Holafly USA eSIM: Why the Global Unlimited Plan Saved Us $20+ on Our Month-Long Home Visit

Our flight from Tokyo to DC got delayed, which meant an unexpected overnight stay near Dulles before catching our connection to Indianapolis yesterday. Standing in the baggage claim at Dulles International Airport at 5PM, jet-lagged and slightly delirious, we had exactly one thing going right: our phones were already connected and working.

No hunting for airport WiFi. No researching SIM card options. No driving to a T-Mobile store with three exhausted kids. Our Holafly Global Unlimited eSIM had been working flawlessly through Japan, and it switched to the US network the moment we landed. Google Maps loaded our route to our hotel, iMessage notifications started flooding in from family, and we were navigating DC traffic within minutes.

We're home for a month to handle the administrative nightmare that accumulates when you don't have a permanent address: passport renewals, driver's license updates, dentist appointments, doctor visits, and explaining to various bureaucrats why our mailing address is currently a UPS store in Shelbyville.

Use code ADAMANDLINDS at checkout to save 5% on USA plans or 10% monthly on the Global Unlimited Plan.

Why We Didn't Buy a USA-Only eSIM

Holafly offers USA-specific unlimited data plans at these prices:

We're staying 30 days, so the logical choice would be the $74.90 plan. Except we've been using Holafly's Global Unlimited Plan for over a month already through Japan, and it costs $64.90 per month.

Same unlimited data. Works in 190+ destinations. Costs $10 less than the USA-only option.

The math was stupid simple: keep the plan we already have, save ten bucks, and maintain continuous connectivity when we fly back to Asia in November. No reinstalling eSIMs, no gaps in service, no thinking required.

Global Unlimited Plan details:

• Price: $64.90/month (special launch pricing)
• Coverage: 190+ destinations worldwide
• Data: Unlimited everywhere
• Hotspot: Unlimited sharing (no daily caps)
• European number: Included for receiving SMS
• Billing: Monthly subscription, cancel anytime
• Discount: Use code ADAMANDLINDS for 10% off monthly

Even if you're only visiting the USA and have zero international travel planned, you can subscribe for one month, use it, and cancel before the next billing cycle. No contracts, no penalties. It still costs $10 less than the USA-only 30-day plan.

How It Actually Works in Indiana

We landed yesterday and have been using the eSIM heavily since then. Here's what we're seeing:

Network: Connects to T-Mobile's 5G network in Indianapolis. Signal strength has been excellent throughout the city and surrounding suburbs.

Speed: Fast enough for everything we've needed. Uploaded photos to Instagram, handled video calls with family, navigated using Google Maps, and streamed music during the drive from the airport. No slowdowns or buffering issues.

Coverage: Strong signal at the airport, our rental house in Shelbyville, and everywhere we drove yesterday. Haven't tested rural areas yet, but suburban performance has been flawless.

Hotspot: We're using hotspot to connect the girls' iPads for their online classes and entertainment. The unlimited sharing works exactly as advertised with no daily caps like some plans have.

What We're Actually Using This Data For

Coordinating appointments: Scheduling passport appointments at the Indianapolis regional office requires navigating government websites that were clearly designed during the Bush administration. We've been on our phones for hours managing these logistics.

Navigation: We've been gone long enough that we barely remember how to get around Indianapolis. Google Maps is running constantly, and unlimited data means we don't think twice about using navigation everywhere we go.

Healthcare scheduling: Booking dentist and doctor appointments for all five of us, plus navigating to medical offices we haven't visited in years. Medical practice apps and online portals require constant connectivity.

Remote work: Lindsay still has travel advisory clients who need help planning trips. I'm still editing YouTube videos and managing our website. We're handling business as usual despite being in a different country.

Family connections: After months abroad, everyone wants to video call and see the girls. FaceTime, WhatsApp calls, and iMessage all work perfectly over the data connection.

General life: Online grocery shopping, researching local activities, managing our travel blog, responding to emails, and the thousand small tasks that require internet access.

Without unlimited data, we'd be constantly calculating whether we could afford to do each thing. The mental overhead alone makes unlimited plans worth it.

The One Thing Holafly Can't Do (And Why It Doesn't Matter)

Holafly eSIMs are data-only, which means no traditional phone calls or SMS with a US number. For some people, this would be a dealbreaker. For us, it's barely noticeable.

What works perfectly:

• iMessage for texting with family and friends who have iPhones
• WhatsApp for everyone else (which is basically our entire contact list after years of international travel)
• FaceTime for video calls
• Google Voice for when we absolutely need a US phone number that can make traditional calls
• Email and all internet-based communication

What doesn't work:

• Receiving SMS verification codes sent to US numbers specifically (though the European number included with the Global plan handles most international 2FA)
• Traditional phone calls to people who don't use smartphones or data-based calling
• Providing a local US number when scheduling appointments (we use Google Voice for this)

The reality is that most communication happens over data now anyway. We've scheduled appointments, coordinated with family, handled business calls, and managed everything we needed without a traditional US phone number.

Why the Global Unlimited Plan Makes Sense for Full-Time Travelers

We installed this eSIM weeks ago in Japan. It worked flawlessly in Tokyo. We didn't touch it during our layover in DC. It connected automatically when we landed in Indianapolis. We'll leave it active when we fly back to Asia next month.

One QR code. One installation. Continuous connectivity across countries. No thinking required.

For digital nomads, perpetual travelers, or anyone who crosses borders regularly, the Global Unlimited Plan eliminates the hassle of:

• Researching eSIM options for each new country
• Downloading QR codes at airports
• Installing new eSIM profiles while juggling luggage and kids
• Managing multiple plans with different expiration dates
• Experiencing connectivity gaps during transit

We just installed it once and forgot about it. The eSIM switches networks automatically when we change countries. It's the closest thing to having a truly global phone plan.

Comparing Costs to Other USA Options

International roaming: Most carriers charge $10-15 per day for USA roaming. For our 30-day visit, that would cost $300-450. Holafly's $64.90 pricing saves us $235-385.

US prepaid carriers: Options like Mint Mobile or Cricket require physical SIM cards, store visits or mail delivery, and typically cost $30-50 for limited data. Not practical when you're arriving from another country.

Traditional carrier plans: Short-term plans from Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile cost $40-70 for limited data and involve complicated activation. We'd rather spend our time with family than dealing with carrier stores.

USA-only eSIM plans: Holafly's own USA plan costs $74.90 for 30 days. The Global Unlimited plan costs $64.90 and works everywhere. Choosing the USA-only plan would literally cost us more money for less functionality.

Who Should Choose Which Plan

Get the USA-only plan ($27.30-$74.90) if:

• You're visiting for less than 30 days
• You have zero international travel planned for the next year
• You want a one-time purchase without subscription management
• You specifically want a USA-dedicated plan for some reason

Get the Global Unlimited plan ($64.90/month) if:

• You're staying 30 days or longer (it costs less than the USA 30-day plan)
• You travel internationally with any regularity
• You want continuous worldwide coverage without thinking about it
• You don't mind a monthly subscription (cancel anytime, no penalties)
• You're a full-time traveler, digital nomad, or frequent international visitor

We've been full-time travelers since May 2022. The Global Unlimited plan is the obvious choice for us. But even if you're just visiting the USA for a month-long vacation and have no other travel plans, the Global plan still costs $10 less than the USA-only option.

Setting Up Your Holafly eSIM

The installation process takes about three minutes:

Purchase: Go to Holafly and buy your plan using code ADAMANDLINDS for your discount. You'll receive a QR code via email within minutes.

Install: Open Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM on your iPhone (or equivalent on Android). Scan the QR code. Name it something memorable like "Holafly" or "Travel Data."

Keep your regular SIM: Don't remove your existing SIM card. Dual SIM functionality lets you maintain your regular number while using Holafly for data.

Activate: When you arrive in the USA, turn on data roaming for your Holafly eSIM line. It connects automatically to T-Mobile's network within 1-2 minutes.

Verify: Open a browser and load any website to confirm connectivity.

We installed ours weeks ago in Japan. It's been working continuously ever since. The setup was simpler than any physical SIM card we've ever dealt with.

Our First 24 Hours with Holafly in the USA

Airport arrival: Connected to T-Mobile's network immediately upon landing in Indianapolis. Google Maps loaded our route, iMessage started delivering, and we were navigating before we left the baggage claim area.

DC layover: The eSIM worked perfectly during our unexpected overnight stay near Dulles. We could coordinate our changed plans, book a hotel, and stay connected without thinking about it.

Suburban performance: Strong 5G signal at our rental house in Shelbyville. Fast enough to handle video calls, file uploads, and streaming without issues.

Hotspot functionality: Connected the girls' iPads to our hotspot for their online classes and entertainment. Five devices running simultaneously with no slowdowns.

Navigation: Google Maps has been running constantly as we relearn how to navigate Indianapolis. Unlimited data means we never think twice about using navigation.

The T-Mobile network has been excellent so far. We had middling experiences with T-Mobile back when we lived here (2012-2022), but coverage has improved dramatically. We haven't encountered any dead zones in the areas we've visited.

Tips for Using Holafly in the USA

Install before you fly: Set up your eSIM while you still have connectivity in your departure country. This prevents any confusion when you land.

Name your eSIM clearly: When you install the profile, call it something obvious like "Holafly USA" so you remember which line is which when toggling settings.

Keep your regular SIM active: Dual SIM functionality lets you receive verification codes and maintain your existing number. Don't remove your regular SIM card.

Configure hotspot: If you're traveling with family, set up personal hotspot with a memorable password. The Global Unlimited Plan includes unlimited sharing.

Use Google Voice for US calls: If you need to make traditional calls or provide a US phone number, Google Voice works perfectly over your Holafly data connection.

Download offline content: Use WiFi when available to download maps, entertainment, and large files. This preserves bandwidth for actual usage and ensures content availability in low-coverage areas.

Getting Your Holafly eSIM

For stays under 30 days: Get your Holafly USA eSIM here and use code ADAMANDLINDS for 5% off.

For 30+ days or frequent travel: Choose the Global Unlimited Plan and use code ADAMANDLINDS for 10% off every month (not just the first month).

Installation timeline: Purchase at least 24 hours before your trip to ensure you receive your QR code and can install the profile before departure.

The combination of unlimited data, reliable T-Mobile coverage, and complete convenience makes Holafly the best connectivity option we've found for USA visits. We installed it once weeks ago in Japan, and it's been working flawlessly ever since.

FAQ: Holafly USA eSIM

Does Holafly work in all US states?

Yes, Holafly USA eSIMs work nationwide through T-Mobile's network, including Alaska and Hawaii. Coverage is excellent in urban and suburban areas, good along major highways, and adequate in most rural locations.

Can I make phone calls with Holafly?

Holafly eSIMs are data-only and don't support traditional phone calls or SMS. However, you can use iMessage, WhatsApp, FaceTime, Google Voice, or any VoIP service for calls over the data connection. We've had zero issues communicating with family and handling appointments.

How much data can I actually use?

Holafly advertises unlimited data with fair usage policies. In practice, normal family usage including navigation, video calls, streaming, file uploads, and browsing won't trigger any restrictions. We've been using it heavily with five people and haven't experienced any slowdowns.

Does hotspot work with Holafly?

Yes, the Global Unlimited Plan includes unlimited hotspot capability. USA-only plans offer 500MB per day of hotspot sharing. We're using hotspot to connect multiple devices simultaneously without issues.

What's better: USA plan or Global Unlimited?

For stays of 30 days or longer, the Global Unlimited Plan ($64.90/month) costs less than the USA-only 30-day plan ($74.90). The Global plan also works in 190+ destinations worldwide and operates on a monthly subscription you can cancel anytime.

Can I cancel Global Unlimited without penalties?

Yes, the Global Unlimited Plan is a monthly subscription with no contracts or cancellation fees. Cancel anytime before your next billing cycle. Your service continues through the end of your paid period.

How quickly does Holafly activate in the USA?

Activation is automatic when you land and enable data roaming for your Holafly eSIM. Most devices connect within 1-2 minutes. Ours connected immediately when we landed in Indianapolis yesterday.

Will Holafly work with my iPhone?

Holafly eSIMs work with iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, and most modern smartphones with eSIM capability. Check compatibility at Holafly's website before purchasing.

Can I use Holafly for remote work?

Yes, unlimited data and T-Mobile's 5G/4G coverage make Holafly suitable for remote work, video calls, file uploads, and business communication. We're running our travel advisory business and YouTube channel from the USA using Holafly connectivity.

What if I need a US phone number?

Holafly doesn't provide a US phone number, but Google Voice works perfectly over the data connection. You can get a free US number through Google Voice for making calls and receiving verification codes that require US numbers specifically.

How does the European number work?

The Global Unlimited Plan includes a European phone number for receiving SMS messages. This helps with international two-factor authentication and verification codes, though it won't work for services requiring US numbers specifically.

Is Holafly better than buying a local SIM?

For temporary visits, Holafly offers significantly more convenience than local SIM cards. No store visits, instant setup, works immediately upon arrival. We saved hours of time and potential frustration by using Holafly instead of dealing with US carrier stores.

FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. When you use our Holafly promo code ADAMANDLINDS, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We purchased our Global Unlimited Plan at full price and have been using it for over a month. All opinions are based on real experience with the service.