If you’re planning a September getaway any time soon - or perhaps already thinking about next year's trip - then you should be wary of an ‘unexpected’ travelling charge that could leave you thousands of pounds out of pocket.
A recent report has warned that anyone travelling outside of the UK could face a sky-high bill if they use their mobile data while out and about.
That includes using Maps to scout out the coolest bars, and WhatsApp to send pictures to your family and friends back home.
But the good news is, you can easily avoid it with this simple hack.
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Since the UK left the European Union in 2021, Brits have been forced to shell out a whopping £539m in unexpected roaming charges each year, according to USwitch.
Unfortunately, roaming costs are inconsistent across plans and geographical areas; for example, using the internet in North America will cost more than it would in Europe, while most major UK networks have steep data roaming charges for United Arab Emirates visitors.
If you want to avoid the ‘unexpected’ expense, you may want to invest in an eSIM.
What is an eSIM?
Holidaymakers who want to stay connected to the online world but don’t want to break the bank may want to try this digital bolt-on, which provides unlimited prepaid data and roaming plans to international travellers in over 200 countries.
This includes everywhere from Morocco to Turkey, as well as China, Italy and Egypt.
How does an eSIM work?
A digital eSIM mis an alternative to a physical SIM card.
This benefits travellers because they don’t have to wait for a physical product to appear. Instead, they can touch down at their destination and avoid roaming charges from the word go.
Most smartphones are compatible with the eSIM, and the majority of compatible devices let you store several eSIM profiles.
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To get yours, you need to choose between a local carrier or a dedicated provider of eSIMs for international travel. For example, if you’re in the USA, these would be AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon. In the UK, your local carriers would be EE, O2, Three and Vodafone UK.
Once you’ve decided on your local carrier, you need to activate your digital SIM. To do this, you just need to scan a QR code and follow the instructions on the screen.
The brand promises that the process can take under one minute and doesn’t come with any hidden fees. What you see is what you get.
They have also recently launched new regional, global, and subscription plans, so you can always be in control of your wallet.
These regional eSims can be used in: Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, North America, Oceania, China + Hong Kong and Macau, Eastern Europe and Balkans.
What are people saying about Holafly eSIM?
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One user recently said of the company: “I use to get a new SIM card every time I entered a new country which in some countries I’ve travelled to don’t sell SIM cards at the airport which made it difficult to organise transport but now I use Holafly eIM I’m connected from the minute I land in a new country.”
A second raved: “Using Holafly in the US allowed me to connect with colleagues, friends and family as I was at home, in Australia. I will use Holafly again in my next trip.”
“The only eSIM I trust; always reliable coverage, outstanding customer service, and an all-around fantastic product,” said someone else.
A fourth commenter said that while the internet connection was ‘great’, they did struggle to get through to a service agent to ask questions.
Others have complained of a ‘slow’ internet connection in Spain.
It’s always good to check out whether any recent Holafly eSIM users have used the digital product in your future destination.
On average, customers have given Holafly a solid 4.5-star average via Trustpilot.
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Ella Scott