Best bet for UK mobiles to be used in USA

pgraber

As far as I can see, Three is the only UK provider to allow one's data allowance to be used for a trip to the USA. As that could potentially save a fortune over a month long trip next year, it seems like one of Three's Advanced Plans is my only sensible option. But am I missing other possibilities?
Thanks.

Browntoa

Yes , just buy a USA SIM card on arrival is another option if you have a dual SIM phone 

Jon_01

I use a 3 payg every time I go over there. I'm over there for a week at time.
Just remember that the allowance is only to call UK numbers, you can't call a US number without getting hit with international call changes.  If you need to call US numbers you need to get a payg sim over there.
Also, I've found if you use your phone a lot over a short time the roaming networks over there will log you out for a while.

pgraber

Thanks for the speedy replies. I'm using an iPhone XR which I don't think has dual sims. My use will be overwhelmingly for data rather than phone, so I'l probably use what are usually free local calls from hotels to book restaurants etc.

getmore4less

We have stuck with three in the past  for mainly data (whatsapp for calls)
need to review for our next trip as they changed the pricing and we moved main number to o2.

the 3 price pages are here.
http://www.three.co.uk/terms-conditions/price-guides


You can get a Three data reward sim that has 200MB a month free and still 1p/MB 2p/text 3p/min
30day data only add on £15/2GB  £20/5GB £25/10GB

old 321 was 50p for 1day 120MB  which was handy if not hitting much wifi or just use the 1p/MB
new PAYG does not have that 
looks like the 30day addons are  £10/6GB £15/20GB £20/50GB which is much cheaper than the data sim and old 321 rates for addons

Cisco001

Get a spare phone?

pgraber

I can see that a second phone might be one way of dealing with this. But (and I prefer to be on contract rather than PAYG) it does look like I’ll be switching from Lebara - who have been just fine and very cheap - to Three in good time for my trip. Thanks for help, much appreciated.

merchcon55

I'm in New York City at the moment and travel here often. Three PAYG Data SIM is the way to go - just buy one of their add on packs. Buying a US SIM is quite dear and in my view, is not worth it. If you PM me I'll tell you a few extra useful bits.
I don't know where in USA you are travelling to, but at the moment in NYC it's HOT HOT HOT - bring lots of shorts and t shirts !

getmore4less

merchcon55 said:

I'm in New York City at the moment and travel here often. Three PAYG Data SIM is the way to go - just buy one of their add on packs. Buying a US SIM is quite dear and in my view, is not worth it. If you PM me I'll tell you a few extra useful bits.
I don't know where in USA you are travelling to, but at the moment in NYC it's HOT HOT HOT - bring lots of shorts and t shirts !

if not needing the regular free 200MB a month a regular PAYG looks to be better value with the 30 day add ons for short trips to the US .

Exemplar

pgraber said:

Thanks for the speedy replies. I'm using an iPhone XR which I don't think has dual sims. My use will be overwhelmingly for data rather than phone, so I'l probably use what are usually free local calls from hotels to book restaurants etc.

iPhone XR supports ESIM

Exemplar

merchcon55 said:

I'm in New York City at the moment and travel here often. Three PAYG Data SIM is the way to go - just buy one of their add on packs. Buying a US SIM is quite dear and in my view, is not worth it. If you PM me I'll tell you a few extra useful bits.
I don't know where in USA you are travelling to, but at the moment in NYC it's HOT HOT HOT - bring lots of shorts and t shirts !

We go to NYC a lot (business and personal, our company office is 100 metres from the Staten Island Ferry terminal). I avoid any trips there from May to September as it's just too hot for me! I often used to walk out over one of the bridges and look back to see an orange haze over the city LOL.
Anyway we use 3 and the savings are amazing but you always have to remember that being a guest on another network means you are treated like a second class citizen and sometimes we have to swap networks a few times in a day. Last time we were there I was walking along 5th Avenue to the A&F store to get the kids some clothes and I could Facetime my wife walking along and in the store. 10 minutes later no reception at all!