Using cell phone internationally (AT&T)

[brit]

We're headed to Europe for 9 days and I don't want to get hit with a $500 cell phone bill. We'll need to be able to call home once a day to check on the kids (probably 5 minutes a call) and receive phone calls in case there's an emergency. I'd like to be able to use some apps (translator, maps) if it wouldn't be too expensive. Also, both of our hotels have free Wifi if that makes a difference. What's our best option?

[audette]

Skype is a decent app. I wouldn't use your phone as a phone for this. AT&T charges stupid-huge international roaming per minute fees. As in, measured in dollars per minute.

[brit]

Yikes, do you know if it's possible to get some sort of special plan for just a specific amount of time?

[maddiepaddy]

I agree....for phone calls, I would Skype or use facetime over wifi when you're at your hotel. For app use while you're out and about, I'd get one of ATT's international data packages. It's much cheaper to buy the package ahead of time rather than pay their crazy data roaming fees. I did this for a trip last summer and was very careful to make sure to just turn my phone on when I needed directions, etc... I didn't want to waste data with my mail updating every so often, etc....

[audette]

Jan 25, 2015 18:28:29 GMT -5 brit said:

Yikes, do you know if it's possible to get some sort of special plan for just a specific amount of time?

Last time I looked, I could pay a small amount to sign on for an "international calling" package, and that dropped the international roaming rates to less than $2/minute. But still damn expensive...  And if voicemail picked up, it was charged as international roaming.  I like some of the things AT&T does, but international stuff _sucks_.

[brit]

Would doing that allow me to receive emergency calls from home?

[audette]

Jan 25, 2015 18:32:16 GMT -5 brit said:

Would doing that allow me to receive emergency calls from home?

So long as your phone supports the networks where you are going (this is likely, but you can check with AT&T when you activate an international roaming package), yes. But, if random people call and leave voicemails it can get expensive.

I'm not sure about data roaming packages - it sounds like the other responder has used them before (I have a dumb phone with AT&T, so data roaming isn't a question for me). Skype and apps like KakaoTalk and the like allow you to make calls or send text-like messages across a data connection, and can be sent from anyone in the US (or elsewhere) that has those apps themselves.

[brit]

Also, as long as I'm on Wifi, can I check my mail without being charged?

[brit]

Jan 25, 2015 18:35:08 GMT -5 audette said:

Jan 25, 2015 18:32:16 GMT -5 brit said:

Would doing that allow me to receive emergency calls from home?

So long as your phone supports the networks where you are going (this is likely, but you can check with AT&T when you activate an international roaming package), yes. But, if random people call and leave voicemails it can get expensive.

I'm not sure about data roaming packages - it sounds like the other responder has used them before (I have a dumb phone with AT&T, so data roaming isn't a question for me). Skype and apps like KakaoTalk and the like allow you to make calls or send text-like messages across a data connection, and can be sent from anyone in the US (or elsewhere) that has those apps themselves.

That makes sense, but I'm afraid it will be confusing to my parents lol

[audette]

Jan 25, 2015 18:37:41 GMT -5 brit said:

Also, as long as I'm on Wifi, can I check my mail without being charged?

So long as you are on wifi, yes.  I usually put my phone into airplane mode, and then turn on wifi to ensure I don't accidently send or receive anything via cell towers.

But, that will only work in your hotel or other places you can connect to wifi.  It won't work if you are, say, out visiting a museum or enjoying a few beers at a pub, or whatever (unless those places have wifi).

[cheezer]

I always buy a SIM card in a foreign country. They're usually very cheap. I'd use Skype or Facetime for daily international calls.  The SIM card is mostly to have internet access to look stuff up (directions, hours of something, etc.)

[gt7301b]

AT&T is a pain to deal with about there International plan. My mom got charged several hundred dollars by them last time she traveled Internationally and they had signed up for the package in advance.

If you aren't under contract AT&T will unlock your phone and you can buy an International SIM. They won't unlock the phone if you are under contract. (Last time I had them anyway)

I'd try and use Skype and Wifi as much as possible.

[alleinesein]

Jan 25, 2015 18:28:29 GMT -5 brit said:

Yikes, do you know if it's possible to get some sort of special plan for just a specific amount of time?

Yes.  AT&T offers text, data and calling plans for international travel.  They are not cheap but it is much cheaper than paying roaming fees.

I paid USD $40 a month for 100 international text messages and 120 MB of data.  They have different plans so you can find what you need. www.att.com/shop/wireless/international/roaming.html#fbid=cvQZ3WQ2BsG

I have been using AT&T for international calling and data for the past 3 years and have NEVER had any issues with them overcharging me or screwing up my bills.  I have used my phone in India, Germany, Croatia, Slovenia and the UK and never once had an issue.  Reception can sometimes suck but that isn't an AT&T issue; thats on the local cell service provider. The only time I didn't have access to data was when I was on a houseboat in Kerala.

[alleinesein]

Jan 25, 2015 18:37:41 GMT -5 brit said:

Also, as long as I'm on Wifi, can I check my mail without being charged?

If you are on WiFi and you have your US sim card disabled you will not be charged for anything that you do

[ellipsis]

Also, Google Maps and GPS will work without using data. I believe you can download the maps in advance if you want.

[scout8]

Switch to T Mobile. Free international data and cheap international calls.

[brit]

Jan 25, 2015 22:13:47 GMT -5 scout8 said:

Switch to T Mobile. Free international data and cheap international calls.

I wish, but my DH's company gives us a killer AT&T discount. I'll look into their international plans and see which will work for us. Thanks all!

[frlcb]

Put your phone on airplane mode and use wifi. We find Europe is way better about wifi all over than the US - it is pretty rare to be in a restaurant/bar/hotel/etc without having access to free wifi.

[emilyinchile]

Jan 26, 2015 8:29:16 GMT -5 frlcb said:

Put your phone on airplane mode and use wifi. We find Europe most of the rest of the world is way better about wifi all over than the US - it is pretty rare to be in a restaurant/bar/hotel/etc without having access to free wifi.

The edit is my experience. I almost never use my phone plan abroad and rarely have trouble getting wifi at restaurants and cafes around South America and Europe.

Another vote for Skype over wifi for your calls home, although if you need to be accessible 100% of the time for emergency calls then you'll need to talk to AT&T to figure out the cheapest way to do that because for that you will need to be on roaming with actual cell service.

[Deleted]

I rely on Wifi when I'm international for leisure - if you want to be "always accessible" (i.e., could receive an emergency call from home even when not in Wifi range), then my biggest recommendation is to rent either a SIM card or cell that will work in Europe. they are very inexpensive, and a nice option.

Here's a few places to start some research:
www.mobal.com
www.telestial.com/