Cost of Rogers US Roaming: Is it Worth the Price?

Rogers currently charges $15 per day for their Roam Like Home service in the United States. While this provides the convenience of using your existing plan's data, it quickly becomes an expensive burden, costing $105 for a single week or up to $300 per billing cycle. For most Canadian travelers, a local data eSIM offers a far more cost-effective way to stay connected on premium American networks.

Understanding the Rogers Roam Like Home Structure

For years, Rogers customers have relied on Roam Like Home as the default way to use their phones south of the border. The premise is simple: for a flat daily fee, you can access your Canadian data, minutes, and texts while in the US. However, the price has steadily climbed, now sitting at $15 per day plus taxes.

One of the most frustrating aspects for travelers is the "trigger" system. Sending a single text message, answering a brief phone call, or even having your phone download a background email update can trigger the full $15 charge for a 24-hour period. If you are crossing the border for a quick dinner in Buffalo or a day trip to Port Huron, that $15 fee significantly increases the cost of your outing.

The Billing Cycle Cap

Rogers does implement a cap on roaming charges, typically limiting the cost to 20 days per monthly billing cycle. This means the maximum you would pay is $300 (plus tax) in a single month. While this prevents a thousand-dollar bill, $300 is still a staggering amount to pay for data access, especially when compared to local rates available through an eSIM. For snowbirds heading to Florida or Arizona for several months, these costs are simply not sustainable.

A Better Alternative: The Travel eSIM

Many Canadians are moving away from the "Big Three" roaming plans in favor of travel eSIMs. A travel eSIM allows you to download a secondary digital SIM card to your phone. This card provides you with local data at local prices, while allowing you to keep your Rogers physical SIM or primary eSIM active in the background.

When you see plans offered by MapleSim, you'll notice the difference immediately. Instead of a daily fee regardless of usage, you choose a specific amount of data that fits your trip duration and needs. This puts the control back in your hands, ensuring you only pay for what you actually intend to use.

Premium Networks: Verizon and AT&T

One common concern with third-party data options is the quality of the connection. However, MapleSim users in the US connect directly to the country's two largest and most reliable networks: Verizon and AT&T.

In major cities like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles, you can expect robust 5G coverage. In more rural areas—perhaps during a road trip through the Rockies or while staying in a remote part of the Desert Southwest—having access to both major carriers ensures you stay connected where others might lose signal. Because these are data-only plans, you aren't fighting for priority on a roaming agreement; you are using the same towers as local American subscribers.

Comparing the Costs: Rogers vs. MapleSim

Feature	Rogers Roam Like Home	MapleSim US eSIM
Daily Cost	$15 CAD	No daily fee; pay for data
Weekly Cost (7 Days)	$105 CAD	Varies by plan (significantly less)
Network Access	Varies (Partner networks)	Verizon (5G) & AT&T (5G)
Setup	Automatic (often accidental)	Quick digital install
Phone Number	Your Canadian number	Data only (no local number)
2FA & Banking	Included	Supported via your home SIM

Choosing the Right Plan for Your Trip

Not every traveler has the same data needs. A family heading to Disney World for a week will use data differently than a snowbird spending the winter in a Palm Springs RV park.

For Short Trips and Weekend Getaways

If you're just heading across the border for a few days, you don't need a massive data bucket. Fixed plans like 1GB for 7 days or 2GB for 15 days are perfect for navigation, checking restaurant reviews, and staying in touch via WhatsApp. For those who want more breathing room, 3GB and 5GB plans for 30 days provide plenty of data for social media updates and light browsing.

For Heavy Users and Families

If you plan on streaming video, uploading high-resolution photos, or sharing your connection with family members via a hotspot, daily passes are a great option. These plans provide a set amount of high-speed data every day (such as 1GB, 2GB, or even 3GB per day), with a throttled connection available if you exceed the limit. This ensures you are never truly "cut off" from the internet. You can see plans for these high-usage scenarios to find the best fit for your family.

For Snowbirds and Long-Term Travelers

Snowbirds are the primary victims of high roaming fees. Spending 90 or 180 days in the US would cost thousands under standard roaming rates. MapleSim offers specialized long-term plans, such as 20GB for 90 days or 50GB for 180 days. These plans allow you to settle into your winter home without worrying about a looming $300 monthly phone bill.

How to Keep Your Canadian Number Active

One of the biggest reasons people stick with Rogers Roam Like Home is the fear of losing access to their Canadian phone number. We all rely on our numbers for two-factor authentication (2FA) from banks, work portals, and text messages from friends.

With a modern smartphone, you can have the best of both worlds. By using an eSIM for your data and keeping your Rogers SIM active for "SMS only," you can receive those important texts without triggering the $15 daily roaming fee.

Pro Tip: To avoid the $15 charge, you must turn off "Data Roaming" for your Rogers line in your phone settings and set your MapleSim eSIM as the primary "Cellular Data" source. You should also avoid answering voice calls or sending outgoing SMS on your Rogers line.

Technical Setup: Getting Started

Before you head to the airport or cross the border, you should ensure your phone is compatible with eSIM technology. Most iPhones from the XR/XS onwards and most Samsung Galaxy S-series phones from the S20 onwards support this feature.

Installation Steps for iPhone

1. Purchase your plan and receive your QR code via email.
2. Go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM.
3. Scan the QR code provided by MapleSim.
4. Label the new plan as "Travel" or "US Data."
5. Set your "Cellular Data" to the new eSIM, but keep your "Default Voice Line" as your primary Rogers number.

Installation Steps for Android

1. Open Settings > Connections > SIM card manager.
2. Select Add mobile plan > Scan carrier QR code.
3. Follow the prompts to install the profile.
4. Ensure the new eSIM is selected for data usage in the settings menu.

For more detailed guidance, you can view our full setup instructions to ensure a smooth transition once you land in the US.

Coverage Realities: Cities vs. Rural Areas

In major American hubs like Miami, Phoenix, or Las Vegas, 5G coverage is ubiquitous. However, the US is vast, and coverage can vary significantly once you leave the interstate.

• Verizon: Generally considered the leader in rural coverage and reliability in the Midwest and Western states.
• AT&T: Highly competitive in the Southern US and along the East Coast, with excellent 5G penetration in urban centers.

By using a MapleSim eSIM that taps into both, you are essentially getting the best possible coverage available in the United States. This is particularly useful for those planning road trips through the National Parks or visiting smaller towns in the heartland.

Expanding Your Horizons

While the US is the most common destination for Canadians, the same logic applies to international travel. If your winter plans involve a trip further south, you might find our Akumal snorkeling guide useful for planning a trip to Mexico. Or, if you're trading the Florida sun for a European adventure, consider exploring the English countryside with our Cotswolds road trip itinerary. MapleSim offers similar affordable data solutions for over 100 countries, ensuring you never have to pay $15 a day for roaming ever again.

The bottom line

Rogers Roam Like Home is a convenient but overpriced service that can easily add hundreds of dollars to your travel budget. By switching to a MapleSim eSIM, you gain access to the same premium 5G networks (Verizon and AT&T) for a fraction of the cost. You retain your Canadian number for essential security alerts while enjoying the freedom of local data rates. Whether you are a snowbird staying for six months or a family on a weekend getaway, the savings are too significant to ignore.