Sharing the Tips
eSIM
The cheapest data for roaming, and it works great!
Ooo! I did heaps of study on this one! And it was so worth it! Want data only? Read on…. Want data and ability to continue using your own phone number whilst overseas? Read on….
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Why an eSIM?
Living in New Zealand I’m with a phone provider that charges $8 per day for roaming. It may not seem much but considering my monthly phone cost is only around $50 per month, an additional $8 per day just to use my phone overseas is a huge extra cost!
My preference was to be able to keep my own phone number for various reasons. Yes, I know many people now communicate via messaging Apps such as WhatsApp and Messenger but there are also many people that don’t. In addition to that I find that institutions such as banks etc often want to send you a text code for access. Some do offer an alternative, such as emailing you the code instead, but not all of them!
Buying a SIM card at the destination didn’t give me those options.
However, if all you need is data, and not at all bothered about having access to standard phone calls or texts, then this eSIM is still a winner for you too!
And it's SO cheap!!
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After much research I settled on an App called Airalo. It worked beautifullly!
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Download the Airalo app and use this referral code PAULA5175 to get USD$3 credit off your first purchase.
Tip: this link takes you to their home page, which has good info, but then to read more click on About Us > About Airalo. Then, if you wish to get back to the home page click on their logo in top left corner.
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Tip: Not all phones support having an eSim. To check if your phone does (or doesn't) click on this link to see a very extensive list of phones that do https://www.airalo.com/help/about-airalo/what-devices-support-esim
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The Benefits of an eSIM VS Other Options
~ My phone only takes one SIM card. With an eSIM I don’t have to be changing SIM cards along with the risk of damaging or losing them.
~ No waiting in queues to buy a SIM card. Simply arrive at your destination. Use the airports (or any) WI-FI to download/activate your eSIM and, Voila! You have data!
~ No need to let others know your new phone number for each SIM card you buy – you keep your own number.
~ And the biggest sell of all – I found it to be MUCH cheaper than buying individual SIM cards and data!
8 weeks of data in 4 countries cost me USD$40 (equivalent to approx.; NZ$66). Compare that to the NZ$472 it would have cost me to pay my phone provider for Data Roaming! Over NZ$400 saving!
Airalo gives clear instructions on how to purchase and download the eSIM on the link below.
It may seem a little daunting to start with but go step by step and, as with anything, once you have to figured out it's a doddle! It really is worth the time to do this. eSIM is so easy, convenient and cheap!
https://www.airalo.com/help/getting-started-with-airalo/how-do-i-install-an-esim-on-my-ios-device
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Download the Airalo app and use this referral code PAULA5175 to get USD$3 credit off your first purchase