For your upcoming trip, you did the smart thing and bought the international calling plan from your carrier. $10 per day—not too bad!

After the trip, you check your phone bill. You’ve been charged more than $5,000 in roaming data fees. This is very, very bad.

Using your cell phone internationally seems like it should be simple…. but it’s not. Should you use your own phone plan or buy a SIM card at your destination? Should you get a text-only plan, or will you need to make calls and use data as well? And how can you avoid getting hit with surprise fees? We have a few tips for using your phone overseas.

1. Sometimes, getting a local SIM card is your best option when traveling internationally.

You’ve just arrived at the Johannesburg airport, and you see kiosks advertising SIM cards for calling within South Africa. Is it worth it? you wonder. And is this going to be complicated?

In many countries, swapping out your phone’s SIM card for a local one will give you the best service for a rate that’s much lower than using your U.S. cell provider’s international plan. The process is pretty simple. Typically, the sales associate can advise you on the best plan to get and will swap out the cards for you.

Pros of getting a local SIM card when you’re traveling: The costs for calls, texts and data can be surprisingly cheap. You may get faster service, too. You choose how much you’ll pay up front, so there are no surprise charges. It’s especially valuable for longer trips! Your U.S. provider might charge you $10/day for international access, compared to $20 for a SIM card that covers you for two weeks.

Cons of getting a local SIM card when you’re traveling: You’ll lose access to your regular phone number, so you won’t be able to accept calls or texts to that number (including account verification texts, which you might need if you’re traveling abroad). Plus, newer phones may not accept physical SIM cards.

2. eSIM data plans are another cost-effective option for using your cell phone abroad.

Mobile phone manufacturers are phasing out physical SIM cards in favor of digital versions, called eSIMs. eSIMs make it easier to switch to a different carrier, and also gives you more protection from identity theft in case your phone is stolen.

eSIMs also can save travelers a lot of money! eSIM plan providers sell low-priced data plans for travel that give you a set number of gigabytes. Before you leave on your trip, choose an eSIM data provider for travel, such as Airalo, Nomad, or Holafly. Download the provider’s app and follow the instructions to set up your plan and activate it. You can also go to the provider’s website, buy the plan there, and then follow the instructions they send you.

One drawback to eSIM data plans for travel: they can compromise your privacy. Many of the data providers track users and sell their data, unless you change your phone settings to opt out.¹

3. Google Fi is one of the most affordable cell phone plans for international travel.

Google Fi is a virtual cell phone service provider that offers service in over 200 countries. Its Unlimited Plus plan gives travelers unlimited data (throttled after 50 GB) and texts with international coverage in over 200 countries—all for a monthly cost that’s a fraction of what other cell providers charge. Calling is available too, billed at 20 cents per minute.

You can use an Android or iPhone to use Google Fi, as long as it’s unlocked. And you can use Google Fi for just one month, if you don’t want to permanently switch your phone provider.

4. Going on a cruise? Don’t forget to put your phone in airplane mode.

Traveling with your phone gets extra tricky on a cruise, because you may be visiting multiple countries in addition to spending time at sea.

Can you even get cell phone service on a cruise ship? Typically, you won’t have a signal while at sea. If your phone does have service, you might think you’ve gotten lucky—but beware! Most likely, that signal is coming through an at-sea provider, which means you’re paying roaming charges.²

You have a few options for using your phone on a cruise:

• Pay for a cruise package from your cell phone provider. These plans typically offer a limited amount of data and a certain number of minutes for calls. For example, Verizon’s Cruise Daily Pass gives you 0.5 GB of data and 50 minutes of calls per day, plus unlimited texts. AT&T’s Cruise Basic package charges a flat rate for 100 minutes of calls, unlimited texting, and 100 MB of data.
  
  If you opt for one of these plans, make sure you don’t run over your limits. 100 MB of data is not a lot; it’ll allow you to send and receive about 100 emails, or browse the Internet for about 4 hours (without streaming or downloading).³

• Buy the cruise ship’s Wi-Fi package. Internet access on board is available, but can be expensive. Internet access plans vary by cruise line, and can include daily rates, voyage-long plans, and tiered options (e.g. the cheapest plan includes just social media sites, while more expensive plans enable faster speeds and more data). You can purchase a plan and then connect your phone to Wi-Fi while on board.

• Only use your phone when you’re in port. The cheapest option: Keep your phone in airplane mode until you’re on land. Then, you can use it with an international calling/data plan, or seek out local shops or restaurants that offer free Wi-Fi.

5. If your mobile service provider charges you unexpected fees while you’re traveling, contact them ASAP.

Let’s go back to the example of our traveler who was charged $5,000 in roaming fees. If something like that happens to you, contact your provider and ask them why you were charged. It could have been an error on their end, a technical glitch, or a mistake you made, like downloading large files while in a country that wasn’t included in your plan. Regardless of the reason, your provider may work with you to reduce or erase the unexpected charges. To get the best outcome, be persistent and polite!

6. Download the Allyz® TravelSmart app before you go.

The Allyz TravelSmart app is your ultimate travel companion for any journey ahead. Not only can you use it to manage your Allianz travel protection plan on the go, but Allyz also includes free tools to help you organize itineraries, locate a quality hospital when you need one, translate common medical terms, and get destination-specific safety and security alerts. And if you need help during your trip, 24-hour assistance is just a tap away.

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