As much as I’d love to truly unplug during my travels, having a phone with access to the internet not only makes travelling that bit easier, but can also unlock travel experiences I may have otherwise missed out on.
Whether it is finding great places to eat or drink a coffee, or double-checking train times, a reliable connection is a necessity for me.
But what is even better is accessing the internet abroad for free. That is right – free eSIM data. This allows me to save my money for the fun stuff, like enjoying fancy dinners every night or going on that slightly overpriced but well-worth-it tour.
I am always looking for ways to save money on my travels, and this free eSIM data hack is a lifesaver. It has saved me a fortune on roaming fees whilst helping me to navigate unknown cities and discover great plant-based food. Read on to find out how I get free eSIM data (from Saily) for my adventures!
What is Saily?
Saily is a travel eSIM app created by the security experts at NordVPN. For those who aren’t familiar with the tech, an eSIM is basically a digital version of the physical SIM card you usually slot into your phone.
Instead of swapping out tiny bits of plastic, you simply download a digital profile to your device. It connects you to local networks in over 200 destinations, meaning you get high-speed data the second your plane lands.
For those of you who are completely new to eSIMs, find out more about what an eSIM is here!
I love it because it is incredibly secure and user-friendly. You only need to install the eSIM once, and you can then top it up with new plans for whichever country you are visiting next.
How to get mobile data for free?
The best, most sustainable way to get free mobile data is to take advantage of Saily (my go-to eSIM provider) and their referral system. Whilst many people look for a “free trial,” using a referral credit is actually a better long-term strategy because you can earn free data on an ongoing basis.
That is because, unlike a standard free trial that you can only use once, the referral program allows you to keep earning credits indefinitely by sharing your code with others.
When you sign up using the referral link, you receive a $5 discount on your first purchase. This discount applies to plans over $5.60, which means you can pick up a substantial data package for a fraction of the usual price, sometimes as little as $0.60 (this can be paid for with Saily credits, which you earn with every eSIM purchase).
This is a fantastic way to test the service with almost zero financial risk. You get a high-speed, secure connection for next to nothing, whilst avoiding the gamble of using public WiFi the moment you arrive at your destination.
From then on, keep on referring your friends and family to Saily using your unique code, and you’ll both get $5 to spend on mobile data. For any destination in the world!
Join the referral program via my link below, and you’ll receive your first $5 discount!
How the Saily referral program works
Once you have set up your account and used your initial discount, you can start earning your own Saily credits. The system is a simple “Give $5, Get $5” setup that rewards you for sharing the app with the fellow travellers in your life.
Inside the app, you will find a unique referral code that you can send to friends or family. When someone uses your code to buy their first eSIM, they get a $5 discount, and you get $5 in Saily credits added to your digital wallet.
The best part is that these credits are cumulative. If you refer a few friends before a big trip, you could easily find yourself with enough credit to cover your entire data plan for free. It is a brilliant way to fund your travel connection just by helping others stay online.
Find out why Saily is my go-to eSIM provider in my full in-depth review of Saily.
Step by step: How to claim your $5 of data
Claiming your discount is incredibly straightforward and only takes a few minutes. I recommend doing this before you leave for your trip so you can activate your data the moment you land.
- Click the referral link: Start by clicking this link to head to the Saily website or download the app. This ensures the referral is correctly tracked so you can claim your $5 off.
- Pick your destination: Type in the country you are visiting and browse the available data plans. Remember that the $5 discount applies to any plan priced at $5.60 or higher.
- Apply the discount at checkout: When you reach the payment page, look for the box that says “Got a coupon?” or “Referral code.” If you used the link, it might already be applied, but if not, simply paste the code from the referral page to see your total drop.
- Install and explore: Once your purchase is complete, follow the in-app instructions to install your eSIM. It is a quick process that doesn’t require any physical SIM cards or complicated settings.
Where to find your own Saily referral code
Once you have your account set up, you can start earning your own free data credits to fund future travels. Finding your unique code only takes a couple of taps within the Saily app.
Open the app and look for the Credits tab at the bottom of your screen. This will open your referral dashboard, where you can see your current balance and your unique invite code.
From here, you can simply tap the Share button to send your code directly to friends and family via WhatsApp or social media. Every time someone uses your code for their first purchase, you will both receive $5 in Saily credits.
These credits are valid for a full year and can be used for any destination Saily covers.
My verdict: Is free eSIM data possible?
I genuinely believe that Saily’s referral program is one of the best travel hacks. Most of us are going to share our travel tips with friends anyway, so being rewarded with $5 in credit (for buying internet data) for doing so is a massive bonus.
Unlike a standard free trial that you use once and forget, these credits actually accumulate in your account. This means you aren’t just limited to a tiny bit of “test” data; you can build up enough credit to cover massive data plans for long-term trips.
For a frequent traveller, having that constant, reliable connection is about more than just social media; it is about the security of knowing you can always find a meal or navigate a new city. Being able to fund that peace of mind through a few simple referrals makes the whole experience much more sustainable.
If you are tired of hunting for dodgy public WiFi or dealing with hefty roaming fees, this is your solution. It is simple, secure, and if you share your code with a few fellow travellers, potentially completely free for every trip you take.
Free eSIM data FAQs
Do I need a credit card for a free eSIM?
You will still need to add a payment method to your Saily account to process the transaction, even if your total comes to $0. This is standard for most eSIM providers to prevent fraud and ensure you are a real user. However, if your referral credit covers the full cost of the plan (which must be over $5.60 to use the discount), you won’t actually be charged.
Will the free data expire?
There are two different “expiries” to keep in mind. Your $5 referral credits are typically valid for one year from the date they are issued, so you have plenty of time to save them up for a big trip. Once you actually use those credits to buy a data plan, that specific plan will have its own expiry (usually 7 or 30 days) which starts the moment you activate it at your destination.
Can I use my credits for any country?
Yes, that is the best part! Whether you earned your credits by referring a friend who went to Japan, you can spend them on a data plan for Brazil, Portugal, or anywhere else Saily operates. Unlike some “free trials” that are locked to a specific region, Saily credits go into a global wallet for you to use however you like.
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