Discovering new things and sharing those discoveries with friends and family along the way has become an easier task with the advent of smartphones, advanced satellite technology, and vast wireless networks.
But staying connected while abroad can also be tricky if you're not prepared. Travelling abroad with your phone can lead to unexpected charges, especially if you're not careful about roaming fees, data usage, and international plans.
Whether you’re a tech guru or a troglodyte, we’ll tackle a few tips that travellers can do to make sure their phone stays useful, without the hefty bills or headaches.
We hear it every time we board a flight, but switching your phone to airplane mode can save you from incurring unwanted roaming fees. That’s because while in airplane mode, your phone stops sending and receiving data over cellular networks, ensuring you're not unknowingly racking up charges.
While flying to your destination, you can make sure you’re avoiding accidental roaming charges from high-altitude signal connections when your phone is in airplane mode. You can also still enable WiFi while in airplane mode to take advantage of in-flight WiFi or free WiFi in public spaces like airports, cafes, and hotels.
One of the ways to avoid unexpected roaming fees is to purchase a local SIM card when you arrive at your destination. This allows you to access a local wireless network at local rates. In many countries, SIM cards can be inexpensive and come with a prepaid data plan, which often includes calls and texts.
To use a foreign SIM card, your phone needs to be unlocked. If you’re unsure whether your device is locked, check with your provider before leaving Canada.
Buying a local SIM card can be especially handy if you plan to stay in one country for an extended time or if you need a lot of data. Keep in mind, though, that with a new SIM card, you’ll have a new phone number, so inform all family and friends you plan on staying in contact with, that you’ll have a new number.
Free WiFi can be your best friend when travelling internationally, especially in public spaces. Whether you're at the airport, in a café, or at your hotel, connecting to free WiFi can help you save on data usage.
When you're on free WiFi, you can send texts, make calls through apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, or FaceTime, and access the internet without using cellular data. Just be cautious about using public WiFi for sensitive activities like banking, as open networks aren’t always the most secure.
For extra protection, consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) when connected to public WiFi to encrypt your data and avoid any potential security risks.
Before leaving Canada, you may want to download and install useful resources, offline. Apps like Google Maps and Maps.me allow you to download maps ahead of time, so you can access them even without cellular data. This is incredibly useful if you’re trying to navigate a new city and don’t want to rely on spotty or expensive wireless networks.
Similarly, it’s a good idea to download any apps you may need for language translation, transportation, or local recommendations while you’re still on your home network.
And while you never expect an emergency to occur, it’s smart to have a plan in place in case one does. The TripWise App, from Allianz Global Assistance provides an added layer of peace of mind for these unforeseen scenarios. With unique features like Hospital Search, Flight Status Tracker, Emergency Assistance and more, the TripWise App is designed to have your back in even the most stressful of situations.
Streaming music, videos, or even social media scrolling can be incredibly comforting for those long-distance journeys. But they can also chew through your data quickly. While travelling internationally, limit streaming on mobile networks and wait until you're on WiFi to catch up on the next episode of your latest binge-worthy show.
You can also change your phone settings to reduce data usage. For example, many streaming apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify have options to download content for offline viewing or listening when connected to WiFi, which can prevent unexpected data drains while you're out exploring another country.
Travel insurance is underwritten by CUMIS General Insurance Company, a member of The Co-operators group of companies and administered by Allianz Global Assistance. Allianz Global Assistance is a registered business name of AZGA Service Canada Inc. and AZGA Insurance Agency Canada Ltd
