Top 10 Roaming Mistakes to Avoid
Roaming charges can add up quickly, especially if you use your phone extensively while traveling internationally. Many apps and services run in the background, even when you’re not actively using your device. Background data usage like app updates, location services, email fetches, and streaming music/video can rack up roaming megabyte charges rapidly. Top 10 Roaming Mistakes to Avoid
To avoid costly overages, be sure to limit background activity when roaming. Consider disabling background app refresh and downloads on iOS devices or restricting background data on Android. Set email accounts to manual fetch instead of push, and disable Dropbox or other cloud access. Also limit streaming of music, videos or live TV, as this type of high-bandwidth activity is billed per megabyte. Use your phone’s settings while roaming to restrict background processes, and your wallet will thank you later.
Not understanding your roaming rates
One of the biggest roaming mistakes is not understanding the rates your provider charges for voice calls, text messages, and mobile data while roaming internationally. Many travelers get an unexpectedly high phone bill after returning from abroad simply because they didn’t check the roaming rates before their trip. Top 10 Roaming Mistakes to Avoid
To avoid bill shock, always contact your provider before traveling to find out the specific fees for voice calls, text messaging, and data usage while roaming. Make sure to ask if they have partner networks available in your destination that allow for discounted roaming rates. Some providers offer packages or add-ons that can reduce international roaming costs. However, the rates may still be higher than using a local SIM card, so compare your options.
Don’t assume roaming fees will be cheap. In some countries, roaming rates can be €1–5 per minute for calls, €0.50 per text message sent, and €10–20 per megabyte (MB) of data. At those prices, your phone bill could easily reach hundreds of dollars for moderate usage over a week or two. Being informed on the rates and monitoring your usage is key to controlling costs.
Failing to turn data roaming off
Using cellular data while traveling internationally can lead to astronomical charges on your phone bill. That’s because data roaming rates are often 10–20 times more expensive per megabyte than domestic data rates. Top 10 Roaming Mistakes to Avoid
Just one YouTube video or Spotify stream could end up costing over €10 in data roaming fees. The charges multiply rapidly if you use navigation apps, stream music, upload photos, or browse social media on cellular data instead of wifi while traveling abroad.
To avoid bill shock, it’s essential to disable cellular data roaming on your phone before leaving the country. You can still make calls and send texts without issue, but you’ll avoid accruing ridiculous data charges. Only use wifi data for surfing the web, maps, videos, music, and apps when traveling overseas. Disable cellular data until you return home to avoid getting hit with an astronomical phone bill.
Not Getting a Local SIM
Getting a local SIM card can save you money if you’re traveling internationally for more than a few days. Roaming rates from your home carrier are usually exorbitant compared to local carrier rates in your destination country. For example, if you’re traveling to Europe for a week or more, purchasing a prepaid European SIM will almost certainly be cheaper than relying on your regular U.S. plan.
However, it’s a balance of convenience versus cost savings. Setting up a new SIM, transferring your contacts, letting people know your new number, etc takes some time when you first arrive. If you’re only staying a couple of nights, it may not be worth the hassle. But for longer stays, a local SIM will pay for itself quickly in reduced roaming fees. Do some research ahead of time to find a suitable pay-as-you-go plan in your destination. The savings could be substantial for extended trips.
Using premium text/call services
A common mistake people make is using premium text or call services while traveling internationally. These services often have extraordinarily high per-minute charges, costing you a small fortune in overage fees very quickly.
Premium text and call services include things like voting in TV show contests, making charity donations by text, participating in sweepstakes, or accessing adult content via SMS. The rates for these services can be €5-€20 per minute since they are considered “premium.”
Many travelers don’t realize they have accidentally accessed a premium service until they get their next cell phone bill. Overage charges of hundreds or even thousands of dollars can be startling.
To avoid this, disable text shortcodes for premium services with your mobile carrier before you leave on an international trip. Check your monthly bills carefully when you return to ensure no unwanted premium text or call charges are applied. Being proactive can help you steer clear of unexpectedly massive roaming fees.
Allowing autocorrect typos
A simple autocorrect mistake while roaming can end up costing you a lot of money. If you accidentally enter the wrong phone number or contact name, autocorrect may change it to an international number without you realizing it. Suddenly, you’ve racked up expensive international call and messaging fees.
Autocorrect is helpful when you’re using your regular cell phone plan. But when roaming internationally, even small typos can lead to astronomical charges. A minor mistake, like entering one wrong digit in a number, can connect you to a premium service halfway across the world.
The best way to avoid this is to disable autocorrect features when you’re traveling abroad. Go into your keyboard settings and turn off replacements, autocorrect, and/or spellcheck. You may make more typos, but a small inconvenience is better than getting a massive phone bill. Double-check any numbers or contacts before calling and texting. It only takes an extra few seconds to confirm you’ve entered the right details.
Staying alert and disabling autocorrect is key to avoiding accidental charges from mistyped numbers and contacts. Review settings before your trip and be extra cautious when entering any information on your phone while roaming. The small effort will save you from costly errors.
Not updating your voicemail
One of the easiest ways to avoid unnecessary roaming charges is by updating your voicemail message to mention you are out of your home coverage area. Most people forget to do this simple step. When your friends or family call you while roaming internationally, they will hear your normal voicemail message and not realize you are roaming. They will then proceed to leave you a long voicemail, which can result in high roaming fees.
Update your voicemail to say something like “Hi, you’ve reached John. I’m currently traveling abroad and not checking voicemail to avoid roaming charges. Please send me a text or email instead. I’ll get back to you when I’m back in the country. Thanks!” This will clue your callers into your roaming status and prompt them to text or email you instead of leaving a costly voicemail.
It takes 30 seconds to update your voicemail message before you travel. This simple roaming mistake is easy to avoid and will save you those surprise roaming fees from voicemails while out of the country. So remember to update your message so callers know to text, not talk!
Letting kids use cell phones
Kids can easily rack up huge roaming fees because they are unaware of how much data they are using. An innocent video chat with grandma could end up costing you hundreds of dollars if your child is roaming internationally.
To avoid bill shock, set usage limits and disable purchases on your kids’ phones before traveling. Most smartphones allow you to restrict usage and block premium purchases. You can also use family sharing settings on iPhones and Android phones to monitor your kids’ activity in real-time and set limits.
The key is to be proactive. Don’t hand your child a phone abroad without putting controls in place first. Take a few minutes to set data caps, turn off data roaming, and disable app downloads and in-app purchases. Your wallet will thank you later.
Thinking carrier deals protect you Top 10 Roaming Mistakes to Avoid
It’s easy to assume that roaming packages offered by your carrier will fully protect you from excessive roaming charges. However, you should carefully review the terms of any roaming deal or package before relying on it.
Many carrier roaming packages have monthly caps or limits, after which regular roaming rates apply. Others may exclude certain services, like premium texting or data usage. Some deals are limited to specific partner networks or countries. There can also be restrictions during peak holiday seasons when roaming usage typically spikes.
Don’t take for granted that a roaming package means you can use your phone without worry. Check the fine print so there are no surprises on your next phone bill. Monitor your usage to ensure you don’t exceed caps. Avoid premium texting or calls outside included networks, even if you think you have a great carrier deal. Roaming packages are not universal coverage; be sure to understand exactly what is and isn’t included before leaving home.
Not Monitoring Usage Top 10 Roaming Mistakes to Avoid
One of the biggest roaming mistakes is not monitoring your usage while traveling abroad. Without keeping tabs on your data and voice usage, you risk racking up a huge cell phone bill by the end of your trip.
To avoid an unexpectedly high bill, be sure to periodically check your usage by logging into your carrier account. Most providers offer an online dashboard or mobile app to view your minutes used, texts sent, and data consumed. Set account alerts for when you reach a certain data or billing threshold, such as 50% of your monthly limit. Getting notified mid-trip allows you to modify your usage to avoid extra charges.
You should also call your carrier before leaving to learn exactly what services they offer for monitoring international usage. Ask for instructions on how to check usage from abroad if you don’t have an international plan. Being proactive means you won’t face an unwelcome surprise when you get your next bill. Carefully tracking voice, text, and data consumption while roaming prevents bill shock.
