Thank you. I have been looking at the Vodafone as well as TIM options (used a TIM card during our 2014 vacation there, worked like a charm). I believe I read somewhere that the data usage on the Smarpassort plan was being reduced from 500mb to 200mb per day? I'm just looking at all the options now.

Knowroaming, if it works as advertised, offers an appealing option to consider for a data hog like me. Sure it's a bit more expensive, but it's still cheaper than AT&T's 800mb plan. For me the convenience of having international roaming capabilities over several countries on arrival may outweigh the few dollars a day in added costs. I have trips planned in Northern Europe including Russia in 2017.

I'm hoping that we will get some posts this summer from folks who have tried KR recently.

Tom

You could look at freedompop global SIM. Covers most of Europe and "soon" Russia also.

Does anyone know how long the KR SIM cards are valid before expiring due to non-use? I'd really like something that I could go 4-6 months without using and have it continue to work the next time I'm abroad. I havn't found that particular data point on their web site.

Your credit will not expire until 15 months after your last usage of KnowRoaming services. I have been using KnowRoaming for a couple of years now in Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean and and I am very satisfied.

For Europe, did you buy/try the Europe Travel Package 5GB for $54 USD valid for 14 days? Is tethering/personal hotspot allowed? I only need data/internet, no need voice or text.

The end of free Whatsapp from free vouchers and they decided to do it at Valentine Day :(

https://support.knowroaming.com/supp...atsapp-feature

"Beginning on the first day of the new policy announcement, February 14, 2018, all registered KnowRoaming customers carrying a prepaid credit balance in their KnowRoaming account will be given 30 calendar days of bonus WhatsApp data usage.

Note: data packages purchased on www.knowroaming.com and added to a registered KnowRoaming account with a voucher code are not considered a prepaid credit purchase in the KnowRoaming app and will not provide 30 days of bonus WhatsApp data usage.

Any free credit vouchers applied to the account, including the free $10 credit received with the Global SIM Sticker, do not provide bonus WhatsApp data usage."

I just got an email from KnowRoaming with new Terms &
conditions. Credits will now expire 9 months after last use instead of 15 months.

I have not tried the Europe Travel Package 5GB for $54 USD valid for 14 days But the packages are just a marketing structure so I wouldn't expect your experience to differ from other people who select different packages.