Slide

Here’s some great advice when it comes to being able to stay in touch and very importantly, being able to have a data connection when in the US. I spent a lot of time looking at all the international roaming options and apart from Vodafone Australia, none of the other local telcos offer anything decent as a mobile phone travel package. Generally, for the extra amount you had to pay to use the international roaming feature, the calls are limited and the data….. well what data. They give you a very small data allowance. I wouldn’t risk it as I’d hate to see the bill if you’d happen to go over the allowance. Vodafone offer a decent offer for international roaming as long as you’re on a plan with them. For $5 a day, you are able to use your mobile phone as if you were in Australia, pretty cool. That means there’s no need for a new sim and your number remains the same so if your with Vodafone, go for it. You can find out more by clicking here.  You can also look at getting a local sim when you arrive in the US but I think the following option is the way to go.

If you’re not a Vodafone customer (and I’m not), and want the freedom of having your mobile phone work like it would back at home, then I believe that these guys are the best to go with – Telaway. I used their product on our latest trip to the US and it worked great. Here are the reasons I loved it

  • Unlimited data – We could use social media, browse the web, use out navigation and stay in touch with the kids with Facetime
  • Unlimited Australian calls and text as well an allowance to call Australian mobiles
  • Unlimited US calls and texts
  • Free Australian follow me number – This allows you to divert your number to another Australian number which calls your US number. No need to give anyone another number. They call your number and it calls you – No extra costs involved. I loved this feature
  • Sim was very easy to swap over. They include a little pouch that you can put your Australian sim in for protection
  • Very cost effective. It cost me US $60 for up to 10 days. For 11 – 30 days, it cost US $100 and you can add more if your staying longer. It may seem like a bit of a cost but when you work out what other products costs and what you get, it’s a great deal!
  • Simple order process
  • Fast and free shipping
  • Plug and play. I put the sim in the phone and it worked straight away

After comparing many different options, these guys had the best product and I think it was great value for money. My only negative is that the data speeds weren’t great but in saying that, it worked fine most of the time. Here’s the absolute best advice I can give you when you take up this package. If you are travelling with family, hotspot your mobile phone so they can also use the data. Remember to keep your charger close as it will drain the battery a lot quicker. My wife loved the fact that she had the freedom to use her social media whenever she needed instead of whenever we had free WiFi!! Trust me, you’ll love this feature and it doesn’t cost a cent more! One thing you need to be aware of is that your mobile phone needs to be unlocked. If you’re not sure, pop into your local store and ask them the question. They will be able to tell you by looking at your plan. For our international family, this applies to you as well. This product is available to any country around the world.

Overall, I give the product a 9/10. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed!

Travelling to the US? traveltotheus.com.a