International Roaming

EE roaming in the USA: Is it free?

Planning a USA holiday? Learn about EE roaming USA costs, passes, and activation. Explore unlimited data eSIMs for hassle-free connectivity.

Roaming with EE in the USA is not free, unless you’re on a Full Works monthly plan. If you’re travelling from the UK and plan to use your phone in the USA, you’ll need to pay extra for EE international roaming.

This guide breaks down the costs, explains available passes and add-ons, and shows how to activate roaming before your trip. It also offers an alternative that could help you save money – the unlimited travel eSIM from Holafly.

In this article

Can I use EE in the USA?

Yes, you can use EE in the USA, so your phone will work in the United States. EE has agreements with US providers, like AT&T and T-Mobile. This means your EE eSIM (or SIM) will connect to their mobile networks, allowing you to make calls, send texts, and use data while you’re there.

Is EE roaming free in the USA?

No, EE roaming is not free in the USA, unless you are a Full Works customer. The USA falls under EE’s Zone 1, which means you’ll be charged for using your phone. Understanding the EE roaming charges in the USA is important to avoid unexpected charges.

EE roaming charges in the USA

EE roaming charges in the USA depend on whether you’re on a Pay Monthly or Pay As You Go plan.

Pay Monthly customers (roaming included)

The EE Full Works plan includes EE America roaming. You can use your UK data, minutes, and texts while in the US with no daily charges or additional fees. This plan also includes global roaming across other Zone 1 destinations, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico.

EE All Rounder plan: You can use your UK allowances for USA roaming, but only if you select the Roam Abroad Pass as your Inclusive Extra. This plan includes one Inclusive Extra, which can be things like Apple Music, Netflix, or the Roam Abroad Pass. You can change your Inclusive Extra once a month through the EE app. If you haven’t selected Roam Abroad, you’ll have to pay for it at £10/month.

Both of these plans let you use your UK allowances in the US. To avoid extra charges, text BALANCE to 150 and monitor your usage. If you go over your limit, calls are charged at £1.66/min and texts at £0.82 each.

Pay Monthly customers (roaming not included)

Not all Pay Monthly plans include EE roaming in the USA. Essentials Plus includes EU roaming but does not cover Zone 1 countries like the United States, Canada, or Australia. No Frills and Essentials plans do not include roaming at all, not even within the EU. There are two options for these users for roaming in the US.

Buy a roaming pass: These let you use your UK allowances for calls, texts, and data while in the US and other Zone 1 destinations.

Daily Pass: £5/day (activates automatically when you use your phone)
7‑Day Pass: £25/week (must be bought in advance)

Go Further Add-on: Essentials or SIM-only Pay Monthly plan users can activate it for £10/month with a 6-month minimum commitment. It uses your UK data allowance while abroad, continues automatically after the 6-month term unless cancelled, and is subject to fair use limits and standard charges once those limits are exceeded.

Use Pay As You Go rates: This is not recommended due to high costs:

Calls: £2.34/min
Texts: £0.93 per message
Data: EE suggests buying an add-on

Unless you’re making a one-off call or checking a quick email, these rates add up fast, so it’s best to go with a roaming pass or consider an eSIM option.

Pay As You Go customers

For Pay As You Go customers, the main options for using EE in the USA are to either rely on standard Pay As You Go rates for EE roaming in the USA (Zone 1) or buy data add-ons.

Standard Pay As You Go rates:

Making/Receiving a call: £1.20 per minute
Sending a text: 60p per text
Receiving texts: Free
Sending a picture message: 48p per picture message
Data/internet: Buy a data add-on when you land, as standard data is very expensive (e.g., £10 per 100MB).
Voicemail: Charged at call rates.

Pay As You Go data add-ons:

EE offers data add-ons that give you a fixed amount of UK data for a set price. These add-ons last for 30 days and can be purchased anytime via the My EE app or by texting or calling 150.

Available options include:

1 day: 1GB for £3, Unlimited for £5
7 days: 3GB for £9, 5GB for £12, Unlimited for £16
30 days: 6GB for £15, 12GB for £21, Unlimited for £40

How to activate EE’s USA roaming

Before you travel, ensuring your EE account is set up to roam abroad is vital. Here’s a quick guide on how to activate EE data roaming in the USA:

Text ROAMING to 150: This free text message will enable roaming on your EE account.
Turn on data roaming: You must do this in your phone’s settings.
Check your spend cap: Make sure your Spend Cap is high enough to cover daily roaming charges, especially if you plan to use the Travel Data Pass.
Set your phone to automatic network selection: This allows your phone to pick the best available network in the USA (like AT&T or T-Mobile).
Turn off WiFi calling: WiFi Calling is only supported in the UK, so turn it off to avoid international charges if you make calls over Wi-Fi while abroad.

Get an unlimited data eSIM for the USA with Holafly

While EE roaming in the USA offers options to stay connected, the costs can quickly add up, especially for data. If you’re looking for a more straightforward and just as affordable solution for EE data roaming USA, consider an unlimited data eSIM from Holafly.

A Holafly eSIM for the USA provides unlimited data, so you don’t have to worry about tracking your usage. The setup is digital—you purchase online, receive a QR code, and activate it on your eSIM-compatible device within minutes. This means no physical SIM swapping and 24/7 customer support if you need it.

If you’re a digital nomad or going on an extended trip, Holafly Plans might be a better option. It’s a monthly subscription with coverage in 170+ destinations worldwide. You can choose a plan that suits you and cancel when you’re done. No long-term commitments or cancellation fees are included—it’s perfect!

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Rebeca Ortiz

I’m a communications professional with over 17 years of experience in the social justice sector. Eight years ago, I started working as a freelance content writer and strategist. Over the course of my career, I’ve had the chance to work with a mix of social enterprises, NGOs, government agencies, and corporate clients. I have lived and worked in Australia, Austria, Mexico, and Indonesia. I love crafting content that resonates across cultures and tells a meaningful story.

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