For millions of families in the United States, home is in two places at once. Parents on another continent, siblings who moved overseas, old school friends in the town you grew up in, and grandparents who want to hear about every school play. Long-distance calling cards and per-minute charges used to make those conversations short. Today an unlimited international calling plan folds calls and texts to 100 countries into a single prepaid price, so you can talk for as long as you like without counting minutes.
Below are four prepaid plans that all include unlimited international talk and text to 100 countries. The difference between them is how much data you get each month.
Questions to Ask Before You Choose
- How much data do you use? If you mostly call and send messages, 5GB may be enough. If you video call on the go or use a hotspot, look at 15GB or more.
- Do you travel abroad yourself? Two of these plans include a $5 international roaming credit, useful for a quick trip to visit family.
- Do you want a promo price? Some plans currently carry promotional pricing, so compare the standard and promotional price.
- Is your phone unlocked? You can keep your phone and number when you switch to a no-contract plan.
Answering these questions makes it easy to match a prepaid plan with international calls to the way your family keeps in touch.
Four Plans With Calls to 100 Countries
Every plan below includes unlimited nationwide talk and text, unlimited international talk and text to 100 countries and data at up to 5G speeds, all on a no-contract calling plan that renews every 30 days.
$19 Unlimited International Plan, 5GB
- 5GB of data at up to 5G speeds
- Unlimited nationwide and international talk and text
- Lists at $19 per 30 days, currently $10 per 30 days for 12 months
- Best for: callers who talk more than they stream and want the lowest monthly cost
$23 Unlimited International Plan, 8GB
- 8GB of data at up to 5G speeds
- Unlimited nationwide and international talk and text
- $5 international roaming credit included
- Lists at $23 per 30 days, currently shown at $15 per 30 days
- Best for: occasional travellers who want a little roaming credit for trips
$29 Unlimited International Plan, 15GB
- 15GB of data at up to 5G speeds
- Unlimited nationwide and international talk and text
- $5 international roaming credit included
- $29 per 30 days
- Best for: families who video call on the go and stream music during the commute
$39 Unlimited International Plan, 25GB
- 25GB of data at up to 5G speeds
- Unlimited nationwide and international talk and text
- $39 per 30 days
- Best for: heavy users who share photos and videos with relatives every day
Side by Side
| Plan | Data | Standard price | Current price | Roaming credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $19 plan | 5GB | $19 | $10 for 12 months | None |
| $23 plan | 8GB | $23 | $15 | $5 |
| $29 plan | 15GB | $29 | $29 | $5 |
| $39 plan | 25GB | $39 | $39 | None |
Switching Without Losing Your Number
Moving to a prepaid plan does not mean giving up the number your family already knows. Check that your phone is unlocked, keep your current account number and PIN from your existing provider handy, and request a number transfer when you order your new SIM or eSIM. Most transfers complete within a short time, and your old service ends automatically once the number moves. If your phone supports eSIM, you can activate the new plan straight away without waiting for a card in the mail, which is handy if you are about to travel or simply want to start calling abroad the same day.
Tips to Get More From Your International Minutes
Agree on regular call times with relatives in other time zones, so nobody has to wake up at 3 a.m. Keep important numbers saved with the full country code, and use the international texts for quick updates when a call is not convenient. If you are planning a visit home, choose one of the plans with roaming credit and top up before you travel.
The Bottom Line
The $19 plan is the most affordable way to call 100 countries without limits, while the $23 and $29 plans add more data plus roaming credit for trips. For the heaviest users, the $39 plan brings 25GB a month. Pick the data you need and enjoy a phone plan to call abroad that keeps every conversation with family unhurried.
All four plans are available from Lyca Mobile. And when it is time to plan that next visit home or your next getaway, you will find plenty of travel inspiration on holidayzguide.com.