Review of Overseas Roaming with Skinny NZ: Guide to Staying Connected Internationally with Skinny

Planning an international trip and wondering about your mobile options? If you're a Skinny customer, you'll want to understand how Skinny roaming works to stay connected while abroad. This guide covers everything you need to know about Skinny's roaming services, costs, and alternatives for managing your money overseas.

How Does Skinny Roaming Work?

Skinny offers two main options for using your phone abroad:

1. Roaming Packs
2. Casual Roaming Rates

Skinny Roaming Packs

Skinny provides three roaming packs[1]:

• $10 3-Day Roam Pack: 100 minutes, 100 texts, and 500 MB
• $15 7-Day Roam Data Pack: 1 GB data only
• $20 7-Day Roam Pack: 200 minutes, 200 texts, and 1 GB

These packs can be used in 36 destinations, including popular countries like Australia, USA, UK, and Japan[1].

Casual Roaming Rates

For destinations not covered by roaming packs or if you prefer not to purchase a pack, casual roaming rates apply. These are available in 66 destinations, with rates starting at $0.44/min for calls and $0.70/SMS[1].

How to Activate Skinny Roaming

To use Skinny roaming:

1. Ensure you have sufficient credit on your account
2. Purchase a roaming pack before or upon arrival at your destination
3. Enable data roaming on your device settings[10]

You can buy a roaming pack through the Skinny app or by texting the country name to 2424[10].

Skinny Roaming Tips

1. Purchase roaming packs close to your departure to maximize usage
2. Disable background data usage to conserve your allowance
3. Use Wi-Fi when possible to save on data costs
4. Set up your voicemail PIN before leaving New Zealand[10]

Alternatives to Skinny Roaming

While Skinny roaming can be convenient, it may not always be the most cost-effective option for international travel. Here are some alternatives to consider:

Local SIM Cards

Purchasing a local SIM card at your destination can often provide more data and better rates for extended stays.

International eSIMs

eSIMs offer the flexibility to switch between plans without changing physical SIM cards, potentially saving money on roaming fees.

Conclusion

Skinny roaming can be a good option for short trips to supported destinations. However, for longer stays or frequent travel, alternatives like local SIMs or travel money cards may offer better value. Consider your specific needs and destination to choose the best option for staying connected and managing your money while abroad.

Remember, whether you opt for Skinny roaming or an alternative, always check the specific terms and rates for your destination before traveling to avoid unexpected charges.

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Sources:
[1] https://wise.com/gb/card/?lang=zh-HK
[2] https://www.exiap.com/guides/how-to-use-wise-card-abroad
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u44neaGc768
[4] https://www.exiap.com/reviews/transferwise-debit-card
[5] https://wise.com/gb/travel-money/currency-card
[6] https://wise.com/gb/travel-money/travel-money-card
[7] https://wise.com/au/blog/travel-money-card-vs-credit-card
[8] https://www.phonetravelwiz.com/skinny-new-zealand-roaming/
[9] https://www.skinny.co.nz/help/other-help/text-self-service/
[10] https://www.skinny.co.nz/pricing/overseas-roaming/
[11] https://www.skinny.co.nz/help/mobile-help/phone-sim-number/device/connect-to-internet-while-roaming-overseas/