Online Top-up impossible with non-UK adress

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I am this close to cutting ALL my ties with O2. It is impossible to get help for problems that are not trivial!
The online form doesn't even allow for a credit or debit card that is registered with an address OUTSIDE the UK. You really don't want Tourists to be able to have a UK phone?????

Sincerely,

DH

[Cleoriff · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous

You could try this route to top up. Helps many people abroad

https://www.mobiletopup.co.uk/o2

Other ways to top up when abroad in this thread. Scroll down to PAYG https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Pay-Monthly-Pay-and-Go/How-can-I-pay-my-bill/ba-p/1014090

[madasaf1sh]

Can't really blame o2 for this approach, as it's done to minimise risk from fraudulent transactions, done with none UK cards.

Try getting a sim in some eu countries where you need a passport and can only top up by cash...

[jonsie]

Strange but you can buy a voucher with a non-uk card but cannot top up online. But this isn't just an O2 issue. I don't believe you can use an overseas card with EE or Vodaphone either. Not sure about Three tbh.

[MI5]

You can't use a UK card to top up a foreign sim either so your annoyance should be aimed at the mobile communications industry rather than just one network.

[Cleoriff]

I could use my UK card to top up my foreign Data sim when in Spain. However, the process involved a trip to the Orange ES shop.....presentation of my passport ....as well as the sim info. It then had to be activated instore which involved a phone call by staff to the activation centre I was quite pleased to get wifi installed in the apartment!

[MI5]

Yeah but not online.

[jonsie]

So going back to the original post, cutting all ties with O2 will be pointless as the same problem is across the mobile networks in general. Just buy a voucher as and when needed. Most UK banking phone apps now allow you to top up via the app though I'm wondering if this is the case with overseas banks. I can certainly top up my Thai mobile through the RBS banking app with my UK debit account.

[MI5]

Yes that's the crux of it.