UBB adds a 17.5% KateCoin reward for eligible Firsty eSIM purchases
August 23, 2026. United Bulgarian Bank's live KateCoin page now lists Firsty as a reward partner. An eligible UBB customer can receive KateCoins worth 17.5% of the amount paid to Firsty when the purchase is at least €10.
This is not a universal 17.5% reduction at Firsty checkout. UBB says KateCoin participation requires an adult personal customer with an active current account, UBB Mobile, program activation and direct-marketing consent. The customer must follow the offer shown in the KateCoin store and pay the full purchase amount with the eligible UBB payment method stated there.
The traveler decision: use the UBB offer when it appears in your KateCoin store, the planned Firsty purchase is at least €10 and the later reward is useful to you. Compare a Roaming eSIM directly when you do not bank with UBB, need a visible package price and network before buying, or want connectivity that is independent of a personalized loyalty offer.
What the UBB and Firsty offer actually provides
Firsty announced that its UBB integration was live in August. UBB's own KateCoin page supplies the customer-facing reward figure and the wider program rules.
| Offer detail | Current published position |
|---|---|
| Reward | 17.5% of the amount paid, returned in KateCoins |
| Minimum Firsty purchase | €10 |
| Where the offer is managed | KateCoin store inside UBB Mobile |
| Who can join KateCoin | Adult individual customers with a UBB current account and UBB Mobile |
| Program activation | Customer must accept the KateCoin terms and direct-marketing consent |
| Payment | Full purchase must use the UBB card or account specified in the offer |
| Reward timing | The general FAQ says some rewards are immediate and others can take up to 30 days; check the exact Firsty offer |
| Value of one KateCoin | UBB says each coin carries a €1 cash equivalent, although selected redemption offers can provide extra value |
The bank says offers can be personalized using factors such as location, interests and previous purchases. Two UBB customers may therefore see different offers. The public page confirms that the Firsty reward exists, but the live KateCoin card in the customer's app remains the source of truth for its validity period, eligible payment method, frequency and settlement timing.
The 17.5% is a reward, not an instant checkout discount
The distinction affects the trip budget. A qualifying €20 purchase would correspond to €3.50 in KateCoin value under the published percentage. The traveler still pays the full €20 first. UBB then credits the reward according to the offer's terms.
That differs from a coupon that immediately reduces the card charge to €16.50. It also differs from 17.5 KateCoins on every transaction: the percentage is applied to the amount paid, subject to the €10 minimum and the exact in-app conditions.
UBB says unused KateCoins can be converted to their cash equivalent at year end. It also offers campaigns where coins can carry more value when redeemed against a named offer. Do not assume that every Firsty reward becomes cash immediately or that a bonus redemption will still exist after the trip.
Before buying, take a screenshot of the Firsty offer card showing:
- the start and end date;
- the eligible payment method;
- whether a special link is required;
- how often the reward can be earned;
- the expected credit date; and
- any excluded Firsty products or taxes.
Who can qualify through UBB Mobile?
UBB's public KateCoin FAQ lists four entry conditions. The participant must be at least 18, hold a UBB current account, use UBB Mobile as an individual and activate KateCoin after accepting the terms and direct-marketing consent.
The program is voluntary and free, but those requirements make this a bank-customer benefit rather than an open Firsty promotion. A business account, a card issued by another bank or a Firsty purchase made before KateCoin activation should not be assumed eligible.
UBB also says partner rewards require the customer to pay the full amount with the UBB payment instrument named in the offer. Adding a UBB card to a wallet does not by itself prove that every wallet transaction will be recognized. Follow the exact purchase path in UBB Mobile and keep the bank transaction record until the KateCoins appear.
What Firsty plan can the traveler buy?
UBB publishes the reward conditions, not a special data allowance. The purchase itself is supplied by Firsty. Firsty's current help material describes a gradual move to three global plan types:
- Free: advertising earns 20MB at a time, up to 360MB per day, at up to 1Mbps. Unused earned data can stack to 240MB for seven days.
- Classic: fixed bundles from 0.5GB to 50GB, valid for 30 days after activation, with larger bundles advertised from €0.98 per GB.
- Unlimited: day-based service advertised from €2.50 per day, falling to €2 per day for longer purchases, with 5GB of high-speed data in each 24-hour period.
Firsty says the new lineup is rolling out gradually. An existing user with an active or legacy plan may not yet see the same names or prices as a new account. The UBB reward page does not promise that every Firsty plan qualifies, so confirm the eligible product in the KateCoin card before choosing a bundle merely to cross the €10 threshold.
Firsty Unlimited slows after 5GB in 24 hours
Firsty's terms define Unlimited as 5GB of high-speed data per 24-hour period. After that allowance, the maximum speed falls to 512Kbps until the next reset, measured from the Day Pass activation time. Additional high-speed data can be purchased.
The connection continues, but 512Kbps is not equivalent to unrestricted full-speed use. It can cover messaging, email and basic ride-app use. Video, large uploads, tethered work and cloud backup can be noticeably slower.
The reward percentage does not change this fair-use rule. Compare the expected data use first, then decide whether the bank reward improves the right plan or merely encourages a larger purchase.
Does Firsty include calls, SMS and hotspot?
Firsty is primarily a mobile-data service. Its current site advertises international calling through the app, and earlier public discussions describe that feature as internet calling rather than a normal incoming mobile number. Check the calling countries, rate and account eligibility in the current app. Do not rely on it for receiving ordinary bank verification texts.
Keep the home SIM active for the usual number when needed, while disabling mobile-data roaming on that line to reduce accidental charges. Calls, voicemail and SMS on the home subscription can still trigger the home carrier's roaming tariff.
Hotspot terms have changed across Firsty's plan generations. Older community answers about Comfort+ or First Class do not establish the rule for the new Free, Classic and Unlimited lineup. Check the current plan screen and terms before buying for a laptop or family group.
UBB Firsty reward or a Roaming eSIM?
The better choice depends on access to the bank reward and the actual itinerary.
| Traveler situation | UBB with Firsty | Roaming eSIM advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible UBB customer spending at least €10 | 17.5% in KateCoins can improve the effective value after the reward posts | No bank account, loyalty activation or marketing consent required |
| Need an instant lower charge | Full Firsty amount is paid first | Live card shows the retail package price before checkout |
| Comparing local networks | Firsty selects its available partner setup | Selected Roaming eSIM cards list available partner operators |
| Heavy daily use | Unlimited slows after 5GB in 24 hours under current Firsty terms | Fixed and daily package terms are visible per card; limits still vary |
| Need the usual phone number | Firsty data and app calling do not replace the home number | Most Roaming eSIM plans are also data-only, so the same dual-line check applies |
| Reward certainty | Offer can be personalized and may take up to 30 days under the general program window | Purchase does not depend on later loyalty settlement |
🏆 Roaming eSIM wins for open comparison: destination cards show the price, allowance, validity, speed label, listed operators and package-level top-up status without requiring a Bulgarian bank account. UBB plus Firsty can win on effective value for the narrower case where the 17.5% offer is visible, eligible and useful to that customer.
For a single-country trip, compare the live Bulgaria Roaming eSIM or Turkey Roaming eSIM cards. Use a Europe Roaming eSIM for a supported multi-country route, and consider a Global Roaming eSIM only after checking every stop. The data calculator, compatibility guide and calls and SMS guide cover the common pre-purchase checks.
Ten questions travelers ask about the UBB Firsty eSIM reward
Is the Firsty purchase 17.5% cheaper at checkout?
No. UBB describes a KateCoin reward equal to 17.5% of the qualifying amount. The full purchase is paid first.
What is the minimum purchase?
The public UBB page lists a minimum Firsty purchase of €10.
Does every UBB customer receive the offer?
Do not assume so. KateCoin requires an eligible adult personal customer, program activation and consent, and UBB says offers can be personalized. Check the live store.
How long does the reward take?
UBB's general FAQ says partner rewards may be immediate or take up to 30 days. The Firsty card should state the exact timing.
Can I pay with another bank's card?
Not for the KateCoin reward unless the offer expressly says so. UBB says the full purchase must use the specified UBB account or card.
Can I earn the reward on Firsty Free?
Firsty Free does not require a purchase, while UBB sets a €10 qualifying purchase. Check which paid products the in-app offer accepts.
Is Firsty Unlimited full speed all day?
It includes 5GB of high-speed data per 24 hours under the current terms, then up to 512Kbps until reset.
Does Firsty give me a Bulgarian or destination phone number?
The travel service is centered on data and app-based calling. Do not expect a normal local number or incoming SMS unless the exact product explicitly lists them.
Can I use hotspot?
Firsty's plan lineup has changed, and older hotspot answers can be stale. Confirm tethering on the exact plan screen before purchase.
Is the UBB reward better than a separate travel eSIM?
Only if the eligible reward outweighs any difference in price, allowance, network, validity and support for the route. Compare the final trip cost, not the percentage alone.
Sources and updates
The 17.5% reward, €10 minimum, program eligibility, payment requirement, personalization warning, coin value and general settlement window came from UBB's live KateCoin page. UBB's June launch announcement supplied the wider program context. Firsty's public company feed established that the UBB integration was live, without being used as proof of the bank's reward terms.
Firsty's current help center and terms supplied the Free, Classic and Unlimited structure, gradual rollout, activation timing, 5GB daily high-speed allowance and 512Kbps continuation.
The leading result set was reviewed across UBB Firsty eSIM, UBB KateCoin Firsty, Firsty eSIM review, and Firsty unlimited fair use. It included UBB, Firsty, MoneySavingExpert, TechRadar, Firsty's terms and help pages, Trustpilot, Reddit and current comparison pages.
Update policy
We will update this page if UBB changes the reward percentage, minimum purchase, eligibility, payment route, settlement timing or KateCoin value, or if Firsty changes its qualifying plans, prices, country scope, high-speed allowance, reduced speed, calls, hotspot or support terms.
The offer and product pages were checked on August 23, 2026. Confirm the personalized KateCoin card and the selected plan immediately before payment.
