Big travel company gives Brits free mobile phone roaming on holiday this summer
TOURISTS heading to popular holiday destinations this summer can now take advantage of an offer of free data roaming.
Online holiday company, Thomas Cook, is offering holidaymakers free roaming in certain countries this year, making it easier for them to stay in touch and find their way around.
Going abroad can make you see just how much you rely on your phone, when you suddenly realise how much you aren’t able to do without internet access.
However, that needn’t be the case this summer, with Thomas Cook teaming up with, Airalo, the world’s largest e-Sim provider.
As a result of the partnership, the holiday company now offers customers either 2GB or 3GB of data when they buy a package holiday of three nights or more, departing before the end of September.
Each booking will receive the complimentary mobile data via an eSIM, which is downloaded and installed on the phone, to be used on arrival.
That means customers will be able to use the internet on their phones from the moment they land.
That could prove useful, with phones the perfect way to work out how to get to your accommodation, or to translate questions from English to other languages once you’ve touched down.
The deal covers some of the most popular beach destinations for Brits, including the likes of Spain and its islands, Greece, Turkey, Italy and Portugal.
Also included are popular city break destinations in countries like Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany.
The deal also covers the USA, where data can be particularly expensive for anyone who doesn’t already have it included in their contract.
For travellers who use their phone a lot, they are able to upgrade to larger data packages at a discount, meaning they won’t have to worry about overspending on their data.
Ryan Cotton, director of marketing at Thomas Cook, said: “Data roaming is now much more expensive than it used to be with and more families than ever heading on holiday this summer we wanted to do our bit to ease the burden.
“It means customers who travel with us this summer get a helping hand to keep in touch with family and friends at home and it helps them to explore the destination more easily using the apps on their phone.”
Andrew Ratcliffe, head of partnerships, UK and Ireland, at Airalo, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Thomas Cook to bring our innovative eSIM technology to their travellers.
“At Airalo, we understand the importance of staying connected, whether it’s to share unforgettable moments or to have peace of mind while exploring new destinations.
The Sun's consumer experts reveal how to avoid data roaming on holiday
If you don’t mind being without your phone, put it on airplane mode or turn off data roaming in settings.
If you are in a larger group, you can take it turns to activate roaming, as most providers have daily caps, so you can split the cost.
But the best way to avoid racking up big bills is to make the most of your broadband before your trip and Wi-Fi when abroad.
Streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+ allow you to download movies and series before you travel to watch offline.
Downloading content while you are abroad is an easy way to trigger roaming charges and exceed your data allowance, costing you even more.
You can even download maps now for use offline, so you can avoid racking up charges even when you get lost.
Make the most of public Wi-Fi while travelling, but be cautious about using a connection that might not be trustworthy, as these could be a way for hackers to gain access to your personal information.
“By providing free eSIMs to Thomas Cook customers, we are removing the barriers of traditional roaming costs and allowing travellers to focus on what truly matters – their holiday experience.”
The offer starts is already available to travellers, having launched on July 17 and runs until the end of September.
Travellers heading to the Canary Islands, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Balearic Islands, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Czech Republic and Germany are eligible for the 3GB package.
Meanwhile, the 2GB package is open to those heading to Malta, USA, Netherlands, Croatia, France and Tunisia.
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