A lot of people wonder and ask, does Verizon work in the Bahamas? Would I be able to use my Verizon phone while I’m on vacation without being shocked when I see my next bill?
If it is, what things should I do to prepare for my trip?
These are some of the most common questions Verizon users have concerning their trip to the Bahamas.
And, in this guide, we’ll be discussing all the things you need to know for you to be able to use Verizon services while staying in the Bahamas!
If you’re about to go on a trip and you want to know whether or not your Verizon phone will be usable in the Bahamas, it will be! And, to save money, you can opt to purchase a Travel Pass so you can use it without the fear of paying absurd and lucrative amounts when you go back!
It’s the old-age question and people can’t seem to find the best and most ideal answer to it.
Luckily, in this guide, we’ll give you an overview of what you need to expect, what you can do, and how you can enjoy your services while you’re overseas!
Does Verizon Work in the Bahamas?
Being an internationally accepted network, yes, you can use your Verizon phone even if you’re in the Bahamas. However, don’t expect that you’ll connect to a Verizon cell tower while you’re there.
What this simply means is you’ll be connected to a local cell tower there, which, on your end, will be counted as “roaming.”
We all know how painful and how expensive roaming charges are. So, the best question here is not will Verizon work in the Bahamas.
Instead, it should be how you can make your Verizon phone work in the Bahamas without paying thousands of dollars for it.
If that’s the case, how does Verizon wireless work in the Bahamas? What preparations do you need to perform to be able to use it conveniently and without being in fear of being charged dramatically high?
How Verizon’s Services Are Available in the Bahamas
Don’t be confused – when you’re abroad, you’re not really using Verizon’s services.
You’re using the services of the cell tower you’re connected to; you’re just using your phone and your Verizon SIM card as the medium to use it.
It works like how your Verizon phone works in the country, by connecting to cell towers that are available.
When your phone picks up the signal, it’ll then transmit and give out the alert that it’s being used, therefore, notifying the provider that there’s a SIM card (not on their network) using their services.
This is what leads to surcharges and overage fees on your Verizon bill.
How Can You Use Your Verizon Phone in the Bahamas?
Akin to other travel or roaming options of providers, Verizon has Travel Pass offers for you to be able to use your Verizon device freely and conveniently while you’re there.
Verizon’s Bahamas Travel Pass offers would be the standard rate of $10 per day on the days that you use it.
Meaning, you’ll be charged $10 when you:
- Send a text message while you’re there
- Make an outgoing call
- Receive an incoming call
- Activate mobile data
That being said, let us now discuss how Verizon’s Travel Pass works for you not to be shocked on your next billing cycle.
How Does Verizon’s Travel Pass Work?
As stated in the company’s terms and conditions, the Travel Pass would only activate on your line when you use any of the cellular or mobile services you can do with your phone.
Therefore, when you do any of the activities we mentioned above, your 24-hour Travel Pass session will start. Don’t worry, though, because Verizon will send you a text or a notification saying that your session has already begun.
This will run for 24-hours from the time you do any of the services above. Do note, though, that a Travel Pass package wouldn’t work on cruise ships, since those utilize different cell towers.
NOTE: If you have mobile data turned on, a simple glimpse of the weather update, email syncing, and even refreshing an online app/program would activate the plan.
How Can I Add a Travel Pass to My Line?
This step is crucial because many people fail to realize that they do not have a Travel Pass on their accounts, and they proceed to use their services while abroad.
So, be sure to do this a few days before boarding that plane to be sure that you have this roaming package equipped on your account.
Method #1: Adding Through My Verizon
You can add it by logging into your My Verizon account or profile and by going into Global & International Services > Travel Pass > Bahamas.
Wait for the system to confirm the addition of it to your plan, and you’ll be good to go!
Method #2: Adding Through Text/SMS
Another way is through the text facility. To do this, follow these steps:
- Text Travel
- Send to 4004
- Wait for the text confirming that it has been added to your account
NOTE: If you have multiple lines, you need to text it from the numbers you want Travel Pass to be added to.
Method #3: Contacting Verizon Support
Last, but most definitely not least is through Verizon’s customer support team. Contact them by dialing their hotline and by informing them that you want to add a Travel Pass on the line/s on the account.
They should give you a confirmation about it, and you should receive a text, too!
Doing any of these will trigger the alert or the notification facility, saying that a Travel Pass will be applied to your mobile number at a particular date.
When you receive this message or alert, you can now be sure that the Travel Pass has been added to your device. This means you’ll have the ability to use your Verizon phone in the Bahamas without being charged absurdly!
Do I Have to Add a Travel Pass On the Days I Need It?
No, you don’t have to add it every single day you’ll be out for a vacation. Once you receive confirmation that it’s already on your account, it’ll be there until the time you decide to remove it!
You don’t actually need to remove it. It can serve as a backup in case you need to go overseas immediately and you’re not sure if you were able to add it.
I Didn’t Receive a Travel Pass Notification, What Should I Do?
If you’ve done any of the methods we mentioned above and you still didn’t receive the message or the notification that a Travel Pass will be on your account, contact Verizon and double-check it with them.
They should be able to see if a Travel Pass has successfully been added to your account or profile.
If ever you find yourself wondering how you’ll be able to use your Verizon phone while in the Bahamas, you can use a Travel Pass for you to be charged a minimum amount and still enjoy the usual texting, calling, and light mobile data usage while you’re on your vacation!
Read Next: How to Upgrade a Phone on Verizon?
Conclusion
With this guide, we’re sure that we were able to answer your inquiry, does Verizon work in the Bahamas.
Unlike other guides you’ll come across online, you wouldn’t be able to find one that is as complete and as comprehensive as ours!
With this guide, you will no longer have to ask if your Verizon phone will work in the Bahamas!
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.