eSIM news
Starling Bank adds Gigs-powered travel eSIM plans to its app
Starling customers can now buy and manage Gigs travel data inside the banking app, with regional activation and four published data allowances.
A travel data service inside a banking app
Gigs announced on 27 July that Starling Bank had added travel eSIM plans to its app. Personal banking customers can purchase a data package before a trip and manage it alongside the account they already use in Starling.
The launch announcement lists 1 GB, 3 GB, 5 GB and 10 GB packages lasting 30 days across more than 130 countries. The product is a travel data add-on, not a replacement for a customer's main mobile line or banking account.
How the plans are designed to work
Gigs says customers can buy a plan in advance and have it start after arrival in the selected region, provided the eSIM has been installed and switched on. A further package can be bought through the app when more data is needed.
The announcement also says access to the Starling app remains available without roaming charges after the travel allowance is exhausted. That claim applies to the banking app itself and does not promise free data for other services.
Eligibility and responsibility for the service
Starling's terms require the buyer to be at least 18, hold a personal current account, use the Starling app and have an eSIM-compatible device. The app is meant to check compatibility and display the package details, duration and price before payment.
Gigs UK Limited provides the eSIM and travel data. Starling markets the service and handles the purchase as Gigs' agent, while the customer accepts a separate agreement with Gigs for the data plan. Technical help is routed through the Travel data chat inside the Starling app.
What travellers still need to check
The official materials do not provide one public price, operator and coverage table for every country. Before buying, a traveller still needs to confirm the displayed price and validity, the available network at the destination, device compatibility and refund terms. eSIM.press has not tested purchase, activation, speed or support.