Airalo eSIM card: Internet on the move without roaming (CAD 4.50 Code)

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Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève Leclerc

Marie-Ève Leclerc

Marie-Ève Leclerc
Marie-Ève, Web Director at Milesopedia, is an expert in budget travel and a slow travel enthusiast. Specializing in Aeroplan, Scene+, and Marriott Bonvoy programs, she spends nearly six months a year abroad, making travel her way of life. Constantly seeking the best waves to surf, excellent coffee, and strategies to extend her travels, she is often found in coworking spaces with fellow digital nomads or by the sea, watching the sunset.
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Airalo Featured
To the point With the Airalo eSIM card, you can access the Internet on your smartphone anywhere in the world. Check out the current promo!

New: Certain Airalo eSIMs now support calls and text messages. Find out more in the article!

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What are Airalo eSim?

An option is now available for travellers who want data abroad: Airalo eSIM cards.

With the emergence of smartphones offering the possibility of having a virtual SIM card, known as an eSIM card, it’s now easier to get a local data plan. And avoid paying roaming charges to your Canadian, French or Belgian operator.

This complements the option of free Wi-Fi everywhere with credit cards and VPN for travelers, and allows you to take advantage of global connectivity.

What are the roaming charges with Airalo?

One of the major advantages of Airalo eSIMs is the elimination of high roaming charges. By using an eSIM, you can access local data at competitive rates and avoid the high costs associated with international roaming. This allows you to stay connected without financial stress, whether you’re away on business or pleasure.

Airalo eSIM cards - Special offer

From July 1 to December 31, 2024, a promotion is available on the purchase of an Airalo eSIM card:

  • 15% discount on an eSIM card for new customers (promo code: NEWTOAIRALO15)
  • 10% discount on an eSIM card for customers who already have an account (promo code: AIRALOESIM10)

If you’re a new user, you can also get CAD 4.50 by using the Milesopedia link with the code mentioned below. It’s up to you to do the math and see if the 15% offer is better than the CAD 4.50 in Airmoney that will be used for a future purchase.

If you have a trip starting after January 1, you can still take advantage of this offer and buy your eSIM card in advance, since the period for which you buy it only starts when you activate the eSIM card.

Here are the main terms of the offer:

  • The promotion cannot be combined with any other offer and can only be used once.
  • Limited quantity of 20,000 promo codes, so offer may run out before the end of the year
  • The maximum value of the discount is 100 USD
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Airalo eSIM: the options

Airalo offers 3 types of eSIM cards:

Airalo local eSIM card

The local Airalo eSIM card is the most common: it gives you a data package on the move in the country you’re travelling in.

Airalo offers packages in over 190 countries and regions.

Airalo Esim Locales En

Here, for example, are the rates for Airalo eSIM packages for Portugal, offered by virtual operator Fofo Mobil.

Operator Data Validity Price
Fofo Mobil 1 GB 7 days CAD 6.50
Fofo Mobil 2 GB 15 days CAD 10
Fofo Mobil 3 GB 30 days CAD 13.50
Fofo Mobil 5 GB 30 days CAD 14
Fofo Mobil 10 GB 30 days CAD 24
Fofo Mobil 20 GB 30 days CAD 45

As you can see, you’ll need to be strategic in your choice of Airalo eSIM card, both in terms of the length of your trip and the amount of data you need on the move.

Airalo Regional eSIM card

The Airalo regional eSIM card is designed for travelers to different countries. For example, if you’re planning to visit Portugal, Italy and the UK, it’s better to opt for a regional Airalo eSIM rather than a local Airalo eSIM.

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For example, here are the rates for Airalo eSIM packages for Europe, offered by virtual operator Eurolink and covering 39 countries:

Operator Data Validity Price
Eurolink 1 GB 7 days CAD 7
Eurolink 3 GB 30 days CAD 18.50
Eurolink 5 GB 30 days CAD 28
Eurolink 10 GB 30 days CAD 52
Eurolink 50 GB 90 days CAD 140
Eurolink 100 GB 180 days CAD 259

Airalo offers seven regional eSIMs:

  • Africa
  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Caribbean
  • Middle East and North Africa

Airalo Global eSIM Card

The Airalo global eSIM card is designed for frequent travellers to different parts of the world, offering global connectivity!

For example, if you’re planning to visit Europe and then Asia, it may be more interesting to opt for a global Airalo eSIM rather than a local or regional Airalo eSIM. This Airalo eSIM covers 130 countries. The following packages are available:

Operator Data Validity Price
Discover 1 GB 7 days CAD 13
Discover 2 GB 15 days CAD 24
Discover 3 GB 30 days CAD 34
Discover 5 GB 60 days CAD 49
Discover 10 GB 180 days CAD 82.50
Discover 20 GB 365 days CAD 96.50

Recently, it has also become possible to purchase a worldwide Airalo eSIM card, which enables you to make calls and receive text messages (SMS), as well as access Internet data.

The eSIM card is associated with an Austrian telephone number (starting with +43) for worldwide use. This number allows a limited number of calls and SMS depending on the package chosen.

The following packages are available:

Operator Data Call SMS Validity Price
Discover+ 1 GB 10 minutes 10 7 days CAD 21
Discover+ 2 GB 20 minutes 20 15 days CAD 38
Discover+ 3 GB 30 minutes 30 30 days CAD 50.50
Discover+ 5 GB 50 minutes 50 60 days CAD 70
Discover+ 10 GB 100 minutes 100 180 days CAD 110.50
Discover+ 20 GB 200 minutes 200 365 days CAD 124.50

Airalo eSIM card - Calls and texts

As explained in the section above, a new range of global Airalo eSIMs allows you to make calls and send text messages. The limits are rather low, but still practical in an emergency.

For the moment, the only local eSIMs also offering calls and text messages are those for the Maldives and Thailand.

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airalo-locale-thailande-fr

While we wait for Airalo to offer more local eSIM with calls and text messages, we can still make calls and send messages using applications based on VoIP (voice over IP protocol) technology.

The WhatsApp application, for example, is very popular for this purpose. Calls and text messages are transmitted over an Internet connection instead of a traditional analog network such as telephone lines.

With an Airalo data-only eSIM, you can make calls and send SMS using WhatsApp.

Airalo eSIM referral

By opening an Airalo account via our referral code, you can obtain a credit of CAD 4.50 on your first eSIM card purchase:

JEANMA8609

Once you have an Airalo account, you can refer friends and family and earn a CAD 4.50 credit on your Airalo account.

Airalo eSIM application installation and activation

To get an Airalo eSIM, you’ll need to download the Airalo application to your Android or iPhone smartphone.

Then you can choose your destination and your data plan. Airalo eSIM is installed directly from the application. You can choose between manual installation, where you scan a QR code provided by Airalo, or automatic installation via the app.

Activation is also quick, allowing you to start using your mobile data in just a few minutes.

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Airalo loyalty program

Airalo has also introduced membership levels: Traveler, Silver Traveler, Gold Traveler and Platinum Traveler where you can earn rewards, in the form of cash back, at each level, and you can upgrade to the next level by purchasing more eSIM.

The levels are as follows:

Level Total eSIM purchases Cash back
Traveler 0 USD 5 %
Silver Traveler 20 USD 6 %
Gold Traveler 70 USD 7 %
Platinum Traveler 200 USD 10 %

To find out your level, simply log in to your account and look at your profile or under “Airmoney & Membership”.

New Airalo users will start as Travelers, while existing users will be placed according to their previous eSIM purchases.

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Paying for an Airalo eSIM

All Airalo eSIM cards are sold in US, Canadian and Australian dollars. However, the best price will be in US dollars since the exchange rate imposed by Airalo is slightly to your disadvantage.

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It will therefore be useful to have a credit card with no conversion fees to pay for your Airalo eSIM.

Airalo accepts payment by American Express, Mastercard and Visa credit cards, as well as PayPal.

Here are the three best no-conversion-fee credit cards in Canada:

How to use an Airalo eSIM

Once you have purchased your Airalo eSIM, you must :

  1. Go to “Settings” on your iPhone and select “Cellular network”.
  2. Add your eSIM if you haven’t already done so.
  3. Before you leave, set your main number to “No” and open the desired Airalo eSIM line.
  4. Be sure to set the “Data abroad” option to open.
  5. Once at your destination, disable airplane mode so that the Airalo eSIM card can connect to the local network.

Having closed your main line in this way, there will be no impact (data roaming) on your package at home. You can safely leave your home SIM card in your phone.

Once at your destination, it may take some time for the first connection to be made; if it doesn’t activate on its own, return to the settings to close the Airalo eSIM network and reactivate it.

eSIM Airalo installation tutorial 1
eSIM Airalo installation tutorial 2
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eSIM Airalo installation tutorial 4

Bottom Line

The Airalo eSIM card is aimed at travellers who need data on the move on their smartphones or other devices. Whether for local needs or global connectivity, it’s a solution that gets you up and running quickly at your destination without the hassle of buying a local SIM card at the airport in a language you don’t necessarily understand.

However, you won’t have access to a local telephone line. You’ll need to use third-party applications like Skype or Google Voice to make calls via your data plan once you reach your destination.

Would you like your first Airalo eSIM card? Get a CAD 4.50 credit on your first eSIM card purchase with our referral code:

JEANMA8609

Frequently Asked Questions about Airalo

How do I use Airalo on an iPhone?

  1. Download the Airalo application from the App Store.
  2. Create an account or log in.
  3. Buy an eSIM adapted to your destination.
  4. Follow the instructions in the application to install and activate eSIM on your iPhone.

How does Airalo work?

Airalo supplies eSIMs, digital SIM cards, which you can install on your compatible device. Buy an eSIM via the Airalo app, install it, and activate it to access mobile data services in different countries without a physical SIM card.

Is Airalo reliable?

Yes, Airalo is considered reliable. Users appreciate the convenience of its eSIMs for international travel, and overall reviews are primarily positive about service quality and network coverage. Our team has used this service several times before without any problems.

Can I share a connection with Airalo?

Yes, you can share the connection of your Airalo eSIM card with other devices.

Find out how on this page.

Which devices are compatible with Airalo eSIM?

Airalo has provided a list of eSIM-compatible devices on this page.

Here are some common examples of eSIM-compatible devices:

Apple:

  • iPhone 13
  • iPhone 13 Pro
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • iPhone 13 Mini
  • iPhone 12
  • iPhone 12 Mini
  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone SE (2020)
  • iPhone SE (2022)
  • iPad Air (3rd Generation)
  • iPad Air (4th generation)
  • iPad Pro 11inch (1st generation)
  • iPad Pro 11inch (2nd generation)
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation)
  • iPad Pro 12.9inch (3rd generation)
  • iPad Pro 12.9inch (4th generation)
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation)
  • iPad (7th generation)
  • iPad (8th generation)
  • iPad (9th generation)
  • iPad Mini (5th generation)
  • iPad Mini (6th generation)

Samsung:

  • Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
  • Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G
  • Samsung Galaxy S22 5G
  • Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
  • Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
  • Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
  • Samsung Galaxy S20
  • Samsung Galaxy S20+
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2
  • Samsung Galaxy Fold
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 20+
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 20

Google:

  • Google Pixel 3 & 3 XL
  • Google Pixel 3a & 3a XL
  • Google Pixel 4, 4a & 4 XL
  • Google Pixel 5
  • Google Pixel 6
  • Google Pixel 6 Pro

When should you install an Airalo eSIM?

It’s best to install the eSIM at home, before going abroad. A wireless Internet connection is required for installation. You can then activate it at your destination.

How do I activate an Airalo eSIM?

Once you’ve reached your destination, or just before, activate eSIM in the mobile device’s Network settings. The eSIM card will not be fully activated until it connects to a cellular network abroad. So you can activate it in advance without fear of using the data you’ve purchased. Activation instructions for iPhone, Android and Pixel can be found in the Airalo support center.

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
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Milesopedia
Milesopedia is your ultimate guide to maximizing the benefits of rewards programs, credit cards, and budget-friendly travel. Written by a passionate team of experts in personal finance and travel, each article authored by Milesopedia reflects our commitment to providing practical advice, effective strategies, and in-depth analysis to help you save money and travel smarter. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, Milesopedia is here to support your goals and answer all your questions.
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