Problem using phone is USA? Anyone had similar?

[V8 Stang]

So currently in USA, my Vodafone iPhone worked perfectly for the 1st few days, then i hit a £20 spend limit on my account (forgot it was there). The £7.40 a day quickly adds up.
Calls and data stopped working at this point.

I changed the limit on the app via wifi to unlimited. However it still does not work - this was 2 days ago.

Ive had 2 hour long calls with Vodafone, both confirming the account is all good, checking the iphone settings etc. They then just say "restart your device and it should work" obviously to get rid of me!

Ive tried all 3 US network providers from the settings, AT&T, T Mobile & Verizon. All give 4 bars of 5G signal, also tried on 4G.
Restarted the phone about 20 times!

Nothing works. Can't even make a call.

Anyone any idea's?, as the Vodafone helpline are useless!

I feel like its a block on my account? but Vodafone are clueless.

[Your Dad]

Can't help with sorting via Vodafone, but is it worth adding an e-sim for the duration of the visit as a workaround to get data while you're there?

BNESIM, for example, is ~£16 for 20gb of data and is valid for 30 days.

[ShortBeardy]

Arguably the biggest problem when making domestic calls in the US is the probability of having a ignorant right wing nutter pick up the phone at the other end.
I say this as a resident

[ShortBeardy]

is it worth buying a local burner?

[Missy Charm]

ShortBeardy said:

is it worth buying a local burner?

That's what a family member did during a stay of a couple of months in the States. She was advised by a mobile 'phone shop here not to attempt to use a British SIM card in America - don't remember why, but do recall that! The solution was to take her mobile with her, buy a pay-as-you-go American SIM from a Stateside mobile shop, put that in and use it for the duration of the holiday. All worked flawlessly, apparently. I think the American SIM was T-Mobile - one of the ones we've also got here, anyway.

[captain_cynic]

ShortBeardy said:

is it worth buying a local burner?

Erm... Why not just get a local SIM?

There are loads of international SIMs and eSIMs that will do cheap overseas data or calls. No idea why anyone pays upwards of £5 a day.

I use a 3 PAYG SIM that has free international roaming in 70 odd countries but I think 3 itself may be ending soon (merged into Vodafone).

[V8 Stang]

Your Dad said:

Can't help with sorting via Vodafone, but is it worth adding an e-sim for the duration of the visit as a workaround to get data while you're there?

BNESIM, for example, is ~£16 for 20gb of data and is valid for 30 days.

Thanks, Didn't even realise an E-SIM was even a thing. Thats perfect.

Just installed it with 5GB to try, and works instantly

So turned my Vodafone number off, and any calls can be done via Whattsapp etc.

Will save a fortune in roaming charges!

[CRA1G]

Just come back from Australia and with the time difference 8/9pm was a good time to call the UK so when in a restaurant discreetly used thier complimentary WiFi and used Watsapp to make my calls home...

[Alorotom]

I have had this before - with 3 a few years ago - the changes were made to may account but the blocker that only came to light post-return was that the phone needed to be on a “home network” in order for the changes to go-live.

It’s a good aide-memoir though as I have recently moved network and need to make sure I don’t hit the same issue in a couple of weeks!

[Byker28i]

I have international roaming, limits to £4 or £6 depending where I am in the world, but had problems last time in the US so just bought a pay as you go sim. Only problem was having to start message with "it's me honest, just on a US sim"