Posted 18 September 2023

Best sim for USA holiday

I'm going to the States for 12 days and my mobile provider is BT. They want to charge me £6 a day to use my allowance in the States - £72! I'm looking at alternatives and wonder if it is better to buy a sim card when I'm over there or to get one here. Any recommendations appreciated
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  1. KodaBear's avatar
    Three PAYG? Top up £10 and get 10GB Data with unlimited calls and texts back to the UK at no extra cost while roaming on the AT&T Network.
  2. agnes's avatar
    Author
    Yes, thanks, I know. I did do a search before I posted. The most recent query was six weeks ago and so I wondered if there is a new HOTDEAL, which is surely the purpose of this site
  3. usenetz's avatar
    One of the most cost effective options to allow you to make phone calls to the UK from USA is probably going to be a Three Mobile PrePaid SIM which has inclusive US roaming.

    Take a look on [Amazon](amazon.co.uk/Thr…RX/)

    ThreeUK prepaid pre-loaded SIM's should be activated in the UK before setting-off for the US.

    If you want to avoid expensive roaming charges, [getting a prepaid SIM](androidcentral.com/bes…sts) is the way to go.

    If you have a handset that has eSIM capability then check out [Airalo](airalo.com/uni…m), [Maya.net](maya.net/pla…usa) and [HolaFly](esim.holafly.com/esi…sa/)

    For more information on eSIM see [The Traveler’s Guide to eSIMs](thenextweb.com/new…ims)

    [eSIMradar 🇺🇸 ](esimradar.com/esi…sa/)

    To check if your phone supports eSIM see the list [here](esim.holafly.com/how…es/)

    Also beware that if you turn on mobile data to make a WhatsApp call, your phone will take that opportunity to use whatever data it needs to perform queued routine tasks in the background not restricted in settings to ‘Wi-Fi only’ so make sure data roaming/mobile data is switched **OFF**.

    And of course there’s free Wi-Fi where available which in the US is almost everywhere.

    Enjoy your visit! 🇺🇸
    agnes's avatar
    Author
    Thank you that's really helpful
  4. Phataphobic's avatar
    Depends on what you want it for. If you want just data then I’d personally get an esim.
    agnes's avatar
    Author
    TBH I'd never heard of an esim but I've googled it and it sounds interesting. However, I think it likely that I might need to message or call other family members
  5. agnes's avatar
    Author
    Thank you, that looks perfect
  6. Matthew_mcm's avatar
    having used the three sim
    Pros its very cheap
    cons
    i found it very slow and flaky

    last time i went i ended up getting a local t-mobile sim which was much better got 5g round L.A. /S.F. (edited)
  7. spannerzone's avatar
    It's useful to have some sort of phone signal to receive sms messages which may be needed to authenticate an app etc. Also check what your phone is capable of, some phones (Motorola for example) may not cater for all US bands which are now mostly 4 and 5G as 3G has been shutdown.

    I'm in US now on EE roaming and it's been pretty decent, 4G connection in many rural areas (from Boston up to New England). Texts come through from bank/credit card instantly when I make a purchase. (edited)
  8. deleted9453's avatar
    Use wifi/WhatsApp and enjoy the holiday?
    agnes's avatar
    Author
    We may be in areas without WiFi
  9. MonkeyMan90's avatar
    Use WiFi in the hotel and enjoy your holiday disconnected from social media
    agnes's avatar
    Author
    If only...but we are a family group staying in different places and need to keep in touch
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