Google Fi is one of many alternatives to the “big carriers,” but it offers a few perks that set it apart from the others. If you happen to travel a lot, it’s an especially attractive option. Here’s why I like to keep Google Fi in my suitcase.
Effortless plan switching
You don’t have to make a long-term commitment
Google Fi is my full-time carrier, not only for traveling, but that’s actually why it’s great for travel. The flexibility to switch between plans whenever you want makes it easy to match the plan to your current situation.
For example, I originally signed up for Google Fi because I liked the idea of the “pay for what you use” plans. During the winter months, I stay cooped up under the warm coverage of Wi-Fi, so my bill is pretty cheap when I only pay for the small amount of data I use. However, in the summer months, it’s better to have an unlimited data plan. Switching between the two is literally just a couple of taps in the Google Fi app.
That same flexibility applies to travel as well. When I had a trip to Europe coming up, I switched over to the Unlimited Premium plan—which includes unlimited data in nearly 200 countries—for one month. When I returned home, I simply switched back to my previous plan. Easy peasy.
International data is the same as domestic data
As much data as you want, wherever you want
Speaking of international data, Google Fi handles it a bit differently than some other carriers. Regardless of which Google Fi plan you have, if it includes international data, it’s treated exactly like data at home. No extra charges or “day passes” to deal with.
Going back to my trip to Europe, once I had upgraded to the Unlimited Premium plan, I could simply use my phone like normal. Whenever I entered a new country, I’d see a Google Fi notification that said, “Welcome to Denmark. We’ve got you covered.” There was nothing for me to do. After the trip was over, my bill looked just like it would have if I used the same amount of data at home.
For the record, the Google Fi plans that include international data are Unlimited Premium and Flexible.
I’ve used Google Fi for 8 years—here’s why I’ve stuck around for so long
There are plenty of choices when it comes to buying wireless service for your phone. Google Fi is one of them, and while I know it might not be the best, I’ve stuck with it for nearly a decade. Maybe I’m stubborn, but I have my reasons.
Free data-only SIMs for your other devices
Your tablet is covered outside the hotel, too
Lastly, let’s talk about devices that aren’t smartphones. You might want data on a tablet or laptop while you’re traveling, too. That’s where Google Fi’s data-only SIMs come in clutch.
A data-only SIM is exactly what it sounds like—a SIM card that’s only for data, no phone number attached. You are free to put the SIM in whatever device you’d like, and the data you use is from the same bucket as your regular phone plan. So, if you have an unlimited plan, the data-only SIM is unlimited, too.
As you’ll remember, international data is the same as domestic data. That means when you’re traveling, you can stream movies on your tablet while riding the train, and it doesn’t cost any extra. To be honest, the data-only SIMs are a great part of Google Fi, whether you’re a frequent traveler or not.
Don’t complicate your travels even further
Admittedly, stepping foot in multiple airports in a year isn’t a common occurrence for me. However, when I do travel, I want to keep things as simple as possible. Google Fi allows me to do that, and I’ll gladly stick with it for future trips.
Google Fi’s Flexible plan is still a good deal: Here’s how I’ve used it for the past 8 years
In the early days of the internet, paying for data by the KB or MB was the norm. However, for phone data plans, it didn’t become a thing until the early 2010s. Ting was the first to offer it in 2012, and Google Fi launched with the same idea in 2015. I’ve been using the service since 2018.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
