Overseas/roaming phone contracts??

[jerryt939]

Hi all, Thanks for looking. Bit of a random one really but what do all those CC's out there do for phone contracts and keeping costs down whilst overseas?
My better half is starting at BA soon as CC and we are just trying to figure out whether to upgrade the imminently ending contract she has or look for other options...?

Any response would be greatly appreciated :)

[b747 flightboy]

hi there am with o2 (mods am i allowed to say that) I pay my normal tariff, but also pay an extra £10 a month for 'my europe extra' It means it costs me nothing to recieve a call, and i think 25 p per min to make a call while am abroad. Texts are taken out of your text bundle x4. Some of my colleagues are on a vodaphone tariff where you pay, i think 60p per call connection and the talk time comes out of inclusive minutes. That said I only fly Europe, not w/w. Hope that helps.

[Smell the Coffee]

Bit of a random one really but what do all those CC's out there do for phone contracts and keeping costs down whilst overseas?

I generally avoid using my mobile abroad - that's the easiest solution.

However, for those with iPhone I recommend the <Viber> app - it allows you to make local or international calls for free to other iPhone users that also have the app - it uses 3G or Wireless ... so if the hotel provides free wireless it can be a decent option.

Personally I just don't make voice calls overseas...

[6chimes]

Non of the major players have any worthwhile international deals. Although it does depend on where you will fly to. The US an Europe can have some deals, anywhere else and you will pay.

O2 did try and lead the way with their standard 4 for 1 txt option, which took 4 txt's from your bundle for 1 txt sent from any international destination. The deal stopped last year when non of the other service providers took the bait and tried to compete. If you still have that deal then it's cheaper to buy your own handset if you fancy an upgrade. (if you haven't upgraded for a while, then it's worthwhile asking in case you unknowingly have it.)

If you want to make calls then use skype or one of the similar alternatives as long as you're in a hot spot, although trawling about a foreign city looking for a hot spot just say hi and ask what's happened over the last few days seems inconvenient.

There are international sims that reduce the cost, however anyone you might like to hear from will have to know the new number and when to dismiss your usual number.

So unless you can get the old O2 deal or actively manage several types of contact and it's not an option to be A.W.O.L then you'll have to budget for a larger phone bill.

Personally I only ever txt (a lot) and from some very obscure places and my bill is never more than £30 per month.

6

[bagsybtmbunk]

The O2 texting contract 4:1 applies to any sim cards and contracts taken out pre January 2010. I find this invaluable when flying the world as such a great way to keep in touch.

This sim and contract is so valuable it's worth purchasing your own handset to keep hold of this contract which has now been withdrawn.