How to Avoid Roaming Charges When You Travel Abroad

Disclosure: In any review for a product or service, products or compensation may have been provided to me to help facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” and "Terms of Use" tabs for more information.

Roaming charges – which you pay to wireless providers when you use your phone out of your service
area – are a quick way to put a damper on any traveling you do, whether it’s for business or for
pleasure, home or overseas. As you grow to rely more and more on the variety of handheld devices
you own, it may come as some surprise – or a horrific shock – when you receive your phone bill and find
that roaming charges have been adding up. Many people don’t consider them at all while using their
phones, for instance, to check their social media sites or even perform a simple online search. When
traveling abroad, you are more likely to rack up these charges. Follow these tips to avoid them:

Wi Fi. You won’t pay any roaming fees for using wi fi, and since most smartphones are set to check
email at regular intervals, you can turn off the data roaming option on your phone until you’re in an
area with this free service or set it to airplane mode. Even if the wi fi isn’t free, it is usually cheaper that
roaming charges. You can also consider renting a wi fi bubble, a tiny device that costs less the longer
you use it and can connect you in several European countries at once. Some countries offer limitless
data usage with this service. If you have access to wi fi, you can also Skype for free rather than speaking
on the telephone (though you both must call another Skype account with your own).

Prepaid package. Ask your service provider if they will allow you to purchase a prepaid amount for a
data package that allows you to roam at a pre-determined rate which will ultimately save you money by
keeping you on track.

Prepaid SIM cards. Many times calls to the U.S. are less expensive if you use a subscriber identity
module, or SIM, card, which can be transferred between different handheld devices. You must make
sure that your phone has been unlocked for use with any service before considering this option,
however. Also remember that some phone don’t allow for this option, so check with your provider first.

Prepaid cards. You can also purchase international phone cards that are often a cheaper solution.

Zero data. Before you leave on your trip, reset the data usage meter to zero, which will allow you to
keep an eye on the amount of data that you’re using, helping you to avoid going over and accruing
ridiculous – and terrifying – charges. Set your phone to “lock” to avoid pressing buttons accidentally,
which can inadvertently make lengthy “pocket dialed” calls or send messages that can cost you a
bundle.

You should always speak to your phone carrier representative to see if they offer special plans for
overseas calls and data usage. Check into unadvertised deals, look into specific prices, what the rates
are if you go over, and any other questions you might have before you leave the country.