eSims, what is your experience.

[SYD]

Hubby is currently using flexiroam in Argentina and Uruguay. Was very painful to set up, requiring multiple chats from helpdesk - and he's an IT nerd by trade. So I shudder to think how most people manage.

Do you know if it was an issue setting up the eSIM or getting it to roam? Something like Flexiroam or TruPhone, I’d set those up before I left the country. They should then work a bit like a physical SIM, if you have credit/coverage in the country/region you should be good to go.

Although, there are always going to be some places with their own idiosyncrasies. I found roaming with Optus in Germany earlier this year, one network gave me data, but no calls. Another calls but no data…

 

[SYD]

I‘ve not used Flexiroam yet, although I’ve had the app for a while and grabbed a free downloadable eSIM during a promo (starter pack used to be US$1 or $2 but included on some offers now). Anyway, I just noticed in the app there is a free promo for MC holders.

15 days of 3GB Global Roaming data (outside of a sale, that’s somewhere in the order of US$50+)

My Latitude 28° MC is eligible (and probably any other MC). The Ts&Cs say it can be used once per card per year.

Flexiroam X App - Top up your prepaid mobile data here

Flexiroam X App, you can top up prepaid mobile data, share data with other Flexiroam X App users, switch your connection, and get discounts.

travel.flexiroam.com

Also, you can look at various plans and rates in the app without installing the eSIM.

Just received an email from Latitude confirming this is now a benefit of holding the 28° MC. However, it appears to be at the expense of the Boingo wifi access (where available).

The link in the Latitude email takes us here:

Flexiroam X

Latest travel hack that will change the way you roam. A revolutionary thin microchip attached to your SIM card that enables you to travel the world.

mastercard.flexiroam.com

The Flexiroam app suggests the free 15d / 3GB bundle is “once a year“ but i don’t know if that’s calendar year or every 12 mths or some other variation. The link above could be interpreted as once only?

 

[kamchatsky]

Black Friday sales on Travel SIM and eSIM cards, 30% off:

simsdirect: 30% off All Travel SIM Cards and eSIMs - Europe, USA, NZ, Indonesia, Asia & More from $20.30 + Free Shipping @ SimsDirect
TravelKon: 30% off All Travel SIM Cards incl. eSIM – Europe, USA, NZ, Japan, Korea, Asia & More from $10.50 + Free Shipping @ TravelKon

Ended up buying 2 eSIMs to USA for next month's travel. Saves me the hassle of getting it when I am over there, especially with the weak Australian dollar.

 

[pangwen]

Just received an email from Latitude confirming this is now a benefit of holding the 28° MC. However, it appears to be at the expense of the Boingo wifi access (where available).

The link in the Latitude email takes us here:

Flexiroam X

Latest travel hack that will change the way you roam. A revolutionary thin microchip attached to your SIM card that enables you to travel the world.

mastercard.flexiroam.com

The Flexiroam app suggests the free 15d / 3GB bundle is “once a year“ but i don’t know if that’s calendar year or every 12 mths or some other variation. The link above could be interpreted as once only?

If you click on your link, and then go to the FAQ at the top, scroll down to "Redeeming Your Benefit", there's a question:

How many redemptions am I entitled to?
Cardholders are entitled to 1 redemption per eligible card, per calendar year.

 

[Quickstatus]

What’s good eSIM for 6 months in Copenhagen?

 

[SYD]

If you click on your link, and then go to the FAQ at the top, scroll down to "Redeeming Your Benefit", there's a question:

Yes, Latitude have been emailing info about the deal as it will replace Boingo In the New Year.

 

[SYD]

What’s good eSIM for 6 months in Copenhagen?

Probably pick up a local eSIM there? It ought to be good for roaming in Europe also.

Scroll down to Denmark and check what each carrier is offering.

Find wireless carriers and worldwide service providers that offer eSIM service

An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows you to activate a mobile data plan from your service provider without having to use a physical nano-SIM. Find out which wireless service providers in your country or region offer mobile plans on an eSIM, either activated by eSIM Carrier Activation, eSIM Quick...

support.apple.com

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Okay, I just managed to activate and use the Flexiroam eSIM overseas in NZ. First impressions, good speed (got LTE in NZ, so not the 5G my device theoretically supports but at least not 3G). One thing that's crucial though is to keep track of how many eSIMs you've got installed on your device. In my case, I had too many installed and as a consequence the Flexiroam eSIM refused to install. Having an eSIM plan that works globally and lasts for a year for $40 USD is a real game changer for me given how often I'm abroad these days. It means not having to worry about swapping SIMs (either eSIM or otherwise) when I land in a foreign country. Will be travelling back to NZ next month, and to Europe/North America/Asia in April/May so will report back then but thus far I would recommend Flexiroam.

-RooFlyer88

 

[SYD]

Okay, I just managed to activate and use the Flexiroam eSIM overseas in NZ. First impressions, good speed (got LTE in NZ, so not the 5G my device theoretically supports but at least not 3G). One thing that's crucial though is to keep track of how many eSIMs you've got installed on your device. In my case, I had too many installed and as a consequence the Flexiroam eSIM refused to install. Having an eSIM plan that works globally and lasts for a year for $40 USD is a real game changer for me given how often I'm abroad these days. It means not having to worry about swapping SIMs (either eSIM or otherwise) when I land in a foreign country. Will be travelling back to NZ next month, and to Europe/North America/Asia in April/May so will report back then but thus far I would recommend Flexiroam.

-RooFlyer88

Current gen phones only have one eSIM at a time (plus physical). So, yes you need to uninstall the current if swapping to another. Providers like FlexiRoam and TruPhone however mean you can just have the one installed and add plans in the fly.

RE: NZ, I’m not sure they even have 5G yet! Never saw it over the last 10 days roaming with Optus.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Current gen phones only have one eSIM at a time (plus physical). So, yes you need to uninstall the current if swapping to another. Providers like FlexiRoam and TruPhone however mean you can just have the one installed and add plans in the fly.

RE: NZ, I’m not sure they even have 5G yet! Never saw it over the last 10 days roaming with Optus.

Not quite - iPhone 13+ can have multiple eSIMs.

 

[SYD]

Not quite - iPhone 13+ can have multiple eSIMs.

Yes and I meant to say that newer models are going esim only.

 

[Gold Member]

Does the 28D MC plan include the 150+ countries listed on their website? I will be visiting Aruba, Curacao and Haiti next year and I was amazed to see that the Flexiroam cover them all. I’m not sure if the promo plan includes all these countries or if it’s limited to a selection.

If it covers them all, this saves me a fair bit as getting individual eSims for these type of countries is very difficult and costly.

 

[Quickstatus]

iPhone 13+ can have multiple eSIMs.

Yes - can store up to 10 (IIRC - depends on phone memory) but only 2 sims of any type can be active at the same time

 

[SYD]

Does the 28D MC plan include the 150+ countries listed on their website? I will be visiting Aruba, Curacao and Haiti next year and I was amazed to see that the Flexiroam cover them all. I’m not sure if the promo plan includes all these countries or if it’s limited to a selection.

If it covers them all, this saves me a fair bit as getting individual eSims for these type of countries is very difficult and costly.

I believe so. It’s their standard Global plan.

But there’s probably a “regional” plan also if for some reason you needed to pay for it (eg already used the freebie).

 

[pangwen]

I believe so. It’s their standard Global plan.

But there’s probably a “regional” plan also if for some reason you needed to pay for it (eg already used the freebie).

Do you know how Flexiroam prioritises between packs if you have two at the same time?
E.g. a global one, and a local/regional one.

I can see in most cases it's better to use the more specific one, but in other cases (e.g. if the global one is about to expire first) then you may want to use the global pass over the local.

 

[SYD]

Do you know how Flexiroam prioritises between packs if you have two at the same time?
E.g. a global one, and a local/regional one.

I can see in most cases it's better to use the more specific one, but in other cases (e.g. if the global one is about to expire first) then you may want to use the global pass over the local.

Good question. No, I don’t know.

 

[k_sheep]

Airalo has been .. okay in South America ... but terrible speeds. Only 2g, with a few seconds here and there of 3g, no sign of 4/5g. No coverage in Uruguay. Will see if it's any better in Europe.

 

[cambriamarsh]

Current gen phones only have one eSIM at a time (plus physical). So, yes you need to uninstall the current if swapping to another. Providers like FlexiRoam and TruPhone however mean you can just have the one installed and add plans in the fly.

RE: NZ, I’m not sure they even have 5G yet! Never saw it over the last 10 days roaming with Optus.

NZ does have 5G but not everywhere

 

[SYD]

NZ does have 5G but not everywhere

Accessing higher speed networks is also a function of the agreements in place with ones service provider and local carriers (in the case of Oz telcos and/or eSIM providers offering global coverage). Which is probably a good reason to get a prepaid local eSIM if you’re spending a longtime in one country.

 

[Askance]

What’s good eSIM for 6 months in Copenhagen?

I used Airalo European region eSim when i was in Denmark in Sept/Oct. Perfect coverage even when travelling on the train from Hamburg or going to Fredericksburg. Only thing you might consider for six months is if you can get by without a phone number. If you need that, dont go Airalo.