Roaming Charges Strike Back

[tabooze]

I've been with Vodafone UK since 2009. Since the introduction of the Max Unlimited plans, I've been on those, using the Global Roaming Plus - paying expensive monthly sub, but knowing I won't get stung when travelling in Europe, US, UAE, Australia etc.

Since this month, roaming charges are back to £2 per day in Europe. I spend a lot of time in an EU country, and have another eSIM, so I don't have to use the UK account data. Suddenly, I got charged £2 per day on several occasions. I thought my setting on the phone to prevent roaming was off, but no, it wasn't. I got charged for making a call back to the UK.

The weirdest thing about this is that I upgraded my account in Oct 2021, and assumed that I carry on with the 83 country free roaming like I had before. Unfortunately not. If I hadn't upgraded and signed on for another 2 years, I wouldn't now have these roaming charges. I don't get that.

I called Vodafone, they can't do anything - these 4 Xtra accounts that didn't exist when I upgraded are now the solution, but I can't take it, as would have to pay early upgrade of over £700. 

Before someone says it is because the EU roaming is back, roaming charges elsewhere are back too. So in 2020 it was free for me, in 2022, I have to pay £6 per day.

Why are they trying to alienate their best customers, is what I want to know?

[Mark]

Hi @tabooze, It sounds like you're currently using one of our New Evo plans and haven't taken up the Extra option of having roaming included in your plan. These options have been available since the launch of our Evo plans. Apologies if you weren't made aware of these when you upgraded. Reach out to our dedicated Online Chat team so we can take a look at your account and see if there's any way we can add the extras to your account without you incurring a large Early Upgrade fee.

If upgrading isn't something you'd like to pursue, you can keep you costs down while travelling abroad with one of our awesome roaming passes.

[chistery]

It's disappointing to see Vodafone price gouging on their plans and roaming.

A 10 day trip to Europe would cost £15 on Vodafone for the 15-day European pass.

On EE it would cost you around £3.50, adding the roam abroad pass for 10 days, and removing it when you arrive back.

The Xtra plans are like packaged bank accounts and hopefully at some point will be seen for the massive scam they are and networks will be forced to compensate users for them

Unlimited Picture Messages?  Who uses MMS nowadays?

Device Care on a SIM only plan? How will Vodafone care about my global Mi 11 Ultra that isn't available in the UK?

Discount of smartwatch connectivity? Paying slightly less to use your data you already pay for.

Just because I want inclusive roaming, don't make me pay for Xtras I will never or cannot use.

If you go to Europe regularly, it's time to move networks to one that has put some thought into their plans and smart benefits.

[WelshPaul]

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@chistery wrote:

Unlimited Picture Messages?  Who uses MMS nowadays?

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I haven't sent an MMS in years! Smarty (I'm now with them) don't even charge for MMS, they are FREE!!! I still haven't had the need to send one though. 😂