One Time Password OTP whilst roaming abroad

Eroomm

Not sure as to whether this question comes under banking or mobiles but:

I am taking the advice from MSE and taking out a 3 Go Roam data package for roaming whilst abroad, outside the EU. This involves getting a new PAYG Sim and putting it in my 'phone, no problem, but if I want to do online banking whilst abroad the bank sends an SMS to my UK number, the SIM for which will be switched off to save getting roaming charges from my phone company. In particular I want to make payments to my Halifax Clarity card (again taking MSE advice) to repay any cash advances so that I do not incur interest charges.

After googling I can't find an easy answer. A call to Santander (another, now dated, MSE recommendation) tells me that I will need to go online and change to the 3 Sim number before I go and change back when I return. Presumably other users have taken MSE's advice and used Clarity Card and the 3 Go Roam package, did they find a better way of receiving the OTP's. Thinking about it further how could travellers do online banking if they haven't got a mobile while abroad to receive the OTP?

chistery

It's always free to receive texts when roaming. As long as you have roaming enabled, and turned data off (and voicemail off in case anyone calls) you won't be charged to get the text. 

Frozen_up_north

Are you sure you need an SMS before making a payment with Santander to a credit card? I ditched them a few days ago (123 account), but the only time an SMS was involved was when changing the reference text or setting up a new payee.
You shouldn’t have any issues accessing the app from “anywhere”, I have used mine overseas many times and could pretend to be in a foreign country with a VPN too. You might try it with a free (or trial) VPN.

Beware of turning on your mobile overseas (with existing non 3 SIM), then turning it off... AFAIK the network may still charge for voicemail messages left, check before you go, possibly disabling voice mail too.

eDicky

Eroomm said:

Thinking about it further how could travellers do online banking if they haven't got a mobile while abroad to receive the OTP?

I never incur any roaming charges on my main UK number as I never make or answer calls or use data outside Europe, and have voicemail disabled. Incoming SMS are always free, for OTPs.

I've always used a dual-SIM handset, but an old phone, even 2G, would serve to hold your regular SIM for receiving your bank OTPs.