Traveling internationally should be an exciting experience, filled with discovery and connection. However, for one Xfinity Mobile customer, their recent overseas trip turned into a financial and emotional ordeal, highlighting severe issues with the Xfinity Global Travel Pass. Despite purchasing the pass in advance, they were slapped with a staggering $1800 in international roaming charges in just three days. This isn’t just a case of miscommunication; it’s a stark warning for anyone considering Xfinity for their international travel connectivity.
The traveler, heading to multiple countries over a month-long period from February to March 2024, specifically purchased the Xfinity Global Travel Pass, anticipating a reasonable $10 per day charge. The trouble began immediately upon landing in London. Their phone failed to connect, rendering the purchased global entry plan useless right from the start. Only through the desperate use of a family member’s phone could they contact Xfinity and resolve the issue after extensive troubleshooting at the airport. Imagine the stress of being stranded in a foreign country without a working phone – a situation many travelers dread.
While the London connectivity issue was eventually fixed, the real shock came towards the end of the trip in South Asia. Out of nowhere, a barrage of text alerts began flooding in, each announcing escalating international roaming charges. Starting at $100 in the early hours of March 6th, the charges skyrocketed with alarming speed: $200, $400, $300, $500, $626.27, $755.00, and then an unbelievable $900.00 and $1041.65 – all within the same minute, before fluctuating back down to $800.00. Witnessing such erratic and exorbitant charges in rapid succession is enough to trigger panic, leading the customer to suspect a scam or a hacked phone rather than legitimate roaming fees.
Reacting swiftly, the traveler powered off their phone immediately, fearing accidental data usage could worsen the situation. The next day, even with cellular data disabled and a stable Wi-Fi connection at their resort, the nightmare continued. Roaming charge alerts persisted, climbing to $1129.69 by 5:16 am the following morning. The financial bleeding didn’t stop there. By Friday morning, the charges reached $1258.74, and by Saturday afternoon, they peaked at a shocking $1818.16, fluctuating wildly throughout those agonizing three days.
This financial shock was compounded by the feeling of being stranded and disconnected from family during the last leg of their journey. While other US travelers using services like T-Mobile and AT&T experienced seamless international connectivity, the Xfinity customer’s phone became virtually unusable. The irony wasn’t lost on them: even accessing essential travel documents at airports meant risking further inflated charges.
Upon returning to the US and seeking help from Xfinity customer service, the experience only worsened. Instead of solutions, they encountered unhelpful representatives, a fake email address for complaints (“[email protected]”), and a frustrating runaround involving over ten agents, none of whom could provide answers or resolutions. This customer service failure adds insult to injury, leaving the traveler with an unjustified $1800 bill and a profound sense of disappointment in Xfinity Mobile.
This experience serves as a critical lesson for international travelers. While Xfinity Global Travel Pass promises convenient and affordable international roaming, this real-world account paints a drastically different picture. The promise of a worry-free travel pass turned into a financial and emotional burden, raising serious questions about the reliability and transparency of Xfinity’s international services. Before choosing Xfinity for your international travel needs, consider this cautionary tale and explore more dependable alternatives.
