Any experience of Telstra new Day Pass Roaming

Has anyone any experience of Telstra's new $10/Day roaming pass? Supposed to only charge for days phone is overseas and used.

With some phones "leaking" small amounts of data, even when data is turned off, I'm concerned that I'll get wacked $10 a day regardless of any actual usage.

In the past I've left roaming on with data off just so I can be contacted if need be. Just about to go overseas for extended period and don't want to find out when I get back!

My CEO used it in April for 2w in the US - coverage was OK - Ohio, Michigan, Houston, Dallas, Florida). From memory he noted the daily MB allowance was a bit stingy.

I'm on the Vodafone option whereby it simply draws down from my Australian allowance - Vodafone coverage was equivalent. My cost was $5 per day

Have used the Telstra roaming pass many times before.

Tips: Switch off all mobile data before you place the phone on airplane mode and even better, switch off individual apps accessing mobile data. This way, they only use wifi (whenever they are connected). Also, even if you connect to any foreign network, the $10 gets applied straight away. It applies 24hrs from the time it is first connected to a new network.

Overall, the roaming pass works very well, especially if you have to connect with Uber etc. Otherwise use WiFi.

Data is still tight with Telstra, so use cautiously.

However making and receiving calls are absolute delight.

The “day” is calculated from AEST so don't get caught out like I did and turn the data on at 2350 hrs in Aust (daytime in Europe and US).

Otherwise it's good coverage and convenient to be able to make calls. Limited data though. I mainly used it for maps, ride share apps, Spotify and emails.

No issues using overseas. But agree to watch out for the AEST and stingy data limit! If you go over you get charged an extra $10 for 500mb (which you have 30 days to use)

Thanks for the posts. I certainly didn't know about the AEST issue. Realise that data limit is poor, but I use Wifi or local data SIM anyway.

I just need to be contactable and will make/take very few calls. Trying to establish if that's going to result in paying $10 a day almost regardless of usage.

I think you will get charged as soon as you connect (regardless of whether that's data or mobile connection) but happy to be corrected ...

I have never experienced any “leaking” when data or data roaming on the phone is turned off.

If data is turned off, rest assured that it is off.

Note that when data and data roaming switches on your phone are turned ON, your phone will be syncing and using data in the background.

That is what “leaking” may be about - yes you will absolutely be charged ten bucks each day for simply leaving your data/data roaming switches in the ON state, even if you don't touch your phone at all.

It can be effectively prevented by turning either the data or the data roaming off.

That has been my experience too, @dimi. I have only been charged the $AUD10 when data roaming is on, or when I have made or answered calls, or sent SMS (no charge to receive). Yes, it is easy to chew through data on one's smartphone these days, but Telstra sends helpful warning SMS re usage, and if connectivity is important, their day passes offer decent value for money (cf. only a few years ago, when a single call while roaming would have cost a small fortune).

I've always used a US SIM when in the US (about $130 for 30 days from an Australian provider), but for my last trip in March I decided to try the $10 day pass from Telstra. As per the other comments above, you are only charged the $10 if you access mobile data any time and for any amount of time (even one minute) during a 24-hour period from midnight AEST to midnight the following night. If you have data roaming turned off and are only connected via WiFi during a 24-hour period, you don't get charged. For my 10-day trip, I was charged $30 for the three times I needed to use my phone and wasn't connected to WiFi.

The whole process was seamless -- my phone immediately picked up the US carrier on arrival, and I didn't have to fiddle with swapping out SIM cards and changing settings (Android phone). I'm going to test it out again in Indonesia early next month and in NZ in October ($5/day in NZ, I believe).

For a long trip, and where you may not be able to access WiFi, it may be cheaper to get a local SIM. However, you then get a new (in-country) phone number you have to let people know about, as well as have the potential of problems connecting (and language issues if in another country), getting the settings right etc., as well as swapping out the SIM and not losing your Telstra SIM.

Compared to the 'good old days' of many hundreds or thousands of $$$ for global roaming, which you didn't know about until you got the bill later, I think this $10 day pass is a good way to go -- you know what you're up for before you even leave. The only issue is the limited amount of daily data (200 mb?), which doesn't roll over if unused as far as I am aware.

Likewise, I've always used the $10 day pass from Telstra without any issue (USA, Europe, NZ, Asia). Very convenient & simple in not having to change sims, notify of different numbers, etc. Phone immediately connects to relevant carrier when I turn it on upon arrival. I generally use WiFi & have data roaming turned off, only turning on if really needing it. That way I have only been charged for the times I have used it. Other times I have just left it on as $10/day is no big deal - using it for ride sharing, etc., and even quick research or checking directions on a map. I've found this doesn't use up much data & save those intensive uses for when I am connected to WiF

>With some phones "leaking" small amounts of data, even when data is turned off, I'm concerned that I'll get wacked $10 a day regardless of any actual usage.

This.

My Samsung S8 'leaks' even with Roaming Data disabled. Disable Roaming data, take out of flight mode once abroad, and $10 is charged for however long I have until midnight in AEST. See https://crowdsupport.telstra.com.au/t5/Network-Roaming/Small-overseas-data-charges-despite-mobile-data-turned-off/td-p/801208 for examples *

(If your phone doesn't leak, then) you will only be charged on your first outgoing voice call or SMS. Receiving calls or SMS will not activate it. Outgoing voice call includes calling your voicemail, or getting it to call you back.

Note that if you use MMS, then you can only download MMS content on mobile data - not Wifi.

Up until the recent billplan reorg, there were a few high end plans that included 1 or 2gig per month of roaming data as well as voice/sms in your plan in many countries. Unfortunately these plans have been grandfathered...

* and yes - I know that if you have Roaming data disabled, then there should be no data.

I was unhappy with Telstra charges and particularly the fact that they do not employ Australians to provide assistance, so I switched to Optus on a $100/mth plan plus a 'family' SIM to put into a mobile broadband outer at home. It comes with a 2gb allowance in Zone 1 countries whuch I find is plenty for GPS use and email. I now spend about 5 months/yr in Nth America and Europe and could not be happier with the arrangement.