How do you handle bank inquiries while abroad if using eSim vs international Consumer Cellular?

Sounds like using an internatiinal eSIM you will have to add your international eSIM number to your bank account and indicate that is the number to text... if they will even text to international numbers.

How many accounts other than your bank might need to message you for access or to retrieve a password or ???

Will/can this be avoided if adding the international plan to my
existing Consumer Cellular plan?

Yes

Thanks for the reply. I will go with the international CC plan. I doubt that I will be spending much but who knows. I started to question this after my ETA application for the UK was stopped until I responded to a delayed text asking for verification.

There is also a category of eSIm's that are data-only. You would use those in addition
to your existing voice/text service, which might negate the cost benefits of an eSim in
the first place, but in this case, you would then have the same telephone number as
when in the US.

My bank sends alerts by text snd email. Maybe see if they can email you.

The other issue that can come up is US websites that are not accessible with other than US IP addresses (European eSIM). Doesn't happen terribly often, but it tends to be the case for things like government websites like my Texas drivers license replacement site and my professional registration site ..... and some shopping sites like Eddie Bauer. When I had cable TV in the US, I could access the channels online with my US IP phone, but not my Hungarian phone. This will probably have no impact in you ..... unless it does.

I also like that with my regular phone number everyone knows how to reach me in an emergency.

Shanah Tovah U'Metukah

I use eSIMs overseas. Because they cover data, any apps on my phone that provide notifications, work just fine. If your credit card company or bank has an app, enable notifications and you should have no difficulties.

Some banks under certain circumstances, either bank initiated or customer requested, will request a code to complete the transaction. My last RyanAir purchase had this. A window popped up and asked for the number that the bank had just texted me. The pop-up window pulled the number out of the text and completed the transaction without me having to do anything. Sometimes, I have to manually enter it. I dont mind. It isn't often, and its generally larger transactions and its another layer of protection. Im okay with it.

treemoss2-when I was booking my flight and UK hotels, I needed to provide a code (sent to me via text) acknowledging the transaction as valid. I was also sent an email alert. Ditto with the ETA application.

Since I rarely look at emails during the day, I would have missed the acknowledgement. A text I will see earlier but I am NOT someone who hangs by their phone (usually it is sitting on the counter) and seldom look at emails on my phone. Hence my inquiry.

I have gone with the international plan, keeping in airplane mode with data off until/unless needed. May be overkill but...

There's a lot of confusion regarding eSIMs, transaction authorization and related travel administration stuff. Understandable, since technology continues to evolve and cell phone plans continue to change.

First, does your phone permit true dual SIMs? My Google Pixel does, meaning I can set one SIM as primary for data and another primary for calls and texts. So my phone and text number remains my Spectrum 614 area code, while my data usage is on my French Free SIM. I believe Samsung S23 and newer probably work similarly; I'm not sure how iPhones allow. I've said before that someone needs to start a blog or YouTube video explaining all this.

First, does your phone permit true dual SIMs? My Google Pixel does, meaning I can set one SIM as primary for data and another primary for calls and texts.

I also have a Pixel phone and if on extended travel (a month) I usually get a European Data SIM, set my phone to use my regular plan for phone and text, and the European SIM for data. Solves all the issues raised by the OP. Otherwise, for shorter trips, I just use my Google Fi data.

However, I suspect many on here have iPhones on contract with one of the big two, either ATT or Verizon, and do not have service in Europe unless they pay a significant fee (My Google Fi service functions seamlessly where ever I am at no extra cost, except for making international calls.) So their European SIM is the only means of service.

But it is an issue. Despite travel notifications, if a credit card detects fraud, they want to contact you. Complicate it further if using cards for online purchases, most European sites want 3D Security, meaning you need to respond to a code, sent to your regular number. Now, few US cards support 3DS, hence the problems people have with ticket and online purchases.

The best you can do is make sure your email is one of the methods of contact for fraud and verification, and check email regularly. Like it or not, the world is evolving such that traveling with a phone, with regular service, is becoming (or already has) a necessity.

Does your bank have an App? or your CC?

I was about to ask the same thing as above; if you're bank has an app. In the app at my bank, I can set how I should be contacted. In my case I have different settings for different situations. Most of the alerts come directly through the app, while some are by text.

The other issue that can come up is US websites that are not accessible with other than US IP addresses (European eSIM). Doesn't happen terribly often, but it tends to be the case for things like government websites like my Texas drivers license replacement site and my professional registration site ..... and some shopping sites like Eddie Bauer. When I had cable TV in the US, I could access the channels online with my US IP phone, but not my Hungarian phone. This will probably have no impact in you ..... unless it does.

This is where having a VPN on your phone can help a ton. Both iOS and Android can use the big players in the VPN world: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Private Internet Access, SurfShark, et al. They make it super simple to make your device appear to be in the U.S. (or any other country that said VPNs support).

Sure, having a U.S. SIM/eSIM is a good step, but if it's the IP address that matters a VPN is your best solution.

As R.D. Riet said the VPN will use a US IP address and will also secure your WiFi connection. I always ensure my VPN connection is active prior to connecting to WiFi outside of my home, not just while traveling overseas.