eSims, what is your experience.

[jastel]

Just back from my trip.
Got the 30 day 20Gb Jetpac one, data only.
Worked pretty well but had to manually connect it a few times.
Only used up about 12 Gb.
Was mostly at least 4G, 5G in larger centres.

Also had the Telstra $25 4Gb roaming pack as well on my main number. This was much simpler to use, it just connected and worked.

Wifi calling Telstra Aust numbers was free. Once I used up some minutes by mistake on an older phone as I forgot to change a setting. Something about wifi calls first? The setting is on my new phone but not friends old phone.

 

[jb747]

In NZ recently, and we had our phones on the same sort of data only esim from simify.com. Did the job.

 

[SYD]

In NZ recently, and we had our phones on the same sort of data only esim from simify.com. Did the job.

I was just looking at Simify (formerly SimsDirect) this morning but their website is a tad misleading.

I noticed that they have 90 day plans that could work for two upcoming USA trips that straddle about 80 days. When you search for a Country/Region, the headline is 90 days / upto 100GB and what looks to be a cheap price.


But when you click the “$18.75” is for 5GB / 7 days. You have to go to $179 (after discount) to get the 90 day plan with 100 GB (not that I need 100GB). It really ought to say “From $xx”.


I’ll probably get one 5GB / 2yr Eskimo plan US$16 (after discount), unless I can get one of the freebie US sims to work beforehand.

 

[jb747]

“Up to” is the new “buyer beware”.

 

[auriga]

I had the free MasterCard flexiroam esim for my trip. It was to be a backup.

Tried to activate it in Taiwan. Couldn't actually log in. Tried to change password but continually getting error. Pathetic. Just as well I did not actually need to use it.

 

[SYD]

I had the free MasterCard flexiroam esim for my trip. It was to be a backup.

Tried to activate it in Taiwan. Couldn't actually log in. Tried to change password but continually getting error. Pathetic. Just as well I did not actually need to use it.

Was the app working before you left home?

 

[Infrequent traveller]

I had the free MasterCard flexiroam esim for my trip. It was to be a backup.

Tried to activate it in Taiwan. Couldn't actually log in. Tried to change password but continually getting error. Pathetic. Just as well I did not actually need to use it.

It happened to me TWICE in a span of 2 month (early April in Japan and this redemption for a visit to NZ). The account was being blocked for “security/KYC” concern, just when I tried to activate the redeemed plan already “successfully” shown up on my account, as per support chat. My account was only unblocked (both times) after I was able to provide 4 out of 5 card details I used for redemption, success of failure, and after a half day wait (because I could not give the last one!). Just for the record, these are all legitimate redemptions as I have multiple current (and past) MasterCards, both Primary and Supplementary. And that there were failed attempts as, say, I thought the Citi Premier card would be eligible as well.

As a (retired) finance person, I have no problem with a business weeding out fraudulent practices. However, leaving the verification process until the account holder is in desperate need of the service, and that requesting onerous information almost on the spot (during support chat), I find it an insult to those of us (finance/risk control guys) striving to strike that delicate balance between control and customer experience.

I am now using hotel WiFi in NZ for this post and am happy to declare that I shall continue to use all available redemptions, with some better planning on activating the plan. BUT there is not chance that I will pay for any of its plans, or recommending its paid services to anyone (other than those I hate )

 

[SYD]

It happened to me TWICE in a span of 2 month (early April in Japan and this redemption for a visit to NZ). The account was being blocked for “security/KYC” concern, just when I tried to activate the redeemed plan already “successfully” shown up on my account, as per support chat. My account was only unblocked (both times) after I was able to provide 4 out of 5 card details I used for redemption, success of failure, and after a half day wait (because I could not give the last one!). Just for the record, these are all legitimate redemptions as I have multiple current (and past) MasterCards, both Primary and Supplementary. And that there were failed attempts as, say, I thought the Citi Premier card would be eligible as well.

As a (retired) finance person, I have no problem with a business weeding out fraudulent practices. However, leaving the verification process until the account holder is in desperate need of the service, and that requesting onerous information almost on the spot (during support chat), I find it an insult to those of us (finance/risk control guys) striving to strike that delicate balance between control and customer experience.

I am now using hotel WiFi in NZ for this post and am happy to declare that I shall continue to use all available redemptions, with some better planning on activating the plan. BUT there is not chance that I will pay for any of its plans, or recommending its paid services to anyone (other than those I hate )

Not defending them, but I suspect their app (and/or backend) probably isn’t geared up for multiple MC redemptions. I think you’re the first to mention here that you’ve used several.

I know I had trouble getting my details back in when they first went to the new app (which I still hate), but once they ironed out the bugs, I used my freebie last year ok and this year’s has been just sitting there in my profile waiting to be activated since January. I’m holding that for an upcoming trip going to multiple Asian countries. If for some reason it doesn’t work, I have a Plan B, and C…

Unfortunately, their regular pricing, even after the 15% MC discount is too high these days. So I mostly use alternatives.

 

[auriga]

Was the app working before you left home?

Yes it was working previously. Maybe checked 2 weeks prior to trip.

It happened to me TWICE in a span of 2 month (early April in Japan and this redemption for a visit to NZ). The account was being blocked for “security/KYC” concern, just when I tried to activate the redeemed plan already ...

Wow.... Sounds horrid!
I have used the promo last year.
I have even bought and used another plan with them. All went well previously so I was totally dumbfounded by this episode.

 

[auriga]

.. been just sitting there in my profile waiting to be activated since January.....

Yep. Same. All set up and sitting in my profile just waiting to be activated before I left the home.

To be faced with unable to log into app when I got overseas.

 

[SYD]

To be faced with unable to log into app when I got overseas.

That’s the weird bit. Mine shows me continuously logged in whenever I open it (that’s on iOS).

I was using my app during the last two weeks while OS, no issues. I wasn’t using an active eSIM just comparing plans.

If I hit weird app behaviour I usually considered deleting and reinstalling - that often helps.

 

[auriga]

That’s the weird bit. Mine shows me continuously logged in whenever I open it (that’s on iOS).

I was using my app during the last two weeks while OS, no issues. I wasn’t using an active eSIM just comparing plans.

If I hit weird app behaviour I usually considered deleting and reinstalling - that often helps.

I don't think I've ever really needed to log in previously other than the first time. Once in, it was just there.

 

[SYD]

I don't think I've ever really needed to log in previously other than the first time. Once in, it was just there.

Yes, that’s what I was saying. Normally i just stayed logged in.

If you click on “Account”, it will show if logged in, and your current and past plans / Order history etc.

 

[Flashback]

Eskimo still has a “Mothers Day” 25% off Global* 10GB and 5GB (2yr plans) running to 31 May.

We both just bought the 10GB plan as they’ve just rolled out 5G connectivity in many locations and I’ve been pretty happy with them when I’ve used my 1GB freebie (mentioned up thread).

The concept of having one decent, long life plan sitting in the “back pocket” appeals to me. At less than US$3 /GB, it’s reasonably competitive also. If for some reason I don’t use it up in 2yrs, unused data rolls over if I renew. In fact, the remaining data on my freebie just went from an Oct 2025 expiry to May 2027 expiry.

I can also supplement this with Country specific or Regional plans from other providers as necessary (or where cheaper).

*note, not all “Global Plans” are created equal. Eskimo is 80+ countries. Most of the gaps are in Central and South America. The other exclusion oddity is SIN (given it’s a SIN based provider…).

How do you access the Mother's Day pricing? I'm not seeing anything when I visit the site.

For the 1GB one, I assume you need a code too, again, I can only see a code for 500mb free.....

 

[SYD]

How do you access the Mother's Day pricing? I'm not seeing anything when I visit the site.

Sorry, I meant to post the promo code: LOVEMOM

But it dropped out of the app as soon as I used it! Had to ask SYD+1 to jog my memory…

Although, if you register for a new account, the code should be there in the app?

For the 1GB one, I assume you need a code too, again, I can only see a code for 500mb free.....

Yeah, I think the 1GB freebie is long gone but 500MB is widely available with referral. PM me if you need a referral code. You get 500MB 2y / Global, I get $3 credit.