EE Roaming Charges in the USA: Costs for UK Users

EE users traveling to the United States will typically pay £7 per day to use their UK minutes, texts, and data allowance, or they can opt for the Roam Further add-on at £25 per month. Without these specific passes, roaming in the USA is charged at expensive out-of-bundle rates that can quickly lead to bill shock. Since the UK left the European Union, the landscape of mobile connectivity has shifted dramatically for British travelers. While we once enjoyed 'Roam Like at Home' across the continent, major networks like EE, Vodafone, Three, and O2 have reintroduced daily fees for EU roaming. However, the costs for crossing the Atlantic to the USA are often even steeper, making it essential to plan your connectivity before you touch down at JFK or LAX.

Understanding EE Roaming Charges in the USA

If you are an EE customer, your phone will work in the USA, but the cost depends entirely on your specific contract and whether you have active 'add-ons.' For most modern EE plans, the standard way to stay connected is the 'Roam Abroad' pass. This pass costs around £25 per month and allows you to use your UK data, minutes, and texts in the USA, as well as several other destinations like Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand. If you only need connectivity for a few days, EE also offers a daily rate, which is currently around £7 per day. This is triggered the moment you send a text, make a call, or use a tiny amount of background data.

If you do not have a pass and simply turn on your data roaming, the costs are astronomical. EE's pay-as-you-go roaming rates for the USA can reach several pounds per megabyte of data. In a world where a single Instagram post can consume 5-10MB, a few minutes of browsing could cost you more than your flight. This is why it is vital to either secure a pass before you fly or look for a more modern solution like a UKRoamFree eSIM.

The Brexit Effect and Daily Fees

The reintroduction of roaming fees by EE and other major UK carriers has been a source of significant frustration for travelers. What was once a seamless part of your monthly subscription is now a source of 'bill shock.' While EE was one of the first to bring back EU fees, their USA rates have always been high. For budget-conscious travelers, paying £7 every single day for a two-week holiday adds nearly £100 to the trip cost just for the privilege of using the data you already pay for at home. At UKRoamFree, we believe travel connectivity should be affordable, offering eSIMs that cover 40+ European countries plus the USA and Turkey for less than a pint of beer.

US Network Coverage: Verizon vs. AT&T

When you roam with EE in the USA, your phone will connect to one of the major American carriers. The USA has three primary network operators: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. The experience of roaming can sometimes be frustrating because you are at the mercy of whichever carrier EE has a current partnership with, and you may find your speeds throttled compared to local users.

If you choose to see plans through an eSIM provider like UKRoamFree, you often get better transparency regarding which network you are using. Our USA eSIMs utilize the power of Verizon (5G) and AT&T (5G), the two largest and most reliable networks in the country.

• Verizon (5G): Often cited as the best network for overall coverage, especially if you are heading out of the major cities. If your trip involves driving through the Midwest or visiting National Parks like the Grand Canyon, Verizon’s infrastructure is usually the most robust.
• AT&T (5G): Exceptional in urban environments. If you are spending your time in New York City, Chicago, or San Francisco, AT&T provides blistering 5G speeds that are perfect for streaming and video calls.

Comparison: EE vs. UKRoamFree eSIM

Feature	EE Roam Abroad	UKRoamFree eSIM
Daily Cost	~£7.00	Less than a pint of beer
Monthly Add-on	£25.00	Not required
Network Access	Variable Partners	Verizon (5G) / AT&T (5G)
Data Limit	Shared UK Allowance	1GB to 100GB options
Contract	24-month tie-in	No contract, pay-as-you-go
Phone Number	Keeps UK Number	Data Only (No local number)

Why an eSIM is Smarter for the USA

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital version of the physical SIM card you usually slide into your phone. The primary advantage of using a dedicated USA eSIM is the cost and the flexibility. Instead of being tied to EE's flat daily rate, you can choose a plan that actually fits your usage.

For example, if you are a light user who just needs Google Maps and WhatsApp, a 1GB or 3GB plan might last your entire trip. If you are a power user, you can see plans that go all the way up to 100GB for 10 days, or even long-term 50GB plans that last for 180 days. This level of customization is something the big UK carriers simply don't offer.

It is important to note that these are data-only plans. This means you won't get a local US phone number to make traditional 'landline' calls. However, in the modern era, this is rarely an issue. You can continue to use WhatsApp, FaceTime, and iMessage just as you do at home. Your friends and family won't even notice a difference, as your WhatsApp account remains tied to your UK number even while the data is being provided by the eSIM.

How Much Data Do You Really Need?

Understanding your data consumption is key to avoiding overspending. Here is a rough guide to how much data common travel activities use:

• Google Maps: 5MB to 15MB per hour of active navigation. It is highly recommended to download offline maps of your destination (like Orlando or Las Vegas) before you leave your hotel Wi-Fi.
• Social Media (Instagram/TikTok): This is the biggest data drain. Scrolling for 30 minutes can easily consume 500MB of data.
• WhatsApp Calling: Roughly 1MB per minute for voice calls. Video calls use significantly more, around 5MB per minute.
• Streaming Music (Spotify): About 100MB per hour of high-quality streaming.

For most travelers on a 10-day trip to the USA, a 5GB or 10GB plan is the 'sweet spot.' However, we offer a huge variety of options, including specific daily passes like 1GB, 1.5GB, 2GB, or 3GB per day. We even have a highly precise 0.48828125GB daily pass for those who want the absolute minimum for emergency connectivity.

Step-by-Step: Installing Your eSIM

Setting up an eSIM is much simpler than finding a T-Mobile store in a busy US airport after a long-haul flight. You can purchase and install it while sitting on your sofa in the UK. Before you buy, always check your device compatibility to ensure your iPhone or Android handset supports eSIM technology.

For iPhone Users:

1. Go to Settings > Mobile Data.
2. Tap Add eSIM.
3. Scan the QR code provided by UKRoamFree.
4. Label the new plan as 'Travel' or 'USA'.
5. Set your EE SIM to 'Primary' for calls/texts and the eSIM to 'Secondary' for Mobile Data.

For Android Users:

1. Go to Settings > Network & Internet.
2. Tap the + or SIMs.
3. Select Download a SIM instead?.
4. Scan the QR code.
5. Ensure 'Mobile Data' is toggled to the new eSIM once you land in the States.

You can find a more detailed guide on how to set up your eSIM on our dedicated help page.

Arriving in the USA: JFK, MCO, and Beyond

One of the most stressful parts of international travel is the first 30 minutes after landing. Whether you are arriving at New York's JFK, Orlando International (MCO), or Los Angeles (LAX), you will likely want to call an Uber or check the directions to your hotel immediately. Airport Wi-Fi is notoriously spotty and often requires you to watch ads or give away personal data to connect.

By having your eSIM pre-installed, your phone will automatically connect to Verizon or AT&T 5G as soon as you turn off Airplane Mode. This allows you to bypass the queues at the airport SIM kiosks, where prices are often inflated for tourists.

Beyond the USA: Roaming in Other Destinations

If your travels take you elsewhere, remember that the roaming landscape is changing everywhere. For instance, you might find our guide on EE Roaming Charges in Greece: Essential Travel Info useful if you are planning a summer getaway to the islands. Similarly, if you are heading to the Mediterranean, check out How to Get Cheap Data in Turkey for Your Next Holiday to see how you can save money there too. UKRoamFree provides coverage in over 40 European countries, ensuring you never have to pay those pesky daily fees to your home carrier again.

The bottom line

While EE offers a convenient way to roam in the USA through their Roam Abroad pass, the cost of £7 per day or £25 per month is a significant expense for any budget. By switching to a data-only eSIM, you gain access to the same premium 5G networks (Verizon and AT&T) for a fraction of the price. You keep your UK number for important messages while enjoying the freedom of a contract-free, pre-paid data plan. Don't let roaming charges be the most expensive part of your American adventure—plan ahead and stay connected for less.