How To Pick An International Plan For Your Phone

Review your cell service provider's website or app for their international travel plays to stay in touch. To use your device when traveling abroad, you will need a 4G or 5G world device. In most cases, it's best to have a plan on your own line or lines, as it offers the best value, allowing you to use your device without worrying about running up additional costs.

International travel plans allow you to utilize your phone’s apps, texting, maps, and other features while abroad for a set fee. For instance, while most Verizon phones are global devices, some are not. If you're a Verizon customer, use the International Trip Planner to get recommended the best plan for your trip. Remember, all Verizon Unlimited plans currently include roaming in Canada and Mexico.

TravelPass

TravelPass is Verizon's go to when you want to use your cell phone like you do at home. For $12/day per line, you get unlimited data, talk and text in over 210 countries and destinations. That's 5GB of high speed data then unlimited data at 3G speeds, unlimited calls to the US and the country you're visiting and unlimited texts. You only pay the daily fee on the days you use your phone outside the US.

It's only $6/day per line in Mexico and Canada if your domestic plan doesn't include it.

To add it to your line, simply text the word "TRAVEL" to 4004 or log on to MyVerizon. Your 24-hour TravelPass session will begin when you use data (including background data), make or receive a call or send a text message. 

$100 International Monthly Plan

For longer trips, you'll want to consider Verizon's International Monthly Plan which includes unlimited data (20GB of high speed data then unlimited data at 3G speeds), 250 minutes and unlimited texts for 30 days and can be used in over 210 countries and destinations. It's ideal for trips of 8 days or more.

Cruise Daily Pass 

If you're planning on taking a cruise, we've got the ideal solution for you to stay in touch while on board. With Cruise Daily Pass for $20/day per line, you get 0.5GB of high speed data (then unlimited data at 3G speeds), unlimited calls to the US and unlimited texts to use on board while at sea, so you can stay in touch however you want. To add Cruise Daily Pass before you go, text the word CRUISE to 4004. You can also add it on board the ship. Verizon will automatically send you a text message with the option to add the plan. 

In-Flight Daily Pass

If you're taking an international flight, we also offer In-Flight Daily Pass. For $20 per day, you get unlimited data at 3G speeds. While you're onboard a participating flight, you'll automatically receive a welcome text. Reply with "FLIGHT" to add a daily pass to your line. Customers pay $1.99 per minute for calls, $0.50 to send a text, and $0.05 to receive a text.

Check the TripPlanner for participating cruise ships and contact your airline for details of on board flight service. 

We always recommend adding an international travel plan if you’re traveling in one of the 210+ countries and destinations covered by TravelPass and the International Monthly Plan. However, if your destination is not covered by these plans or you choose not to add a plan then you will be charged pay-as-you-go rates by the minute, message or MB of data used.

Reliable access to the online information and tools you’ll need overseas requires more than just an adequate carrier plan; it also means keeping your phone in working condition. Even the most robust international plan can be rendered useless if you don’t have methods to actually keep your mobile devices charged.

The first consideration at hand is finding the right electrical plug adapter for your travel destination. There are 15 different plug types, and different countries use varying combinations of these types. Invest in appropriate adapters so that you can reliably charge your mobile devices during your travels. You can find international wall charger kits that can make this a substantially easier process.

Another point to consider is the possibility of bringing an external battery pack to keep your phone charged when you don’t have access to an electrical outlet. Battery accessories come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, including portable power banks and even phone cases with built-in batteries. Keeping one of these on hand can be a lifesaver during your travels.

A phone emergency may not be as urgent as a medical emergency, but it can certainly put a damper on your travel plans all the same. There are measures you can take to mitigate your chances of experiencing a phone emergency, as well as to be prepared to react quickly when one occurs.

Know what to do if your phone is lost or stolen while traveling outside the US If this situation happens to you, do the following:

1. Use Your Device’s “Find My Phone” Feature: Many devices now come with features that leverage GPS technology to help you find your phone from another device, should it be misplaced or stolen. If your phone is still on, this may be an effective way of quickly locating it.
2. Call or Text your Phone From Another Line: If another person has your phone, they may respond to a call or text. If you forgot your phone in the hotel lobby, for instance, this tactic may help hotel staff return your property to you. If the person with your phone answers your calls or texts by making demands, report the situation to the local authorities.
3. Contact Your Mobile Carrier: A representative from your service provider may be able to guide you through the process of getting your phone back — or at least locking down your device and account so that it cannot be used for unauthorized purposes.
4. Check Your Financial Accounts & Change Passwords: If you no longer have access to your phone, someone else might. Your phone might be used to access your accounts, from social media profiles to online banking. Take time to change the passwords for each of your accounts. Further, review your financial accounts to determine if your phone has been used to conduct any fraudulent purchases. While this is a time-intensive step, it is a vital method of preventing identity theft.
5. Remotely Erase Your Phone: Another common feature of modern smartphones is the ability to remotely erase your phone’s memory. This is a last resort, as erasing your phone prevents you from tracking it down through some of the other methods listed above. If you won’t be able to get your smartphone back, doing this step will at least prevent your personal information from being accessed by unscrupulous individuals.

To prevent your phone from being lost or stolen in the first place, be sure to take the following actions before you set off on your travels:

• Be sure to secure your phone with a lock code. You can access the security settings of your phone to add this. Your lock options and the process for applying them differ from device to device, so it’s important to take some time to familiarize yourself with this process. Doing so can prevent thieves from accessing your personal information.
• Update your settings to make full use of any “find my phone” or “lost mode” options. While it’s easy to overlook the usefulness of these features, they can be a great help during a phone emergency of this nature.
• Don’t forget to back up your phone. You may be able to back up your phone’s data on your desktop computer or back up your phone on the cloud.
• Invest in a wireless phone protection plan. These can help you get a new device quickly and affordably. Contact your mobile carrier to explore your options in this regard.

One preparatory step you absolutely can't skip is putting together a list of emergency contacts. Each contact should be saved in your phone’s address book, but you should also keep a physical copy of this list in case you are left without access to your own phone.

This list should include family members, friends, your house sitter, and more. If you need guidance when crafting your list of emergency contacts, consider including the following as a minimum:

• Be sure to secure your phone with a lock code. You can access the security settings of your phone to add this. Your lock options and the process for applying them differ from device to device, so it's important to take some time to familiarize yourself with this process. Doing so can prevent thieves from accessing your personal information.
• Emergency lines — “911” won’t work abroad, and many countries have unique numbers for different types of emergency services. You can find a list of emergency numbers for different countries online;
• Your nearest U.S. Embassy;
• The local police's phone number;
• Your doctor — if you experience urgent medical needs or lose vital medications, you must be able to quickly get in touch with your healthcare provider.