What it does
Airalo is a platform-level integration. No API key is required from your side — Softbooq manages the Airalo account and wholesale pricing. You see the retail price only; platform credit balances are not visible to tenants.
How to order an eSIM
1
Open Travel & Expense → eSIMs
2
Choose a destination and plan
Filter by country or region. Plans are listed with data allowance, validity in days, and price. Select the plan that fits the trip duration and expected data usage.
3
Set quantity
Default is one plan. Increase the quantity if ordering for multiple travellers or to have a backup plan on a long trip.
4
Complete payment
Paid plan: the cost is added as an invoice item on your next Softbooq bill. No card entry is required.Trial plan: a secure Stripe payment screen collects payment before the eSIM is activated. The eSIM is not issued until payment succeeds.
5
Receive the eSIM QR code
The activation QR code is shown on screen immediately and sent by email. Install it on a supported device by scanning the QR code in the phone’s Cellular / Mobile Data settings and selecting Add eSIM.
Automatic expense and GL entry
Every Airalo order automatically:- Creates a draft expense in the ordering employee’s Travel & Expense record, categorised as Telephone / Data.
- Posts a GL journal entry: debit to account 6300 (Communication Expenses) and credit to account 2000 (Accrued Payables) at the net order price.
Ordering on behalf of an employee
Admins and HR Managers can order eSIMs for employees directly:1
Open Travel & Expense → eSIMs → Order for Employee
2
Select the employee
The eSIM is linked to their travel profile. The draft expense is created on their record.
3
Choose a plan and confirm
4
The employee receives a notification
The employee is notified by email and in-app with the QR code and installation instructions.
Device compatibility
eSIMs require a device with hardware eSIM support. Most flagship phones manufactured after 2018 support eSIM. Verify device compatibility before ordering — once activated, an eSIM plan cannot be refunded. Check that the destination country is in the plan’s coverage list before confirming. Some plans cover a continent but exclude specific countries.Troubleshooting
The QR code is not working
The QR code is not working
eSIM QR codes are single-use. If you scanned it on one device you cannot transfer it to another without requesting a new eSIM. Contact support with the order reference if you need a replacement code before activation.
My order shows Awaiting Payment but I completed checkout
My order shows Awaiting Payment but I completed checkout
If your browser closed before the payment confirmation was processed, the order stays in Awaiting Payment for up to 15 minutes while the system verifies the Stripe payment in the background. If it has been longer than 15 minutes, contact support with the order reference shown on the eSIM screen.
The draft expense was not created on my travel record
The draft expense was not created on my travel record
The draft expense is created after payment confirmation. Check Finance → Expenses filtered to today’s date. If it is still missing after a few minutes, contact support with the Airalo order ID shown on the eSIM detail screen.
The eSIM shows no signal in the destination country
The eSIM shows no signal in the destination country
Check the plan’s coverage list to confirm your specific country is included. If coverage is confirmed, toggle the eSIM line off and on in your phone’s cellular settings. Some carriers take up to two hours to provision the line after first activation.
See also
Travel & Expense
Where eSIM orders and expenses live.
Finance
GL journal entries for eSIM purchases post here automatically.
HR
Travel profiles and ordering on behalf of employees.