How To Avoid Bill Shock

Everyone has heard the horror stories of people that go on holiday and manage to rack up a bill of hundreds of thousands of pounds in just a matter of weeks.  In fact, 1.4 million people in the UK have been hit with extra charges over the past 6 months.   To make sure you don’t suffer the same fate, here are a few tips to keep your mobile bills low when you travel overseas:

Don’t Stream Music and Videos
Streaming music or videos is a sure way to be the next victim of bill shock.  It’s expensive to do in your own country (unless you are on a plan), let alone when you are roaming.  Instead, download music and movies before you travel.  A little preparation could save you thousands!

Turn off Data Roaming
Ensure you turn off data roaming or your smartphone will automatically update even if it’s switched off.  Instead, look out for free Wi-Fi hot spots if you want to get online.

Pay As You Go SIM Card
Pre-paid SIM cards will ensure you can only spend the credit you have available and therefore limit the amount you are able to spend, whereas a contract phone may not have any limitations in place.  With a pre-paid travel SIM card you will also benefit from free international roaming in 90 countries, cheaper calls, and data while you are traveling.  If you do take your contract phone with you, give your mobile operator a call before you travel to set a limit on how much you are able to spend per day.

Check Call/SMS Data Costs
Even if you don’t plan on using your phone while you are away, it’s always best to check the rates of calls, SMS messages and data in the countries you are visiting, at least you can be aware of the costs if your circumstances change unexpectedly.

Data Compressor
There are apps that can compress the amount of data you use.  Most of these can be downloaded for free from the Apple Store or from Google Play for Android users.  Apps like these can save you 50% on your data usage.

Traveling soon?  Check out these travel essentials to make your journey a smooth one.