US Roaming tips

Former_MSE_Stephen_B

This is the official new MSE thread for the

10 US Roaming Tips guide

Feel free to share your own tips below and let us know what you think of ours. You can find the old thread [URL="https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/68786420#Comment_68786420[/URL].

ahxcjb

Why is there no reference to simply getting a SIM whilst in the US, where there are plenty of deals for tourists.

Browntoa

Ditto local SIM , I have a dual SIM phone and can just pop the Extra one in.

I can then select which SIM does what function by default , i.e make calls , texts and data.

DavyPaul

I'm using the EKIT 0044 roaming sim. it gives me a 'british' mobile number, but also gives me a USA 'cellphone' number. it's quite easy to add a bit of data to this.
I currently have it installed in my Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet, but many of the cheap chinese android slablets on eBay have dual sim as do the OnePlus range. you can also get some dual-sim Sony Xperias, but remember, the high street big guns often don't offer dual-sim handsets.

ballyblack

Amazon offer many dual Sim phones including the not too expensive Motorolas

https://www.amazon.co.uk/motorola-5-7-Inch-Android-Sim-Free-Smartphone/dp/B07MFM6JNR/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3SESN3MRU78YO&keywords=motorola+dual+sim&qid=1559228047&s=gateway&sprefix=motorola+dual+sim%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-5


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eDicky

DavyPaul wrote: »

I'm using the EKIT 0044 roaming sim. it gives me a 'british' mobile number, but also gives me a USA 'cellphone' number. it's quite easy to add a bit of data to this.

Hi Davy, welcome to the forum. Is this the service you are using..?:

https://rciap.ekit.com/ekit/MobilePurchase/Sims

I see the International SIM at US$22.80 plus $6 shipping to UK, apparently including $10 call credit. Data only SIMs seem to cost more.

Possibly the website displays different offers depending on your location (I'm now online in Nepal).

I've only ever signed up to free trials of this sort of thing in the past, as they don't seem to be cost effective compared to using local SIMs in particular countries. It might be interesting to hear more about this one.

There are various 'virtual US cellular no.' services available elsewhere but I don't see any connected with this, except a separate 'USA SIM Card' at $31.90.

eDicky

ahxcjb wrote: »

Why is there no reference to simply getting a SIM whilst in the US, where there are plenty of deals for tourists.

There's actually a brief mention at the end of the article - '...or find a local Sim when you arrive.'

eDicky

I've noticed that Viber offer a virtual local US (or other) phone number for£4.59 or month, cheaper six-monthly, which routes incoming calls to that number via your Viber app. So this may be a suitable way to have a US number available during a trip.

Apart from their free chat/calls, Viber can be used to make very cheap calls to any number globally with their paid-for 'Viber Out' service, which could be used to make local calls during a US trip.

getmore4less

If you're not already on Three, get one of its cheap pay-as-you-go Sim cards

With 3 the Data Reward SIM with 200MB a month free is a better option

To get the 'pay the same in the US as you do in the UK' deal you need one of its add-on packages* which cost between £15 and £35

There is also the daily(24hr) 120mb for 50p option and you get 150MB free data(48hr) when you top up(min top up £2)

The free data and the top up data is usable on the GoRoam no need to buy an expensive bundle for low use like satnav and social media.