Mint Minternational vs Airalo Central Europe

You are already on Mint?

If you are on it, maybe stick with it. If you are not on it, try something new. If you want the most failsafe solution get TMobile.

What is the duration of your trip? If 10 days or less, looks like a good deal. If longer several other carriers may be less expensive.

Already on Mint. Trip will be 3 weeks. My understanding is that Mint piggybacks onto T-Mobile for its carrier services. Hoping to learn if that translates to a slower service in Europe (maybe 256 kbps) and if it works in our 4 countries of travel. Thanks

I'm on Consumer Cellular and use their international roaming plan, which works well and quite reasonable in cost. I believe the advantage of keeping your own number by staying with Mint vastly outweighs any slight cost advantage by using a separate plan. Keep in mind that a good portion of your data usage can be over wifi at your lodging, so I'd be less concerned with download speed.

Your 3 weeks would be 2 10 day pkgs @$40.00 and another pkg at @$5-10,, Other European carriers would be less expensive. But then again there will be no phone number change.

I'm on Consumer Cellular and use their international roaming plan, which works well and quite reasonable in cost. I believe the advantage of keeping your own number by staying with Mint vastly outweighs any slight cost advantage by using a separate plan.

Once again: most, if not all, dual-SIM phones allow both phone numbers to be active simultaneously. Android 16 is especially convenient in this regard. Using a foreign SIM will not "lose" your US phone number.

Hi. My wife was already on Mint Mobile and used their 10 day $20 plan last summer in several countries in Europe; it worked fine. Very easy to sign up and use. Have a great trip!

most, if not all, dual-SIM phones allow both phone numbers to be active simultaneously.

But the point is that to keep the number active it needs a plan, so you could add a data-only eSIM and have data, but then turn off the phone service, or add an eSIM that includes calling, but then you still don't have a plan for your regular number - why do that when you can use the Mint plan and KEEP your regular number operable?

Adding a UK plan with calling capabilities does not prevent me from using my US number to call or text. I'm doing so currently. My UK eSIM is primary for data and calling, but if someone calls my US number, my phone still rings.

New Android phones offer the ability to use both SIMs simultaneously in the manner one chooses. I'm not knowledgeable about iPhones.

iPhones since the X series have had dual SIM capabilities. I have been able to use it as jphbucks describes on my old iPhone 11. I suspect that this capability relies on the ability to use WiFi calling and texting on your home service. I have Verizon service via a MVNO. I have been able to receive texts including 2FA, iMessages and even scammers while overseas. Phones calls to my US number come through too. Even the robocallers but I have my phone set to ignore unknown numbers.

iPhone X series was released almost 7 years ago so many of the iPhones out there should have the dual SIM capabilities. The ability to do so as described above may be a YMMV situation.

I’ve tried Airalo’s Europe plan and it worked pretty well in those cities, especially for Google Maps and train apps. Coverage was solid, but I noticed sometimes the speed could drop a bit in crowded areas

Also, you might want to check Jetpac eSIM! I used it on a recent trip because they offer multi-network access and I liked that I they also give free access to WhatsApp and Google Maps even if your data runs out, which was super helpful

In the past I've normally used Airalo, but now Minternational has evolved to seem the better choice. It will cost for my month long trip will be about $40 more than Airalo, but w/ Airalo I only get data. Minternational allows me to use all aspects of my normal phone - text, talk and data. Used it in Japan and it worked flawlessly, heard Europe is the same.

I was quite satisfied with my Airalo era, but Minternational is affordable enough and definitely worth it.

Once again, one need not restrict oneself to using only one SIM with a modern phone. One usually can employ one's US SIM for texts and calls but use a European data-only plan for data.

See https://support.apple.com/en-sg/guide/iphone/iph9c5776d3c/ios for how to use two SIMs simultaneously with an iPhone. Android can be easier or more difficult depending upon your specific phone and the Android version you work with. I'm on Android 15 and it's extremely easy. If I were to use Minternational, personally, I'd still have a European data SIM. But one solution doesn't fit everyone optimally.