Pros/Cons of Using an eSim for International Travel

I have used an eSim for a couple of different international trips. In this video, I will share my experience with using an eSim from two different companies: Airalo and Orange, and the pros and cons of using an eSim abroad for data.
Pros/Cons of using a Mobile Hotspots: • Pros/Cons of Using a M...
Orange eSim: www.orange.com/en
Airaolo eSim: www.airalo.com/ (save $3 off your first purchase using code: KATIE9634)
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FTC DISCLAIMER ➙ This video is NOT sponsored. This post does contain affiliate/referral links, which means that if you purchase anything through the use of my links, I receive a small commission. All opinions are my own, honest opinions, regardless of sponsorship, referral links, and/or affiliation.

[@gmm5550]

pretty funny..my american friend did come here to Thailand that are Well before of america in internet connections and prices and speed. He was so proud over his e-sim.. Well i pay about 13$/m for FULL unlimited pure 5 g here in Thailand..he did pay american internet..which was about 10 times more on a locked phone..something rest of the world stopped with 10-15 years ago

[@tivoni]

I find a WIFI connection and call via Whatsapp

[@KatieRockey]

That is a great option!

[@RandyA7]

Leave your primary line on but turn off roaming. That will keep it from incurring international charges. Enable WiFi calling on your primary line. Then you should be able to receive incoming text messages using the local data eSIM. And you can also then send iMessages with your primary line as well.

[@KatieRockey]

Great! I will try this for my next international trip. Thank you!

[@eileenbain5692]

We used what’s app to text home, send pictures etc. not sure if we could have used it for phone calls abroad

[@sng8888]

For 2FA turn on your Primary home SIM on for Phone Calls and texts when you need to get authentication. receiving SMS is always free. Turn off Roaming for data on your Primary line so that you don’t happen to use it instead of your travel line for data. As to using your foreign sims data for Wifi calling, I don’t believe that works. I can only get it to work when my phone is connected to the internet on Wifi like in a hotel or via someone else’s hotspot.

[@KatieRockey]

Very helpful information. Thank you!!

[@PapaD104]

I use eSIMs for travel now. I load it up the night before I go, making sure it's not active yet, then activate it on the plane after landing. Connecting to the local network can be a little slow, and every one I have used requires Roaming to be turned on, but you can skip the SIM sales line at the airport and no need to hand your phone over to a local vendor for installation. In most cases the eSIM is a bit more expensive, but I find the convenience worth the small extra cost.

[@KatieRockey]

I agree, the convenience of skipping a physical store to purchase a SIM card makes eSims so convenient. Thanks for your comment!

[@user-qn4zh2pw6m]

What do you think of Gigsky?

[@KatieRockey]

I haven’t heard anything about that company. However, most eSIM companies and their plans do not work while on a cruise ship. Gigsky advertises the ability to use while at sea as well as on land. So it might be worth looking into if you’re going on a cruise.

[@4girlskinlikethewind]

Aíralo is horrible to install, please don’t buy it!!

[@KatieRockey]

Oh no, I am sorry that you had issues installing it! That is good feedback that not everyone has a good experience installing an eSim.

[@wrbullock]

What problems did you have? There is no context for your comment. Have had no problems with airalo

[@4girlskinlikethewind]

@@wrbullock I had a lot of problems with Airalo, I tried to install it before I left the USA, and I couldn’t do it, I was in their support chat for hours, and no help!! They got my money, but finally, I found someone in Venice, Italy. I paid him €40, to get it to work! It was working for about 2 weeks, I paid for a month, but I only used it for 2 weeks! Then, I received a text message from Airalo, that my eSIM was going to expire, it was already working, so I made the mistake to buy it again!! Never worked, not even Apple support would get it to work! And the Marriot in Seville, Spain; changed me €75 for the toll free call to Apple support!!

[@kennisjarvis8105]

I had terrible issues with Airalo as well. I could not get it to connect.

[@mmt44y]

Did you actually try the both primary and secondary sims active? Or were you afraid of the consequence? I also have been doing a lot of research and can't find anyone who actually tried it. I think if you set the airalo for primary data, and US sim for talk and text, the wifi mode of the primary us carrier should use the airalo as if it was wifi??? I have used airalo europe regional esim several times with no activation problems. An EU friend used airalo US esim for his US trip without problems.

[@KatieRockey]

I did not try it. To my knowledge, having both my primary line on (while shutting off the data only) and turning the secondary eSim line on would still result in phone calls and sms text messages going through my primary line's normal phone call and texting process being charged the international rate versus over WiFi calling. I admit I am a little confused on the specific settings to turn on and off on my primary line with both lines active for this situation to work over a WiFi calling scenario. At least with a mobile hotspot, one could leave their primary line on (not mess with any carrier settings) and turn on airplane mode on the phone to connect to the WiFi for WiFi calling. I am glad to hear that you and your friends have not had any issues using an Airalo eSim!

[@custodiaewald2689]

Your video was very helpful. Thank you

[@KatieRockey]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!

[@marywang1288]

What is your advice to handle two-factor+authentication from the bank. Especially using credit or debit cards outside the US if you use eSim and don't have your US phone number.

[@KatieRockey]

Great question! First, you could switch all that require 2-factor authentication to send the code to your email instead of a text message. You can access emails abroad with an eSim data plan. Another option is to download an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator as way to authenticate yourself. Those also work using your data plan. If you need to call your bank, then you can turn your phone on airplane mode, turn your primary line on, and connect to the WiFi at your hotel or Airbnb. That way, you can take advantage WiFi calling. Those are just some of my suggestions. Hope that helps!

[@marywang1288]

Unfortunately the bank I used BOA and Capital One, the send real time alert via SMS text with a code, or real time push notification to reply YES or NO to make sure it's not fraudulent transaction. They only notify you e-statement is available by email. Also my work email (MS 365 outlook) only authenticate via SMS text when you are logging in at a geo location other than your usual log in location. Voice call to a US phone number is no problem, you can always call forwarding to a VOIP number, it's the SMS feature for 2FA that is the problem.

[@KatieRockey]

Interesting, I have Capital One as one of my banks. I use their app as well as Face ID on my iPhone to access the app, so I do not receive sms text alerts for questionable transactions. I can do most things within the app and use my data while abroad. I am not sure if the type of services you use from Capital One are the same as mine to be able to use the app, so that something to consider. For your work email, I wonder if you can contact your IT Support at work to have your email authenticated through an app as well. I use Outlook 365 at work, and we are able to use the Microsoft Authenticator app. But I realize that not all companies utilize the same features and functions of all the Office 365 products. Good point about use the call forwarding feature to a VOIP number! That can be super handy!

[@classiarius]

Second-factor authentication (2FA) via SMS text message or email are not that secure, besides not working great for international travel. Any decent company will support 2FA via an authenticator app (2FAS Auth, Google Authenticator, etc.) or portable hardware tokens (Yubikey, etc.). These options are great for international travel and more secure. However, if you go the authenticator app route, check that backup to an encrypted target is available should your phone get lost or stolen. You can also enroll another device with the authenticator app (tablet, computer, etc.) or have a trusted travel companion's device enabled to peace of mind should once device be suddenly gone.

[@KatieRockey]

That is super helpful. Thank you for this information!

[@eileenbain5692]

Airalo was terrible - could not enable data after successfully installing the 30 day Regional eSIM for Europe which I did from home before we left. Hours and hours spent trying to get customer support - bots not helpful. Customer service not helpful. I ended up requesting a refund and I am waiting for that. I was not the only traveller having trouble with Airalo and Regional eSIM for Europe. So glad I had not purchased the 365 Global eSIM which I was considering.

[@KatieRockey]

That stinks that you had issues installing it! That might be a negative for eSims in general that installing can be an issue. Thanks for the feedback!

[@RobinDhillonUxbridge]

I have not had that experience Airalo. I used it in Mexico and the UK without any issues at all. I installed it at home and during flight over I deactivated my carrier data and then activated the Airalo. As soon as I landed, I took the phone out of airplane mode and it connected instantly.

[@4girlskinlikethewind]

@@eileenbain5692 Hi, I had the same thing happened to me, their tech, and customer support doesn’t exist!! I called Apple support, and they couldn’t do it either, and to add salt to my injury, I was at the Marriot Seville, Spain, and I was charged $75.00, maybe Euros, because I called their toll free number to get help from Apple support!! And Apple couldn’t do it either!! Airalo, is just a ripoff!! Please don’t believe this people that promote it!! They get paid! We as the consumers get ripped off!!

[@KatieRockey]

That sounds like a nightmare to go through! Thank you for sharing your experience with Airalo. I am not necessarily promoting Airalo as the company everyone should go use for an eSim card (my video is not sponsored) just an option that I have used. Again, thank you for sharing your experience. It is super helpful to hear other sides!