Best options for making cheap calls/text when overseas?

[serfty]

Probably for usage rather than just when it's going to expire. SYD+1 and I have both taken out a 2nd $20 bundle on the last day or so of the previous bundle. Neither of us received an email, text or app pop-up that it was about to expire (we both had more than 50% mins/txt remaining but they all rolled over).

Fair enough. It is pretty easy to check this on the Amaysim app.

 

[SYD]

Fiar enough. It is pretty easy to check this on the Anaysim app.

Yep, but a diary note / reminder will avoid someone posting in the “Travel mistakes” thread…

 

[tassie6]

Since Skype credit stopped working, I put $10 on 'Viber Out' for similar treatment, i.e. making calls when you have a data only esim or wifi, to local numbers/landlines.

Used recently in both ZA and NZ for about 8 calls all up and worked well. Spent about $1 total, rates to ZA a lot higher than back to AU and NZ, you can check their rates online and is generally per minute. You can also buy specific country packs but they didnt interest me

Skype credit saved my bacon a couple of times in the past, for example: a ticketing issue flying KLM on a VS reward ticket when the check in person says not their problem, call VS to resolve. Very handy to have a means of calling a real number!

 

[clifford]

Surely this is now all a dead duck with the likes of Amaysim's roaming products.

 

[SYD]

Surely this is now all a dead duck with the likes of Amaysim's roaming products.

That was my conclusion around post #52.

Very happy with it so far.

But who knows, something else might come along in the future.

Felix has a decent roaming bundle now, you need to pay extra for calls from Oz to OS.

 

[serfty]

Surely this is now all a dead duck with the likes of Amaysim's roaming products.

Yes and no.

In reality while the contextual encironment of this thread has changed - there are many on phone plans, say with Optus or Telstra, who are not able to utilise products such as Amaysim on a shorter term cost effective basis.

Myself, I do not currently roam data with Amaysim, utilising a combination of free Flexiroam and paid Eskimo.

 

[SYD]

Yes and no.

In reality while the contextual encironment of this thread has changed - there are many on phone plans, say with Optus or Telstra, who are not able to utilise products such as Amaysim on a shorter term cost effective basis.

Myself, I do not currently roam data with Amaysim, utilising a combination of free Flexiroam and paid Eskimo.

Actually, just noticed that there’s now a $15 / 12mth pre-pay plan. Seems to be PAYG but I can’t find anything to say it isn’t eligible for a roaming plan. Although didn’t look too hard.

 

[serfty]

Actually, just noticed that there’s now a $15 / 12mth pre-pay plan. Seems to be PAYG but I can’t find anything to say it isn’t eligible for a roaming plan. Although didn’t look too hard.

What company is that with?

 

[SYD]

What company is that with?

amaysim

It’s in the app but can’t see it online.

 

[serfty]

amaysim

It’s in the app but can’t see it online.

Found in app. Seems not suitable for roaming. Most likely something to receive SMS while in Oz. (e.g. 2FA)

 

[SYD]

The statement “All for use in Australia” is standard for all amaysim plans. AFAIK, non of the amaysim plans have PAYG options overseas - I don’t recall ever seeing a table of rates. The ones rates mentioned above are calls from Oz to Overseas.

But the CIS attached above mentions using the service overseas. So in my earlier post, I pondered that it’s elegible for any of the standard international roaming bundles.

If it is, then it might be excellent option for at least two scenarios:
1. Someone going OS for an extended time and want to keep their Oz phone number (and can access 2FA etc)*
2. Someone on one of the big three but can’t or doesn’t want to rely on $5 pd roaming to make/receive calls, txt etc.

*you possibly might not even need a roaming bundle to just receive an SMS when OS.