Pay as you Go or Sim Only?

Ad_Astra

I am looking for a new mobile phone package. My objectives are:

1) Minimise the monthly cost; I don't have a large data requirement.
2) Need to roam worldwide once or twice a year.

I am puzzled why Sim Only deals with the big four are so expensive. Whilst, the secondary providers like GiffGaff are much cheaper for Sim Only  from what I can see they have limited Roaming coverage outside of Europe. Does this mean I could not make any calls with the GiffGaff plan say in South America if they have no Roaming? 

The big four do offer much cheaper pay as you go packages compared to their Sim Only. I am puzzled why the price difference is so large compared to Sim Only. I could add a Europe or Worldwide top up on an 8-day basis to a Pay as You Go from the big four so I am wondering is a Pay as You Go the best option for my objectives? What are the downsides of Pay as You Go?

Brie

I have a UK based sim only which costs me £7 a month.  When I go to Canada I pick up a new sim card to pop into my mobile which costs me $25 (about £17) which is good for a month and lets me get calls from the UK from my OH.  Only problem with this is that it's a different phone number but all my contacts are still in the phone so I can text them to let them know so they can text/ring me.  

oldernonethewiser

It depends.

My current deal with o2 is cheaper than any equivalent giffgaff offer and includes wifi calling which is not available on giffgaff.   The costs for using a giffgaff SIM in South America are available on their website.

PZ19

Have a look at sim only on uswitch.  I think it’s only O2 that offer European roaming as standard post Brexit