Unused data does not carry over once a travel eSIM plan ends. The plan stops at the end of its validity, which is counted in days, and any data left on it goes with it. It is also not refunded. A plan ends in whichever of two ways comes first: the days run out, or the data runs out.
Think of a plan as a bucket with a lid. The data is the water in the bucket and the days are the lid. When the lid closes, the water you did not use is gone.
First, what an eSIM is
An eSIM is a SIM built into your phone, so there is no small plastic card to swap. People call it an eSIM card or an e sim, but nothing physical arrives. You buy an eSIM online, scan a QR code and the plan waits on your phone. Check your handset on the eSIM compatible device list. A physical travel SIM is available for phones without eSIM support, and it follows the same rules.
The two ways a plan ends
| What runs out first | What happens | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| The days | The plan ends and unused data is lost | Buy a new plan for the next trip |
| The data | Your connection stops before the days end | Top up, as set out on the plans page |
Plan terms differ from plan to plan, so check the page of the plan you buy for its exact rules on validity and top-ups.
When does the day count start?
This is worth checking before you buy, because it decides how many days you get on the ground. Plans are usually counted from the moment you first switch on and connect abroad. Some count from a start date set at purchase. Installing the QR code at home does not by itself use up days under the first kind.
Why the leftover is not refunded
Data on a travel plan is sold as a bundle for a set number of days, much like an international pack from Airtel, Jio or Vi. Unused megabytes in those packs are lost at the end of the pack too, so this is how bundles work in general. It is a reason to size a plan well.
How to waste less
Before you buy
✓ Count the nights between landing and your flight home, then add one day.
✓ Estimate data from your habits. Maps use roughly 5 to 10 MB an hour, and video uses far more.
✓ Pick the smallest size that fits, and top up if you run low.
✓ Check your balance partway through the trip, as in our guide to how much data you need.
Using leftover data before the lid closes
On your last day, there is no reason to hold back. Download offline maps, music and shows for the flight home. Back up photos before you board. If two phones are on the trip, a hotspot can share the balance, as set out in sharing eSIM data by hotspot, provided your plan allows it.
After the plan ends
The expired eSIM stays in your phone settings as an inactive line. You can leave it or delete it. Our guide on adding an eSIM without deleting the old one covers phone storage limits. Your next trip needs a new plan, and your cashback balance carries over to it, as described in our loyalty cashback guide.
The short version
Leftover data is lost when the days end. Size the plan to your trip, use your balance on the last day, and top up if you run low.
