Tourist Sim Card
Jun 2, 2017, 5:48 am
#16
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
Jan 16, 2018, 2:45 am
#17
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plat, Marriott Silver, HH Gold
Posts: 797
As as far as I could determine, you must return the SIM to the store (or another counter?) when departing, or it will continue charging a monthly fee, which you will have to pay if you ever wish to register another SIM with China Mobile.
Jan 16, 2018, 7:18 am
#18
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
How did you "determine" this? They told you? As far as I know, this is an urban legend.
Jan 17, 2018, 2:19 am
#19
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plat, Marriott Silver, HH Gold
Posts: 797
Whether its it’s an urban legend or not, the manager was very adamant about it and they actually spent a fair bit of time clicking around with my documents when I returned the SIM (as I had the time to return and I didn’t care to take chances).
They also take your passport information including a scan, so I’m sure it’s possible for them to be tracking any monthly fees they want to charge.
Are there confirmed reports of not returning and being able to get a new SIM on the next trip without paying back fees?
Feb 8, 2018, 2:59 am
#21
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 23
Check Flexiroam's local data plan in China. They offer 7 days 200mb for only $7.00. If you are not that data hungry just the usual web browsing, maps usage and research it's a good deal. You need to buy a starter pack which cost around $29 dollars which includes 1gb data valid for 3 months which i think is enough for traveling in China. Pretty cheap compared to local data plans in China.
Feb 8, 2018, 4:25 pm
#22
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,502
There are plenty of stalls along Apliu Street selling 5-day China data SIM cards for $50-60 HKD. Just tell them data SIM and how many days you need and the seller will show you the option and price. Prices are typically marked on the pile of cards already. I recall it's just pop in and it activates on its own. No registration of ID whatsoever and the card breaks through the Chinese firewall as they are HK SIMs. Happy Telecom cards are a bit more complicated so stay away from those.
Jul 11, 2018, 9:07 pm
#23
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,096
As of July 1, China Mobile has eliminated the distinction between local and national data plans. All data on a plan can now be used throughout Mainland China. This makes buying data easier, since you no longer have to check the fine print to make sure you're buying the right kind of data.
I don't know about the other operators, but they usually act in lockstep.
I don't know about the other operators, but they usually act in lockstep.
Aug 31, 2018, 6:38 am
#25
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: China and Canada
Posts: 1,886
Check Flexiroam's local data plan in China. They offer 7 days 200mb for only $7.00. If you are not that data hungry just the usual web browsing, maps usage and research it's a good deal. You need to buy a starter pack which cost around $29 dollars which includes 1gb data valid for 3 months which i think is enough for traveling in China. Pretty cheap compared to local data plans in China.
Aug 31, 2018, 7:20 am
#26
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,990
Sep 8, 2018, 11:52 pm
#27
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: EDI
Programs: Flying Blue PFL; IHG Rewards Club Diamond; HHonors Silver
Posts: 422
This seems the best thread for my question. How easy is it to get a "pay as you go" SIM for China? My plan is to buy a SIM and then use it on my intermittent visits to the country, maybe 3 per year. I know that I will now have to register the SIM using my passport, but is it possible to load it with, say, RMB 100, and then use it anytime. I would not want a data plan or a limited-time SIM.
Sep 9, 2018, 4:28 am
#28
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: NUE
Programs: BAEC Silver, FB Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, SK Diamond, ITA Volare Club Executive, TK Elite
Posts: 365
Check Flexiroam's local data plan in China. They offer 7 days 200mb for only $7.00. If you are not that data hungry just the usual web browsing, maps usage and research it's a good deal. You need to buy a starter pack which cost around $29 dollars which includes 1gb data valid for 3 months which i think is enough for traveling in China. Pretty cheap compared to local data plans in China.
Sep 9, 2018, 6:07 am
#29
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 41,990
I'd rather get one of those Thai sim cards... SIM2FLY the best-value roaming SIM for everyone! 4 GB for 299 THB valid 8 days or 15 days for 799 THB.
Sep 11, 2018, 8:08 pm
#30
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Indo Jungle
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,319