eSims, what is your experience.

[SYD]

I’ve used the Amaysim $70 roaming pack in Singapore Malaysia and Japan in conjunction with other local esims. I bought it so I could receive SMS verifications from my credit card provider and bank. Also because i wanted data if one of the local esims I bought failed.

Amaysim’s roaming pack worked perfectly every time and it’s easy to keep check of the usage.

I’m about to head off to Europe using a European esim with Amaysim as a back up.

OT, but have you rolled over an annual $70 plan yet ie renewed and seen remaining balance carry over?

This solution probably answers my first question here.

Best options for making cheap calls/text when overseas?

So what are peeps doing these days for cheap calls/text back to Oz, or local/international calls/text while you’re travelling OS? Background. Since 2019 I’ve had the Optus $50 plan that included roaming data, unlimited calls & text when OS (to/from select countries) and calls/text from Oz to OS...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Zinger]

OT, but have you rolled over an annual $70 plan yet ie renewed and seen remaining balance carry over?

This solution probably answers my first question here.

Best options for making cheap calls/text when overseas?

So what are peeps doing these days for cheap calls/text back to Oz, or local/international calls/text while you’re travelling OS? Background. Since 2019 I’ve had the Optus $50 plan that included roaming data, unlimited calls & text when OS (to/from select countries) and calls/text from Oz to OS...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

I haven't rolled it over as yet, however I still have a few Gb of available data remaining and I have an upcoming trip and two more overseas trips planned so far this year. I'll happily renew my $70 plan when it expires or is depleted.

According to the Amaysim website...

It's actually not a bad deal..

Amaysim limits 5G data speeds in Australia to 100 Mbps, however this was the case when using it overseas.

 

[SYD]

I haven't rolled it over as yet, however I still have a few Gb of available data remaining and I have an upcoming trip and two more overseas trips planned so far this year. I'll happily renew my $70 plan when it expires or is depleted.

According to the Amaysim website...

It's actually not a bad deal..

Amaysim limits 5G data speeds in Australia to 100 Mbps, however this was the case when using it overseas.

View attachment 379922

My understanding is it will roll over unused data, mins and txt to a new 365 plan if you renew before the current one expires.

 

[cosi]

Lemon Mobile has 18% off on all eSims.

Great News for Travellers! We're excited to offer an exclusive 18% discount on our travel eSIMs! Whether you’re travelling to Japan, Bali, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Europe, the USA, China, India, or venturing into over 100 other global destinations, stay connected seamlessly with Lemon Mobile. Lemon Mobile, based in Melbourne, recognises how crucial it is to stay connected while you're travelling, working remotely, or venturing into new areas. Our travel eSIMs are perfectly suited to meet your diverse connectivity needs, delivered directly to your email for activation, ensuring you’re ready to go wherever your journey takes you. Interested in reliable and convenient travel connections? Visit our website to explore our extensive range of travel eSIMs, all available with fast and reliable delivery across Australia! Here’s How You Can Enjoy Your Discount: Head to our website and peruse our selection of travel eSIMs. Select the eSIMs that suit your travel needs and add them to your cart. Use the discount code ESIM18OFF at checkout to claim your 18% discount. Gear up for your global adventures with dependable and cost-effective connectivity! This exclusive offer is our way of making global exploration more accessible and enjoyable for you. Don’t miss out—this offer is only valid until 07/05/2024! Offer Ends: 07/05/2024 Start shopping now and stay connected wherever your travels take you with Lemon Mobile!

Stay Connected with Lemon Mobile: SIM Cards, eSIMs, IoT & More

Stay connected with Lemon Mobile, a leading Australian-based technology company specializing in SIM cards, eSIMs, IoT solutions, and SMS services. As one of the world's pioneers in eSIM technology, we are dedicated to providing you with top-notch solutions for your connectivity needs.

www.lemonmobile.com.au

 

[Askance]

Lemon Mobile has 18% off on all eSims.

Great News for Travellers! We're excited to offer an exclusive 18% discount on our travel eSIMs! Whether you’re travelling to Japan, Bali, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, Europe, the USA, China, India, or venturing into over 100 other global destinations, stay connected seamlessly with Lemon Mobile. Lemon Mobile, based in Melbourne, recognises how crucial it is to stay connected while you're travelling, working remotely, or venturing into new areas. Our travel eSIMs are perfectly suited to meet your diverse connectivity needs, delivered directly to your email for activation, ensuring you’re ready to go wherever your journey takes you. Interested in reliable and convenient travel connections? Visit our website to explore our extensive range of travel eSIMs, all available with fast and reliable delivery across Australia! Don’t miss out—this offer is only valid until 07/05/2024! Offer Ends: 07/05/2024 Start shopping now and stay connected wherever your travels take you with Lemon Mobile!

Stay Connected with Lemon Mobile: SIM Cards, eSIMs, IoT & More

Stay connected with Lemon Mobile, a leading Australian-based technology company specializing in SIM cards, eSIMs, IoT solutions, and SMS services. As one of the world's pioneers in eSIM technology, we are dedicated to providing you with top-notch solutions for your connectivity needs.

www.lemonmobile.com.au

I was looking at this offer but was discouraged by "eSIM expiry: the eSIM plan must be activated within 30 days after the QR code is created. We highly recommend purchasing the eSIM close to your departure or upon your arrival"

 

[SYD]

I was looking at this offer but was discouraged by "eSIM expiry: the eSIM plan must be activated within 30 days after the QR code is created. We highly recommend purchasing the eSIM close to your departure or upon your arrival"

Yes, fine if you’re about to jump on a plane but a lot of the others have 3 to 6 mths activation.

 

[moa999]

Can't say I've heard of Lemon.. anyhow searched Fiji for a future trip, and nothing.

Might stick with Flexiroam or Airalo.

 

[MARTINE]

Nord now have an e-sim product called Saily - I got sent a free 5G email today
….which needs to be activated in next 30 days — plan to give it a go as will be in Europe soon

 

[sudoer]

Mrs sudoer will soon be heading to Japan for about 2 months - I ported her number to Felix where she gets 4GB of roaming for a flat $20, use within 365 days.

She'll be staying with family, spending a lot of time at home, and will have reliable wifi, so we are anticipating $20-40 max for those 2 months of roaming. In this case it seemed like roaming should work out on par or cheaper than a local eSIM.

 

[The Flying Schwartz]

We've previously used Holafly for two trips to Europe and very happy with it. Recently tried it in the US and worked just as well. Unlimited data, reasonable pricing, could do a little better with set up instructions.

 

[SYD]

Nord now have an e-sim product called Saily - I got sent a free 5G email today
….which needs to be activated in next 30 days — plan to give it a go as will be in Europe soon

Was that a promo deal? I couldn’t see anything on their website (nor if it comes with NordVPN!).

Saily - Global eSIM service for international travel

Explore the world with Saily, a global eSIM service offering affordable mobile data plans for international travel on both iPhone and Android devices.

saily.com

Mrs sudoer will soon be heading to Japan for about 2 months - I ported her number to Felix where she gets 4GB of roaming for a flat $20, use within 365 days.

That approach also keeps things relatively simple.

I had Felix on the short list before settling on amaysim (Optus). At the time Felix was limited to 4G network at home but I see they’re now offering 5G (Vodafone network?). Their roaming bundle is a little better than amaysim (more data) and cheaper than Belong (Telstra) but Felix and Belong both require an additional monthly bundle to make calls from Oz to OS (if that’s important). It’s included with amaysim (the higher the monthly plan, the more included countries).

She'll be staying with family, spending a lot of time at home, and will have reliable wifi, so we are anticipating $20-40 max for those 2 months of roaming. In this case it seemed like roaming should work out on par or cheaper than a local eSIM.

A seperate eSIM (~3GB/30d) would be around A$10 pm with one of the regular providers.

 

[MARTINE]

Was that a promo deal? I couldn’t see anything on their website (nor if it comes with NordVPN!).

Saily - Global eSIM service for international travel

Explore the world with Saily, a global eSIM service offering affordable mobile data plans for international travel on both iPhone and Android devices.

saily.com

That approach also keeps things relatively simple.

I had Felix on the short list before settling on amaysim (Optus). At the time Felix was limited to 4G network at home but I see they’re now offering 5G (Vodafone network?). Their roaming bundle is a little better than amaysim (more data) and cheaper than Belong (Telstra) but Felix and Belong both require an additional monthly bundle to make calls from Oz to OS (if that’s important). It’s included with amaysim (the higher the monthly plan, the more included countries).

A seperate eSIM (~3GB/30d) would be around A$10 pm with one of the regular providers.

I got email from Nord of the offer with personalised code to use

 

[Flashback]

Was that a promo deal? I couldn’t see anything on their website (nor if it comes with NordVPN!).

Saily - Global eSIM service for international travel

Explore the world with Saily, a global eSIM service offering affordable mobile data plans for international travel on both iPhone and Android devices.

saily.com

That approach also keeps things relatively simple.

I had Felix on the short list before settling on amaysim (Optus). At the time Felix was limited to 4G network at home but I see they’re now offering 5G (Vodafone network?). Their roaming bundle is a little better than amaysim (more data) and cheaper than Belong (Telstra) but Felix and Belong both require an additional monthly bundle to make calls from Oz to OS (if that’s important). It’s included with amaysim (the higher the monthly plan, the more included countries).

A seperate eSIM (~3GB/30d) would be around A$10 pm with one of the regular providers.

It's a cross sell, doesn't come for free with NordVPN.

 

[SYD]

It's a cross sell, doesn't come for free with NordVPN.

Yeah, I assumed it was a promo for Nord subscribers. An ongoing discount, as well as a one off would be useful. Their pricing otherwise looks pretty similar to the others.

The 28° MC (and other eligible MCs) ongoing deal with Flexiroam is the best promo that I’m aware of (and that’s free!).

 

[sudoer]

I see they’re now offering 5G (Vodafone network?)

Yep, it got enabled last month

A seperate eSIM (~3GB/30d) would be around A$10 pm with one of the regular providers.

For her use case it'll be the same $10 per month if she can stay under 4GB for the trip, or $20 per month for up to 8GB. Roughly on par, and less hassle for her.

We have more travel to Indonesia and Japan within the next 365 days also, so whatever residual data will keep her going for those trips too - multiple short trips is where these 365 day roaming packs shine against short term eSIMs.

 

[windycityf]

Have look a Telstra “prepaid”. That could be a handy backup for “personal use” both at home and abroad. They were quite cheap a while back - still not too bad but most importantly, rather than the crazy $10 per day roaming scam, they have prepaid bundles. I believe they’re also eSIM (so can live side by side your physical Optus SIM) and they might even have wifi calling - which can be the OS travellers best friend.

I have Telstra Prepaid. I've been using the Prepaid International Roaming and it's been great. $25/AUD for 14 days, but it's not available everywhere I travel. I have AT&T Prepaid and they have something similar, $42/USD for 7 days up to 5gb. Bu also it's not worldwide.

For iPhone users, you are allowed up to 8 or more ( whatever that means) but note only 2 can be active.

I use both my Aussie and US numbers, so turning them off is not an option. I recently traveled to places where I had no coverage, and I was fine. Just downloaded the maps before I left wifi.

 

[Flashback]

I have Telstra Prepaid. I've been using the Prepaid International Roaming and it's been great. $25/AUD for 14 days, but it's not available everywhere I travel. I have AT&T Prepaid and they have something similar, $42/USD for 7 days up to 5gb. Bu also it's not worldwide.

For iPhone users, you are allowed up to 8 or more ( whatever that means) but note only 2 can be active.

I use both my Aussie and US numbers, so turning them off is not an option. I recently traveled to places where I had no coverage, and I was fine. Just downloaded the maps before I left wifi.

Wow, expensive option.

 

[SYD]

We have more travel to Indonesia and Japan within the next 365 days also, so whatever residual data will keep her going for those trips too - multiple short trips is where these 365 day roaming packs shine against short term eSIMs.

Yes, that was my thinking also. Gets closer to something like I had with Optus (with free included roaming). I’ve despatched SYD+1 (currently in Indonesia en route to Europe) to test the theory. Although, only took the $20 calls/text (no data bundle) because we both already have 6mth Global FLX eSIM plans.

Arriving last night, neither amaysim nor FLX connected quickly. Sounds like there was a delay in recognising the sim was OS and then activating “roaming” but working fine now. FLX just took a while to connect (I’ve had that problem also with Telstra and Optus - sometimes they roam immediately, others just takes time…). Anyway, got me thinking that an amaysim bundle with data, even small would be a good backup plan. I also saw Eskimo has a cheap Indonesia 180d plan that would straddle my next four pass thrus of CGK.

Wow, expensive option.

Yes, that was my thought also. But still cheaper than $10 per day with Telstra! But yes, there are more affordable options. If the Telstra network access at home was important, then Belong and it’s roaming bundles is now probably better than Telstra pre-paid. Felix and amaysim more affordable otherwise.

 

[jpp42]

I have Telstra Prepaid. I've been using the Prepaid International Roaming and it's been great. $25/AUD for 14 days,

This looked like a great deal to me to avoid the hassle of an eSim but I have Telstra Postpaid or "Upfront" or whatever it's called now. It looks like you can't add this pack to a postpaid account and are stuck with the $10/day roaming, i.e. $140 for 14 days! What a rort.

 

[ShelleyB]

This looked like a great deal to me to avoid the hassle of an eSim but I have Telstra Postpaid or "Upfront" or whatever it's called now. It looks like you can't add this pack to a postpaid account and are stuck with the $10/day roaming, i.e. $140 for 14 days! What a rort.

Yes indeed, and seems odd that Telstra would offer better prices to pre-paid customers. But in looking at the plans seems one solution would be to migrate the post-paid Telstra number to an eSim (assuming you have not already) and have a "casual" pre-paid Sim ($35 for 6 months) in order to take advantage of the pre-paid roaming? Would have the advantage of having calls and texts overseas which many (most?) eSims don't - they are usually data only.