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Before a trip abroad, you can buy an eSIM data plan in Softbooq for yourself or a colleague. The plans come from Airalo. The purchase is recorded as a travel expense, and the eSIM is installed on the phone with a QR code. eSIMs are part of Travel & Expense, in Softbooq Plus and Pro. There is nothing to connect: the plans are ready to buy.

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Buy an eSIM

Admins, Managers and Employees can buy eSIMs.
1

Open Travel & Expense → Bookings

Choose eSIM, next to Flights, Stays and Cars.
2

Pick a plan in Browse Plans

Prices are in US dollars. The list is refreshed every hour.
3

Choose Buy eSIM

  • Order for employee: you, or the colleague who is travelling
  • Attach to trip (optional): links the expense to a trip, with its cost centre and project
  • Send activation to employee email: ticked to start with. Airalo then emails the traveller the installation details as a PDF
4

Choose Confirm Order

The eSIM appears under My eSIMs. A colleague you ordered for also gets a notification in Softbooq.

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Install it

Open the eSIM under My eSIMs for eSIM Activation:
  • Scan the QR code with the phone’s camera, or
  • On an iPhone, choose Install on iPhone when it is offered, or
  • Install by hand with the ICCID and LPA (Manual install) codes, each with a copy button
Installing needs an internet connection, so install it before you leave.

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Data left and top-ups

Refresh usage shows how much data is left and when the plan expires. Before the eSIM is first used, it says Activate eSIM to view usage. To add data to an eSIM that is Active, choose Top Up, pick a package and Confirm Top-up. An eSIM is Not active until it is installed and used, then Active, and Finished or Expired when its data or time runs out.

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How it is paid and recorded

  • Paying: the price is added to your next Softbooq invoice. During a free trial, you pay by card when you order, in Complete Payment. Top-ups always go on the invoice.
  • The expense: each purchase and top-up becomes a travel expense for the traveller, with status Pending, so it goes through your usual expense approval.
  • The books: it is posted to the travel expense account in your chart of accounts, against what you owe Softbooq.

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FAQ

Airalo prices its plans in US dollars. The expense also carries the amount in your workspace currency.
Bookings needs Travel & Expense on your plan (Softbooq Plus or Pro) and a role that may book travel.

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See also

Travel & Expense

Trips, expenses and reimbursements.

Subscription & Plans

What each plan includes.

Finance

Where expenses are posted.