We are bringing family down and will need to communicate with them. I think all have ATT. If on airplane mode, can I text the family without charge? Do I use WiFi to do that?

If your device has device has the capability for wifi calling you can text (and receive texts) and make calls to a USA phone (anywhere) without a charge...airplane mode on...wifi on

If everyone in in SXM then they will all have to be connected to wifi for the text to go through (or have a cell plan in place)

Have everyone get WhatsApp. It is a widely used app that works over WiFi. It's used extensively in Europe, and I see a lof of businesses in St. Marti use it as well. For reservations, questions, etc.

I use WhatsApp to text with family and friends back home when I’m on the island.

Only issue with WhatsApp is that everyone you want to call has to have the app installed....and it works...but for texting you don't need an app...just wifi for texts and calls to US cellphones regardless of where they are located

Advantage of WhatsApp is that you can call to a non-US phone for no charge....as long as they have the app

I downloaded WhatsApp but uninstalled it after it pretty much wouldn't let me do anything unless I shared all my "contacts" with it. They don't need that info for anything good. My elderly mom gets enough spam calls from all over the globe trying to scam her. We have GoogleFi so we are usually covered anywhere we go with no outrageous fees.

and if you weren’t aware, receiving texts is always free, even without wifi…it’s sending texts that has a roaming fee, unless on wifi

Sooooo....receiving texts without wifi means that you are off airplane mode and connected to a service somewhere. SO if you get a random call you will either be charged or initiate the daily Travel Pass fee or International rate/minute

how sooooo?...although we switched to Xfinity Mobile last spring, we previously had AT&T for 20+ years, and have never been charged for Travel Pass because we never signed up for it...and you don't pay for an incoming call unless you answer it...this is for at least 2-3 international trips every year, to caribbean and europe

Correct...common sense says you would never be charged for the travel pass if you didn't sign up for it...and also correct that you would not be charged for unanswered calls..

Discussion was directed to texts and calls made....

do you even know what you wrote in response to my post above?...your response clearly stated "receiving texts without wifi means that you are off airplane mode and connected to a service somewhere. SO if you get a random call you will either be charged or initiate the daily Travel Pass fee or International rate/minute"

and i simply disputed that completely incorrect comment...nowhere does the OP mention signing up for Travel Pass, so why assume she will?...and by being connected to local service provider, you at least have the option to answer or not answer the call, depending on if you're willing to incur roaming charges for a call from that particular number, and you will continue to receive free texts...at least you will know someone is trying to reach you...with your silly overreactive advice to ALWAYS keep phone in Airplane Mode, you wouldn't even know you're receiving a call while away from wifi, emergency or otherwise, nor will you receive texts (which are always free)...you do you, but making general statements that include baseless assumptions doesn't help anyone

Sorry for upsetting you but I agreed with your statement with my "correct" comment

I always have my phone in airplane more when not in the USA....my preference. That doesn't mean it has to be yours also. ''

It's like the "What's you favorite place to stay" or "favorite car rental company" .....everyone's personal choice is the best in their minds and that's fine

AT&T has WiFi assist calling. Free calls to USA as long as you are in WiFi Range. I've been using it for years on Anguilla!

your never-ending obtuse comments explain your high post count...you're not alone, there's another similar poster on here

Easy now.

Life can exist without texting, although some think otherwise.

Here's my experience texting with AT&T while on the island with an iPhone. If you're not using an iPhone, everything below may not be as relevant.

We could send texts through iMessage while connected to WiFi to other iPhone users. We could not send messages through iMessage to those that weren't also using an iPhone, and iMessage won't work without WiFi or cell data. As in the United States, the messages to non-iPhone users would show up in green and would use the cellular network rather than WiFi (what iMessage uses). Those wouldn't work on airplane mode -- even if connected to WiFi -- because you need the cell network to send a normal text.

So, in my experience, your ability to text without getting charged may depend on the type of phone you have and the type of phone your family has. If everyone agrees to use WhatsApp (or something else), it's one way to get everyone on the same page regardless of the type of phone you're all using as long as you can connect to WiFi.

Just back from 3 spectacular weeks in SXM. Texted extensively both on island and back to the states. Also made a few phone calls. Always with wi-fi turned on, and with Consumer Cellular there were no charges.

If you turn on wifi calling on your phone, then texts sent from an iphone to any other type phone will go through as texts as long as you are connected to wifi, our daughter spent almost 2 years on the island and my android still received her "good Morning" text sent from her iphone using wifi calling, no charge

We never tried that, but I’m glad it works. We normally just use international pass for one phone and then rely on WiFi for iMessage on the other. We never thought to turn on WiFi calling. Makes sense, though.

Still rocking the flip!!! 😂. So true though. If it was t for work I wouldn’t worry and just wait until back in our home!!!!!

Advantage of WhatsApp is that you can call to a non-US phone for no charge....as long as they have the app[/quote]
All that means is anybody in your regular contact list will automatically show up in your whatsapp contact list as long as they have the app. I always put the number in my regular contact list and then check to see if it shows up on whatsapp. No problems.

And who could that be?

Hey now! Smart phone for over a year now but I despise texting.

Nothing like seeing people sitting at a restaurant table or elsewhere in a group and NOBODY is talking as they are all texting. I find some people (including my wife at times) do it to the extent that it is rude in certain settings.

So true!! Totally get it. Was just bustin!!!

I want to thank all of you who answered my plea. You have been very helpful, and I am delighted to know we can keep in touch with family this way when we are scattered around our resort, without cost.
And I agree wholeheartedly that texting should be used sparingly, and not while socializing at the table when you should be conversing in person.