sms for travel

6 Types of SMS Templates For Travel Industry

Good customer service is critical for any business, especially for those in the travel industry like hotels and tour operators. One way to streamline excellent customer service is using SMS templates for hotel and travel solutions. It allows businesses to communicate quickly and efficiently with employees, customers, and visitors.

Apply these SMS tools within your business to increase efficiency and communication, including for travel agencies, airlines, tour companies, hotels, motels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, and other reservation service providers. Because SMS text messaging is so widespread throughout the globe and has by far the highest open and response rate of any remote communication modality, it’s only natural to make good use of it. It’s immediate, inconspicuous, and highly engaging. It also has a high open rate which is essential for travel and hospitality. Let’s take a look at the most commonly used:

SMS Templates For Travel Industry

1. transactional welcome sms for hotels, 2. online check-in sms notification for airlines, 3. automated check out text message for hotels, 4. triggered sms for airline boarding passes, 5. promotional sms for hotels, 6. marketing text messages for airlines.

Send reminders to customers about their upcoming travel arrangements, ask for information succinctly, or ensure they arrive on time and are well informed throughout their journey. You may create and automate SMS templates for transactional welcome messages to reduce time on such tasks and quickly send similar messages to arriving guests. Here are some examples of transactional welcome SMS templates that hotels may use:

• Hello {first name}, we’re thrilled to have you at [hotel] today. Please present this message upon arrival for express check-in. Should you need anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are wishing you a lovely stay, [hotel].
• Hi {guest name}! Thank you for choosing to stay at {Hotel Name}. We are looking forward to having you today. Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any special requests. To confirm your arrival, please check this link: {website url}

If you manage an airline, you may consider automating your check-in process by sending passengers an SMS notification that includes a link to your online check-in page. It will save time and ensure your guests have all the information they need to complete their travel arrangements. Here are some examples of an online check-in SMS notification template for airlines:

• Dear {first name}, welcome! We’re happy to inform you that online check-in for your flight, {flight number} from {destination}, is now open. Please visit the following link to check in: {link}. We hope you enjoy your journey with us and look forward to seeing you on board our aircraft at {time}. Thank you for flying [Airline].
• Hi {guest name}! Thank you for flying {Airline name}. We are pleased to inform you that online check-in for {Flight nuumber} from {origin} to {destination} is now open. Please follow this link to check in: {link}. We hope you have a great flight and look forward to welcoming you on board.

When guests check out of a hotel, they may not have the time to fill out a traditional paper form. You can save time by automating the check-out process with an SMS notification that includes a link to your online check-out form. It will ensure that your guests have all the information they need to complete their travel arrangements and check out of your hotel quickly and easily. Here are some examples of an automated check-out text message template for hotels:

• Dear {guest name}, we hope you enjoyed your stay with us at {hotel name}. We would be grateful if you could take a moment to fill out our online check-out form. Please follow this link: {link}. Thank you for choosing to stay with us, and we hope to see you again soon.
• Hi {guest name}, thank you for staying with us at {hotel name}. We would appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to fill out our online check-out form. Please follow this link: {link}. Thank you for choosing our hotel, and we hope to see you again soon.

For airline booking or ticketing centers, you may consider sending a triggered SMS notification to passengers with a link to their boarding pass. It will save time and ensure that your guests have all the information they need for their upcoming flight. Here are some examples of a triggered SMS for airline boarding passes template:

• Dear {first name}, your boarding pass for {flight number} from {destination} is now available. Please visit the following link to view and print your boarding pass: {link}. Thank you for flying with us. {Airline Name}
• Hi {guest name}, for your electronic boarding pass copy, please follow the link {website url} and enter your flight details. You may also print this boarding pass by going to the ‘manage my booking’ section on our website. Should you have any questions or problems, please do not hesitate to contact us. {Airline Name}

Promotional SMS for hotels are sent to guest and subscriber lists to inform them of any promotions, discounts, and deals the hotel offers. Promotions are run during the off-peak season to encourage potential guests to book a stay during these periods. You can create SMS templates to promote deals and customize them based on your customers’ information. Here are some examples of a promotional SMS for hotels template:

• Hi {guest name}, we’re running a special promotion for stays booked between {date} and {date}. Enjoy a 20% discount on your room rate when you use the promo code {promo code} at checkout. We hope to see you soon!
• Hi {guest name}, we’re excited to offer a 20% discount on all room rates for stays between {date} and {date}. Use promo code {promo code} at checkout to receive this discount. We hope to see you soon!

Airlines use marketing text messages to advertise and inform potential consumers about any discounts or deals they may be eligible for. You may build SMS templates for marketing campaigns and customize them based on your customers’ needs. Here are some examples of a marketing text message template for airlines:

• Hello, {first name}, aren’t you hoping to take a holiday? Check out our red hot discount fares during our [campaign name] sale! Return flights to [destination] or [destination] are available for just $[price]. There are limited seats available; make your booking now! {Link}. [Airline].
• Hey {first name}, dream of getting away? Make it a reality with our amazing discount fares! Our current sale offers return flights to either stunning locations like {destination} or {destination} for only $499! But hurry, there are limited seats available. Book now! {Link}.

What is an SMS Template?

An SMS template is a text message that contains preset text that may be sent to customers or clients. SMS templates can be used for various purposes, including appointment reminders, marketing communications, and follow-ups. Ideally, you should be able to use SMS marketing platforms to generate and automate the sending of SMS so that you can concentrate on other areas of your company.

The travel industry can use SMS templates to send promotions, using static or dynamic content created using templates and variables. Alternatively, SMS marketing platforms can be used to fill out the fields and text quickly that needs to be sent to clients.

How Long Does Creating an SMS Template Take?

The amount of time it takes to create an SMS template will vary depending on the intended use of the template and the length of the message. If you already have a message in mind, generating an SMS template shouldn’t take more than a few minutes. When you use an SMS marketing platform that allows you to generate, customize, and send mass communications at any time, it’s even quicker.

Why Should You Use SMS Templates for Travel Industry?

The travel industry benefits significantly from using SMS templates. SMS marketing strategies have grown in various sectors because of their advantages. When you are involved in travel, you can expect your clients to be constantly on the move. And one of the best ways to connect with them is through SMS.

Much information must be relayed between travel and hospitality service providers, and these messages must be sent and received in real-time. SMS has a very high open and read rate. Thus, travelers can prepare for changes, cancellations, or delays in their flights or accommodations.

SMS templates for the travel industry are ideal for staying in touch with guests and customers. Apart from those mentioned, here are some other uses of SMS templates:

• Selling last-minute fares: You can use an SMS template to sell unsold tickets or unbooked rooms.
• Dynamic content: Use an SMS template to send out a dynamic range that changes based on the user’s input, such as confirmation messages that contain a reservation number or a link to check in online. 
• Promoting New Routes or services: You can also use an SMS template to encourage new routes or services.

What are the Benefits of Using an SMS Template in the Travel Industry?

There are many benefits of using an SMS template in the travel industry. The travel sector has many advantages from SMS templates. Hot locations and discounts may be promoted through these messages, or time-sensitive alerts can be sent. At the same time, hotels employ SMS to encourage offers, booking confirmations, and reminders. Here are some of its benefits:

Cost Efficient: For businesses in the travel industry, SMS messaging is one of the most cost-efficient ways to engage customers and prospects. With open rates as high as 98%, this channel outperforms other methods for marketing purposes, transactional confirmations and reminders, or time-sensitive offers. Deliver messages that get read to improve sales and customer satisfaction.

Automates Bulk Message Sending: Why do the same processes repeatedly when you could automate them? Automating repetitive operations means you get more out of your booking, ticketing, and customer support applications. SMS templates can send out payment reminders, booking alerts, and reminders.

Location-Based and Time-Sensitive: SMS messages are geolocation and time-sensitive. You can send out location-based messages to your customers or time-sensitive reminders that will appear when they reach their destination city. Automate your business processes to take advantage of this unique feature.

How is an SMS Template used in Travel Industry?

Providing customized, personal service to clients is more essential than ever. The travel sector may use SMS templates and marketing to extend its reach and improve customer engagement.

SMS templates can be used in a few ways within the travel industry. Segment your customer list and send personalized messages based on their preferences or journey type.

Also, real-time communication is crucial in the travel industry, and SMS allows you to send messages that are read almost immediately. You can use SMS templates to send out notifications about changes in plans, delays, or cancellations.

Is an SMS Template Required for Travel Industries?

Yes, an SMS template is now required for travel industries. It is highly recommended that travel service providers use SMS templates to provide consistent, customized, and real-time communication with their customers. SMS is an efficient way to reach and engage customers, and a template can help you automate your processes. With so many benefits, there’s no reason not to use an SMS template in the travel industry. Choose a template that suits your needs and start reaping the help today.

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How To Use SMS Marketing For Travel Agencies

As the COVID-19 pandemic winds down, the travel industry is beginning to return to normal. Travel agencies are rebounding slowly after experiencing 2020’s massive tourism decline, so it’s crucial to utilize modern marketing strategies to get your travel business back on track.

Travel professionals need to lure customers away from the temptation of DIY travel and self-booking apps. But how? With outstanding customer service. 93% of consumers are more likely to make repeat purchases at companies that offer excellent customer service.

Providing your clients with customized, personal service is more important now than ever. If you own a travel agency, SMS must be an essential part of your marketing strategy. 

SMS marketing is currently the most popular communication channel, boasting a 98% open rate . According to Statista, 2.2 trillion SMS messages are sent every year in the U.S., that amounts to about six billion texts per day. 

If you haven’t yet integrated SMS texting into your existing market strategy , you’re missing out on an extremely valuable communication method. Today, we’ll discuss how travel agency marketing SMS can help you stay afloat in a very competitive business.

Confirm Bookings and Make Quick Updates

Travel agencies use SMS marketing to deliver peace of mind to their customers. Let’s be honest: travel planning can be time-consuming and tiring. That’s why travel agencies use SMS services to reduce users’ stress levels. 

SMS alerts about upcoming bookings should contain essential information about the trip. As people often book trips months in advance, SMS texts serve as valuable reminders. 

These booking confirmations will improve customers’ overall experience with your business and encourage them to return for their next trip. 

SAMPLE TEXT TEMPLATE:

Hi [Name], your flight to [Departure Location] to [Arrival Location] has been confirmed.

Pro tip: By using templates, you can customize your messages so that your branding is consistent, which is especially important when multiple agents are representing your company. For individual agents, a cohesive branding message can help to enhance confidence in your small business and make you appear "larger.”

SMS Boarding Passes

Another way of ensuring customer peace of mind is by providing a trackable and secure ticket via text message marketing. You can also use SMS texting to update them on any changes to their itinerary. 

Through stellar customer support, your travel agency will have repeat customers and improve your reputation as a trustworthy, professional business.

Improved Customer Loyalty

Loyalty programs are proven to work wonders for customer retention marketing in all industries. In addition, having a customer loyalty program is vital in industries where shoppers often comparison-shop. Here are some ideas to incorporate into an SMS customer loyalty program: 

• Special offers: Inform customers about special deals available only to subscribers. You can also provide customers with a promo code valid for specific trips and limited-time offers.
• Rewards: Another way to create loyal customers is to reward them. If the customer has booked a trip from your agency, you want to make it worthwhile to do business with you again. Reward programs incentivize customers to make you their travel agent of choice.
• Travel tips:   As your customers’ trips approach, consider sending them helpful information and bits of advice about the destination. For example, you can inform them about expected weather, how to pack, or currency exchange details. 

Handling Emergency Situations

Like any other service-related business, travel can sometimes involve crises that must be resolved quickly. Given that you are essentially responsible for hundreds of tourists gathered in one area, you need an efficient communication channel. 

Travel agencies using SMS marketing have immediate access to their customers’ phone numbers. Mobile devices are the fastest and most reliable source of connecting with people to inform them of an emergency. In addition, since most people carry their mobile phones with them, customers can contact your agency via text if something unexpected occurs. 

Brand Building

People take traveling seriously, so choosing a travel agency that they feel is trustworthy, reliable and professional is essential. In addition, brand building is closely related to the emotional attachment you’re creating with your company. 

Using SMS marketing wisely helps build your brand image. By providing continuous customer service via SMS, you ensure that you’re increasing the trustworthiness of your business. When customers trust you, they are more loyal, the retention rate is higher and sales increase.

Did you know you can get discounts on hotels when you book your airfare through us?

Call today to learn more about our special pricing!

[Agency Name]

Text STOP to end

Customer Surveys

Sending customer surveys and polls is essential for any business that employs a long-term success strategy. Text message services are ideal for collecting customer feedback to help improve your service efforts. 

Ask them questions about their overall experience, how they’d rate the service provider, and if they have suggestions on how you could provide a better future experience.  

Choose Textedly to Build Your Travel Agency Business 

Enhanced customer service via text messaging is one of the most efficient forms of digital marketing. As the most widely used communication method, it makes perfect sense to utilize texting to keep in touch with your customers and build long-term connections.

Marketing and follow-up through personalized, automated texting is one way to deliver this customized level of travel service, and SMS marketing software like Textedly makes it easy.

 Textedly allows you to track keywords and provides analytics designed to improve your SMS campaigns. In addition, there are a variety of plans available, based on how many messages you wish to send each month.

Easily send bulk SMS or MMS travel text messages to lists from 10 to 100,000 with Textedly. Start your 14-day free trial today! 

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Text Messaging for Hotels and Travel

Send fast, effective messages to customers and staff alike, boosting your booking numbers and business productivity.

Boost Your Bookings with Travel Text Messaging

Customer service is of utmost importance in every industry, but no more so than within the travel industry, including travel operators and hotels. SMS travel and hotel solutions are an effective way to maximise customer service and consumer satisfaction, allowing service providers and their employee base to communicate quickly and easily with staff, patrons, and other guests. These solutions can be applied for use within businesses including travel agencies, airlines, tour companies, hotels, motels, resorts, bed and breakfasts and other reservation service providers.

Use autoresponders to make scheduling travel a breeze.

Escape the winter.

Dreaming of a holiday? Check out our amazing winter warmer promotion.

Boost engagement with rich imagery using MMS.

Enhancing customer service via text message is a form of SMS marketing. As SMS text messaging is so widely used throughout the world, and has by far the highest open and response rate of any remote communication method, it makes sense to utilise it to its fullest potential. It is immediate, unobtrusive, and incredibly interactive. Statistics show that the vast majority of text messages are opened within half a minute of delivery, and almost everyone has at least a cell mobile phone which can send and receive text messages. This high open rate is critical in the time-sensitive industry of travel and hospitality.

Benefits of Text Messaging for Hotels and the Travel Industry

The travel industry makes great use of SMS to promote hot destinations and discounts or send time-sensitive alerts. While hotels use SMS for booking confirmations and reminders and to market offers.

Incredible return-on-investment (ROI)

SMS for hotels and travel is one of the most cost efficient methods of engaging with customers and prospects. Whether for marketing purposes, with time senstitive offers, or for transactional confirmations and reminders no other channel will give you open rates as high as 98%. Your messages get delivered and get consumed and this will positively affect sales and customer satisfaction.

Promote last minute deals; last minute changes happen a lot in the travel industry, eg. surplus seats or rooms. A quick SMS campaign is the most effective way to get a hot deal distributed.

Confirm bookings in seconds; integrate SMS into your booking engine and get customer satisfying booking confirmation messages out instantly.

Encourage feedback and reviews; provide instant customer support via SMS to reduce negative feedback or set-up scheduled follow-up text messages requesting reviews from satisfied clients.

Automate time consuming tasks

Get even more out of your existing booking, ticketing and customer support applications by automating processes that are repetitive. ClickSend integrates directly with lots of software applications via API and indirectly with thousands via Zapier.

Instant booking confirmations and reminders.

Payment reminders.

Thank you messages.

Travel alerts.

Favorite Text Message Templates for Hotel and Travel Solutions

Use travel text messaging to drive more sales, improve customer communications or streamline internal messaging with our SMS gateway.

Transactional SMS Messaging for Travel and Hotels

Send reminders to customers about their upcoming travel arrangements, to ask for information in a succinct way or to ensure they arrive on time and are well informed throughout their journey.

Transactional Welcome SMS for Hotels

Hi {first name}, thanks for choosing to stay at [hotel], we're looking forward to welcoming you today. Show this message at the counter for express check-in. If there's anything we can help with, please reply back. Kind regards, [hotel].

Online Check-In SMS Notification for Airlines

Hey {first name}, online check in for {flight number} to {destination} has opened. To check in please go to {link} and follow the prompts. We look forward to welcoming you on board our {aircraft} at {time}. [Airline].

Automated Check Out Text Message for Hotels

Hi {first name}, thank you for staying at the [hotel], it has been a pleasure to be your host. Here's {discount} toward your next stay at [hotel] for the next time you're in {location}. Kind regards, [hotel].

Triggered SMS for Airline Boarding Passes

Hi {first name}, we're looking forward to your upcoming flight to {destination}. Here is your boarding pass: {link}. Please print a copy or have the electronic copy available at boarding. Kind regards [airline].

These messages occur whenever an event is upcoming and are predictable, therefore they can be automated. We offer hundreds of integrations - simply find your booking system and connect it to ClickSend for set-and-forget transactional messaging.

For added productivity, integrate your scheduling software with our travel SMS service to 100% automate this process. You can also then have triggered emails sent through ClickSend when the event is scheduled, giving your customers more information about the service details.

Marketing Text Messaging for Travel and Hotels

Are you offering a great promotion for travel? Share your offer with your customer list and access 98% open rates with SMS marketing.

Promotional SMS for Hotels

Hi {first name}, our [promotion name] sale is now on. Check out our sale prices for our lowest ever room rates, or stay 5 nights and get 2 nights free! Full buffet breakfast included. Go to {link} for more information. [Hotel].

Marketing Text Messages for Airlines

Hi {first name}, dreaming of a holiday? Check out our red hot sale fares during our [campaign name] sale! Fly return to [destination] or [destination] for just [price]. Seats are limited, book now! {Link}. [Airline].

To get the best out of your text message marketing, set up SMS keywords and invite potential customers to reply.

Need some inspiration? Then download the ultimate guide to SMS for the hospitality industry

Let's get started with travel industry text messaging.

Sign up for your free trial so you can find out how travel and hotel text messaging can help your business or contact us for integration assistance.

SMS for travel and tourism agencies.

Adopt mobile communications to enhance every customer experience and deliver travel plans directly into your customer’s hands.

Streamline customer experiences.

Promote travel packages., coordinate scheduling., how sms can transform travel and tourism industries..

Text messages are opened five times more often than emails.

Mobile-first experiences.

Create memorable experiences for customers when using features like a mobile concierge for customer support and fast booking confirmations.

Integrate your marketing.

Automate the sending of personalized promotions directly to your customers when you run targeted and omnichannel marketing campaigns.

Connects to your tools.

Integrate SMS with your booking and property management system to automate the sending of personalized promotions, booking confirmations, booking reminders and staff scheduling messages.

See more use cases >

Integrations

Featured content.

Integrate mobile technologies to improve your customer service.

Tourism and travel agents can leverage mobile landing pages, automation and messaging workflows. Enhance your bulk SMS and two-way support messaging, improve communication and simplify mobile marketing by sending SMS.

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Best eSIMs for travel of 2024

These eSIMs are easy to install and provide excellent network coverage

Best eSIM overall

• Best for customizable plans
• Best for easy installation
• Best value for money
• Best for security
• Best for network coverage
• Best for unlimited data
• Best for global plans
• Best for Europe
• Best for data-only plans
• eSIMs for international travel FAQs

1. Best eSIM overall 2. Best eSIM for customizable plans 3. Best eSIM for easy installation 4. Best eSIM for value for money 5. Best eSIM for security   6. Best eSIM for network coverage  7. Best eSIM for unlimited data 8. Best eSIM for global plans 9. Best eSIM for Europe   10. Best eSIM for data-only plans 11. eSIMs for international travel FAQs

eSIMs have gained a lot of traction in recent years, especially in international travel. Admit it, you do not like getting into huge queues to buy an eSIM just after you’ve landed at your dream location. You can now skip the queue with the best eSIM for international travel, with plans ranging from 3 days to as long as a year.

These eSIMs are easy to install and provide excellent network coverage. However, with so many providers offering eSIMs, which one should you purchase? I have done the hard yards to find and review the best eSIM you can get for international travel, regardless of whether you want to travel to Europe, the USA, Asia, Africa or Australia. So, make sure you read till the end to know everything you could ever need before purchasing your next eSIM.

What is an eSIM?  

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

eSIM cards are digital SIM cards already embedded in the mobile device, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards. It is a small rewritable chip fixed inside your phone, which connects with an antenna to function as a SIM card. The antenna is nothing but a network selected by you. 

Since it is rewritable, you can change your operator with just a simple phone call. There’s no need to go through the hassle of purchasing a new SIM card and waiting for it to arrive in the mail. 

Actually, eSIMs have been around for quite some time now. You can find many devices that are compatible with eSIMs. But when iPhone decided to remove the good old SIM card slot and shift the device to being completely eSIM featured, this feature got its attention. The main reason eSIMs are being preferred is because of their ease of use and convenience. 

Another advantage of eSIM is that it saves space accommodated by the SIM card holder, leading to either smaller phones or larger batteries, both of which are interesting propositions. Not to mention, the enormous amount of plastic being used to make all these SIM cards will no longer be required. 

eSIMs could be pretty revolutionary as they can be used to enable 5G connectivity in almost anything we would want it to, preferably glasses or a fitness tracker, as it doesn’t take up as much space inside the device.  

While there’s no major difference between using an eSIM card and a physical SIM card, eSIMs could be a slight turnoff when you want to switch phones. That said, the benefits of eSIM certainly outweigh a few cons here and there.

Why should I get an eSIM for international travel?  

Now that we know what an eSIM is, let’s dive into why it’s so beneficial for international travel. The best thing about them is that you can store as many as eight (sometimes even more) on your phone and activate the SIM when needed without having to pay additional roaming charges. 

Of course, if your current network operator provides free roaming service, there's no need to consider a travel-specific or local SIM from the place you're traveling to. But if that's not the case, it can be quite a task to find the right operator and negotiate with language barriers.

eSIMs are also generally more secure than physical SIMs since there’s no need to remove them in case you want to change your SIM card, so they practically can’t get lost. And if your phone gets lost or stolen, tracking it through the eSIM card is much easier since it cannot be removed from the device. 

Note that international roaming works the same way on physical and eSIMS. The only difference that sets the two apart is that while you can add only two physical SIMs at a time, you can conveniently purchase an eSIM from a local carrier of the place you are visiting without losing your old numbers. This is especially handy when you are visiting multiple countries. 

With eSIMs, switching SIMs is as easy as purchasing a plan online and activating it after completing the payment. If you travel frequently for business or any other purpose, switching contact numbers could be quite a frequent task. With eSIMs, you can shuffle between SIM cards as soon as you enter the airport or right when you leave the country.

Is my phone compatible with eSIM?  

Most phones manufactured after 2018 are compatible with eSIMs, except for a few exceptions depending on the location and carrier. IPhone XS, XS Max, and XR are among the first eSIM-compatible iPhones that came out in 2018. 

Follow these steps to see if your iOS is eSIM compatible and carrier unlocked:

• Go to Settings > General > About
• Scroll down to find the Carrier Lock section
• If your device is unlocked, it will show "No SIM restrictions" If that's not the case, you need to unlock your device first. 
• If you have an iOS 15 or later, Scroll down to "Available SIM" and if you have earlier iOS versions, find "Digital SIM"
• If your phone supports eSIMs, it will show a 15-digit IMEI number 

The following are the latest models that support eSIM: 

• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Mini
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Mini
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone SE 3 (2022)
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro Max

You can also use eSIMs on the following iPads: 

• iPad Pro 11″ (model A2068 onwards)
• iPad Air (model A2123 onwards)
• iPad Pro 12.9″ (model A2069 onwards)
• iPad (model A2198 onwards)
• IPad 10th generación (2022)
• iPad Mini (model A2124 onwards)

For Android numbers, it is best to check with the manufacturer if your device is compatible with eSIM. This, too, depends on the model, place of manufacturing, and the carrier used for the Android device.  

Another way to check is by going to the settings > Network & Internet and tapping on the "eSIM cards". If you find a "Download a SIM instead?" option, your device is eSIM-compatible 

You can also check if your phone has an EID (Embedded Identity Document Number), which is the serial number that matches with the eSIM embedded in your device. 

• Dial *#06# and press call
• If your device is eSIM-compatible, you'll be able to view your EID number

Some popular Android phones that support eSIMs include: 

• Samsung Galaxy S21 models
• Samsung Galaxy S22 models
• Samsung Galaxy Note 20
• Samsung Galaxy Fold Series
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip Series
• Samsung Galaxy S23 models
• Google Pixel 7
• Google Pixel 6
• Google Pixel 4
• Google Pixel Fold
• Google Pixel 3 XL
• Huawei P40 Series
• Oppo Reno 5A
• Oppo Find X5
• Sony Xperia 1 V
• Xiaomi 13 Series
• Sony Xperia 10 III Lite
• Motorola Edge+
• Motorola Razr 2019

Note that this isn’t an exhaustive list — it’s only an indicative list of popular smartphones that support eSIMs. In case you do not find your phone year, check with your manufacturer. 

Reader Offer: 5% off for Techradar readers Techradar editors love AloSIM's prepaid data SIM for its transparency, auto-installation feature, and affordable price.  Techradar readers can save 5% off  with code TECHRADAR5. 

Preferred partner ( What does this mean? ) 

Top 10 eSIM providers for international travel 

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

Airhub is a huge online store from which you can buy eSIMs in over 190+ countries worldwide. It has a massive variety of eSIM plans that include data, local call minutes, SMS, and international call minutes. 

While most eSIM providers usually have around 3-5 plans per country, Airhub provides up to 15 plans to choose from for a single country which gives you the flexibility to select the plan that resonates best with your needs. Also, Airhub has truly managed to make some of the best partnerships with local companies to offer the cost-effective deal that it does. 

If you're going to hang in a country for multiple months, you can simply go for the monthly subscriptions. Some of these plans also include unlimited voice minutes and SMS - you truly get the best deal here. 

The majority of plans that you will find on the website are prepaid, with a few postpaid plans and a postpaid monthly subscription in a few countries, the most important one being the United States. However, it doesn't have strong coverage in Latin America. For example, I found them offering only a single plan in countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. Moreover, there are no plans for countries like Cuba, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Ecuador. 

The regional plans offer an attractive price proposition as well, with options available in APAC, Africa, North America, the Middle East, and Europe. We highly recommend the Europe plan if you're about to go on a Europe tour. Airhub covers up to 49 countries in the plans, with the plans starting at just $11 for a month with a 3GB data limit. We could also spot a few 1-year plans in Europe ranging from 10GB to 100GB for the year.  

When you open the Airhub app, there's not a lot going on like most other eSIM apps — the interface is clean and intuitive. After logging in, you will find a page that lets you select the country, with three tabs differentiating local eSIMs, regional eSIMs, and Monthly plans (note that the global package is included in the regional eSIM category). 

Concluding, Airhub stands out with its great plans, minimalist apps, and websites and ticks all the boxes of travelers and remote workers looking for an affordable and effective eSIM. 

Best eSIM for customizable plans

Airalo is easily one of the best eSIM providers for travelers looking for an affordable and reliable SIM card, which plans in more than 200 countries. The stand-out thing about Airalo is its great collaborations with local telco companies all over the world which makes it the cost leader that it is today. 

Keep in mind that this also means the cost of Airalo depends on the place you're traveling to, and the cost of data there — validity and data limit being the other two factors that affect its price.

It also offers 7 regional plans, including Latin America and Caribbean Islands — regions that aren’t well catered by other eSIM providers.

It also has a specific global plan that provides access to around 84 countries worldwide — perfect for international travelers. You can choose between 1GB to 20GB of data spread across 7 days to 180 days validity. 

To buy the eSIM, you simply have to go to the app, create an account, choose the place you are traveling to, the package of your choice, and then install the eSIM. After that, you’ll need to follow a simple eSIM activation procedure, and that’s it. The payment can be made through a credit card or Apple Pay. 

One major thing to look out for getting an Airalo eSIM is that most of them don't offer voice minutes — there's only a data plan. So if you're someone who makes a lot of voice calls throughout the day, you might want to look out for an alternative here. That said, you can always communicate via Internet calls when needed. 

Airalo has a loyalty feature where you get credit every time you purchase data from the service provider. Initially, you get a 5% Airalo credit for every purchase, which keeps increasing as you collect more and more credit. So, initially, if you spend $20 on a package, you get a $1 credit that you can use for future purchases. 

Best eSIM for easy installation

AloSIM is a Canada-based tech company that offers great prepaid data SIMs at affordable prices. One innovative feature of the app is its AloSIM data calculator that helps you find the estimated data that you will require depending on the things you use your internet for on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. Once you have decided on the amount of data you need, you can head over to the eSIM area and select a plan to your liking.

The reason why this is so great is because it bears testimony to the brand's transparency and genuineness. Being able to calculate your daily requirements won't let you overspend on something you don't need. 

Another thing I love about AloSIM is that you get to see which partnering networks you're gonna be connected with before you purchase any package so that you can assure that you are connected to a reliable network. You can also check the speed availability in the region (3G, 4G, 5G, or LTE). This is something most eSIM providers do not offer.

Installing the eSIM is also easy with AloSIM. There are three ways in which you can do that:

1. Automatic installation — if you want to start using your plan straight away, you should go with this option. 

2. Scanning QR code — this option is available in almost all eSIM providers — you just have to scan the QR code to activate your network. 

3. Manual installation — You will have to go through a step-by-step instruction manual to adjust your settings and activate your eSIM. 

The prices at AloSIM are among the most reasonable I’ve seen. You can get the 5 GB for 30 days plan for as low as $16 in the US. That's a lot of difference compared to the plan your home SIM can provide you. Plus, data sharing is supported, so you can use your personal hotspot to connect to other devices or let a friend free ride with you. AloSIM also offers as many as 11 regional plans — one of the highest on our list. 

However, I couldn’t spot a regional plan for Africa or an extensive Asian plan. The Asian regional plan covers just five countries in Southeast Asia. Thus, it isn’t a great option if you’re traveling East.

Just like every data-only eSIM, you will not get a phone number with AloSIM. Also, there's no unlimited plan for you to rely on if you're a data junkie. Overall, AloSIM stands out with its transparency, auto-installation feature, and affordable price. 

Best eSIM for value for money

Nomad eSIM is a great option if you’re on short trips and need a travel eSIM that doesn't cost you a fortune. It is well-known for its short-duration plans of 7 and 15 days. Its offerings are divided into regional plans and individual country plans. 

You can also purchase an unlimited data plan in selected individual countries, such as the UK, something that isn’t available with regional plans. With Nomad, you can purchase one GB of data for as low as $1.30 (in Asia and the Americas).

It has an incredible value proposition in North America, Asia, and Europe. However, when it comes to Latin America, you can definitely find cheaper options. For example, 1GB of data with a 7-day validity costs $9 on Nomad. However, the same plan is available at $6.5 on Airalo, with both of them covering the same three counties —Canada, USA, and Mexico,

What we love about this provider is that it doesn't charge you any one-time connection fee or even a fee for the SIM card itself. There's no hidden cost, and you don't have to worry about enormous roaming costs as well. Just pay for the upfront amount of the package, and you’re good to go.

There are eight regional plans - APAC, Nordic, Europe, SEA - Oceania, Global, North America, Africa, and Middle East. Regional plans allow you to buy the plan once and use it in a specific group of countries - no need to buy a new eSIM for every country you travel to. For example, if you’re visiting France, Germany, and Italy, simply get the Europe regional plan. You’ll not need to buy a separate eSIM in each country.

The global plan is decent, with an option to purchase a global e-Sim for either 110 countries or 140 countries. The 110-country plan starts at $25/GB (validity of 7 days), while the 140-country plan starts at $19/GB for the same validity period.

Recently, Nomad added an SMS plan available in selected countries like Canada, the United States, and the UK. I found the plan to be pretty reasonable, too, starting at 100 texts for $4. 

What's more, Nomad has one of the most user-friendly apps. You can easily find all the plans, and the interface is very clean. You can also track your data usage on the go and add more data if you seem to be outrunning your current limit. 

If you're not an expert at understanding chunky instructions, you'll love its setup process that takes you through the app step by step and even includes pictures to clearly illustrate what you need to do. 

If there's still something you need help understanding, there's built-in 24/7 message support, and the response time is quick and reliable. It doesn't have a live chat feature like most of the peers.

Concluding, Nomad is a solid option for frequent travelers with its short-term packages at affordable prices and easy-to-set-up interface. With the commendable user-friendliness of this provider’s app and reliable customer support, it’s one of the best travel eSIMs. 

Best eSIM for security

5. Instabridge

Instabridge has been around for a while, and its eSIM services are truly one to consider if you are looking for a safe and seamless internet connection. This is especially recommended if you're going to stay in one place for a long time — you can find plans that last up to a year.

It is the #1 app on iPhone for global internet access, and with access to more than 190 countries and over 200 million app downloads, you can guess that it's a hot pick among travelers.  However, you do not get any call minutes or SMS facility with Instabridge’s eSIM. Thus, you’ve to rely on Internet-based voice calls and texts — certainly not a deal-breaker.

If you are tight on budget but want to purchase a plan, you can score mobile data packages by watching ads on the app. The collection won't be too grand, of course, but it'll get you a decent data pack if you spend your free time on the app. 

The app in itself is pretty modern and intuitive. You can simply select the country you’re traveling to and choose the amount of data you need. Next, select the duration — one-time, monthly, or yearly. You’re done — simply make the payment and enjoy your internet.

Note that the website on the desktop version doesn't show all the local plans, so it's important to check the plans on the app if you don't find a suitable plan for you. You can pick between subscriptions and one-off plans depending on your needs. The website typically doesn’t show data plans for more than 30 days.

Customer support isn't always the fastest — it can take a few hours to get a reply if you're stuck in the middle of something. But you can look out for the FAQs and manuals to help you out, and the app is easy to use, too. So there are chances that you might not even need customer support.  

You can purchase multiple plans with the same eSIM, so there's no need to collect a hefty number of eSIMs if you're traveling to multiple places. For example, if you're going to visit USA, Germany, and France over the holidays, you can just purchase a plan for each of these places and track the data usage of each of these packages through the app. 

Instabridge has a strong commitment to bringing the internet to everyone. For the same, it has decided to give away 1GB of data to someone in a developing nation for every 1 GB of data you purchase.

Concluding, Instabridge is a solid provider of data-only plans, a must-have for users who value security over anything.

Best eSIM for network coverage

BNESIM offers mobile data contracts in over 170 countries —greater than most providers in our list, like Nomad. You can rest assured that no matter which country you are traveling to, you will definitely find a plan or more with BNESIM. 

Where this provider wins against the competition is its “pay-as-you-go” plans. These are plans with no expiration date. For example, if you purchase the 1GB USA data plan for $6.73, you can use the plan as long as you do not exhaust the entire data without any time restriction. This is particularly helpful for users that use minimal data and end up wasting their data by the end of the plan. 

What I like about BNESIM is its diverse regional plans. It currently offers Regional plans in Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Oceania, Middle East, and Africa. Apart from this, there are two unlimited data regional plans - something other providers don’t offer. 

1. BNESIM Infinity Europe

2. BNESIM Infinity Asia

For example, the Infinity Aisa plan covers 28 countries with options to purchase one-time, daily, and monthly plans. I found the “Daily Plan’ really useful in the modern data usage context. It offers a certain data limit for each day of the plan. For example, the 1GB daily data Asia plan costs just $8.85 — a steal, in my opinion.

I also found an extensive “Support” section on its website with guides on installing eSIMs on various devices, such as iPhone, iPad, and Android phones. Each of these guides includes pictures that make your job easier. Just like Airalo, BNESIM also partners with local networks to provide reliable bandwidth, which makes the network stronger in some areas.

However, if you’re looking for a longer-duration plan, BNESIM doesn’t get the job done. With a maximum validity of 30 days, their plans primarily focus on short-duration plans. Another weird thing about BNESIM is its “auto-renewal” feature — your plan will be auto-renewed at the end of the term. You’ll have to cancel the plan manually on its website or app.

All in all, BNESIM is an ideal choice for travelers looking for a flexible and cost-effective global roaming solution for frequent travel. 

Best eSIM for unlimited data

Holafly eSIM cards are among the few options offering unlimited data plans — you can send as many videos and photos with your family without worrying about the data limit. In the few countries that it doesn't give unlimited data, it offers higher data limits than most other providers. 

In terms of duration, too, there's great flexibility. You can get plans that last 5, 10, 15, 20, 60, and 90 days. In short, there will always be a plan close to the number of days you're traveling for in about 160 countries that Holafly caters to.

On the price front, Holafly is a little high-end, but it's worth the unlimited data and stress-free traveling it offers. For example, its 5-day unlimited data plan for the USA costs $19. It also offers regional plans. However, I found it tough to locate these plans on its website, as there’s no dedicated “Regional Plans” section as in some other websites like Nomad and Airhub.

Brands like Airalo are significantly cheaper than Holafly, but you will have to get top-up plans if you exhaust your data mid-journey, which can be troublesome if you travel alone and don't have anyone to provide you hotspot in the meanwhile. 

Installing the eSIM is also a breeze with Holafly. Simply scan the QR code you receive after purchasing a plan and follow the prompts. You will be guided through each step of the process, and the payment can be made through various portals like a credit card, debit card, PayPal, Google Pay, or Apple Pay. You can also use a code for manual installation if you don't want to scan the QR code. 

Holafly‘s customer support is one of the best in the market. You can expect a reply from them within less than a minute of entering your query. With language support in English, German, French, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish, you can easily access the 24/7 support via WhatsApp or chat. On top of that, there's a frequently asked questions section that will solve most of your queries regarding the installation of the eSIM. 

However, if you plan to buy a single Holafly eSIM for your family, thinking that the unlimited data plan will do the trick, beware. Holafly eSIM doesn't allow data sharing with other devices as of now. 

While Holafly has great data plans, it doesn't include calls with all plans or SMS service. Currently, you can make calls up to 60 minutes and receive calls for up to 60 minutes in Europe, Spain, France, Italy, and Germany. However, I didn’t find this off-putting due to the sheer non-functionality of SMS and calls these days. You can always make calls or send texts through Holafly’s unlimited Internet (WhatsApp, Skype, or other apps).   Use code TECHRADAR to get 5% off.

Best eSIM for global plans

8. GlobaleSIM

GlobaleSIM provides global and local data plans for travelers and tourists in more than 150 countries, and you get extendable coverage with over 400 network carriers. It was among the first providers of eSIM when it first launched in 2016.

There are four broad plans that GlobaleSIM offers:

1. Most Popular Plan - available in 63 countries

2. Most Popular+ Plan - available in 93 countries

3. Special Plan - available in 115 countries

4. Special + Plan - available in 143 countries

For example, its “Most Popular Plan” starts at $3.00 for 500MB of data for 5 days. You also get the option of adding call minutes to your plan and selecting either a US, a UK, or a Canadian number. As there are several countries being covered under a single plan, you obviously cannot expect to get a local number to the place you're visiting, and since there's no roaming charge, a US, UK, or Canadian number isn't that bad, too, after all.

Many eSIM providers ask you to create an account before purchasing, but this one doesn't. You just have to fill out the required information, like your name, surname, and email address, and you're done. You can complete your payment via either PayPal or a credit card.  

However, I couldn’t find many single-country plans on GlobaleSIM. Even for a popular destination like the US, you’ll have to get a bundled plan which includes both the US and Canada. Moreover, despite being in the market for so long, it's a little disappointing that the provider doesn't have an application of its own, so you'll have to purchase the eSIM directly from the website. 

Unlike most other providers in the market, GlobaleSIM doesn't have chat support, the only way that you can connect to them is through emails, and the response time isn't as fast as chat support either. 

At first, you won't even find customer service or a way to get in touch with them on the front page of the website or while skimming through plans. You will have to go all the way down the page to find it. Simply put, the customer support is disappointing. 

All in all, GlobaleSIM is a great eSIM to consider if you're looking for a global plan that's easy to set up and purchase.  

Best eSIM for Europe

9. Holiday eSIM

Holiday eSIM is the best-prepaid service provider if you're traveling to Europe, with robust connections in every European country for high-speed data.  

What I like the most about this provider is that, unlike others, you get a French number with the eSIM. Its most popular plan includes unlimited calls and texts in Europe, 120 minutes of worldwide calling, and 1,000 texts. That's more than enough proposition for whatever your needs are. But of course, if all you are looking for is a data eSIM, you can also purchase the data-only packages it offers. 

The Orange holiday app is user-friendly and doesn't require any registration prior to installing the eSIM. All you have to do is install the eSIM, and the provider will automatically connect to the strongest local European mobile network provider in that area.  

Costing around $44.10 for 10GB of data with a validity of 14 days, you might argue that this isn't a cheap option. However, if you're looking to have amazing internet no matter which European street you are wandering on, this is worth the penny it costs.

Besides the European plan, there's also a competent data-only global plan with 6GB of data with a 15-day validity. What’s more — you can share your data as a hotspot, so if you want to work on your laptop while away, it won't be a problem. 

However, it doesn’t offer a lot of plan options. Thus, you do not have much flexibility, either in terms of the validity period or data limits. Moreover, I did not like the website interface as much as some other providers on our list. Finding your destination country is difficult — you’ll have to choose from a long list of options. Even when you do, you’ll find “Regional” and “Global” plans in every country. This essentially means that Holiday eSIM does not offer as many individual country plans. 

In conclusion, if you value your network connection more than your product's budget-friendliness, you should consider this for your European trip. While we're not trying to take away that this provider's plans will cost you more than the local plan you can buy from a local provider, there are also a few cheaper options that might work for you if your internet usage isn't a lot. 

Best eSIM for data-only plans

10. Flexiroam

eSIMs are an important part of Flexiroam's wide line of products, and it's one of the best data-only eSIM lines out there. You get access to more than 500 mobile networks worldwide through its partnership with Jersey Telecom, with multiple networks in a single place, meaning you are never limited to just one network with this one. 

When traveling, the eSIM automatically connects itself to the strongest network connection in that area for reliable and strong coverage no matter where you go.  If you still don't feel content with the connected network, you can manually switch to the provider of your choice and use it if you find that more comfortable. 

Most providers like Airalo and BNESIM work with one single provider in one area, and it’s possible that the local provider might not be the best for the area you're visiting. This is never the issue with Flexiroam.

There are more than 700 eSIM plans to choose from. However, these plans aren’t as neatly categorized as some other providers. You’ll have to select from a long drop-down list when looking for individual country plans. Its regional plans are a mixed bag of chocolates. While there are two unique regional plans - Greater Europe and Greater China, I couldn’t find a regional plan for Asia that is offered by almost every other competitor. If you’re on an Asian trip, you’ll want to look at some other eSIMs on our list.

Having said that, Flexiroam is among the few providers that include plans for less than 7 days, and unlike Holafly, it allows data sharing through both tethering and Hotspot. So if you're traveling in a group, you can just buy a single pack and share it with your entire group.

Being a data-only eSIM, you don't get a phone number to call in case there's a network coverage issue and your internet stops working. This can usually be a problem if you're traveling to remote places.

Concluding, Flexiroam is definitely worth your bucks if you are looking for a data-only eSIM for its affordability and wider network coverage.  

Best eSIMs for international travel FAQs

How to choose the best esim for international travel .

While all the providers have something or the other to offer,  it's important to know the factors that make an eSIM the best among them. 

1. The place that you are traveling to 

It's important to check the network coverage of an eSIM in the place you're visiting. eSIM providers often offer amazing coverage in particular countries but mediocre performance in others. This is because eSIMs collaborate or partner with local service providers in different countries to enhance network coverage. So make sure that you check the service of the local provider that's accessible to you and select the eSIM provider that has coverage to the place you're traveling to. 

Depending on the number of places you are going to visit, you can select local, regional, and global eSIMs. Here's how they differ:

• Local eSIM — you should go for this eSIM if you're traveling to just one country. For example, if you're traveling to Paris, you can get a local France eSIM. 
• Regional eSIM — This is a perfect option if you're going to travel to a couple of countries within the same region. Let’s say you're planning a Europe trip; in that case, instead of buying a local SIM for each country, it’s a lot more convenient to get a regional eSIM that will work on all the countries in Europe you're visiting. 
• Global eSIM — global eSIM allows you to connect several countries all over the world, which is perfect if you're going to travel worldwide or counties that are in different regions.  

2. How much data will you need?

If your data requirements are ambitious, you should preferably look for a cheap eSIM or one that provides unlimited data. On the other hand, if your data needs aren't too demanding, but you need internet in remote places, you might have to shell out a bit more for quality internet. To get an idea of how much data different apps use up, have a look at this: 

• Google Maps: 5MB per hour
• Social Media: 50MB per hour
• Internet Browsing: 50MB per hour
• Online Gaming: 70+MB per hour
• Streaming Music: 100MB per hour
• SD Video: 1GB per hour
• HD Video: 4GB per hour
• 4K Video: 7GB per hour

3. How long will you be abroad?

All eSIM providers have different validity options — you can choose between 7, 10, 15, 30, 60, 90 days plans, and so on. Find a plan with a validity period that outlines how long you're going to be using the eSIM. 

Some eSIM providers provide plans shorter than 7 days; look out for them if you're going to be away for the weekend. On the other hand, if your data usage is moderate, but you are traveling for longer periods, an unlimited plan might be the best for you. 

How do eSIM work?  

An eSIM card or embedded SIM card is a chip in your phone that lets you connect to a network by simply downloading an eSIM profile and activating it without having to swap the SIM card physically. 

eSIMs function similarly to physical cards — the only difference is that the card, instead of being inserted into the devices, can now be downloaded through an app and activated by scanning a QR code or following the steps provided in the manual. 

It is very easy to install an eSIM into the devices that are compatible with it. You can use multiple operators simultaneously and add several data plans according to your needs, as there's no physical space required to limit the number. 

You just have to change the profile to switch between one eSIM to another. This way, you can find the network in another eSIM if one SIM doesn't have a network. You can even have one SIM each for business and personal purposes.  

Since eSIMs can be updated electronically, providers in the US and UK are using eSIMs for the Internet of Things, adding a mobile network to almost anything that could use one, like cars and traffic lights.

While all the latest Apple devices are eSIM-compatible, most Android devices are also catching up. For example, the new Motorola Razr doesn't have a physical SIM card slot and only supports eSIM. Google Pixel phones and other Android devices, including laptops and tablets, have started providing eSIMs too. 

If you have already set up eSIM Carrier Activation, follow these steps to activate your SIM:

• On turning on your phone, you will find a notification appearing that says "Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed", tap on it.
• If it doesn't pop up right away, In the Settings app, tap Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed.
• You will find a "Continue" at the bottom of the screen. After that, the plan must have been activated. 
• Make a call on your iPhone to check its cellular connectivity. 
• If you're unable to make the call, contact your carrier. If the plan you activated replaces the plan on your physical SIM, your eSIM has been activated. Now remove your physical SIM. Then restart your iPhone.

After this, your eSIM will actively run on your phone, and you can use it along with your physical SIM cards too. This will especially be appreciated by those who don't like to give away their phone numbers when traveling abroad. 

Can I use more than one eSIM provider when traveling abroad? 

Yes, you can use more than one eSIM, depending on whether you use Android or iOS. When traveling, you’d want to use at least two SIMs simultaneously so that you don't lose touch with the older SIM contact when using the new local SIM. 

iPhones can store up to 5-10 eSIMs on the device, depending on the exact model. For example, the iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13, and iPhone 13 Mini allow you to use two eSIMs simultaneously. On the flip side, you can use only one eSIM with iPhone 12 models, iPhone 11 models, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.

Similarly, Androids can also store 5-7 eSIMs on the device. However, you can only activate and use one eSIM at a time. 

This makes your work a lot easier. Suppose you’re traveling to Asia and Europe within a short span of time; you can purchase two eSIMs on your device. Simply activate the eSIM once you transition from one destination to another. This is more convenient compared to traditional SIMs, where you would have had to physically purchase a SIM at every destination you visit.

Traditional phones generally feature a maximum of 2 SIM cards in devices with dual SIM slots. In devices like iPhones that usually don't have a dual SIM feature, you will have to get a student device if you wish to use more than one SIM at once. 

How to set up and activate an eSIM on iOS

Devices like iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, or later support eSIM. And recently, it completely ditched the physical SIM card slot in all the US models of iPhone 14. While other countries still have the SIM card slot, Apple has made it clear that it will soon completely get rid of the physical SIM card.  

Note that Apple’s eSIM feature is not yet available in mainland China and a few parts of Hong Kong and Macao. These countries are still fully dependent on physical SIMs.  

Setting up and activating an eSIM is super easy if you follow the instructions below:

• On your iOS device, follow Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan. If this doesn't work, try Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM.
• Click on the “Transfer from Nearby iPhone” option. At this point, remember that both iPhones have to be on iOS 16 for this to work.
• You will find instructions on the old model to help you through the process. Either tap the transfer button or enter the verification code on the older phone, which will be sent to the new iPhone. 
• Once you transfer the eSIM to the newer iPhone, it is deactivated from your old device, and your carrier will send you a notification to complete the setup on your new iPhone.

QR code support:

• If your carrier has issued you a QR code, you can simply select “Use QR Code” while setting up the new iPhone.
• You can find the “Use QR Code” option under Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM. 

Are eSIM better than physical SIM cards?  

eSIM card is a recently developed digital version of a physical SIM card that solves most problems faced while using a physical SIM card. While the functionality of both the SIMs has no difference, eSIM has an almost negligible chance of getting damaged, and since they cannot be physically detached from the device, it is impossible to lose them. 

If your device gets stolen, the thief will first throw out your SIM card because the device can be easily tracked through its SIM card. With eSIMs, this option just isn't there, so you can easily locate your device if it's ever stolen or lost. 

Also, eSIM frees up the space that a SIM card blocks. This space can be used to better optimize the device and leave less room for dust to enter. It also makes it better for devices like smartwatches to have an eSIM. 

On the other hand, eSIMs aren't as widely recognized yet, and physical SIM cards are supported on all devices. If your device doesn't support it, you'll have to get another one to switch to eSIMs.  

Plus, if you want to change your device, it is a lot more convenient to just place your SIM card in a different device, and just the day started. The same thing goes for a situation when you want to transfer contacts that are saved in your SIM card. 

eSIMs store data on the cloud. You can simply download it when needed. This way, your data remains safe and doesn't use up any storage on your device. 

Finally, both eSIMs and physical SIM cards have benefits of their own, and the better option definitely depends on personal preference, but objectively, eSIM is definitely the better option.  

Final verdict 

eSIMs have, undoubtedly, made traveling much easier. With affordable plans, excellent connections, and various validity options to choose from, eSIMs are the future of telecommunication. 

The only question is — which eSIM should you purchase? If you do not require voice call minutes (which I believe most wouldn’t), Airalo is your best bet. It has a lot of plan options to choose from, with validities as long as 180 days. It offers affordable local plans in as many as 200 countries, besides 7 regional plans and a value-for-money global plan. And since it partners with local network providers, you can rest assured of seamless connectivity as well. 

If you do want to make voice calls and send text messages, Airhub should be your go-to option. It offers plans in more than 190 countries, with more than 15 plans to select from in most countries. Like Airalo, it is also a value-for-money proposition and wouldn’t cost you a fortune. 

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7 SMS Marketing Strategies for Travel Agencies to Maximize Their Reach [Templates Included]

15 February 2024

Philip Portman

Once hit by COVID-19, the travel industry has now flourished and the pandemic’s impact on people’s travel plans has taken a backseat. According to one report, the global travel market is estimated to grow by $3392.95 billion with a CAGR of 14.18% between 2023 and 2027.

Recently, I traveled to Mexico after I found that my travel agent was offering a great discount on the package for a family of 4. Do you want to know how he communicated this to me?

SMS! That’s right. He had just sent a simple text message to my wife’s number and she was excited about this travel package that included great expeditions and tourist attractions. And that’s not the end, he made it a practice to keep us informed throughout the journey and sent some travel tips that were helpful during the travel.

Taking inspiration from him, I want to share some SMS marketing strategies for travel agencies to drive more bookings and boost revenue.

7 Travel Agency Promotion Ideas to Maximize Your Reach Using SMS

Here are 7 SMS for travel agency promotion ideas to maximize reach and promote travel packages, send alerts, share updates and tips, and do much more.

1. Promote Exquisite Travel Destinations

The journey to your travel agency's success with SMS starts by sending swoon-worthy destination suggestions to your prospects. To implement this idea, you must first segment customers based on their travel interests, like adventure, luxury, or budget.

Your text messages should evoke wanderlust in your prospects by highlighting the unique features or attractions of the destination. You can add images or GIFs of the destinations for visual appeal or offer an exclusive deal to incentivize the booking.

End your message with a compelling call to action, such as “Book Now” or “Explore More” to encourage immediate action.

Here’s a sample SMS template to get started with:

Dreaming of a perfect getaway? Explore our exquisite travel destinations and turn your dreams into reality! From stunning beaches to cultural wonders, we have the perfect destination for every traveler. Book now and enjoy exclusive discounts! Regards Your Agency Name

2. Offer Exclusive Travel Deals & Discounts

Promotional text messages are another travel agency promotion idea to inform your customers about exclusive deals and discounts. Sending targeted offers and discounts that resonate more with your audience is likely to increase the number of bookings and ROI.

You can personalize your messages by addressing customers with their names and sharing offers that match their interests. Also, remember to send these texts during peak travel times, such as before holidays or big events like March Madness, to maximize engagement.

Here’s a sample SMS template you can use:

Morning [first], Have you traveled to the [destination] yet? Our new travel packages include this destination. 50+ people have already booked their spots. Only 10 more available. Book now from here: [Booking Link] and get 20% off. Reply ‘STOP’ to unsubscribe. Regards Your Name

3. Send Booking Confirmation and Updates

Another great SMS marketing strategy for travel agencies is to use this texting channel to notify customers about booking confirmations, cancellations, or itinerary changes. SMS is a quick and efficient way to reach your travelers and send them updates about their travel plans.

These SMS notifications can give travelers enough time to adjust to changed or modified itineraries or work as a reminder for their upcoming travel plans. For example, you can send a confirmation after a customer has booked a package, update them about their flight delays, or remind them about upcoming trips.

Here are some example templates you can use:

1. Booking Confirmation

Good news [first], Your trip is confirmed. Here are the details: 1. [Destination] 2. [Flight Details] 3. [Hotel Name] 4. [Confirmed Dates] Pack your bags for an amazing adventure! Regards Your Agency Name

2. Flight Delay/Change Alert

Hello [first], Important Update: Your Flight (Flight Number) to (Destination) has been delayed by (Time). We apologize for any inconvenience. Check-in with the airline for more info. Regards Your Name

4. Send Follow-Up Texts for Increased Booking

Follow-up text messages come in handy when you want to reach your prospects again after they fill out a form on your website, call you for an inquiry, visit your office in person, or ask more details about a package.

You can also send a follow-up text after customers return from a trip, thanking them for choosing your travel agency and asking them about their experience. Using automated text messaging tools like Textdrip, you can send follow-up text messages on autopilot.

Here are some follow-up text message templates you can use:

1. Follow Up Leads After Sending Requested Details

Hi [first], We hope you received the travel details you requested. Any thoughts or questions? We're here to provide more info or customize your itinerary. Let's make your trip unforgettable! Reply ‘STOP’ to unsubscribe. Regards Your Name

2. Follow-up Leads After They Visit In-Person

Hi [first], Thanks for visiting us! We hope you enjoyed exploring our travel options. Still, have some doubts? Let's plan your perfect getaway together. Explore more travel options here: [Link]. Reply ‘STOP’ to unsubscribe. Regards Your Name

5. Nurturing Prospects through SMS

Nurturing your prospects is also possible through the SMS channel. It involves creating a sales funnel for sending targeted and personalized messages to engage your prospects and lead them toward making a booking. You can send them travel inspiration texts, travel tips, abandoned cart messages, customer retention texts, etc.

Don’t forget to add value to your messages, whether it’s highlighting a popular travel destination, or including a testimonial from a past customer. You can also incentivize the message by offering a deal or discount to encourage prospects to take the next step.

Here are some lead nurturing text message templates you can use:

1. Travel Inspiration

Feeling adventurous, [first], Discover new horizons with our handpicked travel suggestions. Explore our latest destinations and find your next escape. View options here: [Link]. Reply ‘STOP’ to unsubscribe. Regards Your Name

2. Abandoned Cart

Hey [first], It looks like you left some amazing destinations in your cart! Ready to turn those dreams into reality? Complete your booking now and enjoy an exclusive 20% discount. Click [Link] to resume. Reply ‘STOP’ to unsubscribe. Regards Your Name

6. Booking Deadline Reminders

SMS reminders are another essential marketing strategy for travel agencies. Often people get busy with their work and forget about your exciting travel plans and discounts. This is where reminders help you keep your users informed about your booking deadlines.

Through SMS marketing automation , you can send timely reminders to your customers and ensure that they take immediate action. Booking deadline reminders through SMS help create urgency and encourage users to secure their getaway to paradise before it's too late.

Here is a text message templates you can use:

Hurry [first], Time is running out to book your getaway to paradise. Secure your spot before it's too late. Don't miss out on creating unforgettable memories. Reply 'BOOKNOW' to reserve your spot. Regards Your Name

7. Feedback and Referral Requests

As mentioned, SMS is a quick and reliable way to reach thousands of your customers with bulk text messaging software. You can use SMS to ask for feedback from your past customers or refer your travel agency to their friends and family.

A simple text after customers have returned from their holiday or trips can work wonders and prompt them to leave a review for your travel agency. Additionally, you can ask them if they had a good experience with your agency and if they would be kind enough to refer your agency to their friends or family.

Here are some SMS templates you can use:

1. Feedback Request

Hi [first], We hope you had a fantastic trip with us! Please take a moment to share your feedback and help us improve. Click here to complete our survey: [Survey Link]. Reply ‘STOP’ to unsubscribe. Regards Your Name

2. Ask for Referrals

Hey [first], We hope you had a fantastic trip with us! Please share your experience with your friends and refer them to us to get this [Promotion] for your next holiday retreat. Reply ‘STOP’ to unsubscribe. Regards Your Name

Fly High with Textdrip

Often overlooked, SMS marketing is a priceless marketing strategy for travel agencies to promote their packages, follow up with users, nurture their prospects, and do much more. It provides you with a seamless way to communicate with your users and redefine customer experience.

Textdrip allows you to fly high with an automated text messaging system to maximize your reach and drive more bookings. Adorned with these 7 SMS marketing strategies for travel agencies, it’s easy to get Start a free trial to get upto 30 days  and send Upto 2500 message credits. Book a free demo now to experience the difference.

Phil is the Founder & CEO of Textdrip and multiple other successful startups. He has built Landline Remover, Argos Automation, and Recruitdrip from the ground up. Read More

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Home » SMS marketing » How to do SMS Marketing for travel agencies

How to do SMS Marketing for travel agencies

When you enter a vacation reservation page, one of the main things that grabs your attention is that the page asks for all kinds of information to learn what type of vacation you’re are looking for – whether it’s pop-ups asking for your planned travel dates, or questions about what interests you. However, there is one crucial thing that they do not ask, and it is key in the interaction with them: your phone number.

Travel agencies must be in constant communication with their clients, so that clients end up converting and booking with them, and SMS is the most direct and personal channel for this.

Plus, according to studies by Phocuswright , the world’s leading travel industry research authority, 48% of travelers use the SMS channel to talk about their trips . So, why shouldn’t agencies use same channel to communicate with them?

In this article I’m going to walk you through the benefits of using bulk SMS focused on travel agencies, what is needed to start SMS marketing campaigns, real cases and how to do it with the Instasent tool .

📑 In this post you will find:

Benefits of using mass text messages for travel agencies

People already receive thousands of emails about any and every subject. That’s why text messages attract more attention. And considering that the mobile device is viewed an average of 262 times per day (that’s once every 5.5 minutes!), ignoring this channel will be a huge disadvantage for your marketing plan.

Many travelers ( 44% of leisure travelers and 56% of business travelers ) like to book last minute trips , and SMS can be your perfect ally due to its simplicity and immediacy – you can send them last minute offers with a link to the reservation page.

SMS messages are very effective for last minute changes notifications , such as flight delays or special weather conditions. Being the channel with the highest opening rate (on average, people open messages within 3 minutes of receiving them) you can solve this type of problem by sending them notifications quickly. This is especially important at night, when most people have already stopped checking their email.

They are also very practical in high tourist seasons . On dates such as summer or Christmas, the inboxes of clients’ emails are filled with promotional emails from many travel agencies (which ends up turning them into spam), so SMS can be your weapon of confidence to give you an edge in this situation – it’s the less saturated and more results driven channel.

It is a more interactive channel than emails, since you can maintain contact with customers who have made a travel reservation with you via two-way messaging. That way any questions they may have can be solved instantly. According to a study by Twilio , 85% of people want to be able to not only receive a message from a business but also be answered. And during the planning of a trip many questions can arise that can be easily resolved in this way, something that will also help you gain loyalty from your clients.

The examples below are real cases where SMS is the basis of the campaign. Let’s analyze them:

This first one not only informs the client that they can get a discount by booking through the website, but also opens a way to have a true conversation with two-way messaging. This way the travel agent knows which clients are interested in the offer and which ones are not.

Sending reminders of future flights or tours of customers is a good way to make them feel appreciated and build loyalty to your brand. In addition, we can add QR codes or links to get a greater interaction.

Giving extra information once they reach their destination will also give them confidence in your travel agency. Send them information about car rentals, places to visit, restaurants, etc., to help them take full advantage of their experience in the destination, such as in the following two examples.

Important notices about delays in their flights or weather conditions at the destination are also a great way to make your clients feel appreciated, so that they don’t get the feeling that once they make the purchase with your agency you disengage.

SMS templates

If you are thinking of using SMS for your travel agency campaigns, here’s a series of templates that you can use, with different messages depending on the objective of your communication, to save some time!

Flight reminders

Show concern for them and make sure that they are aware of all the information about their trip, which will increase their trust in your travel agency.

Holiday package offers

160 characters are enough to write a concise message about offers and promotions that your agency can offer, always adapted to each customer segment.

Discounted flights

You can use SMS to send quick messages with FOMO content (fear of missing out) so that users are in a “rush” to book as soon as possible with your company.

Customer feedback

Give your customers the opportunity to participate in a satisfaction survey through text messages. It is a simple but very effective strategy to show that their opinion is very important to you while giving you the opportunity to improve weak points.

What you need to start using mass text messages for travel agencies

The first thing you have to think about when preparing your SMS marketing campaigns is: What do we hope to achieve with this campaign? That is, the purpose . It can vary a lot depending on what you want to accomplish:

• attract new travelers
• up-sell (this could be getting a flight reservation PLUS a hotel reservation with your agency)
• find out clients’ opinions about their trip and stay
• get past clients to make another reservation with your agency

The best approach is to focus on each of the concepts and create a campaign that adapts to it.

The second point that you must consider is knowing who you are addressing, that is, to know your audience : if they are people with family, where are they from, where have they already been, do they travel for business or pleasure, etc. For this, it is necessary that you have an organized database (name, date of birth, what kind of trip each client made with us, etc.), so that it will be easier for you to know who your target audience is for the different campaigns you do for your agency.

When you have completed the step of segmenting your audience, you will only have two more steps to follow: create the campaign and send it . For both steps, Instasent will make your job easier.

One of the advantages of sending campaigns through SMS is that you do not have to spend a lot of time designing them, because they are only texts of 160 characters. You just have to know WHAT you want to say and think carefully about HOW you say it – decide the main objective of your SMS and write the copy. Our advice is to personalize messages (always greet the customer and speak to him as if he were the only one receiving your SMS) and that you get straight to the point (remember you have few characters for your text).

Finally, you will have to choose the tool you use to send your messages. With Instasent , you will be able to access your tool from any device since you won’t have to install any software – we are in the cloud. You will be able to schedule your messages, have delivery reports and analyze the campaigns to know what works and what needs modifications – all from any device.

How to do it with Instasent

Sending a bulk SMS campaign for your travel agency is easier than you think. Let’s have a look at the steps:

Go to the Instasent panel and click on Send SMS. Within the menu, select Send Massive SMS. Here you must fill in a few sections such as the TITLE of the campaign that you want to send, and the country to which you want to direct your messages, so that the tool can more quickly recognize the numbers. Finally, you will have to import the telephone numbers of your clients. You can do that by copying and pasting, uploading them as an Excel sheet or as a CSV file.

When you have finished this first step, in “From”, choose the sender, which is the name or the number that appears to your client. It has a limit of 11 characters. Next, you have to write the Text of the message, but keep in mind that the limit is 160 characters (if you go over, it will count as two SMS).

In the last step you will see the Preview of the campaign that you have just created. Here you will have to check to make sure everything is written correctly and if so, you confirm and make the shipment.

How to measure campaign results

It is essential that you analyze the results each time you carry out an SMS campaign, so that you can correct errors or repeat the actions that brought great results.

Among the data, you should measure the results of:

The SMS sent and delivered: It is possible that out of all the SMS you send there will be some that are not delivered to the recipients. Why is this happening? It is almost always due to a mistake in your database number. With our HLR Lookup service you can validate the numbers you have saved. Another option could be that the shipping route is not good (in Instasent we use Direct Connect routes).

The response rate: For example, if the SMS contains a link, you will be able to know how many recipients have clicked on it. IF the SMS campaign contains a CTA, you will be able to know who has accessed your campaign through it. And if you have included a phone number (like the Cineplanet example) the received messages will be recorded.

In our online panel you can analyze all the data you need in real time and from any device.

In Instasent you can customize your order based on how many messages you want to send or your budget. Your preferences can be applied to your bulk SMS campaigns, so that you pay only for what you need. 

You will be able to choose between the amount of SMS that you are going to send to your clients or the money that you are willing to allocate to your campaigns. With our price calculator you can get an idea of ​​how much it will cost you.

PERSONALIZED QUOTE

PURCHASE SUMMARY

COUNTRY Spain

No. of SMS 0

Total Price 0 €

Price for each SMS 0 €

For quantities of more than 10,000 SMS, get in touch with us and we’ll make you a great offer!

Entrepreneur and founder of several online telecommunications and marketing startups with a history of more than 20 years in the business. Founder and CEO of Instasent.

oscar[@]instasent.com – linkedin – crunchbase – github

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5 Best Ways to Use Your Phone When Traveling Abroad

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We live in an ultra-connected world. Most Americans are now accustomed to always being online, with a majority of Americans (53%) admitting to regularly using their phone in bed before going to sleep, according to a 2021 study by Contentsquare, an analytics company. For some, the thought of disconnecting to go on an international trip may seem like a dream, but that idea might be a nightmare for others.

Those who want to stay connected have many options for data and text messages while overseas — from using international cell phone plans to getting a local SIM or eSIM card. Here are our tips on the best ways to use your cell phone while abroad.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

1. Sign up for Google Fi

Google Fi is a virtual cell phone service provider. That means that rather than owning its own towers, it partners with local cell phone providers to provide cell, data and text services. And Google Fi didn't just stop at partnering with U.S. cell phone providers. Google Fi provides service in over 200 countries, making it incredibly convenient for frequent international travelers.

When you land in an international country, you can simply turn off airplane mode and use your phone just like you do at home. You'll get unlimited free texting, and data costs the same as when you're back home and using Google Fi. The only thing that can cost extra is phone calls. You'll pay 20 cents per minute when calling overseas or traveling overseas. You'll pay this same rate whether you're calling friends or family back home or calling a hotel in the next country on your itinerary.

The downside to Google Fi: depending on the plan you choose, data prices can be quite high compared to other cell phone service options while you're in the U.S.

» Learn more: What to know about insurance for electronics

2. Get free overseas data using T-Mobile and Sprint

The budget option for staying connected while overseas is to use T-Mobile or Sprint as your cell phone provider. Many plans offered by these providers come with free text and data while traveling overseas. However, you get what you pay for when it comes to data speeds.

T-Mobile customers with can get unlimited 2G data, unlimited texting and calls costing 25 cents per minute across 210 destinations if they have the following plans:

New Classic.

Select Choice.

Simple Choice.

Don't expect to be able to do much on 2G data, as it’s only around twice the speed of dial-up internet. If you want faster data speeds, you'll need to purchase an International Pass that includes a limited amount of data and unlimited calling over a set number of days.

Similarly, Sprint customers get free text messages and 2G data and 25 cents per minute calling when traveling to more than 200 destinations. As with T-Mobile, Sprint customers can purchase data packages that allow 4G/LTE data roaming for as little as $5 per day.

» Learn more: How to find cheap things to do in any city

3. Buy a local SIM card in your destination

Seasoned international travelers may remember when getting a local SIM card was the only way of staying connected while overseas. But even now, with all of the alternatives that we have, getting a local SIM card can still be a great option. Say you're staying in a country or region for an extended period. A local SIM card might be the best option to make local calls at affordable rates.

Depending on where you go, a local SIM card could be the most economical option. For example, when I visited Vietnam in January 2019, airport vendors offered local SIM cards with unlimited LTE data for just $8. This was cheaper than paying for even 1GB of data using Google Fi. So, I alternated between using this local SIM card for data and Google Fi for text messages.

Photo courtesy of JT Genter

4. Utilize an eSIM card

eSIM cards are a high-tech solution to getting a local number without having to hunt down a SIM card in your destination. Rather than getting a physical SIM card, you can purchase and download an eSIM on your phone to connect to cell networks and get data while overseas.

Tons of providers sell eSIMs online with options and prices depending on where you're going and how much you'll need to use your phone. So, make sure to dig around and check reviews before purchasing. But, let's take a look at one provider to show you generally how it works.

Airalo sells a variety of eSIMs that cover a combined 190+ countries and regions. You can search for eSIMs by country or region, or you can purchase a global eSIM that covers 87 countries.

Say you're heading to Europe and want to have data for navigating around the cities you're visiting. Airalo currently offers six European eSIM options:

1GB of data valid for 7 days for $5.

3GB of data valid for 30 days for $13.

5GB of data valid for 30 days for $20.

10GB of data valid for 30 days for $37.

50GB of data valid for 90 days for $100.

100GB of data valid for 180 days for $185.

As you can see, you can drop the price to just $4 per GB by buying 5GB of data or just $2 per GB by buying 50GB of data. That's very affordable compared to options like Google Fi — which can cost up to $10 per GB. However, you generally won't have access to SMS text messages through eSIMs. One option is to switch between using an eSIM for data and either Google Fi, Sprint or T-Mobile for text messages.

Airalo succinctly spells out the process that you'll need to go through when purchasing any type of eSIM. Generally you'll need to:

Download the provider's app.

Purchase the eSIM.

Install the eSIM.

Then activate the eSIM once you're ready to start using it.

One major restriction to this option: you'll need to have a phone that supports eSIMs. Also, you'll want to have some technical knowhow. As I've learned from experience, setting up an eSIM can be much harder than the Airalo screenshots make it seem.

5. Pay for an international plan add-on

If you want to use your phone number to call and text while overseas — and you don't have Google Fi, T-Mobile or Sprint — you're likely going to need to purchase an international add-on to your plan. The rates and options for these types of services are going to vary between cell phone providers. Let's look at Verizon's options as an example.

All unlimited Verizon plans include free talk, text and data in Mexico and Canada. Just beware that data speeds are reduced to 2G speeds after 0.5 GB per day. For travels outside the U.S., Mexico and Canada, you have two options:

For $10 per day, TravelPass will let you use your phone like you do at home with unlimited talk, text and data in over 185 countries. Get the International Monthly Plan for $100 per month to get a package of minutes, data and text messages for use overseas.

» Learn more: How tech can help you travel smarter

If you're looking for the best way to use your cell phone abroad

The right solution is going to depend on what cell phone service you use in the U.S., where you're going and how much data you'll need. If you just want basic data to keep up on emails and search directions, using T-Mobile or Sprint can save you from having to pay when traveling overseas.

However, if you want high-speed data, you'll want to look into options like eSIMs or purchasing a local SIM card. And for those who want the simplicity of using their cell phone just like at home no matter where they go, Google Fi or an international add-on plan can be an excellent option.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

5 SMS Templates For Travel Agencies To Get More Sales

• Post author By varun
• Post date December 14, 2022

Constant communication is in demand in today’s rapidly moving world. A travel agency’s work doesn’t end with selling tour packages to their customers. In fact, it’s the beginning of consistent communication with your customers in order to not only resolve their queries but also retain your targeted audience. In order to carry out quick conversations, SMS templates for travel agency can prove to be quite helpful. 

When it comes to last-minute changes to the plans or any issues with reservations, client dissatisfaction is to be expected and planned for. The following SMS templates can be an excellent tool in order to not only keep your customers updated with any alterations happening to the plans but to also help them navigate through these issues. Not to mention, text messaging is often short and crisp, perfect for a quick read for people who are always on the go. 

Let’s discuss a few of the advantages of having SMS templates for travel agency:

Advantages of Sending SMS Templates to Your Customers

If you are planning to include SMS templates in your marketing plan, then this step could prove to be quite fruitful for your business. Here are some benefits of having SMS templates for travel agency:

• Sending out SMS messages is surprisingly affordable when it comes to marketing holiday packages. It is possible to transmit all of the required information to the audience with only a few words.
• It has been demonstrated that the use of SMS templates for travel agency can boost audience participation as well as retention rates.
• SMS service offers the highest possible level of both speed and dependability, in addition to delivering an experience that is truly unique.
• This service can help the customers in keeping up with all the alterations happening.
• You can attach links to SMS in order to make it easier for customers to have access to the various vacation packages and other services that your company provides.
• Sending consumers text messages about their travel bookings, whether it be for a hotel room or a flight, can be an effective way to keep them informed while also putting them at ease.

If you’d like to start generating more sales for your business, then we have listed down 5 SMS templates for travel agency that you can use right away in order to reach out to your customers. You can customize these templates as per your need and start reaching out to your audience to generate more sales.

1. Let your customers know about the discounted flights

Airline companies often offer exciting deals on their flight tickets on special occasions and festivals, allowing customers to book their flights at cheaper rates. Generally, such discounts are available for a limited period of time so it is better to get the word out as quickly as possible. An SMS serves as the perfect way to deliver a quick message to your customers about such discounted flights. We have created one of the SMS templates for travel agency that you can use in order to keep your customers updated about discounted flights.

Hello [First Name],

Mind-blowing discount on <Airline Name> flights! 

Book your flight to [destination] for INR 000. 

Only limited seats are available. 

More details on <link>.

Book your flight tickets today!

[Travel Agency Name]

2. Keep your customers aware of last-minute travel deals 

You can host several last-minute deals in order to sell your packages as soon as possible. In fact, on special events, you can feature such deals in order to attract more audience. One reason individuals hunt for last-minute travel deals is to cut costs. In order to update your customers about such last-minute deals, you can use the following SMS template:

Would you like to explore the scenic beauty of [destination]? 

Then start packing your bags! We’re offering an 80% discount for all bookings to [destination].

Offer applicable for the next 48 hours. 

Find out more about it here: <Link>

3. Referrals

Acknowledge your customers and make them feel valuable by sharing referral programmes . These programmes are a simple and efficient approach to locating and connecting with new clients because they allow existing customers to spread the word about your business through the channels they currently use to talk to their friends. One of the SMS templates for travel agency regarding referral programmes is mentioned below:

Hey [First Name], 

We value your trust in us. Your commitment to us as a customer is much appreciated! 

Share this link with 4 friends and unlock this 60% off Mauritius package today: <link> 

4. Holiday Package Offers

One of the main purposes of the SMS templates of travel agency is to make your new and old customers aware of any holiday package offers going on. This would make it possible for the audience you are trying to reach to contemplate trip planning and make use of the deals to save a significant amount of money on their vacations. You can use the following template in order to reach out to your customers:

Hello [First Name], 

Enjoy a 4D/3N stay at [destination] with your family for only INR 000. 

Check out the all-inclusive package here: <link>. 

Offer expires in 48 hours.

5. Customer Retention

Genuine supporters are an essential component of any successful travel business. It is necessary to maintain a customer’s attention even after they have made a purchase by continuously communicating with them in a manner that is timely, pertinent, and personalised. There are SMS templates of travel agency available for customer retention and one of them is mentioned below:

Hi [First Name], 

We missed you! It has been some time since you made a reservation. 

Here is a special offer* for you: <Link>

*Applicable for 3 months

Make your booking today to take advantage of the special offer!

Tips for Writing Effective SMS

If you are ready to start sending messages to your customers using these SMS templates for travel agency , then here are a few tips for writing the perfect SMS copy .

• Make sure that an opt-out message is included in your text messages, letting your customers know that they can type “STOP” at any time.
• Keep the text crisp and short.
• Add human touch to your text messages by including emojis.
• Avoid including buzzwords and clichés in your messages.
• Keep the tone friendly without indulging in redundant talks.
• Make sure that you have proofread the text before sending it to your customers.

Through the use of these SMS templates for travel agency , you are able to reach out to your customers swiftly. From letting them know about any latest deals going on to keeping them updated about your products and services, you can easily connect with your customers with the help of text messaging. 

In addition to messaging their customers directly on their phone numbers by using these SMS templates for travel agency , many businesses have started taking advantage of messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram to reach out to their customers. 

All in all, these SMS templates for travel agency will enable you to keep your customers updated. However, you should also invest in a high-quality website in order to entice your audience further.

Pathfndr makes it an absolutely hassle-free affair for you to launch your AI-powered website within a few minutes. This travel operating system is known for boasting the world’s most innovative search features.

1000+ travel businesses trust Pathfndr for delivering their unique travel booking experiences. In addition to comprehensive travel booking management tools, Pathfndr also makes it quite easy for your customers to make bookings within a few minutes through a seamless flow. 

So, what are you waiting for? Start building your travel website and using the above mentioned SMS templates for travel agency to connect with your customers.

TESTTSETSTETWTDETSTSTST

5 SMS Use Cases for the Airline Industry

Many airlines are now going digital. Gone are the days of printing out boarding tickets or watching departure boards. Modern airlines are giving customers the ability to check-in online and are using SMS to make things even easier. When it comes to flying, SMS for travel can make a difference in which brand people select. So, what exactly is an SMS use case in travel? Let’s take a look at 5 SMS use cases for the airline industry.

SMS Use Case #1: Send Out Last Minute Deals

SMS is quick and timely. Unlike emails, voicemails, and other marketing strategies, SMS is nearly immediate. 95 percent of text messages are opened within three minutes. Because of this, it’s more effective than almost any other tool or medium.

Empty seats mean lost revenue for airlines. Right now, most flights take off with just 84 percent of seats filled. It can be difficult for airlines to fill empty seats at the last minute. SMS for travel is a great way to send out last-minute ticket deals to fill any empty seats left. Because of how quickly SMS messages will be opened, it makes SMS the perfect tool to fill seats fast.

SMS Use Case #2: Send Check-in Confirmations and Reminders

Traveling is stressful for many people. For instance, rushing to the airport, racing to gates and waiting in lines can cause major headaches. So, customers prefer airlines that give them peace of mind.

First, airlines can send SMS messages to remind their customers to check in. This is a helpful suggestion at the moment, but it goes farther than that. After the first check in reminder, your customers will know that you’re there to help. So, it could be the difference between choosing you over your competitor when they need to book a future flight.

Then, after a person checks in online, airlines can send an SMS message with a confirmation. As a result, customers feel more secure. And, for anyone who has missed a flight, this confidence is important.

SMS Use Case #3: Provide Efficient Customer Service

Customer service is highly valued in the airline industry. For example, customers often deal with challenges like delays and missed connections. Airlines who excel at customer service are more likely to gain customer loyalty. And, because a high level of customer service is somewhat rare in the airline industry, your customers are more likely to spread recommend your brand to others.

Airline companies that provide excellent customer service are finding more efficent ways to communicate with passengers. For example, they use inbound SMS to notify passengers about changes in services. They know that customers are constantly on their phones that they crave instant information. As a result, these airlines are able to enhance customer awareness, satisfaction, and loyalty.

SMS Use Case #4: Send Weather Reports and Helpful Destination Information

Airlines are becoming even more creative with how they enhance the customer experience. For example, they are giving their customers tips on weather reports and information about where they’re flying. As a result, their customers know what to pack and how to prepare for their trip.

Because of instant delivery, SMS is the perfect vehicle for this. Airlines can send a message about the weather a few nights in advance, when it’s likely that person will be packing. These high-value and frequent touchpoints keep brands top of mind in a great way. Thus, you go beyond the traditional role of an airline and become a personal assistant or even a friend.

SMS Use Case #5: Providing Value Even After the Flight

Even after passengers have landed at their final destination, you can still be of service. For example, you can deploy an SMS message with baggage claim information, or send helpful options for ground transportation.

In addition, this is a great time to send messages about offers from partners. Providing a list of deals and activities to do is an excellent way to improve the customer service experience, but also drive revenue through other channels.

Getting Started Using SMS for Travel

Today, almost all of the major airlines use SMS in some way. In fact, it’s possible that the airline industry does SMS best. And, they partner with companies like Routee for reliable service. Routee is an industry leader in business communications. We’ve been connecting businesses and customers for over 18 years.

Do you want to use SMS to keep your customers coming back? The experts at Routee can help you build brand loyalty and trust. Talk to an expert , today.

SMS for Travel and Tourism

Today's travelers depend on their phones. Short message service (SMS) lets travel agents promote the latest travel deals and send trip reminders and updates. Using SMS streamlines communications during trip preparation and planning and can lead to more bookings.

Advantages of SMS Marketing for Travel Agencies

Text messages let you send customers the latest deals and real-time updates about any trips they’ve already booked. Keep travelers informed and aware when they’re on-the-go

Promote Travel Deals

Got a last-minute travel deal you want customers to know about? Send them the details via text. People are more likely to read and respond to text messages than emails. It'll help you increase bookings while improving customer satisfaction.

Send Booking Confirmations

Real-time booking confirmations let travelers know their reservations have been successfully made and their trip is good to go. 

Send Trip Updates and Reminders

Gate numbers change, flights get delayed and events get canceled. Keep your customers in the loop with text message updates and trip reminders. 

Hey Murphy! Have you been dreaming of visiting Iceland? Now's your chance! For the next 48 hours, save 45% when you book a flight and hotel with us. Get the details here: link.com.

Hi Elio! Thanks for booking DTK253, departing 8pm on 4 July 20XX. You're in 29F. Any questions? Just reply to this message.

Hi Raya, Flight DTK567 is now scheduled to depart from C7 at 6pm. Thank you for traveling with us!

Why Use Red Oxygen for Travel and Tourism

Red Oxygen’s SMS solutions make it easy to keep in touch with customers and connect with new clients. Our solutions let you send texts over email, from a web browser or using a .csv spreadsheet. Our software is compatible with Office 365, Gmail and Outlook. To streamline communications, use our advanced capabilities like call forwarding, scheduled SMS and stored message templates.

Explore dozens of features to personalize your business.

10DLC Registration Support

We register your account and guide you to stay compliant.

Flexible Plans

No-obligation monthly plans with free trials.

International Scale

We deliver SMS internationally to places other providers can't.

Benefits of

Text messaging for travel agencies .

Make communication easy with SMS. You can connect with current, future and past customers to increase rebookings or promote additional deals and features. Make the most of your customer base by encouraging reviews and feedback:

• Get more reviews: Send messages asking recent customers to rate their trip experience and provide feedback. Include a link in the message so people can quickly respond with their thoughts and opinions.
• Increase productivity: Automated text messages, such as trip reminders and updates, means there is one less thing for your team to worry about doing. They can focus on getting more bookings and dealing with customers’ more pressing concerns.
• Upsell packages: SMS lets you direct customers to deals and packages that might interest them after they’ve booked a trip. For example, someone might want to buy travel insurance after booking a vacation package. After booking a hotel, a traveler may look for fun things to do.

LOOKING TO ELEVATE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

We have a text messaging solution for you.

Leverage Red Oxygen’s SMS Solutions for Travel and Tourism

Improve customer communication and knowledge and promote can’t-miss travel deals with text messaging. Contact us today to see how SMS can help you increase bookings and productivity in the travel and tourism industry.

Send SMS Through Email. Easy Peasy.

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Send SMS from Outlook

Works w/ Microsoft Outlook 2003-19 & the Microsoft 365 Outlook app

Send SMS Using Microsoft 365

Use this add-on to send SMS through Outlook on a browser

Send SMS From Gmail

Send SMS directly from your Gmail interface on a computer or Android phone

Send Bulk SMS

Personalize, create templates and send them all at once

Connect with our API to send SMS

Configure our API with your existing software or CRM

Send SMS through a browser

Log in from any device through any browser. No installation required.

Send SMS from Microsoft 365

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Text directly from your Gmail interface

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Need to see it to believe it?

Hey [Name]! Have you been dreaming of visiting [Location]? Now's your chance! For the next 48 hours, save [Discount] when you book a flight and hotel with us. Get the details here: [Link]

Hi [Name]! [Flight] is now scheduled to depart from [Location] at [Time]. Thank you for traveling with us!

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“Based on the latest available data, global international tourist arrivals more than doubled (+130%) in January 2022 compared to 2021 - the 18 million more visitors recorded worldwide in the first month of this year equals the total increase for the whole of 2021.” – United Nations World Tourism Association  

The pandemic drastically impacted the global tourism market with a report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development citing a $4 trillion lost to the global GDP for 2020 and 2021. However, with Covid-19 restrictions easing off, many home-bound citizens are taking advantage of the travel opportunities they longed for, with the United Nations World Tourism Association noting a 182% year-on-year increase in January to March 2022. Travel companies need to ride this wave by connecting with willing travelers while they’re keen to embark, through the leading communication platform – SMS API . Here’s how it all works.

What is SMS API?

This is a software interface that allows your travel business to send messages using an SMS Gateway. The SMS API effectively connects the internet and SMS communications so that web applications can easily send and receive text messages. 

What is two-way SMS?

Using the SMS API , you can communicate with your travel customers through two-way SMS from a dedicated number on a web messaging platform. This lets you send notifications to travelers while also receiving messages for a much better customer engagement. 

What are the uses of SMS API for travel?

When it comes to travel, your SMS API can enable airline SMS or airline chatbots to better engaged with your customers. There are many practical applications for this form of two-way connectivity in the tourism industry.

-   Confirm flights

When your customers decide to book a flight online, you can connect with them via an airline chatbot asking whether they would like to receive SMS notifications related to their journey . Many modern customers are opting in for this telecommunication service as they have their mobile phones readily available and it creates a more seamless travel experience . 

-  Flight reminder

While many will arrive at the airport way ahead of schedule, there are some that would benefit from an airline SMS reminder about the flight time and the airport. This is particularly useful for those who are travelling quite extensively now that the routes are open.

-   Alerts and notifications

The reality of airline travel is that there could be delays or even cancelations where weather or unexpected emergencies arrive. While this is inherently frustrating for travelers, it’s made a lot more tolerable when an airline SMS notifies the individual of the unexpected turn of events. It could even be a simple case of a gate change – something that could be hugely challenging for a traveler who doesn’t receive the airline SMS.

-  Mobile boarding pass

Another great service via the SMS API is the mobile boarding pass that can be sent directly to the customer’s phone. There’s no more need for printing tickets which could easily be misplaced. It’s a simple matter of taking out the mobile phone at security and the gate for a ticket scan. 

-  Luggage notifications

As with flight changes, another reality of airline travel is that luggage can be misplaced. It inevitably finds its way back to the traveler, but it’s necessary to alert the airline immediately. With business messaging, customers can notify airlines of the error and receive updates on the location and delivery of the missing luggage. 

-  Reservations

Many hospitality businesses, such as accommodation and restaurants, also facilitate reservations via SMS. For hotels, travelers can book ahead of time and even do a mobile check-in using their mobile phones. Finding nearby restaurants is easy, and it’s just a matter of a simple SMS. 

-  Emergency alerts

One thing the pandemic indicated was the value of bulk SMS messages to alert citizens to emergency situations at scale and quickly. The same can be done for your travel customers. If there’s any severe weather forecast, protest action, or other emergency that could impact travel, this can be quickly communicated with customers via SMS API.

-  Customer loyalty programmes  

“1/3 of travel and hospitality brands that aren’t leading the industry in loyalty have no loyalty program at all, though 21% of those brands say they will have one in the future.”- Skift  

Incorporating SMS customer loyalty programmes for travel is proving to be incredibly beneficial for the tourism industry. Some of the ways this can be done includes: 

Special offers to updated travelers about special deals including promo codes and partner-associated discounts

Rewards for booking through your travel agency with incentivized programmes for future travel

Travel tips for helpful information about the area they’re visiting, what to pack, currency exchange, and more

-  Customer surveys

You can learn so much from your customer engagements – information that can be used to better address your business operations for future campaigns. Using the airline SMS or airline chatbot, you can gather customer feedback and insight through quick and easy surveys.

What are the benefits of SMS API for travel?

There are so many uses of SMS API for travel, but the benefits for both airlines and customers are extensive. Here’s a look at some of the key benefits:

Convenience : Travelers are already on their phones, so you’re meeting them where they are, and, with SMS API, there’s no need for Wi-Fi connectivity, and customers can contact you without extra charges, even abroad.

Cost savings : This reduces operational costs through automation, freeing up time for employees to focus on more productive tasks.

Real-time support : The two-way SMS API offers 24hour support, anywhere in the world, which means flight delays and emergencies are quickly attended to.

Self-service : With SMS API’s two-way messaging service, customers can book flights and accommodation themselves without human interaction.

Customer loyalty : Modern customers want to engage on digital platforms and by offering them airline SMS services, they are more likely to establish brand loyalty.

Why choose Clickatell for SMS API?

Clickatell offers a secure global network to reliably send SMS messages to your customers, expanded to include a response from your customers and begin to adopt chat. If you’re looking to for a robust airline business messaging service, then get in touch with Clickatell .

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SMS Marketing for Travel Agencies

SMS messaging for travel agencies is a quick way to support leads through their booking, ensure they have a safe flight and journey and also provide support through their entire travel. From their booking and journey to the entire travel experience stay connected to them to provide excellent service and send timely updates.

Why use SMS for travel agency messaging?

Travel culture around the world has completely changed. people travel for work, vacation or even a weekend getaway and the quickest way for them to plan a trip is to contact travel agencies. to stay ahead of the game, travel agencies have to opt for the best marketing techniques. .

SMS Messages is the best way to consistently stay in touch with leads, loyal customers or travellers gone on their journey with your assistance. You can help leads book their travel, confirm the same and provide additional travel assistance using either texts or MMS messages.

SMS messaging for travel agencies: by the numbers

68% of people between ages 18 to 24 use text messages to communicate their travel plans.

48% people plan or initiate travel plans using texts.

98% of all text messages are open and read.

Efficient use of technology influences booking decisions of 70% of travelers.

Benefits of text messaging for travel agency

SMS or MMS messages to your leads or clients is the best way to provide booking and travel assistance or confirmations of the same. Texts are the most opted option for travelers across the globe. 

Using text messages to help travelers with their bookings makes for seamless communication.

Provide booking confirmation and information via SMS or MMS Messages.

Market your travel agency to prospective travelers. Use promotions and offers to increase sales.

Send real time updates and reminders to travelers about their upcoming travel and ensure they have a safe flight.

Automate SMS messages and notifications to streamline operations.

Be available to provide support to travelers whenever they need it.

Uses for sending text messages for travel agencies

Send booking confirmation notifications to travellers using text messages.

Send reminders and timely updates to clients about their upcoming travel.

Get your customer’s feedback to improve your service. 

Provide promotions and offers to prospective guests and increase sales.

Be accessible to clients for their inquiries.

Give clients an option to opt out of getting messages from you.

Market your travel agency via MMS messages of promotional codes and offers for loyal or new customers.

Give clients support with their bookings.

(855) 397 6679

Good morning samantha,.

Thank you for booking your travel with Fly Right Travels. Here is your ticket and confirmation of your trip to Spain from July 10th to 15th.

View your itinerary on the following link [Insert Link]

Your flight for 3 to New Delhi, India, departs in 3 days from LAX Terminal 1. Don’t forget to check-in and carry the necessary documents. Have a safe flight. Reach out to us anytime for any assistance.

Hope you had a beautiful trip and a wonderful experience with our Agency. Please take out 5 minutes to fill in the following form [Insert Link] and help us serve you better next time.

Hello Peter,

We have a 24-hour flash sale at Vacant Vacays! Flights to Thailand are available for just $100 dollars. Book your flight now! [Insert Link].

Hey Timothy,

As requested, here are a couple of tourist spots in Italy that we think you’d love to visit.

Click on the following link to view the same [Insert Link].

Based on your recent searches here are a couple more destinations that we’d think you’d love.

Click on the following link [Insert Link] to view your options and book your tickets at the lowest prices.

Good Evening Avery,

For being one of our most valuable guests, we are giving you and your dependents 30% off on your next trip abroad.

View your options here [Insert Links] and book your tickets now!

Hello Juan,

We’re sorry to hear you want to cancel your booking. Your payment will be refunded to your account in the next 2 working days. Hope we get a chance to assist you with your travel again.

Send booking confirmation notifications to travelers using text messages.

Get your customer’s feedback to improve your service.

Provide promotions and offers to prospective guests and increase sales. 

Be accessible to clients for their inquiries. 

Give clients support with their bookings. 

What to include in your travel agency text messages

When messaging prospective clients or old ones about your travel agency and the trips you are offering it is important to always give them an option to opt out anytime and never flood them with sms messages . focus on providing them with only important and relevant information..

If you’re giving them their booking confirmation, updating them about their upcoming trip or assisting them with the same, it is best to find balance between being formal and being personal and informative yet concise.

How to start sending text messages about travel agency.

To make the best of the the Texting Base SMS marketing tool you first have to follow these simple steps to get started:

Sign up for Texting Base

Sign up for Texting Base for free for 14 days . After that, you can choose the plan that best fits your needs.

Migrate your current contact list

Don’t lose the progress you have already made. Texting Base makes it simple to upload your existing contact list so you can keep building your text marketing strategy without having to start from scratch.

Build your travel agency text message scripts

Save time in the future by spending some time working on your real estate text templates now. You can always customize any text you send, but having templates for common interactions saves you hours of work every week.

Choose your campaign keyword

Your campaign keyword is the phrase or single word that your prospects can use to opt into your contact list via text message. For your college, this word could be the name of your business or even something catchy, such as “HAVE A SAFE FLIGHT.”

Get the word out

Once you have chosen your campaign keyword, it’s time to let prospects know they can opt into your SMS contact list and get new listings and other helpful information. You can get the word out by sending out a mass email, adding the campaign keyword to your website, posting the keyword on your social media platforms and simply telling everyone you meet.

Start sending real estate text messages

As your contact list grows, the only thing you have left to do is to start sending out real estate texts that get results. Texting Base makes that part easy. Automate replies, texts about listings and more with our real estate text platform.

Helpful resources for travel agency text message :

Travel agency text message templates.

Hi [Insert Name], Here is the confirmation of booking your flight trip to [Insert Destination] from the [Insert Dates]. We will be providing you with hotel details shortly. Wish you a safe and a wonderful journey.

Hello [Insert name]Flights to [Insert Destination] are as low as [Insert Price]. Check your options now and book your tickets with us at the lowest prices: [Insert Link]

Good Morning [Insert name]Your flight to [Insert Destination] is at [Insert Time] on [Insert Date]. This is a reminder to make sure you carry your ID card and booking confirmation number with you for check in.

Hi [Insert name]Have you been to [Insert Destination]. We at [Insert Agency Name] are offering a 40% discount on your travel there. To view our package and book your tickets visit [Insert Link]

Good Evening [Insert name]We got your request to cancel your trip with [Insert Destination] from [Insert Dates]. For your future travel plans, please feel free to reach out to us, we’d be glad to be of assistance.

Hello [Insert name]Enjoy a six-night four-star stay at [Insert Destination] with your family for only $700. Check out the full package here [Insert Link]. Book you tickets before sunday to avail the offer.

Laws for sending travel agency text messages

When texting your prospective or loyal customers, you have to follow specific rules and guidelines to stay compliant to the laws of SMS marketing and never get flagged. 

Your business should always follow a standardized way of communication. Learn more about SMS marketing to create text message campaigns for all your delivery customers.

Here is what you need to include in your texts to stay compliant

Stay informative yet to the point messages when messaging your customers

Let travelers know that their information is safe with you at all times

Do not flood the client’s inbox with unnecessary texts and give them an option to opt out

Get started texting today

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Planning a trip? Here are the best eSIMs for international travel

Published on April 24, 2024

Traveling is exciting, but dealing with SIM cards can be a hassle. Thankfully, eSIMs (embedded SIMs) are changing the game. You don’t have to put up with long queues for a new SIM or fumble with tiny plastic cards. You can get a local plan while in your country of origin and enjoy seamless connectivity before getting off the plane.

eSIMs are great, but with so many providers, how do you choose the right one? We’ve researched to find the best eSIM for international travel in 2024, whether you’re heading to Europe, Asia, Africa, or Australia.

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that works with a chip built into your device. With a supported phone, you can get started from anywhere. Switching operators is as simple as getting a new carrier, scanning a code, and installing and activating the eSIM. This is in sharp contrast to the plastic physical SIM you have to get from the carrier and insert in your phone to get connectivity.

While eSIMs have been around for a while, they caught everyone’s attention when Apple made the bold move to go all-in on them, ditching the traditional SIM card slot altogether.

eSIMs aren’t just about convenience; they’re also eco-friendly. By eliminating physical cards, eSIMs reduce the amount of plastic waste the mobile industry generates. Plus, they free up space inside your device that manufacturers can use to fit in larger batteries or make it more sleek.

The real game-changer is how eSIMs enable 5G connectivity in devices that struggle to fit a SIM card, like smart glasses and fitness trackers . Their compact size makes them perfect for the next generation of connected gadgets.

Best eSIMs for international travel

We’ve covered some of the best eSIMs for international travel, whether you’re taking the trip alone or with loved ones.

• Local, regional, and global plans
• Customizable plans
• 150+ countries, seven regions
• Some plans support data sharing
• Unlimited data, SMS, and call options
• Covers all regions
• Expensive in Africa and America

Airhub is a global marketplace with eSIMs available in over 150 countries. Thanks to strategic partnerships with local companies, it offers several plans per destination that you can use to browse and, in some cases, send texts and make calls.

Local eSIMs cover over 150 countries. Regional eSIMs cover Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South America. The Europe regional eSIM, for example, covers 48 countries, while the South American eSIM covers 18 countries. There are multiple global plans covering countries on all continents.

Airhub shows the network you’ll use at your destination. Plus, you can get unlimited data with SMS and voice minutes in certain countries and regions like Europe, North America, and South America. The Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Eurasian eSIMs only offer capped data volumes without voice credits. Meanwhile, the global plans include data-only options and options with SMS and voice minutes.

Prices vary across regions. European and Eurasian plans are generally cheaper, while North and South American plans are more expensive. African plans are not available at the time of writing.

You can get started with Airhub using the company’s website or mobile application. Choose your destination country and prepaid eSIM data plan, and make payment using your credit card, debit card, or PayPal. You’ll receive a QR code to activate your eSIM.

• Flexible, customizable plans
• 200+ countries, seven regions
• Supports data sharing
• Data validity up to 180 days
• Data-only local and regional plans
• Expensive in Africa
• No unlimited plans

Airalo is regarded as the first-ever eSIM store globally and is a top choice for eSIMs thanks to its budget-friendly options and worldwide availability. It offers local, regional, and global eSIMs, with prices varying by destination and local data rates.

Local eSIMs cover over 200 countries. Local USA plans, for example, range from 1–20GB and are valid for 7–30 days. However, there are no unlimited plans.

Regional eSIMs cover Africa, Asia, the Caribbean Islands, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North Africa, and North America. The Eurolink regional eSIM covers 39 European countries and offers as much as 100GB of data for 180 days, while the Island Hopper is good for 24 Caribbean islands.

Prices vary across regions. 1GB of data costs $5 for European and American regional plans, $15 for Caribbean, Latin America, and Middle Eastern regional plans, and $27 for an African regional plan.

The global eSIM plans cover 124 countries simultaneously and are perfect for interregional adventures. Local and regional plans only cover data, while global plans may be data-only or include data, calls, and texts.

To get started with an Airalo eSIM, download the app, create an account, select your destination and package, and install the eSIM. Payment methods include credit and debit cards, Paypal, Apple Pay (in some countries), Google Pay, Alipay (via the app), and Airmoney (Airalo’s reward currency).

• Local and regional plans
• Flexible plans with top-up options
• 175+ countries, 11 regions
• Nifty data calculator
• Free SMS and voice minutes via third-party
• Referral-only loyal points
• No global plans
• No African or Middle Eastern regional plans

aloSIM is a Canadian tech company founded in 2022 that offers low-cost prepaid data eSIMs and a nifty data calculator that estimates data usage based on daily activities. This ensures you only pay for what you need.

aloSIM has local plans covering over 175 countries across all continents. Regional plans cover Europe, America, and some parts of Asia, with unique options for Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. However, regional offers are limited in Africa and the Middle East.

The European regional plan spans 34 countries and lets you buy 1–10GB of data for seven to 30 days, with the option to add more if needed. You can get 5GB of data for around $20. If your journey only takes you to the UK, a cheaper UK-Ireland plan that costs $20 for 10GB of data is available. Prices are more expensive in North and South America, with the same 10GB going for $50 or more.

Like Airalo, aloSIM shows you which networks you’ll be connected to and the speed availability before purchasing a plan. You also can’t get unlimited data. While the eSIMs do not include phone numbers for calling and texting, aloSIM offers free numbers with voice minutes and SMS from its sister app, Hushed.

You can get started with aloSIM on the web or mobile app. There are three installation methods: Automatic, QR code, and manual.

• 170+ countries, 11 regions
• Small regional price disparity
• Prepaid SMS plans
• Some eSIMs support data sharing
• Data-only plans

Nomad was founded in 2020 and has headquarters in Silicon Valley. It has local, regional, and global plans.

Local eSIMs cover 170+ countries across all continents. Regional plans include Asia–Pacific, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and smaller three-country combinations. The global plan covers 109 countries.

You can see which network you’ll be connected to within your destination country and the speed. You can also top up your data when necessary. Note that there are no unlimited plans or options with voice minutes, but you can get separate SMS plans in the US and Canada at $4 for 100 texts lasting 30 days.

Prices vary by region. The European plan costs $5 for 1GB of data for seven days. Prices are similar for American and Asian plans. The African plans are slightly more expensive, starting at $11 for 1GB of data. But this is still significantly cheaper than Airalo’s $27 for 1GB.

• 170+ countries, seven regions
• Two global coverage plans
• Unlimited global and European plans
• Offers eSIMs and physical SIMs
• Pay-as-you-go option
• Pricier in the Middle East and Africa
• No info on destination networks
• Auto-renewal feature
• No data sharing

BNESIM was founded in 2017 in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Island. It provides eSIMs and SIM cards in several countries and regions, but we’ll focus on eSIMs.

BNESIM offers local eSIM plans in over 170 countries. Its seven regional plans cover Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, Oceania, and South America. It has a global plan for 102 countries and a mini global plan for 56 countries, mainly consisting of North America, Europe, and some parts of Asia.

Aside from its base plans that renew automatically, BNE offers one-time plans with relatively shorter expiration dates and pay-as-you-go plans that never expire. It also provides unlimited European and global data plans with voice minutes — other plans are data-only.

You can top up your plan anytime using the app. However, you can’t see the network you’ll connect to within your destination country.

Local US plans start at €4.36 for 3GB of data lasting a month. It’s cheaper in European countries, costing about €3.96 for the same 3GB in the UK. Prices are higher in Africa and South America, with a rate of around €18.72/3GB and €15.34/3GB, respectively. Regional plans follow a similar pricing pattern.

• 190+ countries and some regions
• Unlimited data plans in several locations
• Small price disparity across regions

Holafly was founded in 2017 and has offices in Ireland, Columbia, Peru, and Thailand. It offers local and regional eSIMs with unlimited data in several locations.

Holafly eSIMs are available in over 190 destinations worldwide. Coverage includes countries, cities like Barcelona, and regions like Asia and Europe. Plans vary widely, with some places only offering fixed data bundles while others have unlimited volumes.

You can get unlimited data at a rate of €6/day and €19/5 days in Australia, Canada, Japan, the US, the UK, and several other places. Prices are slightly more expensive in countries like Nigeria and South Africa, with five days of unlimited data costing €29. The data volume is capped in several other countries.

Finding regional plans on the website is tricky. However, a quick search on the website brought up plans for Asia, Europe, Latin and North America, and the Caribbean.

The Holafly website highlights several details about your purchase, including the available networks in your destination and places that are likely to have high-speed internet. However, the plans are data-only, so you can’t make phone calls or send text messages, except with the Europe eSIM, which gives you 60 minutes of normal voice calls.

Holiday eSIM

• Regional and global plans
• Great European coverage
• Plans include calls, SMS, and data
• Poor coverage of other regions
• Poor website design

Holiday eSIM is a top choice for travelers heading to Europe. Thanks to robust connections in nearly every European country, you can enjoy high-speed data wherever you are.

Holiday eSIM includes a French number in your plan, a rare find among eSIM providers. Its most popular plan costs £17.50 for 12GB of data in Europe, unlimited calls and texts in Europe, and 30 minutes and 200 SMS from Europe to anywhere in the world. There are other plans as well.

While its major offerings cover Europe, Holiday eSIM has Asia-only plans covering several countries. Aside from these two regions, every other location is part of a global plan that covers parts of Europe and other continents.

Thanks to the user-friendly Orange Holiday app, installing the eSIM is simple. Download the app, install the eSIM, and you’ll automatically connect to the strongest local European mobile network. However, the Holiday eSIM website interface leaves a lot to be desired. Navigating through plans is challenging, especially if it’s your first time.

Should you get an eSIM?

One of the most incredible things about eSIMs is their flexibility — you can store multiple eSIMs on your phone (up to eight or more in some cases) and activate them as needed without worrying about extra roaming charges.

If your current network offers free roaming, you might not need a travel-specific or local SIM. But if not, the hassle of finding a new operator and dealing with language barriers can be a real headache.

Security-wise, eSIMs have a leg up on physical SIMs. Since they’re not removable, they’re practically impossible to lose. And if your phone goes missing, tracking it through the eSIM is much easier than with a physical SIM that the perpetrator can remove.

While international roaming works the same way with physical and eSIMs, the real advantage of eSIMs is their flexibility. You can have multiple eSIMs from different countries saved on your device, making it a breeze to switch between them when you’re hopping from one country to another.

The best part? Switching between eSIMs is as easy as buying and activating a plan online. There is no need to juggle physical SIM cards or worry about losing your old number.

Which phones support eSIMs?

To use an eSIM, your phone must support the technology and be unlocked (not tied to any carrier). We’ll cover a list of phones with built-in eSIM support and how you can check if they’re unlocked.

To see if your iOS device supports eSIMs and is carrier unlocked:

• Go to Settings > General > About .
• Scroll down to Carrier Lock . If the device is unlocked, it will show No SIM restrictions .
• For iOS 15 or higher, scroll down to Available SIM . For earlier versions, look for Digital SIM . If your phone supports eSIMs, it will display a 15-digit IMEI number.

Here are the iPhone models that support eSIMs:

• iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max
• iPhone 11 series
• iPhone 12 series
• iPhone 13 series
• iPhone SE 2 and 3
• iPhone 14 series
• iPhone 15 series

Here are the iPad models that support eSIMs:

• iPad Pro 1st generation and newer
• iPad Air 3rd generation and newer
• iPad 7th generation and newer
• iPad Mini 5th generation and newer

To check if your Android phone supports eSIMs:

• Go to Settings > Network & Internet .
• Tap on eSIM cards .
• Your device is compatible if you see the “Download a SIM instead?” option.

You can also check for an EID (Embedded Identity Document) number by dialing *#06#.

Some popular high-end Android phones that support eSIMs include:

• Samsung Galaxy S20 series and newer
• Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series
• Samsung Galaxy Fold series
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip series
• Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
• Google Pixel 4 series and newer (and older Google Fi Pixel phones)
• Google Pixel Fold
• Xiaomi 12T Pro and 13 series
• Oppo Find X5 series
• Huawei P40 series

This list is not exhaustive, and compatibility can vary based on where the device was manufactured. Check with your manufacturer to confirm.

Types of eSIMs

There are two main types of eSIMs: data-only and data with SMS and voice credits. Which one should you choose?

• Data-only eSIM: As the name implies, a data-only eSIM only works for browsing. It connects you to major networks in your destination country so you can surf the web and use your favorite apps. While you can’t make phone calls with it, you can leverage apps like WhatsApp to speak with others over the web.
• Voice, SMS, and data eSIM: This option is perfect for those seeking the whole package — calling, texting, and browsing. It usually comes with a separate phone number for this purpose. While most providers give you a fixed number of SMS messages or call minutes, some add this for free. Meanwhile, most unlimited data plans come with unlimited calls and texts.

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