Press Room
Kiss goodbye to roaming charges if you’re unlucky enough to be stranded
A UK based company which operated flights to many popular European holiday destinations folded after its owner Flight Options ceased trading yesterday, the Civil Aviation Authority said. It is the third British firm to go bust in three months although 13,000 holidaymakers who had booked trips through the company would get home as normal.
But while the "vast majority" who had booked future flights with the company will receive refunds, several thousand who had booked package deals through the company could be left out of pocket, not only when losing their ticket price but by being caught out on expensive roaming charges whilst stranded abroad if not armed with a Global SIM.
Whilst travellers have only just recovered from the ash cloud problems in early summer it’s clear that many stranded passengers trying to get home to the UK will be caught out by the roaming charges that still exist around the world. Rates in the EU have reduced dramatically but many non EU destinations still attract charges in excess of £1.00 per minute to make and receive calls on a mobile.
Savvy travelers who had adopted a Global SIM for their trip will have made big savings on holiday but their Global SIM will have also helped them avoid huge charges as they tried to figure out the best alternative arrangements for getting back to the UK. Using a Global SIM for trips makes a lot of sense these days, but even more so in the event of unplanned occurrences such as the recent volcano or even company collapses which can affect travel plans. The need to adopt a solution such as a Global SIM has become more vital than ever and with the Global SIM provided by 0044.co.uk users can avoid roaming charges and receive calls for free.
Staying in touch by using your mobile in Europe and further afield can still cost a fortune. Certain EU roaming charges have decreased in recent years but you may still pay a premium to make a call and you’ll certainly pay to receive a call. On long haul it’s even worse. You are you charged premium rates of up to £1.40 p min to make a call you are also charged to receive calls in excess of £1.00 per minute in long haul destinations. Using a Global SIM solution from 0044 can not only save money in European countries but in 100 other destinations. A Global SIM means huge savings of up to 80% in long haul destinations.
Angus MacLeod, director of the company commented, "Recently a work mate was on a vacation in Hong Kong and planned to use the Global SIM to avoid roaming charges. On the return trip they were caught in the volcano flight ban and ended up using the Global SIM heavily in Dubai during an enforced stop over, saving hundreds of pounds in the process.”