Bundled International/US phone plans?!

[CurledMoss]

I plan on traveling internationally. Could try an E-Sim, or could get sim cards from other countries. But seem a hassle and I'm lazy (Never tried the E-Sim route yet). I have a Verizon plan that costs $40. To add their International plan is $100 a month. But you also pay the $40 while using the $100 International plan! I would be "okay" with $100 but $140, nope.

What do you all use? I want it to work in most countries in Europe, Asia, perhaps Central and South America, U.S... Just a one and done plan. And want to be able to port in my current phone number, of course...

[CurledMoss]

2 hours later. I'm thinking Google FI for $65 stands out....

[Daley]

All the old international roaming MVNOs I used to suggest have gone data only. These days, about the only player that offers international calling and texting options on both SIM cards and eSIM is OneSIMCard. This is more of a secondary line, however, and meant to supplement service and avoid expensive international roaming bills from domestic carriers.

If you want international data only, there's also the old recommendations I used to make of Truphone and KnowRoaming, along with Keepgo these days.

Alternately, if you're looking to just straight up switch carriers away from Verizon permanently to an MVNO that offers the occasional international roaming, be aware that Ting offers plans and international roaming rates as well, with far cheaper domestic use rates than Google Fi charges. Otherwise, if you're looking at permanently switching to a single domestic account with international roaming, Google Fi as you've noted, along with T-Mobile... but single account international global phone plans aren't going to be cheap.

[snic]

I've been using Google Fi for years and generally have been very happy with it. At one point it was also advantageous because data was charged at a flat rate of $10 per MB worldwide, and because we didn't use too much data it worked out less than what we had before (Verizon) in most months, both when we travelled and when we didn't. However, now that the kid is in college, data use has skyrocketed and the "unlimited" plan is more cost effective. The problem is that the new plan excludes international coverage, and so if/when we travel abroad we have to switch the plan over to the per-MB plan, then remember to switch back before the month ends.

So I'd say whether Google Fi is right for you really depends on your domestic data usage. If it's low, it's great. If not, T Mobile or another carrier may have better options. I haven't looked into them so I'm not sure. (I will say that having used Google Fi in probably more than 20 countries, it has worked almost flawlessly. It's so great to turn on your phone after landing and have it just work, no worries about SIM cards or anything. There was exactly one problem in the last 8 or 10 years: in Greece, the network kept defaulting to lower speeds in some areas. My Android phone was affected, but an iPhone on the same plan was not, ironically.)

[CurledMoss]

Hmm, I'm going to have to dwell on this for awhile. I'm currently only paying $40 a month for Unlimited with Verizon. Verizon is king in the U.S for coverage, especially in rural areas. I don't use a lot of data, usually, but some months splurge when car camping/traveling and not near wifi. I could continue this route and try an E-Sim per country, or per entire area (like all of Europe or SE Asia). There shouldn't be much hassle factor involved doing the E-Sim, I think.

I also love the idea of google FI unlimited in the U.S, then per GB in a country, it's just 1 extra step/setting change.
Or complete unlimited for $65 and not have to do a thing.
OR if not using much the $20 plan and again never change it in U.S or a different country.

Google FI in general is just very likeable IMO. I saw they have a 7 day trial where you don't even need to port your number, they give you an sim to try it out.

I'll probably stick with Verizon for now and try the E-Sim. See how that works and Google FI is always a great option (assuming coverage at primary residence.)

[omachi]

I'm on Google FI and it's worked amazing for international travel, at least to my destinations. Full speed data and free texts in destination countries for the same data costs as in the US. Was recently overseas on 5G networks with no throttling, probably paying less for the data than the natives.

I don't bother switching from the pay for what you use. What they call Bill Protection means that after paying for 6 GB, data is free (individual plan), with a slowdown at 15 GB that you can remove by going back to paying $10/GB.  So I'm not paying more than $80/month at any rate, not that I've ever managed to do so even when travelling. But I'm not streaming video over data or doing anything really bandwidth intensive, either.

Domestic coverage is fine. I was out hiking in the boonies recently and had signal at the same times my friends on Verizon did. They use the T-Mobile and US Cellular networks, so better than just T-Mobile. And I'm on WiFi so often that my bill stays super low.

[reeshau]

Google FI.  Worked for 6 months solid at the end of my time in Ireland.  And the 3 months I was there last summer.

Most of my experience with it is around Europe & the UK.  Worked fine on a cruise to Grand Cayman and the Bahamas, too.

It has honestly been more reliable that I first imagined a stitched-together service could be.  Just don't worry about crossing borders.

Two things to consider, though:

1)  This is your US number, so you will get all the routine calls on vacation.  Make sure you are in the habit of using your do not disturb button.

2)  Your foreign hosts, particularly if they are private parties or small businesses, may not be amused at you giving them a US number for a contact.  They might be paying a high rate for a foreign call, even if you are physically in country.  Make sure and be considerate to their side of the bill / conversation, too.

[Kwill]

Do you use WhatsApp? I'm not sure I'd bother getting a whole phone plan for travel. You can download offline maps while connected to WiFi. If you get a data-only SIM card or make sure to connect regularly to WiFi at stations and hotels, then you should be able to communicate with WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger and email.

[Scandium]

Do you use WhatsApp? I'm not sure I'd bother getting a whole phone plan for travel. You can download offline maps while connected to WiFi. If you get a data-only SIM card or make sure to connect regularly to WiFi at stations and hotels, then you should be able to communicate with WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger and email.

That's why google Fi is great; it's not a whole different plan. It's the exact same plan you use in the US, and abroad. Everything works the same, and costs the same! It's maybe $5-10 more per month than a more bare-bones plan, but honestly that's worth it for the simplicity. Since I travel international at least once per year. I've done some research, and Fi is by far the easiest solution IMO, and not really significantly more expensive.

You have to use quite a lot of data for the Unlimited to cost less than pay per GB, even for us with two on a plan.

Yes I have done the wifi-only travel, before google fi. And yes it's possible, but being able to pull up info about sights or museum hours, booking tickets on the phone, getting a taxi, train times, subway maps, visit or hiking suggestions in the field etc etc is extremely convenient! There are endless little things that having information access can make a trip better, and more efficient, and cheaper! Sure, call me a weak-ass millennial who can't function without a cellphone, but I use it as a tool to enhance and streamline the trip. Heck, I traveled around Greek isles with some buddies when I was 18 with nothing but one lonely planet book (and handful of drachma)! Several times, same book. It's doable, but I won't do it if I don't have to.

[reeshau]

If you are going to be gone for a while, it's also super convenient to be on the phone number that your financial institutions recognize, whether for routine or emergency situations.

[snic]

Google FI.  Worked for 6 months solid at the end of my time in Ireland.  And the 3 months I was there last summer.

You have to be a bit careful with staying too long abroad. There are reports of Google canceling people's Fi service because they spent too much time abroad. Kind of stupid given that you'd think the customers most interested in Fi would be people who travel abroad a lot. It's not a concern for me now, but after retiring I'd really like to send a few months out of the year abroad. Fi would be perfect for that - unless Google disagrees. I suppose if one is going to be abroad for that long, suspending the FI plan and getting a local SIM card would make sense - but the whole point is to always have access to the same number for 2FA and other reasons.

[reeshau]

Google FI.  Worked for 6 months solid at the end of my time in Ireland.  And the 3 months I was there last summer.

You have to be a bit careful with staying too long abroad. There are reports of Google canceling people's Fi service because they spent too much time abroad. Kind of stupid given that you'd think the customers most interested in Fi would be people who travel abroad a lot. It's not a concern for me now, but after retiring I'd really like to send a few months out of the year abroad. Fi would be perfect for that - unless Google disagrees. I suppose if one is going to be abroad for that long, suspending the FI plan and getting a local SIM card would make sense - but the whole point is to always have access to the same number for 2FA and other reasons.

I have heard the same, which is why I included the timeframes.  Never heard a peep from Google about it.

Prior to Fi, when I had an Irish corporate phone, I used iPlum for VOIP for my US number.  It worked quite well doing "US business" on my Irish-number phone, including 2FA codes.

[Dreamer40]

I’ve used TMobile for ages and have a plan that includes free basic stuff internationally. It’s worked great all over the world. I think Laos is the only country I’ve been to that wasn’t included. They have a few different plans now with varying levels of data speed and prices. But I don’t think it’s intended for people traveling long term so whether it would work for you depends what you’re up to. WhatsApp has also come in handy.

[CurledMoss]

If you are going to be gone for a while, it's also super convenient to be on the phone number that your financial institutions recognize, whether for routine or emergency situations.

Ding ding ding. If I'm only gone for a few weeks whatever. But if I'm traveling or staying somewhere for months at a time having my phone number for multi factor to get signed into bank accounts would be a plus. I'd probably want to use a VPN too so they think I'm still in America. I could just dump in a large amount into my checking account as well. Like 20k. But it currently gets shit interest rates compared to Vanguard Money Market. I'd have to see if there's a better option.

[CurledMoss]

Google FI.  Worked for 6 months solid at the end of my time in Ireland.  And the 3 months I was there last summer.

You have to be a bit careful with staying too long abroad. There are reports of Google canceling people's Fi service because they spent too much time abroad. Kind of stupid given that you'd think the customers most interested in Fi would be people who travel abroad a lot. It's not a concern for me now, but after retiring I'd really like to send a few months out of the year abroad. Fi would be perfect for that - unless Google disagrees. I suppose if one is going to be abroad for that long, suspending the FI plan and getting a local SIM card would make sense - but the whole point is to always have access to the same number for 2FA and other reasons.

That is crazy. I guess you could find a barebones U.S plan and use it only when needed. Then use a Sim. But nothing convenient about that.... I've also heard if Vanguard knows you no longer live in the U.S they lock your account from adding to your investments. Moving to another country has a lot of hurdles to jump thru.

[CurledMoss]

I’ve used TMobile for ages and have a plan that includes free basic stuff internationally. It’s worked great all over the world. I think Laos is the only country I’ve been to that wasn’t included. They have a few different plans now with varying levels of data speed and prices. But I don’t think it’s intended for people traveling long term so whether it would work for you depends what you’re up to. WhatsApp has also come in handy.

Thanks I'll look into this as another option.

Seems there are a lot of affordable options