Airalo Review: An Affordable, Easy Way To Get Cell Data Internationally

Cell phone service providers love to overcharge travelers when they leave the U.S. Now, as more of the cellular industry has moved to using eSIM cards rather than physical SIM cards, it’s now extremely easy to get access outside our borders to affordable cell phone data with Airalo.

Airalo is an eSIM marketplace where you can buy data for nearly any country in the world at reasonable rates. I recently used Airalo for the first time on a 3-week jaunt in Europe. It worked smoothly and saved me hundreds compared to what I would have paid with AT&T.

So rather than relying on connecting to Wi-Fi networks on the go or paying for outrageously high international costs, any international traveler should consider using Airalo.

Here’s what you need to know about the platform, how eSIMs work, and how you can stack credit card perks to save even more.

What Are eSIMs?

Most people remember when smartphones had small slots on the side for physical SIM cards. Now, the industry is moving toward eSIMs (short for “embedded subscriber identity module”), which are downloadable SIM cards. This system is much more user-friendly for several reasons:

• Stronger Security: If someone steals your phone with a physical SIM card, stealing your phone number and other sensitive information can be much easier. With eSIMs, there is no physical card to steal out of a phone.
• Stores Multiple Phone Numbers: If you have separate phone numbers for work and personal life, you can easily switch between them on the same device.
• Convenience When Switching Carriers: You likely remember the days when you went into a cell phone carrier storefront for the arduous process of switching carriers, which included swapping SIM cards. This was also the case when traveling overseas: You had to find a kiosk to purchase a physical SIM card and swap it out. With Airalo, you can download an eSIM in minutes and access cell data in almost any country.

Airalo Review

Airalo is a cell service marketplace where travelers can find, purchase, and download an eSIM in minutes. The user experience is sleek on both the app and website, making it easy to switch from your primary provider in the U.S. to your eSIM while you’re traveling.

To use it, simply type in the country you’re traveling to, and it will provide you with a number of options. Here’s a sample of what I saw for a trip to Spain at the time of publishing:

Each eSIM gives you a specific data allotment and the length of time the eSIM is valid. The more data you need, the more expensive it is. The Airalo app (iOS, Android) alerts you to how much data you’ve used during your travels. If you run out, you can always top up on the app.

If you’re on a trip to more than 1 country, you can purchase a regional eSIM, giving you access to a list of countries. Here’s the number of countries each region covers:

• Africa: 36 countries
• Asia: 18 countries
• Caribbean Islands: 27 countries
• Europe: 41 countries
• Latin America: 17 countries
• Middle East and North Africa: 14 countries
• North America: 3 countries
  • Most cell phone plans, including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, have the same service in Canada and Mexico. Check with your carrier to see if you have coverage.
• Oceania: 8 countries

Lastly, if you’re traveling extensively across many parts of the world, a global eSIM is available that is valid in 136 countries.

Compatible Phones With Airalo eSIM

Today, most smartphones are eSIM compatible and can use the Airalo platform without issue. Airalo regularly updates its list, which includes most widely used Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy models.

Airmoney Rewards

If you travel regularly, Airalo has a rewards program for future eSIM purchases. You earn 5% back in rewards for every purchase in Airmoney, and you can work your way up to Platinum Traveler, which earns 10% back. Here are the status levels and their respective earning rates:

Data-Only Plans

The majority of eSIMs on Airalo are data only, which means you aren’t able to send traditional SMS text messages or make phone calls. I’ve found this isn’t an issue as long as you have apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and FaceTime (for iPhone users). Data is the most important part, so you can use travel-essential apps like Google Maps.

If you need to make and receive traditional texts and calls, some countries have eSIMs with a specified amount of SMS texts and minutes of calling.

My Own Experience With Airalo

I used Airalo for the first time this past summer, and it was pretty simple. I visited Iceland, Ireland, Germany, and Portugal, so a regional eSIM fit best. Before I left for my trip, I bought and installed the eSIM. Installing it takes a few minutes of finagling with your phone settings, and the app walks you through the process. Once I landed, I simply turned it on and had full data access like at home. When I flew from one country to another, it connected with no additional work.

However, when I was at my hostel or a coffee shop, I did my best to use free Wi-Fi to conserve data.

Earning and Saving More With Airalo

The eSIMs from Airalo are a bargain, and there are even more ways to make them cheaper, such as using credit cards to your advantage. Here are a few things to consider when using Airalo.

1. Use the referral program to your advantage. If you’re traveling with friends who also want an eSIM, the platform has a referral program where you and a friend can earn $3 in Airmoney. You can find your referral code in the app.

2. Use a shopping portal to score even further discounts. You can earn travel rewards and cash-back by buying your eSIM through a shopping portal like CashbackMonitor.com.

For example, you could earn a healthy number of airline miles on your eSIM purchase. If you buy a $20 Airalo eSIM through the United MileagePlus shopping portal using a United-branded credit card, you’d earn 60 United miles.

3. Use the right credit card for buying an eSIM. There are several credit cards where users can earn bonus points when purchasing Airalo eSIMs. For example, the Chase Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card earns 3x points on internet, cable, and phone services, up to $150,000 per year. If you don’t have a business, you may consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which earns 2x miles on all purchases and comes with cell phone protection.

Final Thoughts

Airalo is a great way to have affordable cell data while outside the U.S. without paying significant roaming charges from your U.S.-based provider. However, be sure to use your eSIM data carefully by connecting to Wi-Fi when you can.

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