topic Re: O2 travel... flat fee can be a real rip-off in Discussions & Feedback

O2 travel... flat fee can be a real rip-off

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 10:49:14 GMT

I work in Europe most weeks travelling Monday and returning on Thursday.

I have used O2 travel for a while and at £1.99 it's cheaper and more flexible than some rival providers.

However, since the recent ruling limiting roaming charges for calls and texts it doesn't seem to be sensible.

Call and text charges are now so low that you would need to be speaking almost constantly to get above the £1.99 threshold. Data charges are still high so if you are out and about all the time it makes sense to use O2 travel.

If however, you are able to use Wifi locally there is little need for data usage but you still get charged the full £1.99 if you reply to a text or call someone for a couple of minutes.

I can't turn the service on for the days I travel but turn it off for the times I have wifi in work and hotel.

So, I end up either not using data when travelling which is annoying when trying to find location on maps, train times etc, or not texting colleagues because I'd be charged the full £1.99 for a 2p text.

It's not much money but at £1.99 a day it works out nearly £40 a month.

Can't the service be changed to a cap of £1.99 but if you use less you're only charged for what you use?

Re: O2 travel... flat fee can be a real rip-off

MI5 — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 10:57:06 GMT

Good idea, but I doubt O2 will change to that.

Re: O2 travel... flat fee can be a real rip-off

Bambino — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 11:37:34 GMT

@Anonymous An alternative would be to get a Three Pay & Go sim, as there are no roaming charges for data in many European countries.

Re: O2 travel... flat fee can be a real rip-off

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 11:40:54 GMT

Couldn't agree more.
I turn data roaming off and use wifi when in my home in Spain but I got charged the full amount when someone left me a voicemail. I can't control that!

Re: O2 travel... flat fee can be a real rip-off

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 11:41:47 GMT

Thanks. It's an idea but I don't really want to change my number or have to change sim everytime I want to do something different.

Re: O2 travel... flat fee can be a real rip-off

jonsie — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 11:42:13 GMT

O2 have only recently changed this so are unlikely to do as you say. Sending the odd text now makes sense to opt out but no one as yet knows how Brexit will affect us, especially when EU legislation stated that roaming charges would be abolished next year. Those standard rates may well rise once clause 50 is invoked.

Re: O2 travel... flat fee can be a real rip-off

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 11:44:38 GMT

Doubt it would be a problem once clause 50 invoked - only when actually leave.....

Re: O2 travel... flat fee can be a real rip-off

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 11:53:22 GMT

I was told today on O2 chat that when one texts 23336 to turn the 02 travel off or on it only works from the following midnight - it is not instant. So that could be awkward in your situation as you would have to think ahead!

It's a profit making concern, not one that helps customers with an easy to use service.

Re: O2 travel... flat fee can be a real rip-off

MI5 — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 12:01:37 GMT

LW15551 wrote:
It's a profit making concern, not one that helps customers with an easy to use service.

In your opinion, of course

Re: O2 travel... flat fee can be a real rip-off

jonsie — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 12:19:22 GMT

incidentally, how do you find data speeds in Europe? Some say it's unusable whilst others have no problem...

Re: O2 travel... flat fee can be a real rip-off

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 11:10:21 GMT

02....are rip off merchants....i,ll be leaving as soon as my contract ends....jan..2017.....and all customers that get ripped off should go elsewhere.....they charged me for data roaming...because i switched my phone on at 5am...in hotel.....where i was connected too there wi fi...24/7

Re: O2 travel... flat fee can be a real rip-off

MI5 — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 11:17:26 GMT

It makes no difference what time you turn your phone on, it will still connect to data before the wifi connects unless you turn off mobile data completely.
I guess you didn't do that?

Re: O2 travel... flat fee can be a real rip-off

jonsie — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 13:17:40 GMT

One of the misconceptions about wifi. Until it connects your phone will always use mobile data. Even a couple of kbs will trigger the daily charge.