These days, a cell phone is a lifeline to the world at large. Traveling without a cell phone is like becoming instantly cut off from friends, family, business contacts and emergency services. Unfortunately, many travelers find themselves in a predicament when their phones cannot be used in the region they are traveling to.
Bringing one’s own cell phone on a trip could end up being expensive since exorbitant roaming fees could be accumulated every time a call is made or an app is accessed. The fear of extravagant rates leads many travelers to forgo packing a cell phone.
Aside from being utterly inconvenient, this level of disconnection from communication can have some potentially dangerous consequences.
Time spent behind the borders of an unfamiliar country or city is the worst time to be cut off from contacts.
The Difficulties of Accessing Telephones in the Modern Landscape
There once was a day when making a phone call was as easy as walking a few blocks down the street to find the nearest payphone. It’s safe to say those days are over forever.
The popularity of mobile devices has all but killed the payphone industry around the globe. While most people may not notice an absence of payphones in their daily lives, the absence is quite a sting when an emergency arises and you’re not holding a phone in your hands. The situation is just as difficult when it comes to trying to use a telephone at a public establishment.
Most businesses have policies against allowing the public to use their telephones for fear of being left with expensive long-distance bills. One last resort might be asking a stranger to borrow their phone to place an important phone call. Of course, anybody who has ever tried this tactic has probably been met with glances of disapproval and distrust.
Most people who own expensive mobile devices are apprehensive about lending out those devices out of fear of theft. It is clear to see why traveling without a cell phone is like opening yourself up to isolation from your circle of contacts.
Scenarios Where Cell Phones Can Save the Day
Imagine arriving at a rental house or hotel and discovering that there is no telephone connection in your temporary living quarters. Any hopes of checking in with family or business contacts are completely dashed.
As if not being able to make a phone call when all is well isn’t irritating enough, it can be devastating if hiccups arise in your travel plans. Issues like flight delights, overbooked hotels or misunderstands with shuttles and taxis can leave a traveler stranded.
The inability to reach out to airlines or travel agents as often as you need during a travel emergency limits your potential for getting where you need to be within a reasonable time frame.
In addition, every minute that passes without a connection to a phone line is a minute where an opportunity to choose a new flight or arrange alternate accommodations is wasted.
Renting a Cell Phone Is a Smart Travel Strategy
How does a person stay connected to the world when taking a personal cell phone along isn’t a smart or affordable option? A cell phone rental allows a person to stay connected without incurring expensive roaming fees or worrying that a personal device won’t work in a new country or city.
A rental cell phone is an ideal solution for everyone from business travelers and honeymooners to students studying abroad and people returning to their home countries for holidays. Renting a phone eliminates the confusion of international dialing and the hassle of using a number from your home country while traveling abroad. Many travelers are delighted once they learn how reasonable the rates on rental plans are.
In fact, the cost of a rental phone could end up being drastically lower than roaming charges or international fees that are added to a traditional cell phone plan when a user leaves their own coverage area.
Renting a phone allows a traveler to anticipate charges ahead of time and plan accordingly. In addition, most plans offer tons of flexibility when it comes to how long a rental agreement can last.
Travel Wisely by Being Prepared
Whether visiting one of the globe’s great cities or spending a little time in a remote holiday destination, every traveler has the responsibility to look out for their safety and comfort.
A cell phone rental offers peace of mind to travelers during a time when the littlest hiccup in communication can lead to time-consuming and expensive problems.