MISC

Cell Phones:

Pre-Arrival Setup

• Why You Need a UK Number You will absolutely need a local UK phone number (+44) once you arrive. You will use it for everything from registering your kids for school, signing up for doctors, communicating with your landlord, and ordering Amazon packages.

• Keeping Your U.S. Number (Optional) If you want to keep your U.S. number for two-factor authentication (2FA) for your U.S. banks or to text family back home, you have options.

  • The Google Voice Hack: Before you cancel your U.S. carrier, you can port your U.S. number to Google Voice (a one-time $20 fee). This parks your number with Google, allowing you to send/receive U.S. texts and calls over Wi-Fi or your UK data plan for free.

• Instant UK Data Upon Landing (eSIM) If you want data the second your plane lands at Heathrow, and your U.S. account doesn' have an international plan, download an eSIM app like Airalo before you travel. You can buy a cheap, temporary 7-day UK data plan to power your Google Maps and WhatsApp while you travel to base and figure out your permanent phone situation.

Prepaid SIMs (First Few Weeks)

• Assuming your U.S. phone is "unlocked," the easiest way to get a UK number immediately is to buy a "Pay-As-You-Go" (Prepaid) SIM card. These do not require a UK bank account, credit check, or permanent address.

• Where to get them:

  • Grocery Stores: You can pick up a prepaid SIM at the airport or at any major grocery chain (Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury's) 

  •  Major UK Carriers: lEE, Vodafone, O2, and Three, or smaller carriers like Tesco Mobile and SMARTY.

UK Phone Contracts (Cheaper than the US!)

• Here is some great news: Mobile service in the UK is significantly cheaper overall than in the U.S.

• Once you secure a permanent UK address and open your UK GBP bank account, you can upgrade from your prepaid SIM to a monthly contract.

  • SIM-Only Contracts: Because you likely brought your unlocked U.S. phone with you, you only need to pay for the service. You can easily find 12-month or rolling 30-day "SIM-only" contracts with unlimited data, calls, and texts for anywhere between £10 to £20 a month.

  • Pro-Tip: When comparing plans, check their European roaming policies. Many UK carriers still include free data roaming throughout Europe, making weekend travel to the continent incredibly easy!

Mail & APO Boxes

• Your sponsor will arrange an APO postal box at Northwood HQ before you arrive (they coordinate with the Unit Postal Officer to secure your number). Use this to start your USPS Mail Forwarding1

• You can ship boxes up to about 18 x 18” (a medium-sized package) to this box. Letters and packages take an average of 10 days to arrive from the U.S. Coordinate closely with your sponsor if you plan to ship anything in advance.

Military STAR Card & FORAX Fuel

• The Military STAR Card If you don’t already have one, apply for a Military STAR card several months before you PCS. You must have this card to get the UK FORAX fuel card!

• FORAX Fuel Card (Tax-Free Gas) The FORAX program allows you to buy UK gas at VAT-free prices (saving you 1/3 to 1/4 off the pump price) at participating UK Shell stations. You can apply for this card at the Air Force Exchange at Blenheim Crescent upon arrival.

VAT Relief Program

• Value Added Tax (VAT) is like sales tax in the U.S., but it is currently 20% and is baked right into the sticker price of most consumer items.

• Because of our Visiting Forces agreement, U.S. military personnel can make VAT-free purchases on single receipts of £100 or more! (Note: This does not include real estate, vehicles, or utilities).

  • For more information, contact the RAF Croughton VAT Relief Office at DSN 314-236-8860 or Comm 01280-708860.

UK Rules & Social Courtesies

Even though we share a common language, the UK is a foreign country with its own laws and customs.