Airalo eSIM: The Ultimate Guide How to Choose and Buy It

As I wrote in my previous article, Airalo is one of many companies offering data plans for travellers or anyone travelling abroad. In this article, I will provide a detailed guide on creating a new account, what plans Airalo offers, and how to choose and buy an eSIM. And most importantly, how to start using it.

Disclaimer: Some links in this article contain affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase any service, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Airalo Code

If you use my Airalo code SANDRA4293 you can get $3 off or 15% discount (link to the discount here) on your first eSIM.

If you already have an existing account you can get 10% discount on eSIMs US$10+ using this link.

Airalo Apps

Airalo has apps where you can buy new plans or track the usage of your existing plans. Below are the links where you can download them:

Account Creation

Once the webpage loads, you can start all the details needed to create a new account. The “Last Name” field is optional. However, the “Name” is a mandatory field. Don’t forget to add your email and pick a strong password. The “Reference and Voucher Code” should already be filled in. If not, use my Airalo code SANDRA4293 to get the discount.

After clicking “SIGN UP”, the system will automatically send you a verification code to your email address. Once you get it, type it into the fields and click “CONTINUE”. If you don’t receive the code, check that you provided the correct email address and your Spam box. Still nothing? Then click “RESEND CODE”.

Plan types

All the plans Airalo offers are data only. It means you can access the Internet anytime during the plan’s duration, given that you still have some data left. However, making calls or sending texts (SMS) will not work. Thus it would be best if you found a different eSIM provider. You can check the other companies in this article.

There are several options how to find the most suitable plans for you. You can find all available plans on the main page. You can either search using the search option (red arrow in the picture below) or check offers based on the groups: Local eSIMs, Regional eSIMs and Global eSIMs.

Local eSIMs

“Local eSIMs” shows the data plans based on the country where the service is provided. After clicking on this menu option, the system displays the most popular countries. If you can’t find the country you need, click the “SHOW 200+ COUNTRIES” button. Now you can see all countries in alphabetical order.

I selected Japan for this explanation. Once you click on the country of your liking, you can see all available data plans. In this case, I could see six different plans. They all have the same name, “Moshi Moshi”. However, they all offer various amounts of data, and their validity varies. Thus, paying attention to the displayed details is essential when choosing a plan.

Regional eSIMs

The plans under Regional eSIMs are split into continents. In this case, the service in this plan will work in several countries within the same continent. In my example, I clicked on Asia and saw six different plans. Again, they have the same name, “Asialink”, but the data and validity vary per plan. And, of course, the price changes based on the data volume and validity.

Let’s have a look at the details. Click on any of the displayed plans to get more information (see the picture below). In the top part, there is the Name and Coverage. As you can see, Asialink offers service in 13 countries. The one I selected has 3GB and is valid for 30 days. Before you buy the plan, make sure your preferred country is on the list.

All countries where you can use this plan are in the section “Supported Countries” bottom left. Additional Information in the bottom right shows details about the mobile/cellular Network, Plan Type, Activation Policy and much more. I also recommend checking this part, which tells you how to activate the plan.

Global eSIMs

Airalo offers five “Discover Global” eSIM plans that can be used worldwide. Like all previous plans, they share the same name, while data and validity vary. It is essential to check this information as the price differs.

Let’s have a look at the details. Click on any of the displayed plans to get more information (see the picture below). In the top part, there is the Name and Coverage. As you can see, Discover Global offers service in 84 countries. The one I selected has 3GB and is valid for 15 days. Before you buy the plan, make sure your preferred country is on the list.

All countries where you can use this plan are in the section “Supported Countries” bottom left. Additional Information in the bottom right shows details about the mobile/cellular Network, Plan Type, Activation Policy and much more. I also recommend checking this part, as it tells you when the plan will be activated.

Airalo eSIM purchase

Don’t forget to check whether the discount has been applied (see the picture on the left) after choosing the plan you like. Airalo offers three payment methods: Credit/Debit Card, PayPal or Alipay. Choose the method that suits you best. Some banks charge fees for payments in foreign currency. The same applies to PayPal. Therefore, compare what is cheaper.

Congratulations on your first eSIM ever. And now what next? Click on “Go to eSIM Details”.

Airalo eSIM installation

Every purchased Airalo eSIM plan has detailed information about the DATA USAGE, where you can visually see how much data has been used and how much is still left. Under the consumption information, you can find the status of the flat rate. In my case, I haven’t activated it yet, so it’s in the NOT ACTIVATED state. The expired eSIM plan detail will look like the Latamlink example on the right.

Airalo offers instructions on installing an eSIM for Apple devices and Android mobile phones (Google Pixel and Samsung). Just choose from the “eSIM Installation” menu and follow the instructions. It is essential to read the following:

• Maintain access to a stable Internet connection. This will help avoid installation errors.
• Do not interrupt the eSIM installation process. The eSIM may not be retrievable.
• Do not remove the eSIM plan. Most eSIMs can only be installed once.

Do not forget that each eSIM plan activates once you land at your destination and the phone connects to the network. In the case of the Moshi Moshi that I chose, it is either KDDI or Softbank in Japan.

Airmoney and loyalty program

In June 2023, Airalo introduced the new Airmoney digital currency and four membership levels for all registered users.

Airmoney

Airmoney is a digital currency that can be used to purchase Airalo products. It can be obtained as a reward for any transaction – eSIM purchase or eSIM top-up. The validity is unlimited, meaning you can use it anytime.

Loyalty program

The Airalo loyalty program rewards users for every eSIM purchase and top-up. Every registered user automatically gets the “Traveler” level and receives rewards of 5% of each transaction value. The reward will be credited in the form of Airmoney.

Final words

I hope this guide has helped you navigate the Airalo website and choose the right eSIM for your upcoming vacation. If you have other questions, add them in the comments.