Usually i head to the US on business trip, so roaming has never been an issue. However, i'm heading over for a family trip with kids. I may need some serious data for Google Maps (driving), and few travel related stuff. I plan to use my roaming still, to keep in touch with Australia.
any recommendations for data only plan (plugged into a spare phone) or a local sim card. My entire trip would be in California/Nevada.
Historically, I have either bought a sim card from simcorner before travelling or if I have time when I arrive then I visit a T-Mobile shop to pick up a tourist sim. I just checked the latter and I’m not sure that they do them anymore, instead directing you to Ultra mobile which has to be shipped from eBay
Simcorner has some good plans on various networks with various data allowances - unlimited data on t-mobile for AU$69, for example - if your phone supports it they now have some esim options as well
When you arrive, go to a Best Buy store. They have a huge range and will make sure you get the right prepaid card and some top up credit as well. I find AT&T generally has great coverage, not sure about some remote parts of Nevada though.
In the past (2018-2021) I would buy a T-Mobile prepaid at T-mobile shop or at Best Buy as I needed data and a US number. There is no credit check for prepaid and it was for 1 month and option to top up. I would let it expire then top up again on next trip and think the t-mobile number lasted about 6 months before i kept getting emails warning me to top up or lose number. I think it was about $60 USD and it also supported data in Canada.
This time I am going to get an e-Sim from Airalo and give that a try (new iphone that supports multiple eSim's). I also purchased a Hushed"" VOIP for the US ($30 USD per year) so I actually have a number as Airalo is just data. Per above AT&T is probably just as good for a physical sim. Been doing a lot of research on eSim's and what is best one.
NOTE - I have discovered that Two Factor Authentication by AUS banks does not work on a Canadian VOIP but it does work on a US VOIP number. Best part is that you can test the US VOIP before you go but you cant test a physical US sim card as it wont connect here. Called my OZ bank last week and asked for a switch to US number (my Hushed VOIP number) for 2FA and test worked.
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USA Sim Card/Data
mspcooper
mspcooper
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 May 2013
Total posts 457
Usually i head to the US on business trip, so roaming has never been an issue. However, i'm heading over for a family trip with kids. I may need some serious data for Google Maps (driving), and few travel related stuff. I plan to use my roaming still, to keep in touch with Australia.
any recommendations for data only plan (plugged into a spare phone) or a local sim card. My entire trip would be in California/Nevada.
Thank you for your help.
ji
ji
Member since 14 Jan 2013
Total posts 24
Historically, I have either bought a sim card from simcorner before travelling or if I have time when I arrive then I visit a T-Mobile shop to pick up a tourist sim. I just checked the latter and I’m not sure that they do them anymore, instead directing you to Ultra mobile which has to be shipped from eBay
Simcorner has some good plans on various networks with various data allowances - unlimited data on t-mobile for AU$69, for example - if your phone supports it they now have some esim options as well
tommygun
tommygun
Delta Air Lines - SkyMiles
Member since 16 Oct 2017
Total posts 290
When you arrive, go to a Best Buy store. They have a huge range and will make sure you get the right prepaid card and some top up credit as well. I find AT&T generally has great coverage, not sure about some remote parts of Nevada though.
CZ
CZ
Member since 05 Aug 2022
Total posts 3
In the past (2018-2021) I would buy a T-Mobile prepaid at T-mobile shop or at Best Buy as I needed data and a US number. There is no credit check for prepaid and it was for 1 month and option to top up. I would let it expire then top up again on next trip and think the t-mobile number lasted about 6 months before i kept getting emails warning me to top up or lose number. I think it was about $60 USD and it also supported data in Canada.
This time I am going to get an e-Sim from Airalo and give that a try (new iphone that supports multiple eSim's). I also purchased a Hushed"" VOIP for the US ($30 USD per year) so I actually have a number as Airalo is just data. Per above AT&T is probably just as good for a physical sim. Been doing a lot of research on eSim's and what is best one.
NOTE - I have discovered that Two Factor Authentication by AUS banks does not work on a Canadian VOIP but it does work on a US VOIP number. Best part is that you can test the US VOIP before you go but you cant test a physical US sim card as it wont connect here. Called my OZ bank last week and asked for a switch to US number (my Hushed VOIP number) for 2FA and test worked.