifics of purchasing the roaming package (mine’s permanently on - 4GB per month, plus calls and text to/from OS) but if buying one abroad is correct and you can’t set a date in the future, then a few simple steps before you depart (could be phone dependant and I’m using iPhone setting examples will minimise excess data usage before you activate and during your time away):
1. Make sure “Roaming” is already turned off
2. Go through and turn off “data” access to *any* app you don’t need while you’re away (depending on how many apps it could be a bit of pain but worth doing - obviously you need to undo on return).
3. Reset your data usage counter - that’ll help keep track of how much data you’ve used / using per day.
4. When you land try connecting over wifi first and see if you can purchase then. If the app doesn’t work, try the website.

Presumably, otherwise you need to turn data roaming on to use the app - and as you say, that could be a problem - unless it somehow backdates to the start of the day. I don’t know.

 

[straitman]

Watching for the answers

 

[N860CR]

I’ve emailed someone at Optus in Australia (had some issues porting so actually managed to speak to someone here) so I’ll report back if I get an answer.

Otherwise I’m headed away at the end of the week so I’ll give it a try and see what happens.

 

[SYD]

I probably should have done this first before my earlier comment...…but I just opened the Optus app on my iPad over wifi (I’m in Singas now but it would be the same at home) and I can easily turn on the Optus Roaming pass thru the app. Just click through:
“Service” (down the bottom) -> “Settings” -> “International Roaming” -> select “Optus Roaming pass”. Done!

You might see that “Standard Roaming rates” is enabled - curious what’s the default for new starters? But for those who DO NOT want to use roaming data, I would assume you’d want to make sure you select “Roaming off”. That should override the phones own roaming on/off I mentioned earlier.

 

[N860CR]

Hmm interesting. My app doesn’t have that option under settings

 

[SYD]

Hmm interesting. My app doesn’t have that option under settings

Which app version?

Did you click on “Settings”? There’s actually three pages there on the “Service” page: “Usage”, “Add-Ons” and “Settings”.

“International Roaming” is the first menu option on mine followed by “VM call diversion” etc

 

[N860CR]

Only downloaded it today so I assume it’s the most up to date. Odd that they’re different…

 

[SYD]

Only downloaded it today so I assume it’s the most up to date. Odd that they’re different…

I have a very vague recollection of having to call Optus or do something to turn on International roaming but that was 3 yrs ago. Perhaps message / call Optus and ask why that option is missing.

The rest of your list is the same as mine except I also have some premium SMS option thing that I suspect I don’t need or want.

 

[serfty]

I used Optus roaming earlier this year - just for 2 days in the USA.

It was easy through the app.

But I did have an issue when I received the bill, rather more than the (expected) $20.

I worked out it as to do with time zones. Optus recorded the times of roaming usage incorrectly mixing up central with pacific time. As a result 2 hours of my usage was billed at full roaming rate.

I got it resolved, but it took some time and a few calls. (In the end I got enough credits to cover the overcharge and some of the initial $20 ) .

 

[N860CR]

I used Optus roaming earlier this year - just for 2 days in the USA.

It was easy thtough the app.

But I did have an issue when I received the bill, rather more than the (then) $20.

It was to do with time zones. Optus recorded the times of roaming usage incorrectly mixing up central with pacific time. As a result 2 hours of my usage was billed at full roaming rate.

In the end I got it resolved, but it took some time and a few calls. In the end I got enough credits to cover the overcharge and some of the initial $20.

Hmm yes. This is what I suspect the issue will be. It does make the Vodafone option much simpler. Just a shame I get zero coverage at home since they rolled out 5G . Might look at the business plan once the qantas points have posted.

 

[bam71]

This offer was all too hard for this household. I did have an old prepaid Optus phone linked to my email address that I had for a job 2 years ago. Gave the phone to someone or other for their prepaid use. As such, Optus told me I had to go into their store to change the number on my account before they can proceed. Yea, nah.

 

[SYD]

I’ve emailed someone at Optus in Australia (had some issues porting so actually managed to speak to someone here) so I’ll report back if I get an answer.

Otherwise I’m headed away at the end of the week so I’ll give it a try and see what happens.

Another thing to try before you leave is enable “wifi calling“ (if your phone supports it). That should provide some OS connectivity - even with no roaming. I’d definitely make sure “roaming” was off in my phone settings before trying that however.

Over in this thread, it was discovered that Telstra doesn’t have a current roaming agreement in NOU but “wifi calling” got them connected (See post #34):

Noumea. Flying Qantas and Aircalin in J.

On COVID-related stuff... I saw you mentioned there was nothing to do, but their tourism site talks to a post-arrival verified RAT still being needed within 2 days of arrival. Is that also not being enforced? I expected that too. But there was nothing on arrival at the airport. I suspect...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[QF029]

I'm on this deal and activated roaming last weekend in NZ. Very easy, did it through the app when I landed (no wifi required) for 24 hours. $5 was charged to my billing card. Couldn't have been easier and it's a great deal.

 

[SYD]

I'm on this deal and activated roaming last weekend in NZ. Very easy, did it through the app when I landed (no wifi required) for 24 hours. $5 was charged to my billing card. Couldn't have been easier and it's a great deal.

You presumably turned data on first and then went to the app?

The concern raised by the earlier posts was apps doing cough in the background before you activate the plan.

 

[QF029]

I had roaming set to on but you won't use any data or get charged if it's not already activated.

If the query is apps using data before roaming is activated I don't think that is possible under this plan because roaming is not included in the mo thky plan - you have to explicitly add it.

 

[SYD]

I had roaming set to on but you won't use any data or get charged if it's not already activated.

If the query is apps using data before roaming is activated I don't think that is possible under this plan because roaming is not included in the mo thky plan - you have to explicitly add it.

That’s a good point!

Although other post paid plans you can activate PAYG roaming (with the obvious pitfalls!)

I did ask in an early post if “Roaming data” was defaulted to “Off” in the app (seperate to phone setting).

 

[N860CR]

So the Optus guy tells me don’t even bother with the app. You’ll get a text when landing that will say “reply 1 for standard roaming, 2 for the daily package”. Have sent a followup asking what happens after 24 hours.