Cell phone Usage While Traveling to the US

[AndreaPerkins 15]

1 hour ago, Aviculture1 said:

My fiance is concerned about being able to contact me while traveling to the US from the Philippines is there such a thing as an international load that you purchase for your cell phone?

Is your fiance on Globe Prepaid or Postpaid?

 

You might find this link useful.

 

Your fiance needs to activate global/international roaming on the Philippine mobile network sim/account if it’s on prepaid; postpaid accounts have automatic roaming service.

 

Do subscribe to a roaming data/SMS package as backup in case there’s no reliable wifi connection at the airport. You will need a regular load in the Philippines to activate the said roaming service. 

 

Data roaming to keep in touch via WhatsApp, Viber or Messenger and also an option to send you an SMS directly, just make sure your fiance has your complete mobile number with the +1-xxx-xxxxxxx format.

Edited August 9, 2019 by AndreaPerkins
Added info

[Highmystic 234]

1 hour ago, Hank_ said:

As suggested use FB messeger, VIBER or such  over free WIFI at the airport

No you do not.. SIM card has nothing to do with WIFI

You are correct.  I (and my wife) when getting a new phone activated, we keep our old phone and use them for wifi browsing  at home.  Without a load, the only thing one can not do is make a phone call, unless it's VOIP.

[AndreaPerkins 15]

I can’t edit or delete my previous post. I need to add more information.

 

@Aviculture1

 

Is your fiance on Globe Prepaid or Postpaid?

 

You might find this link useful.

 

Your fiance needs to activate global/international roaming on the Philippine mobile network sim/account if it’s on prepaid; postpaid accounts have automatic roaming service.

 

Do subscribe to a roaming data/SMS package as backup in case there’s no reliable wifi connection at the airport. You will need to load at least PHP 300 on that Philippine sim to activate for example the 299 Roam Supersaver, you can load extra like PHP 500 instead of PHP 300 in case the Roam Supersaver activation fails. As long as roaming was activated, that account (Philippine sim) can send international SMS.

 

Data roaming is to keep in touch via WhatsApp, Viber or Messenger. The Roam Supersaver also provides an option to send you an SMS directly, just make sure your fiance has your complete mobile number with the +1-xxx-xxxxxxx format.

Edited August 9, 2019 by AndreaPerkins

[AndreaPerkins 15]

@Aviculture1

 

If it’s a Prepaid account, I believe you should maintain an outstanding load balance of at least PHP 100 or PHP 150 to keep the roaming service activated.

 

You can send SMS to her Philippine number while on roaming service, SMS receiving is FREE.

 

Update:

Globe Prepaid Roaming is now automatic! Get connected to a partner network simply by turning on your mobile phone upon arriving abroad. Activation before departure and deactivation upon return to the Philippines are no longer required.

 

 

Edited August 9, 2019 by AndreaPerkins

[Hank_ 9,171]

2 hours ago, Highmystic said:

You are correct.  I (and my wife) when getting a new phone activated, we keep our old phone and use them for wifi browsing  at home.  Without a load, the only thing one can not do is make a phone call, unless it's VOIP.

What isn't VOIP these days?        Even if they charge you for carrier service

[apple21 953]

I wouldn't recommend postpaid for an immigrating person. The bill for roaming would be ridiculously expensive. 😆

 

I used a prepaid sim on my phone on the way here with UNLIMITED DATA and that's how I communicated with my hubby whilst at NAIA 2. Once at LAX, I didn't have the time to contact him because of the chaos, LOL. He just waited for me at the exit gate. 😁

[jskibo 588]

On 8/9/2019 at 8:24 PM, apple21 said:

I wouldn't recommend postpaid for an immigrating person. The bill for roaming would be ridiculously expensive. 😆

 

I used a prepaid sim on my phone on the way here with UNLIMITED DATA and that's how I communicated with my hubby whilst at NAIA 2. Once at LAX, I didn't have the time to contact him because of the chaos, LOL. He just waited for me at the exit gate. 😁

TMobile has free data and text roaming for most countries on post paid. Calls are $0.20 a minute. 

 

I added my wife to my plan 4 months before her visa was approved and brought the phone over for her to use on one of my trips. 

 

Works fine in Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong, China and South Korea.  So far the only place I travel it doesn't work is Oman. 

[Carpe Vinum 2,308]

On 8/9/2019 at 7:37 AM, Aviculture1 said:

My fiance is concerned about being able to contact me while traveling to the US from the Philippines is there such a thing as an international load that you purchase for your cell phone?

When I travel we always use facebook messenger to keep in touch. You can get wifi for free in almost every airport you pass through.

[apple21 953]

6 hours ago, jskibo said:

TMobile has free data and text roaming for most countries on post paid. Calls are $0.20 a minute. 

 

I added my wife to my plan 4 months before her visa was approved and brought the phone over for her to use on one of my trips. 

 

Works fine in Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong, China and South Korea.  So far the only place I travel it doesn't work is Oman. 

That's a great idea. We didn't think of that back then! 😁

[jskibo 588]

2 minutes ago, apple21 said:

That's a great idea. We didn't think of that back then! 😁

Thanks. 

 

One more thing I forgot to mention, if you're active duty or a veteran they have some great deals.  

 

We are on 4 lines unlimited at $100 a month, 50% off.