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I typically just use my carrier's daily international plan and usually only use it on arrival and departures days with the other days using wifi on ship or at the hotel. I was thinking of using Saily for our upcoming trip since we have multiple days on our own and would use it for uber, City Mapper... Has anyone used this app before?
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We buy a one month international plan from Verizon for both our phones. It allows for 24 hour communications from our kids and grandkids in the US in case of emergency. Also allows us to communicate with each other if needed. A small cost considering the price of the trip and airfare.
WhatsApp is free for phone calls and messaging. It is also super easy to send photos
I agree with British about WhatsApp, but you have to let people know to contact you on WhatsApp instead of doing the usual USA thing. The advantage of those carrier plans is that you appear the same as when you're in the US. If anyone calls you on your cell phone number, it rings your phone no matter where you are (and what time:-)). If they send you a text, you get it just as if you were home.
I do the carrier plan because of that but use WhatsApp to communicate with the TD. The TD's use WhatsApp for communicating with the guests because not everyone will have a carrier plan but almost everyone will have a data plan.
[Getting an eSIM from the country you're going to is about the same as WhatsApp. You have to let people know your new number to call or text you. Just as well use WhatsApp. And WhatsApp is free.]
It's apples and oranges. they're different layers
WhatsApp is an app , WiFi /eSIM/verison/ATT the network connection that gets you online
If you're going to use WhatsApp, the assumption is that you will have Internet access in some way. Perhaps at the hotel, ship, or sometimes even on the bus. Then, WhatsApp gives you voice and text communications.
If you want data access anywhere, even when you don't have WiFi access, then you need an eSIM or carrier plan.
I've used Saily in the past. Very easy setup and no issues. For my last trip (France), it was $12 for 3GB, good for a month. Other plans (duration and data amount) are available. Note that this is a data plan only. Calls and standard SMS will work using your hotel's wifi over your home plan. You can use the Saily data plan for whatapp calling and texting, but only if the party on the other end has a whatapp accopunt.
Since my last trip, I've switched to a new Xfinity Mobile plan (which uses Verizon's network in the US). which includes unlimited calling/text/data, plus international at no extra charge. It's $30/mo if you have Xfinity for internet, otherwise $40/mo. I'll be using it in Europe in about a month for the first time. Domestic service has been problem-free.
Using Saily in UK right now. No issues. Unlike some esims, you only install the Sim once. Next trip just buy a new plan and you're good to go. No need to reinstall each time.
BKMD, I have the same plan and have had no issues when traveling.
Thanks, Choc.
We have had Xfinity phone plans for years. Our regular payment is just over $20 a month for both phones. If we make calls abroad, which we rarely do because we use WhatsApp, it’s $10 for each 24 hour period. Because we go so many places where the time difference is huge, phone calls are not convenient and messaging or email is better. In a real emergency our family can call Tauck and I’m sure they will pass information on to us.
After listening to friends' advice, I have tried to research why I might want to get a VPN and/or an eSIM. It is all Greek to me. Technology that I am not used to makes me anxious. I have Whats App and have used it in Europe and sometimes here in the US. I have Xfinity for my service provider. I think Xfinity recently changed its international use rules. Last month (July) while I was in France my brother texted me to ask if I was available to call him about a matter of concern. I made voice calls to my brother in the US on two occasions from France. My new Xfinity bill, just posted yesterday, is the same amount as it always has been... $23 per month including fees & taxes, no charge for the 2 international voice calls I made to the US. The Xfinity site allows customers to enter the countries where they will be travelling to check on the details/rules for those countries. I do not know about using GPS, etc, without wifi. I download maps to my phone before leaving the US and use those along with old fashioned paper maps that do not have any surface glare in the sunshine.
We have a VPN we use all the time
Hi British - Good news - With Xfinity you will no longer have to pay $10 for a 24 hour period to make calls from abroad. (from most countries)
There is not a one size fits all answer here. It depends upon your needs and what you have for by way of cellular carrier and plan. I like to stick with a carrier based plan so my access is unchanged for anyone who needs to reach me, whether, clients, family or friends. I use Verizon and used to go with the monthly option, which was $79 with a corporate discount (usually $100). Now, however, the difference per line for the plan I am on and the highest tier (so from Unlimited Plus to Unlimited Ultimate) is $10 per month, and the highest tier plan includes the full unlimited international package that would otherwise be ala carte. So iI call them before I leave, switch relevant lines to the higher plan for just a month, then revert back, and pay $10 per upgraded line to have full international benefits. It works well but is just a pain to occasionally have to make that call.
Hi sevenseas - Thanks for mentioning moving from Verizon plus to ultimate. I’ve been getting a monthly international plan for both our phones but switching temporarily to ultimate saves a lot of money. Any reason you call Verizon as opposed to just changing the plan in the app?
Thanks for all of the information. I decided to go with Saily for data which allows me to either use FaceTime or WhatsApp for voice which I seldom need overseas, iMessage or WhatsApp for messaging and still allows me to use data for Google Maps, Citymapper, transportation apps, and if need a translate app. For 18.99 for one month and 10G of data it seems to be a great options for my needs.
@BSP51 I guess you can do the app. I guess I am partial to speaking to someone and knowing that it is done. But I have done things using the app at times.
I’ve used Airalo for several years and have never had an issue. I’ve used in Europe, South America, and Africa and rarely pay more than $15 for a large data plan that covers 14 days. It can be a little tricky to navigate your phone settings to make sure you switch off your “home” eSIM and use the one you’ve downloaded. The instructions are very clear, however, and YouTube always helps too!
Depends on the plan your have. Included international only applies to the new unlimited plans. Legacy plans such as By the Gig still charge $10/day for international service.
Yes, we are by the gig