Maybe you're tired of paying exorbitant hotel phone bills while overseas, or maybe you just don't like figuring out those pesky international pay phones and cards. Have we got your number? Then traveling with a cell phone may be the answer to your problems.
If you're lucky enough to own a TriBand phone that you can use throughout the world, you're all set. For the rest of us, there is always the option of renting a cell phone. (Just remember that cell phones are called mobile phones almost everywhere in the world but the US.)
Pros and Cons
The US has the dubious honor of being one the few countries that charges cell phone users for incoming calls. If you decide to rent locally, you'll generally only pay a rental fee and for outgoing calls. If you just want to be available by phone rather than contact others, local rental can be a cost effective option.
If you're expecting lots of calls from people in the country you are visiting, then a local number will make things a lot easier and cheaper for them. There's nothing worse than having to dial an international number to reach someone who is just down the street.
Having said that though, often the ease of knowing your cell phone number before you leave; having your phone from the minute you leave to the minute you return; and not having to bother with foreign rental agreements, language barriers or lining up at a booth at your international destination, may make taking a phone from home easier for you despite the charges to receive calls. Some US companies have also removed certain in-coming call charges, depending on the country you are in.
Dealers and Deals
TravelCell (877/235-5746; www.travelcell.com) has a new promotion for international travelers. Rent one cellular phone at the regular TravelCell rate, and get a companion phone rent-free. For those traveling alone, TravelCell is continuing its popular one-week free rental deal -- a $29.99 savings. TravelCell will provide any traveler to Europe, Asia or the Middle East with the latest model phone at a discounted rate, and will include a full accessory package and personalized business cards with your TravelCell number. The phone is delivered to you via FedEx prior to travel and includes a convenient prepaid return package.
For Frommers.com readers only, not only is TravelCell offering these specials, but it will also take 5% off call costs if you mention the following promo codes when making your booking: FRC04 for the companion phone special or FRW04 for the one-week free rental offer. Orders must be placed by October 31, 2004, and can be used for travel within the next 12 months. This offer cannot be combined with any other promotion.
TravelCell rates start at $29.99 per week for rental plus $4.50 per day for additional days and $15 delivery fee. Calls per minute start at 99c for incoming calls in Western Europe (incoming calls in the UK are free), and $1.69 for all outgoing calls and to retrieve voicemail (only 69c for local calls in the UK). Higher rates (up to $2.99 per minute) apply in countries such as Singapore, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, China and Vietnam. Your phone will have a UK number, making it easier and cheaper for UK locals to call you. Remember you can take 5% off these call rates using the promotional codes above.
For a $5 setup fee plus 50 extra cents per minute on top of airtime, you can also have your friends and family call you on a US toll-free 800 number, which will forward to your international phone.
When traveling abroad for a month or more, Roadpost (888/290-1616; www.roadpost.com) phone rental can be an economical option. Their monthly fees include usage in blocks of minutes, which can be more cost effective than paying by the minute. For $229 + $20 delivery charge, their World100 plan includes phone rental for a month and 100 minutes of talk time (incoming and/or outgoing). Their World Basic Plan is $79 + $20 delivery, which just covers the phone rental fee. Call rates of $2.49 per minute are additional. All services include voicemail, text messaging & call forwarding.
Other alternatives are to rent a phone at the airports when you arrive at your destination, book a phone online, or visit a local supplier and purchase a cheap pre-paid phone. Keep in mind, however, that you may have to deal with exchange rates and customer service for your phone may not be available in English.
In Australia, Vodafone Mobile (www.vodafonerental.com.au) has booths at most major airports. If you pre-book you will receive your number in advance. They provide Nokia 5110 digital phones or similar for a rate of $4.20 per day or $84 per month. As a special, they are currently giving away the first $14 worth of calls as well. Local call rates in Australia are 13c per minute off peak (8pm to 6am) and 26c per minute during peak -- a relative bargain! Text messages are 30 cents each. Conditions apply. Prices quoted are in $US based on an exchange rate of $AUD1 = $US.70.
In the UK, Mobell (www.mobell.co.uk) can arrange free hotel delivery and pick-up of your GSM mobile phone (GSM is the European standardized system that is available in over 140 countries worldwide, although not in the US or Japan). Rental is $6.90 per day with rates starting at 86c per minute for calls to landlines within the UK, $1.40 for calls to other UK mobile numbers and a whopping $4.47 for calls to the US. Just to make you feel at home, they also charge you a $1.88 for incoming calls from the US (local incoming calls are free). Prices quoted are in $US based on an exchange rate of 1GBP = $US1.88. It's probably best to consider this option only if you are using the phone locally!
In Japan, J-mobileR (j-mobiler.inphonix.com/) offers competitive prices on phone rentals which include delivery to your hotel or airport pick-up. They have various rates depending on the length of your rental. Rental prices start at $9 a day, $45 a week or strangely $88 for two months (so in theory two months rental is cheaper than two weeks -- I looked for the catch and couldn't find one!) An English customer service and translation line is available for $2.30 per minute. Call costs per minute vary but start as low as 46c for local calls, with calls to the US charged at 91c and calls to Europe and beyond starting at $1.20 per minute. All in-coming calls are free. A 5% tax is additional. Optional insurance is $ 32 per month. Prices quoted are in $US based on an exchange rate of $US1 = 109JPY.
Whichever option you choose, having a working cell phone on your next trip will give you a sense of security.
