How to prevent TravelPass from being activated when traveling abroad

[joubert1]

Verizon says that:

"Your 24-hour TravelPass session will begin when you:

1. Making/or receiving a phone call
2. Send a text
3. You use data
4. Your apps use background data"

When traveling abroad, will it be sufficient to set Cellular Data Options = "Roaming Off" to prevent activation of TravelPass?

If that is the case, will calls to my U.S. phone number be forwarded to my voicemail? 

Will texts accumulate in my Verizon account?  While abroad, is that account only accessible via TravelPass?

Will swapping out the Verizon SIM with another SIM also prevent activation of TravelPass?

Best regards,

Joubert1

[rambis12]

I have the same question regarding the activation of each travel pass session.

As asked above by joubert1, will it be sufficient to set Cellular Data Options = "Roaming Off" to prevent activation of TravelPass?

I understand that travel pass is a convenient option to limit interruptions while still maintaining the status quo, but there are some days (sometimes a full week) when I don't receive a call or text message (or make a call or text message altogether).

Say if someone will be abroad for 11 days, and they did not need to talk/text with anyone during the trip, would Airplane mode be a viable option?  If placed in Airplane mode, would voice messages and/or text messages be retained and recoverable when airplane mode is turned off?

This obviously would not allow for WiFi calling or data access.

Is the only option available, to call CS prior to the trip, and ask to suspend international roaming?

Thanks!

[vzw_customer_support]

It is always important to know your options when travelling, we'll be glad to help clarify this for you. In this case, the best option to make sure TravelPass does not activate is by putting your phone in airplane mode, and using Wi-Fi Calling when possible. If you have any other questions, feel free to let us know.

~Freddy

[mlondon88]

Hi,

I'm having problems when travelling and TravelPass is being activated accidentally.

I have my Verizon eSIM set to ON, but Data Roaming set to OFF.

I cannot keep my phone in Airplane mode, as I need to use it while travelling using other eSIM numbers from the countries I am visiting.

In the past, I was able to RECEIVE text messages sent to my Verizon number without the TravelPass being activated. I was very careful to set my Cellular setting on my iPhone so that Calls and Data were always sent through using my local (non-Verizon) number.

But now, as soon as I turn on Verizon I'm getting a message saying that I've used one of my Travel Pass days, even though I have NOT sent any messages using the Verizon number. 

Please tell me how I can prevent TravelPass from being activated.

[vzw_customer_support]

mlondon88, we're happy to shed some light on your questions. A 24-hour TravelPass session starts automatically when you use your phone in a TravelPass country (make or answer a phone call, send a text or use data). You mentioned that you cannot keep your phone in airplane mode as you still need to use your eSIM number. Could you please tell us more about how you're using your Verizon eSIM abroad? You mentioned managing calls and data. How are you managing text usage?

~Izzy

[vzw_customer_support]

We are standing by to assist with your Travelpass, device settings, billing and more for you to stay connected while traveling abroad.  Please respond to the Private Note to dig deeper.

-Deb

[joubert1]

I just returned from 3.5 months spent in nine countries outside the U.S.  Per one wise Verizon agent, I removed my Verizon SIM card before activating my phone in Fiji. I then proceeded to use other telecom SIM and eSIMs throughout the world.  This was the only way I could prevent incurring TravelPass charges from automatically popping up every day.

One downside was that I was out of touch with my original phone # for the duration.  Instead, I used WhatsApp wherever I could. (I also used WhatsApp messaging since Apple iMessage is useless outside the U.S.)

Another downside was receiving texts for multi-factor authentication send to my original phone #.  Instead, I had them sent to my email address.

IMHO, Verizon fails to enable customers to effectively manage our TravelPass feature while traveling internationally, so removing my Verizon SIM was my only choice. Other carriers such as T Mobile offer plans that are far superior in this regard.

[travelcar3]

If it's so easy to add Travel Pass, why is it so hard to disconnect. Why can't you text back that you do not want the service, or have a button in your phone like roaming that just says "Travel Pass" on or off. 

I could not disable mine, I tried the link, the app, the text. It's 2024 the technology should be easy. If you can text 4004 to have it there should be an easy way to stop it. 

Please tell users why there is not?

[vzw_customer_support · Accepted solution]

travelcar3, we understand how important it is to ensure you only have the service that you want active on your account Travelpass, when active on an account, will initiate charges if there is applicable usage  (make or answer a phone call, send a text or use data). We know how important it is to make easy changes to your account when needed. Please see the steps linked below to manange the Travelpass feature on your account. If you have any issues, please let us know.

https://www.verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-216325/

-Andi

[joubert1]

Hi Andi:

There is no way to use TravelPass on a daily basis. If you have your SIM installed, there is no way to prevent activation given the sheer number of incoming texts and calls that come to my phone # every day. 

In addition, simply signing into Verizon requires MFA (authentication) which activates TP.  Texting to Verizon activates TP.

Why don't you enable a 4-digit number to allow disabling of TP?

When I search on "Cancel TravelPass" or "Remove TravelPass", Verizon does not take me to a webpage with the relevant instructions.

It is exceedingly difficult to find the place where customers can cancel TravelPass. Obviously, Verizon makes a lot of money when people take their phones outside the U.S. and forget to remove their VZ SIM. 

Why can I not manage TP more than two months out?

PLEASE FIX TRAVELPASS.  IT IS BROKEN.

James Burtt

[vzw_customer_support]

Hello joubert1. We definately do not want you to return from your international travels to bill shock.  When a phone is in Airplane mode, it will not connect to cellular and still allow to connect to wifi. Travel Pass feature can be removed and is then replaced with "pay as you go" that can add up quickly.  Are you currently outside the US?  What countries do you travel to? Here is a link to plan a current or future international service:  https://www.verizon.com/plans/international/international-travel/trip-planner-tool/ 

-Deb

[joubert1]

Hi Deb,

I appreciate your point about WiFi.  Unfortunately, it is negated by the difficulty that Verizon presents in even finding where customers may cancel the TravelPass service. If Verizon is going to offer daily TP services, customers need an easy way to turn on and off TP.

Best regards,

Joubert1

[vzw_customer_support]

Travel Pass is one of those unique features that sit in the background idol until triggered. A TravelPass session is triggered by making or receiving a call, sending a text message or using data. Refreshing an app e.g. fitness app, weather app or a software update on your device will trigger a TravelPass session. We appreciate your patience and allowing us to clarify Travel Pass for your future travels. Take care and have an amazing week.

-Deb

[davidb47751]

The phones ability to use Travel Pass is set on the account level.  It could be removed for your phone only, even if other phones on the account have it "installed".  In the past, I would use airplane mode to keep the phone from connecting to a foreign county system and simply turn wifi on in the hotel, resteraunt, etc.  That way, I could use wifi-calling.  On this next trip, I need data (for like ordering an uber) so I am exploring getting an eSIM for the place I am going and turn the Vzw eSIM off.  The down side to that is if one wants to make a US call, then it seems one would have to put phone in airplane mode, turn vze esim back on, make the wifi call and turn vzw esim back off.  A real pain but I do not anticipate any calls.  Not verified but as I understand it, voice calls can be made with the foreign eSIM by using some apps like Facebook or whats app.  Just remember that one will get charged for any data exchange if the vzw esim is on.  It could be a behind the scene data exchange like a weather warning.  Its sad that one has to do this searching on their own

[JENLANGREE]

I have a new iPhone 15 that has an eSIM card. I’m traveling abroad and I cannot figure out a way to prevent my travel pass from reactivating every day. I have tried to keep my phone on airplane mode, but it reactivates anyway I have turned off roaming. I have turned off roaming and cellular data and have had my phone on airplane mode and yet still every day at 6:40 my travel pass is reactivated. I called the helpline and they said I had to do something with the E Sim and turn it off but when I go to settings, the only thing I can do is delete it, which I’m afraid to do. Can you help me prevent a reoccurring travel pass because I don’t need it I have Wi-Fi and I’m OK to use my phone only when I am in Wi-Fi with airplane mode on all the time. 

[vzw_customer_support]

Hey there, JENLANGREE, we know it's important to prevent extra charges while traveling. When turning off cellular data/roaming and turning on airplane mode, your phone should no longer have the ability to connect to cellular service and start a TravelPass session. We will be reaching out via Private Message to gather additional details.

-Lauren

[joubert1]

Hi JENLANGREE, Your comments about traveling with a VZ SIM are pretty much spot on.

Relying solely on a local WiFi connection is fine where available. However, when traveling, I also need data, texting and voice. 

Flipping airplane mode on/off is too restrictive. I find that I must remove the VZ SIM and, occasionally, reinsert it.

I just returned from CRI and ECU where I used an Airalo eSIM along with WhatsApp. Not perfect, but it works.

The exception to the above involved cases where I needed to contact U.S. companies that require MFA validation. Reinserting the VZ SIM (and paying for TravelPass), worked if they sent security codes via email. However, if they sent them via text, it was problematic.

I still cannot understand why VZ cannot provide us with a simple way to turn TravelPass on/off at our discretion.  That way, we could leverage daily rates and prevent expensive leakage.

Safe (and inexpensive) travels!

Joubert

[savagephilbilly]

My elderly parents made a trip to the United Kingdom this year and handled their cellular phone service as they have in the past--no phone calls and no text messages to their number. My father even confirmed this information with a store rep prior to travel.

Unbeknownst to them, TravelPass was activated because they used data (apps) and were charged daily for two lines for TravelPass for the duration of their visit--after never having encountered this situation on previous trips to the exact same international location. 

And this was not just an inconvenient surcharge; these elderly individuals on fixed income have now been charged by Verizon over $1000 more than their standard monthly charges for a service they have never had to contend with being added in the past. They did their due diligence in confirming with the store that the same steps they had taken in prior years would still be sufficient. 

It's bad enough that my father seems to get talked into upgrading and adding things he is told are "necessary" when they are not any time he speaks to anyone about his phone but this has gone too far. 

This matter is being escalated to the CFPB and the FCC for elder abuse. 

[joubert1]

Hi savagephilbilly,

I am sorry that this happened to your parents. It's so unnecessary. Why VZ activates the daily TravelPass plan in the default setting upon account creation, I will never know.  In addition, VZ does not give users an easy way to turn TP on and off in order to avoid roaming charges.  Last, VZ buries the TP feature deep in its website structure so it's hard to navigate to, preventing users from ascertaining their current setting and managing their TP feature.

Good luck recovering the amount your parents were overcharged.

[vzw_customer_support]

Hello savagephilbilly. We're sorry to learn about the situation your parents have gone through. Please let us know if you're an account manager on the account so that we can further assist you with this. 

~Ivone