Use of Airalo e-SIM while traveling abroad

[scubie]

Hi; very frustrated with Verizon customer support.  I would welcome all thoughts/answers to the following, please (I received differing answers with different reps on different chats)

 My situation: I'd like to use an Airalo e-SIM while in Switzerland.  I've purchased this e-SIM.  I want to use it while away from wifi on my trip, and use wifi when available.  I want to avoid ANY charges from Verizon while on this trip (besides my normal monthly charge, of course) unless absolutely necessary.

Questions:

1.  Is it necessary to activate e-SIM while I'm in the US?

2. Is it necessary to remove my physical Verizon e-SIM in order to utilize my Airalo e-SIM?

3. Do I need to know anything about the settings for my phone while on the trip?  For example, data roaming?  One rep said I had to have it off, one rep said I had to have it on.  What about any other settings?

4.  One rep told me I could leave the phone in airplane mode, and this would take care of avoiding additional charges.   Then I received a text (after the chat) telling me to put it in airplane mode, but if I were going to be using the international e-SIM, I would need to remove my Verizon physical SIM.  

Thank you for any and all assistance, Verizon community!

Vicky

[SynthpopAddict · Accepted solution]

To answer your questions:

1) A dual SIM phone can be switched between the 2 SIMs whenever you'd like.

2) If you're in airplane mode, cellular service and Wi-Fi are shut off, but I've heard conflicting information on being able to turn back on Wi-Fi while in airplane mode.  Some say you can and some say you can't, so maybe it depends on the device.

3a) If you access your Verizon plan (use your Verizon number) while overseas, it will trigger a Travel Pass charge or if you didn't buy Travel Pass or the International Service Plan, you'll have to pay the pay-as-you-go international roaming rates which are more expensive.

3b) If your travel partner who is using Blue Logo Place was told to not use a travel option, she must be on a premium plan where international coverage is built in already.  Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plan has international service built in, but other Verizon plans do not, so if you are using some other plan, definitely enable the Travel Pass option in your account in case you want to use your Verizon account/number while away, or buy the International Service Plan depending on how long you'll be away and how much you think you'd want to use your Verizon number.  Otherwise, it's pay-as-you-go rates.

4) If you install a foreign SIM or eSIM while in the US, that foreign SIM/eSIM would detect it's not within the other country's network and will go into roaming mode, much like your Verizon SIM will go into roaming when you are abroad.  Depending on how Airalo handles international roaming, this could cause you to incur international roaming charges if you were to activate the Airalo eSIM here in the US, so I'd wait until you get to Switzerland to install it.

As an aside, I'm confused by your comment in your first post about "physical eSIM".  An eSIM is a electronic file downloaded to your phone and not an actual card which fits into a slot, which would just be a SIM card.

[vzw_customer_support]

I know how frustrating it can be prepping for international travel, and not having all the answers you need for your trip. Airplane mode is the only foolproof way to avoid unwanted charges, and it sounds like you're using a dual SIM phone. You may just be able to turn off the Verizon SIM in the device settings, and leave just the Airalo eSIM active for your trip. This would do the same thing, as your Verizon SIM would be in "Airplane mode". What is the make & model of your phone?

-Joseph

[scubie]

Thank you for your reply, Joseph.  I have an i-phone 13 mini.  Thank you for helping me out; I am indeed frustrated.  If you can verify that the above info is correct, with my make and model of phone, that would be great.  

[vzw_customer_support]

Absolutely, Scubie. Those settings are available on the iPhone 13 mini. To learn how to set up a default number, please click here and see "Set your default number": https://support.apple.com/en-us/109317 Please let us know if this helps.👍 You can also temporarily suspend service on your Verizon line so that there's absolutely no way you might accidentally use your Verizon eSIM. Learn more here: https://www.verizon.com/support/suspend-service-faqs/

~Izzy

[scubie]

Thank you, Joseph.  The e-SIM I've purchased is data only, and  I will not be provided with a different phone number. Should I still be able to switch between sims at will?  Would this change my procedure (from the links you sent regarding having an additional number?)

I'd like to be able to access my Verizon plan once or twice during the trip (to check messages and calls??  I'm assuming I can do that?  Or will they not come through if I'm on airplane mode?).   I don't really want to suspend my service (though I'm glad that's an option).   Does the advice change if I am only changing to a data e-SIM?  

Here's my plan so far:  I'm going to install the e-SIM tomorrow just to make it loads correctly  (my first time - so nervous).   I'm not sure when to activate the plan - could I do it while I'm in the US?  Maybe right before I take off?  I'm afraid if I wait until I arrive in Europe, I will be charged by Verizon.  Also, the rep insisted that I have the TravelPass on my plan for this trip, but my travel partner was told to NOT have the travel option (she has ATT).  Does having TravelPass change anything for me?  I just assumed I would use a $10/day here and there to check messages.  Thanks again, in advance, for your help.  

Vicky

[SynthpopAddict · Accepted solution]

To answer your questions:

1) A dual SIM phone can be switched between the 2 SIMs whenever you'd like.

2) If you're in airplane mode, cellular service and Wi-Fi are shut off, but I've heard conflicting information on being able to turn back on Wi-Fi while in airplane mode.  Some say you can and some say you can't, so maybe it depends on the device.

3a) If you access your Verizon plan (use your Verizon number) while overseas, it will trigger a Travel Pass charge or if you didn't buy Travel Pass or the International Service Plan, you'll have to pay the pay-as-you-go international roaming rates which are more expensive.

3b) If your travel partner who is using Blue Logo Place was told to not use a travel option, she must be on a premium plan where international coverage is built in already.  Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plan has international service built in, but other Verizon plans do not, so if you are using some other plan, definitely enable the Travel Pass option in your account in case you want to use your Verizon account/number while away, or buy the International Service Plan depending on how long you'll be away and how much you think you'd want to use your Verizon number.  Otherwise, it's pay-as-you-go rates.

4) If you install a foreign SIM or eSIM while in the US, that foreign SIM/eSIM would detect it's not within the other country's network and will go into roaming mode, much like your Verizon SIM will go into roaming when you are abroad.  Depending on how Airalo handles international roaming, this could cause you to incur international roaming charges if you were to activate the Airalo eSIM here in the US, so I'd wait until you get to Switzerland to install it.

As an aside, I'm confused by your comment in your first post about "physical eSIM".  An eSIM is a electronic file downloaded to your phone and not an actual card which fits into a slot, which would just be a SIM card.

[scubie]

Thank you SynthpopAddict!  Great advice on not installing the e-SIM until I get to my destination.  I'll heed that for sure.  

As to the physical e-SIM, it is my understanding that my Verizon sim card is physical in nature. (One of the reps said I should remove that physical SIM while using the eSIM; not delighted with that idea).   I purchased an e-SIM card for my trip.  

[vzw_customer_support · Accepted solution]

Thank you for the additional details. The process should not change even if you are using a data only SIM card. Any messages sent to your Verizon line won't be received until you turn back on the service for your line, and will trigger a TravelPass session once you do. If you have any other questions, let us know.

~Freddy