Prep Your Cell Phone for International Travel Before Stepping on the Plane
If you’re lucky enough to be planning an overseas trip over the winter holiday, it pays to do a little due diligence on your cell phone before you leave. You don’t want to come home from vacation to a $37,000 phone bill. Yes, you read that number correctly.
Know Your Plan (and Your Phone)
Step one: Examine your phone. Only GSM and CDMA phones will work abroad. Check with your provider to verify that your phone is operable overseas. Step two: Examine your phone plan. A thorough investigation of your data and calling contract will reveal exactly how much it will cost to make a few phone calls or download some emails while abroad. It’s expensive, right? That’s where step three comes in: Consider buying an international calling or data package. If you plan on using your device overseas and don’t want to swap out your SIM card (more on that later), an international plan is likely a wise investment. Simply call your provider and request a temporary plan that works in your destination of choice; in most cases, you can cancel the plan upon return (just make sure there’s no minimum-length-of-time requirement).
One provider in particular, however, doesn’t necessitate the purchase of an international package. Earlier this month, T-Mobile announced that it will get rid of roaming charges for data usage in more than 100 countries, and it will cap international calling rates at 20 cents per minute.
Consider a Text Package
One or two text messages from the road might be all you need to use during your trip. You might want to text your family to let them know you’ve arrived safely, text your pet or house sitter, or send a cheery text from the beach to make a friend jealous. Sound good? Then purchase a text package before you leave. For example, AT&T offers Global Messaging Packages that start at $10 per month for 50 messages sent from more than 150 countries. Messages received are deducted from your domestic plan.
Get the Right Gadgets
From portable batteries to travel-friendly phone cases, a range of gear and add-ons will enhance and protect your phone while abroad. Some of our favorites include the MapiCasesleather belt-clip iPhone case; myCharge and New Trent‘s rechargeable, portable battery packs; and GoSwype microfiber cleaning cloths.
Turn Off Data
If you don’t plan on using data while abroad but plan to pack your phone, there are two steps you need to take before departure: Turn off cellular data and turn off data roaming. You’ll find instructions for doing so on an iPhone here, and here for an Android phone. Contact your cellular provider for further details on shutting off data. Fail to shut down the automatic downloads that bring emails, program updates, meeting notifications, and other data to your phone and you’ll likely see some very expensive roaming charges on your bill at the end of the month.
Stock Up on Apps
There are umpteen mobile apps that could prove very valuable on your trip. Ideally, you’ll want to snap them up well before your departure date, so that you have time to research, compare prices, and, of course, download the apps before you leave. Some of these might include flight-notification apps, map apps, itinerary apps, language-translation apps, destination-guide apps, gas-finder apps, and weather apps. For more ideas, see Nine Apps That May Change How You Travel and 10 Free Travel Apps You’ve Never Heard of.
Want more great suggestions? Click on the HuffPo link above.