Top-up 3 sim outside UK

[boomy]

I'm trying to top-up my sim online but the website only accept UK registered credit cards (I've tried using AU card with UK address but it didn't work).
No luck trying to do it over the phone.

Quick google search didn't find any 3 shops or stations at Heathrow (where I'm stopping on the way to EU).

 

[TonyHancock]

I usually just chuck my 3 sim away and pick up another one from the vending machines at LHR. (Currently on my sixth 3 sim this year.)

I do have a seperate Vodafone number that is more permanent, and I get a colleague to grab a top up voucher in the UK for me.

I think there are some services that will provide you with a top up voucher but they may be dodgy and are certainly quite a bit more expensive.

 

[TheRealTMA]

I'm trying to top-up my sim online but the website only accept UK registered credit cards (I've tried using AU card with UK address but it didn't work).
No luck trying to do it over the phone.

Quick google search didn't find any 3 shops or stations at Heathrow (where I'm stopping on the way to EU).

It's a real pain to deal with 3 for topups with non-UK cards. I gave up after wasting more than the cost of the sim on the phone to 3. TH's suggestion is the easiest and best. (How strange? )
Note that T-Mobile now have free international roaming - International Plans | Traveling Abroad without Roaming Fees | T-Mobile

 

[Mal]

I can sort that for you ... Send me a pm!

I usually just chuck my 3 sim away and pick up another one from the vending machines at LHR. (Currently on my sixth 3 sim this year.)

The vending machines at LHR charge quite a premium for a new card. SimCorner is likely cheaper, and delivers to Oz.

My comparison:
- SimCorner - 12Gb prepaid card, $50 ($5-$8.50 shipping as well)
- Heathrow vending machines - £30 ($51)

... Ok, vending machines are slightly cheaper if you can't visit one of their retail stores!


Note that the actual cards themselves can be bought for £20 within the UK from Three (or free sim ordered online + topup of £20)

 

[Colin 2905]

Quick google search didn't find any 3 shops or stations at Heathrow (where I'm stopping on the way to EU).

WHSmith, maybe? Google found three (no pun intended) of them at Heathrow, with 'phone numbers. Perhaps make a quick call to one of them and confirm.

 

[Sdtravel]

Note that T-Mobile now have free international roaming - International Plans | Traveling Abroad without Roaming Fees | T-Mobile

Do you know if that offered / available for the simcorner TMobile sims? Going to the UK and US and current plan is to get 2 Sims from them. But if i can get away with one. Even better.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Do you know if that offered / available for the simcorner TMobile sims? Going to the UK and US and current plan is to get 2 Sims from them. But if i can get away with one. Even better.

No sorry. Have only bought sims in London after arrival. But, if it's a UK sim then the same rules should apply. Ask the provider TMobile or 3 etc, or the reseller.

Franky, I've always found it better, cheaper and easier (and more interesting) to pop out to a local shop after we arrive in London, or wherever... I'm always amused that one can buy SIMs in London with cash and no ID. Gotta love the anti-terrorism legislation in UK. Not possible in the EU.

 

[boomy]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I've managed to top-up my sim with the help of a nice UK based AFFer

 

[boomy]

I'm always amused that one can buy SIMs in London with cash and no ID. Gotta love the anti-terrorism legislation in UK. Not possible in the EU.

You can easily buy sims here in AU as well. Maybe not at the airport but plenty of shops in places like China Town will sell you Lebara sims with no ID required.

 

[cgichard]

I bought the 3 SIM from SimCorner before departure because I wanted to stay airside while in transit through LHR to France. Thought I could top-up OK with my UK debit card only to find I couldn't because the card is registered to my Australian address and a UK address was required. This had not been spelt out clearly on either on the 3 or the SimCorner website. I never did manage to get through to any French phone number, with or without the special prefix (different for fixed line and for mobile numbers - not easy to distinguish in France). Fortunately everywhere I stayed had free wi-fi so I was able to check train cancellations during the strike and alter my plans accordingly.

 

[phily]

I'm trying to top-up my sim online but the website only accept UK registered credit cards (I've tried using AU card with UK address but it didn't work).
No luck trying to do it over the phone.

There is a simple solution. Go to www.mobiletopup.co.uk and buy a virtual topup voucher, then go to your Three online account and topup your account. I did it, and it cost a mere £1 fee.

 

[phily]

I have a related problem with using the Three PAYG SIMs. I travel to the UK about once a year, but I like to keep the same SIM, and more importantly the same phone number. However, Three SIMs expire after 6 months of inactivity. I used to get around this by making a brief call with the SIM in Australia every 5 months using some of the cash credit on the SIM.

Three have changed all that. Three SIMs no longer work at all in "Feel at Home" countries once the PAYG monthly allowance is used. To keep the SIM alive I'd have to go to a non-Feel at Home country like PNG or Fiji and use the SIM briefly.

Is there a workaround for this?

 

[Mal]

There is a simple solution. Go to www.mobiletopup.co.uk and buy a virtual topup voucher, then go to your Three online account and topup your account. I did it, and it cost a mere £1 fee.

Or, I can provide it at Xe.com exchange rates (plus a 4% discount if I'm generous) with payment to my AU bank account. (Disclaimer - I get BA Avois from doing this, plus credit card reward points. The 4% discount is based on me buying discounted Tesco gift cards)

I have a related problem with using the Three PAYG SIMs. I travel to the UK about once a year, but I like to keep the same SIM, and more importantly the same phone number. However, Three SIMs expire after 6 months of inactivity. I used to get around this by making a brief call with the SIM in Australia every 5 months using some of the cash credit on the SIM.

Three have changed all that. Three SIMs no longer work at all in "Feel at Home" countries once the PAYG monthly allowance is used. To keep the SIM alive I'd have to go to a non-Feel at Home country like PNG or Fiji and use the SIM briefly.

Is there a workaround for this?

Interesting question. I can't think of a workaround unless sending a text within Australia works. What happens if you dial 333 or 444?

 

[phily]

Interesting question. I can't think of a workaround unless sending a text within Australia works. What happens if you dial 333 or 444?

Three SIMs won't even connect to a Roaming Partner once the monthly allowance is used. They used to, but Three changed this sometime this year.

 

[Mal]

Three SIMs won't even connect to a Roaming Partner once the monthly allowance is used. They used to, but Three changed this sometime this year.

Odd. Here's my random answer. Been near any cruise ships recently? Most of them have a ship based mobile network. Not sure if they switch it on while in port, but that's a 'foreign' network you could try to use...

Interesting change from them. Obviously to try and prevent abuse of the Feel at Home network.