I would like to do a review on Travel Recommends' Wifi Router, which I have used for my trip to London, Italy and Spain from 13th June to 4th July 2017.
This is not sponsored or whatever by the way. I'm not popular enough to get sponsors yet.
Two months before my trip, I have started comparing between getting a WiFi router and purchasing local SIM cards.
Let's face it, having internet access is VERY important during travel. It's not just about posting pictures onto social medias; it's more about finding your way in the city, Google Translate and so much more!
I personally CAN'T live without Google Maps. I don't like getting lost, it's a waste of time and energy. Plus I'll be travelling around with my mum this time, every minute of getting lost equals to decreased level of energy and increased level of frustration.
Hence, I'm not risking it!
Getting local/tourist SIM cards will only provide a certain data limit:
500MB or 1 GB or 2 GB;
whereas the WiFi router from Travel Recommends offers UNLIMITED data that can be shared with up to 5 devices!
Do keep in mind that not all router companies offers unlimited data, remember to do some research before reserving from any other companies.
I'll be visiting 3 different countries, so I don't want the trouble to hunt for SIM packages that suits my needs every time I arrive at different countries.
Hence, I reserved a WiFi router from Travel Recommends, with their Europe package that includes UK, Spain, Italy and many more.
This is not sponsored or whatever by the way. I'm not popular enough to get sponsors yet.
Two months before my trip, I have started comparing between getting a WiFi router and purchasing local SIM cards.
Let's face it, having internet access is VERY important during travel. It's not just about posting pictures onto social medias; it's more about finding your way in the city, Google Translate and so much more!
I personally CAN'T live without Google Maps. I don't like getting lost, it's a waste of time and energy. Plus I'll be travelling around with my mum this time, every minute of getting lost equals to decreased level of energy and increased level of frustration.
Hence, I'm not risking it!
Getting local/tourist SIM cards will only provide a certain data limit:
500MB or 1 GB or 2 GB;
whereas the WiFi router from Travel Recommends offers UNLIMITED data that can be shared with up to 5 devices!
Do keep in mind that not all router companies offers unlimited data, remember to do some research before reserving from any other companies.
I'll be visiting 3 different countries, so I don't want the trouble to hunt for SIM packages that suits my needs every time I arrive at different countries.
Hence, I reserved a WiFi router from Travel Recommends, with their Europe package that includes UK, Spain, Italy and many more.
Price
The price for Europe was MYR26 per day, and it's a promotional price (Original price is at MYR40 per day).
So in total of my 22 days in Europe, I'm paying MYR572 for the router, and another additional MYR200 deposit which is refundable.
Their booking page will help you to calculate the cost according to the date range you provided.
So in total of my 22 days in Europe, I'm paying MYR572 for the router, and another additional MYR200 deposit which is refundable.
Their booking page will help you to calculate the cost according to the date range you provided.
Collection MEthod
You can opt to pick up the router at the airport counters by yourself (KLIA / Penang International Airport / Johor Bahru Counter)
(detailed location can be found on their booking page);
OR
you can get them to deliver it to your house address at an additional cost.
The router will be delivered to you at least one day before your trip, and will collect from you one day after your trip.
(detailed location can be found on their booking page);
OR
you can get them to deliver it to your house address at an additional cost.
The router will be delivered to you at least one day before your trip, and will collect from you one day after your trip.
Payment
You can make payment online by credit card or bank transfer.
I paid with my Credit Card, and if I remember correctly, there isn't any credit card processing fee.
You will need to provide a bank account number as well, so that they could refund the MYR200 deposit to you 3-4 working days after you've returned your router.
I paid with my Credit Card, and if I remember correctly, there isn't any credit card processing fee.
You will need to provide a bank account number as well, so that they could refund the MYR200 deposit to you 3-4 working days after you've returned your router.
Email Confirmation
Once you've done your reservation and payment online, you will receive an email confirmation that looks like this:
Self Pick-Up at Penang Airport
I picked up my router one day before my trip at Penang International Airport, because my flight is at 0630am, whereas their booth only opens at 0600am.
I consulted them regarding this issue via Whatsapp, and they told me that it's alright to do that.
I took my printed confirmation email to their booth at the arrival hall. They're situated next to Hotlink at the side of the escalator, which is also where the rental cars counters are located at.
I showed the girl my confirmation email and she proceeded to retrieve my router pack from the cupboard.
Along the process, she didn't speak at all, except when she's asking for my signature and when she's explaining how to switch on/off the router.
And she doesn't smile. at all.
It irritates me when service people doesn't provide basic services.
It's not until I got back to my car that I realized she didn't even reconfirm my identity or reconfirm my destination package.
It's almost as if I were to lose my confirmation email, then anyone who found it could have just retrieve the router.
And are they so confident that they will not mistake my router with the other ones?
Hmm...
So people,
be careful.
I consulted them regarding this issue via Whatsapp, and they told me that it's alright to do that.
I took my printed confirmation email to their booth at the arrival hall. They're situated next to Hotlink at the side of the escalator, which is also where the rental cars counters are located at.
I showed the girl my confirmation email and she proceeded to retrieve my router pack from the cupboard.
Along the process, she didn't speak at all, except when she's asking for my signature and when she's explaining how to switch on/off the router.
And she doesn't smile. at all.
It irritates me when service people doesn't provide basic services.
It's not until I got back to my car that I realized she didn't even reconfirm my identity or reconfirm my destination package.
It's almost as if I were to lose my confirmation email, then anyone who found it could have just retrieve the router.
And are they so confident that they will not mistake my router with the other ones?
Hmm...
So people,
be careful.
The Package
The router comes in a pastel green zipper bag, which includes the router, a USB charging cord, and an universal adapter.
The white paper on the front of the green bag is my confirmation letter. I placed it there so that I won't lost it.
There's also a small paper inside of the bag, that states the usage limit for each country.
I was shocked when I saw it states the usage limit for Europe is 500MB. Then I re-read the paper, and it stated that the first 500MB everyday will be of normal speed, after that, the speed will be slower than usual, but you'll still be able to use it.
In short, the router provides:
500MB normal speed internet + unlimited slower speed internet,
hence equals to unlimited internet.
Hey I'm not complaining,
as long as I get to use it whenever and however I want, I'm good!
There's also a small paper inside of the bag, that states the usage limit for each country.
I was shocked when I saw it states the usage limit for Europe is 500MB. Then I re-read the paper, and it stated that the first 500MB everyday will be of normal speed, after that, the speed will be slower than usual, but you'll still be able to use it.
In short, the router provides:
500MB normal speed internet + unlimited slower speed internet,
hence equals to unlimited internet.
Hey I'm not complaining,
as long as I get to use it whenever and however I want, I'm good!
Usage
When you need to use the router, just long press the switch at the side for 5 seconds.
The screen will appear blue and it will take another 5 minutes for the router to connect to a local service provider.
There's no extra steps to perform when you're going to use it in another European country; just switch it on as usual and it will connect to that country's local provider.
There will be a set of password and the router's ID at the back of the router.
Search for the router's ID on your phone, and connect to it using the password provided. Just like how you'd connect to any other WiFi hot spot.
While the router is switched on, you'll be able to check your data usage for the day, your battery level, total devices connected and also the local service provider.
You'll just need to press on the switch button once to change to different screen displays.
The router connects to different service providers, depending on their availability or speed I guess?
The screen will appear blue and it will take another 5 minutes for the router to connect to a local service provider.
There's no extra steps to perform when you're going to use it in another European country; just switch it on as usual and it will connect to that country's local provider.
There will be a set of password and the router's ID at the back of the router.
Search for the router's ID on your phone, and connect to it using the password provided. Just like how you'd connect to any other WiFi hot spot.
While the router is switched on, you'll be able to check your data usage for the day, your battery level, total devices connected and also the local service provider.
You'll just need to press on the switch button once to change to different screen displays.
The router connects to different service providers, depending on their availability or speed I guess?
Battery Usage
It was stated that the router will last for 6 hours on a full charge,
but my router was able to last for almost an entire day out during my trip to Europe.
I went out around 10am and came back around 8pm, and the battery is still half full.
I never had the need to charge it using my powerbank when I went out for sight seeing.
And note that my router is always switched on whenever I'm out of my accommodation.
So that's a plus point from me.
but my router was able to last for almost an entire day out during my trip to Europe.
I went out around 10am and came back around 8pm, and the battery is still half full.
I never had the need to charge it using my powerbank when I went out for sight seeing.
And note that my router is always switched on whenever I'm out of my accommodation.
So that's a plus point from me.
Self Return at Penang Airport
I returned my router at the same booth at Penang Airport upon arrival on 4th July.
The guy asked for my confirmation number, so I handed him my confirmation email that I've placed together with the router.
And he asked me to sign on the sheet of paper that I signed when I collected it in June.
And that's it!
I also received an email to confirm that I've returned the router.
With a note that my deposit will be refunded into my bank account 3-4 working days later.
The guy asked for my confirmation number, so I handed him my confirmation email that I've placed together with the router.
And he asked me to sign on the sheet of paper that I signed when I collected it in June.
And that's it!
I also received an email to confirm that I've returned the router.
With a note that my deposit will be refunded into my bank account 3-4 working days later.
Overall, I'm satisfied with this WiFi Router, and I'll probably use it again when I travel in the future. Mostly because Travel Recommends had the best offer I've seen so far.
Price wise, it's a bit expensive, but considering it's Europe and the convenience that it provides, it's still very much worth the price paid.
They are very responsive to their Whatsapp messages, so you could always look for them via Whatsapp if you have any doubts.
Getting a WiFi router costs slightly higher than getting local/tourist SIM cards, but I felt it's worth it because I'm travelling in a group of 3, and my mum has back issues that does not allow her to stand/walk for a long time. So I really don't have the time to slowly look for mobile counters that offers the tourist packs that I wanted. I've read online that not all mobile shops are willing to sell those tourist packs because they don't earn much from that.
Anyway, if you're travelling alone, it might be better to purchase local SIM cards cause it'd be cheaper for you.
xoxo
sylvs
Price wise, it's a bit expensive, but considering it's Europe and the convenience that it provides, it's still very much worth the price paid.
They are very responsive to their Whatsapp messages, so you could always look for them via Whatsapp if you have any doubts.
Getting a WiFi router costs slightly higher than getting local/tourist SIM cards, but I felt it's worth it because I'm travelling in a group of 3, and my mum has back issues that does not allow her to stand/walk for a long time. So I really don't have the time to slowly look for mobile counters that offers the tourist packs that I wanted. I've read online that not all mobile shops are willing to sell those tourist packs because they don't earn much from that.
Anyway, if you're travelling alone, it might be better to purchase local SIM cards cause it'd be cheaper for you.
xoxo
sylvs