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Post by susancinpa on May 3, 2024 18:53:05 GMT
Wondering if anyone has experience with straight talk service while on vacation in another country. Apparently there is no way to have service for my phone while I am in Punta Cana. I will need a phone when I get there that I can contact my transportation service to get from the airport to the hotel. I will also need to be able to be able to access my airline app so that I can confirm and check in to my return flight.
Does anyone know of any options for a short-term phone service or what I can do so that I can have the ability to take care of these necessary items while in Punta Cana?
My husband has a Verizon plan on his phone. When I asked if he will have service in Punta Cana, he said yes. But I know he didn't check to verify that. I do not want us to be stranded with no phone service and no way to access our travel apps. Also in case of emergencies.
We leave in less than a week, so not much time to get this figured out. Work has been crazy, so I have not had time to look into this and had to take personal time today just to be able to try to deal with Straight Talk. This is the first vacation we have had in over 4.5 years, and the anxiety of trying to make sure everything is in place is stressing me out.
Any information or ideas are greatly appreciated.
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Post by mcjunkin on May 3, 2024 19:03:48 GMT
I use Total Wireless, but exactly like Straight Talk for international, for which there is none. I have an iPhone, keep my phone on airplane mode, and just enable the wifi. I have always been able to use wifi at international hotels and airports to use FaceTime to call home and text, and do the airline check ins. Some texts, anything not from another iPhone, will not come across wifi. A lot of countries message with WhatsApp, but be warned you have to download and install here because you have to confirm with texts that are sent to you SMS and they will not come across wi-fi. I think it can do voice calls too, but must be on wifi if you have no cell service.
Friends I have traveled with that use Verizon say that Verizon international kicks in automatically when you use the phone and is $10/day.
Everywhere I have ever been, the phones in a box have been available to purchase for short-term use. Usually at the airport. SIM cards as well, but Straight Talk and Total Wireless phones are locked for some period of time.
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Post by kamper on May 3, 2024 19:17:32 GMT
No experience but, you can use free public wifi at the airport and the hotel just make sure you have a VPN. If your phone excepts eSims and you want data for when you are out and about I would check with Airlo you set it up before you leave and then turn it on when you get into the country. Ditto what others have said that nearly everyone in other countries uses WhatsApp including businesses. Just set it up before you leave home.
I assume that you are going to a resort so, I think you will be fine just using public wifi and your husband's phone.
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Post by susancinpa on May 3, 2024 19:19:09 GMT
Thank you, that will give me something to check into. However, I have a Samsung phone, not an iPhone, so that could make a difference, too.
Kicking myself because I knew straight talk had a global plan, but didn't realize it was only to call outside the U.S., not for when travelling outside of it.
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Post by littlemama on May 3, 2024 19:51:09 GMT
If your husband has the Verizon International add-on, he will be fine. It is a free add-on and he will be charged $10 for each day he uses the service. On days he doesnt need it, he can leave his phone on airplane mode.
You do have to add the International portion, it isnt automatic.
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Post by mcjunkin on May 3, 2024 20:03:53 GMT
Thank you, that will give me something to check into. However, I have a Samsung phone, not an iPhone, so that could make a difference, too. Kicking myself because I knew straight talk had a global plan, but didn't realize it was only to call outside the U.S., not for when travelling outside of it. Yep. I saw global plan and always thought the same thing. Found out right before leaving that that is what it meant!!
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Post by Linda on May 3, 2024 20:49:27 GMT
DS travels internationally often for work - he has an iphone with Straight Talk - he just uses it on WIFI - never had any issues.
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