Roaming Inclusive Extra Changed Mid-Contract – What Are My Options?

[Bartekformela]

Hi all,

I’m really hoping someone can help or offer advice here because I’ve been left in an absolutely awful position by EE.

When I renewed my contract, one of the main reasons I stuck with EE was because of the Roam Abroad Pass included as an Inclusive Extra. At the time, it covered both EU and other international destinations. However, I’ve now been told this benefit is being split—so I have to choose between EU roaming or Zone 1 countries. I now can’t use the Inclusive Extra the way it was originally advertised to me when I renewed.

To make matters worse, I renewed my contract during that weird limbo period after Brexit where EU roaming was no longer included, but before EE started reintroducing roaming coverage in newer plans. So I’m now in a ridiculous situation where:

• I don’t get EU roaming included

• I can’t use the Roam Abroad Pass to cover the EU like I could before

• I’d have to pay outrageous fees to use my phone in the EU and “Zone 1” countries.

This was never mentioned as a possibility when I renewed, and now I’m effectively being charged more for a downgraded service, mid-contract.

Has anyone else been hit with this? Can I push to keep my original Roam Abroad Pass? And if not, does this give me grounds to cancel the contract early without penalty?

[drpeterparsons]

I've just run into this issue as well.

About to head to North American for 3.5 weeks and, having got through to a real person to talk to (please make this easier than it currently is EE), I found out that my North American roaming inclusive extra had been removed and I was not aware that this had been taken away from me. Suffice it to say that I was not impressed with the lack of information on what had been changed/removed.

The reason I took out and maintained the EE contract I did was that it included both EU (bundled) and North American (via the inclusive extra) roaming in a way that I didn't have to worry about extra costs as I travel to both on a regular basis.

Now it seems that I will have to phone EE each time to get this changed.

Once my contract's up, I will now be looking around as EE have, by this change, taken away the single biggest reason I chose to stay with them.

[Matt_124]

The new Full Works SIM Only plan is frequently on offer/promotion, currently at £29pm, down from the full price of £48.

This plan includes both EU and ROW Zone 1 Access without needing to swap any Inclusive Extras and is the only plan that EE actively sell that covers thise use case, and it also includes a separate Premium Inclusive Extra choice.

[drpeterparsons]

Interesting. I'm currently on a Full Works plan for another 12 months (but with 3 Inclusive Extras currently).

I wonder if it is possible to have 2 of them as roaming extras so that I don't have to go through the faff of swapping over every so often. I could happily drop the free Netflix to do this as I hardly use it.

[Matt_124]

You absolutely can do that.

Would be much easier than having to swap them out every 30 days through the App or ringing customer services to do so.

[Bartekformela]

Honestly, this kind of marketing spin is so frustrating. Yeah, the new Full Works plan includes EU and RoW Zone 1 roaming — but at what cost? The half price is only for the first 6 months after which  you’re paying £48/month. You’re then also only getting one Extra, when the older plan gave you three, one of which was roam abroad. 

If you are still on the old Full works plan just stay on it as you can keep your three extras, one of which you can switch between EU and Roam abroad through the app or by calling support.

EE is just playing a game of cut the value, slap on a promo price, and hope no one notices what’s missing.

[Matt_124]

@Bartekformela 

It's not a 6 Months Half Price deal.

The price is £29 per month and the only change to this will be the adjustment of the price by £1.50pm on 31st March each year.

You get EU + ROW Zone 1 baked into the plan. You also get Unlimited Watch Data, 5G Standalone and Network Boost, improved Inclusive Extra options for your one choice (Netflix Premium worth £18pm for example)

It is undoubtedly good value on a promotion, not just marketing spin. An Unlimited Essentials plan this time last year on EE was in and around £32 with some occasional 6 Month Half Price deals, but no cuts to the price across the whole term like we're seeing now. The prices have improved 100% for the benefits you get.

Ultimately if you're on an old Full Works plan now and have the EU and ROW Roaming Pass selected, you've only got one Inclusive Extra left anyways.

I wouldn't pay £48 for it, but at £29 it's a steal.

But absolutely if someone wants to stay on their previous Full Works plan, they're well within their rights to do so.

[drpeterparsons]

Thanks all. I'm paying just over £30 for my current Full Works plan. When I get near renewal time, I'll see if the current plan structures are still in place as the current Full Works would be a good one for me (assuming a good price).

[elninobonito]

Just to add the 30 days no longer appplies as when I called they told me that I can change the zone anytime I wanted. Which works well. You can use this as ONE benefit as you can change the region whenever you want. 

I have a plan with 8 motnhs left and get 3 benefits, I have TNT, Netflix and roaming. I cant see any plans that have three benefits now so will just keep on this now you can swap whenever you want. 

App and website still both show the old roam abroad when you try and change addons though! 

[drpeterparsons]

Thanks.

I had to phone them as I couldn't figure things out from the website either. I'll probably do the same as you, at least for now. The person I spoke to at the call centre (once I'd figured out how to get through to a person without being cut off and sent an SMS) told me similar about the 30 days.

[alan2020]

I was left in the lurch over this as well. It was literally the entire reason I renewed with EE - because I travel so much.

But they suddenly decided I have to pay an extra £20 a month to get the same service that I originally signed up for.
And that I can't get out of the original contract until July 2026 - even though they're the ones reneging on the contract.
It's insane that this sort of thing is legal.