Every autumn, Canadian snowbirds phone the newspaper to pause their subscription, hire a neighbourhood teen to shovel their driveway occasionally, and spread their wings and fly (or drive) to warmer climates to escape the ice and snow. Many call the southern U.S. states home for six glorious months of every year.
Living in two places can often mean having two of everything — two homes, two mailing addresses, two (or more) vehicles). But when it comes to staying connected with a phone number and mobile data, the dizzying array of snowbird phone options can be overwhelming. Whether it’s your first time Snowbird-ing or you’ve been doing it for years, there are always new ways (and new price points) to consider.
So if you’re a Canadian trading the bitter northern cold for sunshine and warm breezes, we’ve put together a complete list of Snowbird phone options for your time down south, ranked from most expensive to least expensive …
SNOWBIRD PHONE OPTION #1: Your Canadian phone plan
This is not something you should, but we’re sharing it for full transparency because it is an option if you’re leaving Canada.
INSTRUCTIONS: This requires doing nothing except leaving Canada and showing up in a warmer climate, with your regular phone in hand.
BENEFITS: Well, it’s easy! You don’t have to do anything.
DOWNSIDES: Your home carrier back in Canada is going to charge you a LOT of money on each cell phone bill in exchange providing data, connecting your phone calls, sending and receiving your texts while you’re in another country, roaming on a new network. They might cap these roaming charges, but it will still be hundreds of dollars minimum.
WARNINGS: Please don’t do this, unless maybe you’re packing buckets of gold coins when you head down south?
COST: Extremely expensive. Probably an extra few hundred dollars a month!
OUR RECOMMENDATION: Never leave Canada without having a game plan for using your phone internationally, and this option is NOT the way to go.
SNOWBIRD PHONE OPTION #2: Carrier travel plan + U.S. phone number
When you leave Canada, this allows you carrier to charge you a daily (sometimes weekly or monthly) flat rate for continuing to use your regular cell phone number.
INSTRUCTIONS: Prior to leaving Canada, talk to your cell phone carrier and ask about their travel plan options for the United States (or anywhere else you will be spending the winter). They’ll tell you what you can expect to pay to use your regular cell phone number in another country. This plan will include data, calling, and texting.
Then download the free Hushed app and purchase a U.S. phone number (lots of Florida area codes are available) that runs over Wi-Fi or data. These phone numbers start at $2.99, and you can keep the phone number forever, or just keep it while you’re snowbird-ing and then cancel it.
BENEFITS: Carrier travel plans can be a good idea if you need full access to your regular Canadian cell phone number, and you do a lot of calling and texting so it would be expensive to use pay-per-use rates. You will also have the benefit of having your own private U.S. phone number, accessible within the free Hushed app on your phone.
DOWNSIDES: Carrier travel plans can be expensive. Many of them charge a flat daily rate for every day they detect you’re in another country, no matter how much or little you use your cell phone that day.
WARNINGS: Read the fine print carefully so you know how much data you’re allowed to use. (It might be less than you’re allowed to use at home in Canada.)
COST: Up to $22 a day (depending on the carrier) for your U.S. carrier travel plan + $4.99/month for a U.S. phone number with unlimited calling and texting
OUR RECOMMENDATION: If you need your regular Canadian phone number AND you make a lot of phone calls with it, plus you want to have a local U.S. phone number — all on the same phone — this could be the solution for you.
SNOWBIRD PHONE OPTION #3: Carrier travel plan only
When you leave Canada, this allows you carrier to charge you a daily (sometimes weekly or monthly) flat rate for continuing to use your regular cell phone number.
INSTRUCTIONS: Prior to leaving Canada, talk to your cell phone carrier and ask about their travel plan options for the United States (or anywhere else you will be spending the winter). They’ll tell you what you can expect to pay to use your regular cell phone number in another country. This plan will include data, calling, and texting.
BENEFITS: Carrier travel plans can be a good idea if you need full access to your regular Canadian cell phone number, and you do a lot of calling and texting so it would be expensive to use pay-per-use rates.
DOWNSIDES: Carrier travel plans can be expensive. Many of them charge a flat daily rate for every day they detect you’re in another country, no matter how much or little you use your cell phone that day.
WARNINGS: Read the fine print carefully so you know how much data you’re allowed to use. (It might be less than you’re allowed to use at home in Canada.)
COST: Up to $22 a day (depending on the carrier)
OUR RECOMMENDATION: If you need your regular Canadian phone number AND you make a lot of phone calls, this might be a good option for you. But if you don’t talk on the phone very much, see below for other options.
SNOWBIRD PHONE OPTION #4: Carry two cell phones
If you’re spending the winter in Florida, you can always use a second phone for a post-paid (billed monthly) or prepaid (paid up front) U.S. cell phone plan that gives you a U.S. phone number and mobile data.
INSTRUCTIONS: Prior to leaving Canada, toggle off Data Roaming on your Canadian cell phone, and confirm with your carrier that they won’t place on on a travel plan and they will only charge pay-per-use rates for any calls or texts. When you arrive in the United States, use a new or existing cell phone to run a U.S. phone plan with your own U.S. phone number.
BENEFITS: You’ll have your own U.S. phone number and data on one phone, and you’ll still have access to your regular Canadian cell phone number (via pay-per-use rates for calls and texts) on your regular cell phone.
DOWNSIDES: Carrying two cell phones might be a pain in the butt. And most of your family and friends won’t know your U.S. phone number so they’ll call you on the Canadian phone number, which will cost more.
WARNINGS: Before you sign up for a U.S. cell phone plan, make sure you understand the fees and limitations. You want something you’re able to cancel during the months when you’re back in Canada, unless you’re okay with paying for two cell phone plans year-round.
COST: $15-$50 per month for the U.S. phone plan (depending on the carrier, the cell phone plan, and if you need to buy another phone) and probably $1.50-$3 per active calling minute and $0.50-$2 per text on your Canadian cell phone plan
OUR RECOMMENDATION: This is a lot to juggle, and there are easier solutions available if you want to have two phone numbers. (See below!)
SNOWBIRD PHONE OPTION #5: U.S. phone plan only
If you don’t care about making calls and sending texts on your Canadian phone number, you can use a post-paid or prepaid U.S. cell phone plan with a U.S. phone number and mobile data (either by swapping your Canadian SIM card for a U.S. SIM card, or using a separate phone).
INSTRUCTIONS: Prior to leaving Canada, shut down your Canadian cell phone to avoid roaming charges. When you arrive in the United States, use a new or existing cell phone to run a U.S. phone plan with your own U.S. phone number.
BENEFITS: You’ll have your own U.S. phone number, so you can easily call other U.S. numbers and use data on the go.
DOWNSIDES: You won’t be reachable on your Canadian cell phone number because either the SIM card has been swapped out, or the entire phone has been switched off. (But you can also forward your Canadian cell phone number to your U.S. phone number, if you want.)
WARNINGS: Make sure you understand the fees and limitations of your new U.S. phone plan, such as if you can cancel it during the months when you’re back in Canada. And if you do cancel for six months of the year, do you care if that means losing your U.S. phone number and getting a new one each fall?
COST: $15-$50 per month (depending on the carrier, the cell phone plan, and if you need to buy another phone)
OUR RECOMMENDATION: It’s nice to have a U.S. phone number while you’re snowbird-ing down in Florida, BUT is it necessary to have a full-fledged U.S. phone plan, as if you were an American citizen? Probably not. (See below for other options.)
SNOWBIRD PHONE OPTION #6: Two phone numbers + prepaid data
If you want a U.S. phone number (with a nice local Florida area code), you want to U.S. mobile data that works when you’re out and about, and you still want to call/text on your regular Canadian phone number, this is the option for you.
INSTRUCTIONS: Download the free aloSIM app and get a United States eSIM data package that starts at $4.50. Most aloSIM data packages now come with a free international phone number from our sister app, Hushed (lots of Florida area codes are available) Just follow these instructions to claim your free phone number from Hushed. It takes less than two minutes. You can keep the phone number forever, or just keep it while you’re snowbird-ing and then cancel it.
Make sure your phone supports eSIM (digital SIM cards) and download the free aloSIM app to get a United States eSIM data package that starts at $4.50. Choose as much prepaid data as you’d like, and then you can always have an internet connection on the go (no Wi-Fi needed).
Prior to leaving Canada, confirm with your carrier that they won’t place on on a travel plan and they will only charge pay-per-use rates. Then you will be able to use your Canadian cell phone number in Florida, and you’ll only be charged when you use it for calls or texts.
BENEFITS: You’ll have your own U.S. phone number, you’ll have mobile data that works across the entire U.S., and you can still use your Canadian phone number for calling and texting — all on one phone!
DOWNSIDES: If you use more than 10 GB of mobile data per month (that’s a lot), it might be cheaper to use a travel plan from your Canadian cell phone carrier or a local U.S. phone plan that includes data
WARNINGS: Make sure you watch your data balance and top up your eSIM if it’s getting low, or your Hushed phone number won’t work unless you’re on Wi-Fi.
COST: $15.99 per month ($11/month for U.S. data, $4.99/month for a U.S. phone number with unlimited calling and texting) plus small pay-per-use carrier fees for calls/texts on your Canadian cell phone number
OUR RECOMMENDATION: As long as your phone supports an eSIM, we love this option because it gives you everything a Snowbird needs when you’re in the U.S. at a very affordable price.
SNOWBIRD PHONE OPTION #7: U.S. phone number + prepaid data
This option gives you a U.S. phone number (you choose the area code), and prepaid mobile data for when you’re out and about (and can’t get on a Wi-Fi network)
INSTRUCTIONS: Download the free aloSIM app and get a United States eSIM data package that starts at $4.50. Most aloSIM data packages now come with a free international phone number from our sister app, Hushed. Just follow these instructions to claim your free phone number from Hushed. It takes less than two minutes. Prior to leaving Canada, switch off your Canadian SIM so it can’t be used. (But you can also forward your Canadian cell phone number to your U.S. phone number.)
BENEFITS: You’ll have a U.S. phone number and prepaid U.S. mobile data, and you won’t pay a penny in roaming charges.
DOWNSIDES: You won’t have access to your Canadian cell phone number.
WARNINGS: Watch your data balance and top up your eSIM with more data if it’s getting low, or your Hushed phone number won’t work unless you’re on Wi-Fi.
COST: $15.99 per month ($11/month for U.S. data, $4.99/month for a U.S. phone number with unlimited calling and texting)
OUR RECOMMENDATION: If your phone supports an eSIM and you don’t need access to your Canadian cell phone number, this is a very affordable option while you’re in the U.S.
SNOWBIRD PHONE OPTION #8: Prepaid data, no phone number
If you’re content to chat with people on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, iMessage, and FaceTime (and you have a home phone that can be used for emergencies, appointments, etc.) you don’t need to have a cell phone number while you’re in the U.S. But having data is nice because it means you have a steady internet connection on the go, without needing Wi-Fi.
INSTRUCTIONS: Download the free aloSIM app to get a United States eSIM data package that starts at $4.50. Prior to leaving Canada, switch off your Canadian SIM to avoid roaming charges and skip calling/texting fees.
BENEFITS: You’ll have prepaid mobile data anywhere you go within the U.S., and you won’t pay any roaming charges.
DOWNSIDES: You won’t have access to your Canadian cell phone number, and you won’t have a U.S. cell phone number, either.
WARNINGS: If you’re not going to have a cell phone number in Florida, you should have a home phone (or some other form of phone number) so you’re reachable in case of emergencies, scheduling appointments, calling local businesses, ordering a delivery, etc.
COST: $11/month for prepaid mobile data that works anywhere in the U.S.
OUR RECOMMENDATION: If your phone supports an eSIM, and you don’t care about calling or texting on a cell phone, this is a great way to have data anywhere you go.
SNOWBIRD PHONE OPTION #9: Wi-Fi phone number, no data
If you’re mostly hanging out at home (or at other people’s homes, or restaurants, or community centres) where there’s a steady Wi-Fi connection, you might decide you don’t need data on your cell phone.
INSTRUCTIONS: Download the free Hushed app and purchase a U.S. phone number that runs over Wi-Fi or data. Prior to leaving Canada, switch off your Canadian SIM so you can’t use it for data, calling, or texting and you won’t be charged extra fees.
BENEFITS: You’ll have your very own U.S. phone number (you choose the area code) for calling and texting over Wi-Fi, so you can easily be reached by friends/family back home in Canada as well as in the U.S.
DOWNSIDES: Your Hushed number will need Wi-Fi to work.
WARNINGS: Since your Hushed number needs Wi-Fi, it won’t work if you’re driving, out and about, etc. unless someone hotspots you (turns their phone into a portable Wi-Fi network) or you join a public Wi-Fi network.
COST: $4.99/month for a U.S. phone number with unlimited calling and texting
OUR RECOMMENDATION: If your don’t care about having mobile data, and you don’t mind not having access to your Canadian cell phone number, this is the cheapest, easiest way to get a U.S. phone number
SNOWBIRD PHONE OPTION #10: Wi-Fi-only messaging, no data, no phone number
Don’t need a cell phone number or data? No problem! You always have the option to bring your cell phone to the U.S. and simply use it for Wi-Fi-only activities. If you have an iPhone or iPad, you can use iMessage and FaceTime over Wi-Fi, and any device can use free calling and chatting services like WhatsApp orFacebook Messenger.
INSTRUCTIONS: Prior to leaving Canada, switch off your Canadian SIM so you can’t use it for data, calling, or texting and you won’t be charged extra fees. Then you’re free to use Wi-Fi only in the U.S.
BENEFITS: You won’t have to worry about roaming charges (or calling and texting fees), and you won’t be paying for any phone numbers or data packages.
DOWNSIDES: You won’t have a working cell phone number while you’re Snowbird-ing
WARNINGS: Be careful that you’re only connecting to Wi-Fi networks you trust, and don’t do anything secure (like banking) when you’re using free Wi-Fi to avoid being hacked
COST: Free! (Unless you pay for a Wi-Fi connection sometimes)
OUR RECOMMENDATION: This option is fine if you’re going to have Wi-Fi regularly and don’t feel the need to be reachable via phone call or text, but you’ll miss out on things that require data on the go (like ordering an Uber, or checking driving directions).
Wondering which of the above options is best for your Snowbird lifestyle? We’re here to help! Support is available around the clock (support@alosim.com), or you can reach out to hello@alosim.com if you want to chat with us about the pros and cons of the options above. We can’t wait to hear from you!
