Topping up PAYG bundles when abroad

[GoldenVision]

Now nearly all PAYG providers set a limit when abroad - around 25Gb.

But what happens when that limit is reached before the 30 days have expired?

I know a standard charge then applies - eg 4p for 1Mb. But is it possible to renew the bundle whilst in the EU, or do they prevent you from doing that (I don't like the auto-renew feature)?

Failing that if I take a second sim can I buy a bundle when in the EU even though I hadn't bought a bundle before leaving?

 

[GoldenVision]

OK, partly answering my own question : GiffGaff state that their goodybags (bundles) can be bought whilst abroad if it has expired. So that's a NO from them!

 

[Robert Clark]

Smarty can be topped up from anywhere using their app

 

[GoldenVision]

Smarty can be topped up from anywhere using their app

That's true, but I don't think that's for bundles (data). I think once you have used your (very low) 12Gb roaming limit you're then charged at £1 per Gb for the remainder of the 30 days. I assume then you can buy more data (from abroad) ionce the 30 days has passed, but I'm not sure.

 

[Nanniemate]

That's true, but I don't think that's for bundles (data). I think once you have used your (very low) 12Gb roaming limit you're then charged at £1 per Gb for the remainder of the 30 days. I assume then you can buy more data (from abroad) ionce the 30 days has passed, but I'm not sure.

I have been on the site this morning and you can get you money credited to you account if you do not use the 'add on' I am thinking best idea is to pay it before I leave and then reclaim on my return?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[GoldenVision]

I'm not that familiar with Smarty, but are you saying that you can add credit and then buy data from that credit? If so if you add credit whilst in the UK can you then buy data from that credit whilst in the EU?

 

[GoldenVision]

Just to add, I would definitely want to buy a data bundle - otherwise it would be £1 per Gb.

 

[Nanniemate]

It says if you gave a bundle by the add on for roaming . If it is not used you can reclaim it and it will be credited to your bill. But reading more it says roaming in Spain free. I only pay £10 a monthly

 

[dunnah01]

I had to plead Covid lockdown poverty when trying to buy another 20Gb goody bag from Giffgaff. It wasn't possible to buy a new goodybag in France until the 80Gb UK allowance had been used up or the 30 days had passed. This wasn't possible as there was no way to get back to the UK at the time (lockdown 1 - March 2020). A few pleading emails and Giffgaff let me top up with 20Gb every couple weeks as it got used up (trying to be frugal).This was pre B word roaming changes but I would think it's very much still the case nowadays.

 

[2657]

I have 2 Vodafone big value bundles, one is £10 for 10 GB the other is £20 for 20 GB both unlimited calls and texts.
I top them both up whilst abroad but never let them run over limit.
There are plenty of free WiFi places around or just buy a local SIM to use for the extra.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[GoldenVision]

I have 2 Vodafone big value bundles, one is £10 for 10 GB the other is £20 for 20 GB both unlimited calls and texts.
I top them both up whilst abroad but never let them run over limit.

£1 per Gb is what Smarty defaults to after you've used the 12Gb allowance abroad, so that's not particularly cheap (GiffGaff 20Gb for £15, Asda 30Gb for £20, Smarty 30Gb for £10).

What's the roaming allowance for Vodafone, because that's what really counts now?

 

[2657]

£1 per Gb is what Smarty defaults to after you've used the 12Gb allowance abroad, so that's not particularly cheap (GiffGaff 20Gb for £15, Asda 30Gb for £20, Smarty 30Gb for £10).

What's the roaming allowance for Vodafone, because that's what really counts now?

On the big value payg bundles you get what you pay for except possibly for unlimited but not sure that they do one on payg, unused data is rolled over.
Because they are not contract the 2 month roaming limit is not applied, not yet anyway, I don't have automatic payments so renew manually every month.

 

[GoldenVision]

I've just been told that Vodafone do have a 25Gb "fair usage" policy - same as Asda PAYG.

 

[2657]

I've just been told that Vodafone do have a 25Gb "fair usage" policy - same as Asda PAYG.

Could well be, I have a 20 GB and I get all of it roaming.
Might be best to check with Vodafone.

 

[GoldenVision]

Could well be, I have a 20 GB and I get all of it roaming.
Might be best to check with Vodafone.

I did, and that's what they said.

It's not bad considering Smarty's limit is only 12Gb.

Still no further on about what to do when a 30 day PAYG data bundle expires abroad!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[2657]

I did, and that's what they said.

It's not bad considering Smarty's limit is only 12Gb.

Still no further on about what to do when a 30 day PAYG data bundle expires abroad!

Get a local SIM, can't stream UK TV but juggle between the two.
If you want to stream a lot of TV then as far as I can see, and I have looked, then a local SIM with VPN is the only way.

 

[GoldenVision]

Get a local SIM, can't stream UK TV but juggle between the two.
If you want to stream a lot of TV then as far as I can see, and I have looked, then a local SIM with VPN is the only way.

Yep - as you say, seems to be the only way.

But

Our journey to Greece a couple of years ago took us through France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria. That's quite a few local SIMs!

 

[2657]

Yep - as you say, seems to be the only way.

But

Our journey to Greece a couple of years ago took us through France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria. That's quite a few local SIMs!

Yes, a bit of a problem.