May 30, 2013, 7:55 pm
Last edit by: WIRunner
Good comparison of prepaid plans:
http://www.prepaidphonenews.com/2011...and-plans.html
AT&T GSM 850/1900, LTE Data
LTE Bands: 2, 4, 17
Basic and Messaging Phones (No Smartphones, iPhones, etc.)
No monthly fee - 10¢/minute, 20¢/text, Data 1¢/5KB of use
$2/Day (Only billed fee on days used) - Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text, Data 1¢/5KB when Used or $1/Day for 100MB
Smartphone or Basic/Feature Phones
$30/month Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text; Data is not included: 1¢/5KB of use, or $5/Month 100 MB
$45/month Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text, 1.5GB Data at "3G" speeds, thereafter throttled to 128Kbps
$55/Month Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text, Includes Unlimited calls to Mexico; 1¢ per minute for calls to Canada, calls within Mexico and Canada, and from Mexico and Canada to select countries, plus unlimited messaging while roaming in Mexico and Canada. 1 GB Data at "3G" speeds, throttled to 128 Kbps thereafter
$60/Month Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text, Includes Unlimited calls to Mexico, Unlimited Texting when in Canada or Mexico, 4 GB Data at "3G" speeds, throttled to 128 Kbps thereafter
Verizon CDMA, LTE Data
LTE Bands: 2, 4, 13
Pay-as-you-go (Feature/Basic Phones Only)
Daily access fees are billed only when device is used
$1.99/Day - Unlimited Domestic Airtime, Text Messages are 2¢/message (in or out), Picture Messages are 25¢/message (in or out), Mobile Web access 99¢/24 hour period
99¢/Day Unlimited Verizon to Verizon Calls, Standard Airtime Calls 25¢/Minute, Text Messages 10¢/Message (In or Out), Picture Messages 25¢/Message (In or Out); Mobile Web Access 99¢/24 Hour Period
$0.00/Day - Standard Airtime Calls 25¢/Minute, Text Messages 20¢/Message (in or out), Picture Messages 25¢/Message (in or out), Mobile Web access 99¢/24 hour period
Can add the following monthly text messaging options:
$20/month for Unlimited Messaging to anyone on any network in the U.S.
$10/month for Unlimited Mobile to Mobile Messaging with Verizon Wireless customers PLUS 250 additional messages*
Feature Phone Monthly Plans
$35/Month 500 Standard Airtime Minutes, Unlimited Domestic Texts, Unlimited Texts to Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico, 500MB Mobile Web
$45/Month Unlimited Standard Airtime Minutes, Unlimited Domestic Texts, Unlimited Texts to Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico, 500MB Mobile Web
Smartphone
$45/month Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text Includes 1GB LTE Data, 500MB included when signed up for monthly autopay. Data Stops once allotment is exhausted.
Additional Data for Monthly Smart or Basic Phone Plans
$5 for 500MB, $10 for 1GB or $20 for 3GB. Data access stops once data allotment is exhausted, would need to purchase additional data for the month or restart bill cycle for a new 30 Days
T-Mobile GSM 1900, LTE Data
LTE Bands: 2, 4, 12
$3/month 30 minutes of Airtime or 30 Texts (or a combination)
Data can be added: $5/day 500MB High Speed Data (LTE) or $10/week 1GB High Speed Data (LTE)
$30/month 100 Minutes Airtime, Unlimited Text, 5GB of High Speed data (LTE, HSDPA+) then throttled to "2G" speeds. Includes International texting at no charge to select countries Must be activated on-line, or purchased from Wal-Mart
$35/month Unlimited Airtime, Unlimited Text, No Data Included
The following plans include Unlimited Airtime, and Unlimited Text, Speed is throttled to 8 Mb/s regardless if a higher link is available, once data allotment is consumed throttled to "2G" speeds, or a max of 128 Kb/s. Price is listed monthly.
$40 - 1 GB Data
$50 - 3 GB Data
$60 - 5 GB Data
Add Unlimited landline, and texting to select countries for $10/month, Calls to mobile carriers in select countries are 20¢ per minute
Add Unlimited landline, mobile calling and texting to select countries for $15 per month
If the device supports it, these plans also have T-Mobile WiFi calling available at no charge.
Sprint CDMA, LTE Data
No longer offers branded pre paid services, all plans are sold through Boost subsidary
H2O
U.S. Cellular CDMA, LTE Data
LTE Bands: 5, 12
Plans are listed per month
"Ready Connect" (Available at Wal-Mart and Amazon.com, and other stores)
$35 - Basic Phone Only - Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text, Unlimited Mobile Web
$45 - Smartphone - Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text, 1GB Data
$55 - Smartphone - Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text, 2GB Data
Maximum of 200MB can be used off network.
Data stops when allotment is exhausted, additional buckets can be purchased for $5/250MB, $15/1GB, $25/2GB
"Simple Connect" Plans all include Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data, the high speed allotment varies depending on the plan, prices are monthly
$40 - Basic Phones Unlimited Data
$45 - 1GB Data
$55 - 2GB Data
$65 - 4GB Data
Data is throttled to "1x" speeds thereafter (max of 196 Kb/s)
TracFone GSM 850/1900 or CDMA
Annual Cards (Good for 365 Days from Activation)
$199.99 1500 Minutes
$159.99 1000 Minutes
$119.99 800 Minutes (Plus double minutes on future refills)
$99.99 400 Minutes
$19.99 Package adds double airtime to all future refills
Pay-As-You-Go
$79.99 450 Minutes for 90 Days
$39.99 200 Minutes for 90 Days
$19.99 60 Minutes for 90 Days
$9.99 30 Minutes for 30 Days (online only)
Web Access for Android Phones
$50/2GB
$20/750MB
$10/300MB
Red Pocket (Link)
512MB - $5
1GB - $10
3GB - $30
5GB - $50
Uses T-Mobile's 4G/LTE network
All plans except 512MB are throttled after exceeding data usage.
SIM cards can be purchased inexpensively through Amazon and ebay
Cricket Wireless GSM 850/1900, LTE Data
AT&T Wireless Subsidy
Plans are monthly, and include Unlimited Talk and Texting, Included data varies; LTE speeds are throttled to 8Mb/s, HSDPA+ is throttled to 4Mb/s, $5 discount available when on autopay
$25 - NO Data Access
$40 - 2.5GB
$50 - 5GB Adds Unlimited Calling and Texting to Mexico, plus 35 additional countries
$60 - 10GB Adds Unlimited Calling and Texting to Mexico, plus 35 additional countries
$60 - 20 GB (Promotional Plan) Adds Unlimited Calling and Texting to Mexico, plus 35 additional countries
MetroPCS GSM 1900, LTE Data
T-Mobile Subsidy
Plans are monthly and include Unlimited Talk and Text. Included Data Varies, once package data is exceeded speed is throttled to "2G" speeds (128Kb/s max), prices include add fees and taxes
$40 - 2GB Data (promotional)
$50 - 4GB Data (promotional)
$60 - Unlimited Data
$50 Unlimited Data plan is available when purchasing a device from MetroPCS, BYOD is not available on that plan
Add-ons
$10/month Mexico Calling: Unlimited Calling to Landlines, 1000 minutes to mobile phones, Unlimited texting to mobile phones, 200 minutes and 200 texts when traveling in Mexico
$10/month World Calling - Select countries include unlimited calls to landlines, Unlimited texting, 200 minutes to mobile phones; 200 voice roaming voice minutes, Send 200 text messages, unlimited incoming text messages
Net10 GSM 850/1900, LTE Data
Pay as you go
$100 - 1500 Minutes, 180 Days
$60 - 900 Minutes, 90 Days
$45 - 600 Minutes, 60 Days
$30 - 300 Minutes, 60 Days
$20 - 200 Minutes, 30 Days
Monthly No Data Plans (Good for 30 Days)
$25 - 1000 Minutes
$30 - 500 Minutes
$15 - 200 Minutes
Monthly Unlimited Plans - Price is monthly. Includes unlimited Talk and Text, Amount of high speed data varies per plan and is then throttled to 64 kbps thereafter
$35 - No Data
$40 - 500 MB (additional 250 MB with autopay)
$50 - 3GB
$60 - 3.5GB (additional 1GB with autopay)
$75 - 5GB (additional 1GB with autopay)
Virgin Mobile CDMA
Sprint Subsidy
Monthly Basic Phone Plans "PayLo", Text Messages are 25
$40 Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text, 50MB of Data
$30 1500 Minutes of Talk, 1500 Text (in and out), 30MB data
$20 400 Minutes, 15¢ per text, 25¢ per picture message, $1.50/MB for Data
Unlimited Plans
$20 300 Minutes and Text
$35 Unlimited Talk and Text, 250 MB 3G/4G data throttled thereafter
$35 Unlimited Text, 300 Minutes 2.5GB 3G/4G data, throttled thereafter
$45 Unlimited Talk and Text, Unlimited International Text, 100 International Voice minutes, 1 GB 3G/4G data throttled thereafter,
$55 Unlimited Talk and Text, Unlimited International Text, 100 International Voice minutes, 3 GB 3G/4G data throttled thereafter
Data Share Plans
Plans are monthly and include Unlimited Text, Voice minutes vary by plan, data allotment is 2.5 GB of 3G/4G data and is throttled after the included data is exhausted, $20 starter kit is required and available only at Wal-Mart
$35 - 300 Minutes
$45 - Unlimited Talk
Additional data
$10/Month - 1 GB
$15/Month - 2 GB
$25/Month - 4 GB
$35/Month - 6 GB
$65/Month - 12 GB
$85/Month - 20 GB
$2 One time 100MB DATA
$5 One time 500MB DATA
$5 VOICE EXTENDED COVERAGE 60 MINUTES (ROAMING)
$2.50 DATA EXTENDED COVERAGE 10MB (ROAMING)
$5 DATA EXTENDED COVERAGE 20MB (ROAMING)
$10 DATA EXTENDED COVERAGE 40MB (ROAMING)
$2 100 MINUTES OF TALK (Good for 30 Days)
$5 300 MINUTES OF TALK (Good for 30 Days)
Ultra Mobile GSM 850/1900 UMTS 1700/1900 LTE 1700
LTE Bands 2, 4, 12
Roams off T-Mobile with theoretical full access to the T-Mobile network, but network coverage is slightly reduced as is 4GLTE coverage
All plans include:
Unlimited domestic calling
Unlimited domestic SMS/MMS
Unlimited global SMS/MMS
Standard features: 3-way calling, caller ID, voicemail, 411
Plans range from $19-49/month and generally include free international calling (landline/cell) and local access numbers for friends/family to call.
SIM card costs $1. See Ultra.me for more info.
You can purchase SIM and plan through 3rd parties such as EZKonnect or even Amazon for a discount.
http://www.prepaidphonenews.com/2011...and-plans.html
AT&T GSM 850/1900, LTE Data
LTE Bands: 2, 4, 17
Basic and Messaging Phones (No Smartphones, iPhones, etc.)
No monthly fee - 10¢/minute, 20¢/text, Data 1¢/5KB of use
$2/Day (Only billed fee on days used) - Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text, Data 1¢/5KB when Used or $1/Day for 100MB
Smartphone or Basic/Feature Phones
$30/month Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text; Data is not included: 1¢/5KB of use, or $5/Month 100 MB
$45/month Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text, 1.5GB Data at "3G" speeds, thereafter throttled to 128Kbps
$55/Month Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text, Includes Unlimited calls to Mexico; 1¢ per minute for calls to Canada, calls within Mexico and Canada, and from Mexico and Canada to select countries, plus unlimited messaging while roaming in Mexico and Canada. 1 GB Data at "3G" speeds, throttled to 128 Kbps thereafter
$60/Month Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text, Includes Unlimited calls to Mexico, Unlimited Texting when in Canada or Mexico, 4 GB Data at "3G" speeds, throttled to 128 Kbps thereafter
Verizon CDMA, LTE Data
LTE Bands: 2, 4, 13
Pay-as-you-go (Feature/Basic Phones Only)
Daily access fees are billed only when device is used
$1.99/Day - Unlimited Domestic Airtime, Text Messages are 2¢/message (in or out), Picture Messages are 25¢/message (in or out), Mobile Web access 99¢/24 hour period
99¢/Day Unlimited Verizon to Verizon Calls, Standard Airtime Calls 25¢/Minute, Text Messages 10¢/Message (In or Out), Picture Messages 25¢/Message (In or Out); Mobile Web Access 99¢/24 Hour Period
$0.00/Day - Standard Airtime Calls 25¢/Minute, Text Messages 20¢/Message (in or out), Picture Messages 25¢/Message (in or out), Mobile Web access 99¢/24 hour period
Can add the following monthly text messaging options:
$20/month for Unlimited Messaging to anyone on any network in the U.S.
$10/month for Unlimited Mobile to Mobile Messaging with Verizon Wireless customers PLUS 250 additional messages*
Feature Phone Monthly Plans
$35/Month 500 Standard Airtime Minutes, Unlimited Domestic Texts, Unlimited Texts to Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico, 500MB Mobile Web
$45/Month Unlimited Standard Airtime Minutes, Unlimited Domestic Texts, Unlimited Texts to Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico, 500MB Mobile Web
Smartphone
$45/month Unlimited Domestic Talk and Text Includes 1GB LTE Data, 500MB included when signed up for monthly autopay. Data Stops once allotment is exhausted.
Additional Data for Monthly Smart or Basic Phone Plans
$5 for 500MB, $10 for 1GB or $20 for 3GB. Data access stops once data allotment is exhausted, would need to purchase additional data for the month or restart bill cycle for a new 30 Days
T-Mobile GSM 1900, LTE Data
LTE Bands: 2, 4, 12
$3/month 30 minutes of Airtime or 30 Texts (or a combination)
Data can be added: $5/day 500MB High Speed Data (LTE) or $10/week 1GB High Speed Data (LTE)
$30/month 100 Minutes Airtime, Unlimited Text, 5GB of High Speed data (LTE, HSDPA+) then throttled to "2G" speeds. Includes International texting at no charge to select countries Must be activated on-line, or purchased from Wal-Mart
$35/month Unlimited Airtime, Unlimited Text, No Data Included
The following plans include Unlimited Airtime, and Unlimited Text, Speed is throttled to 8 Mb/s regardless if a higher link is available, once data allotment is consumed throttled to "2G" speeds, or a max of 128 Kb/s. Price is listed monthly.
$40 - 1 GB Data
$50 - 3 GB Data
$60 - 5 GB Data
Add Unlimited landline, and texting to select countries for $10/month, Calls to mobile carriers in select countries are 20¢ per minute
Add Unlimited landline, mobile calling and texting to select countries for $15 per month
If the device supports it, these plans also have T-Mobile WiFi calling available at no charge.
Sprint CDMA, LTE Data
No longer offers branded pre paid services, all plans are sold through Boost subsidary
H2O
U.S. Cellular CDMA, LTE Data
LTE Bands: 5, 12
Plans are listed per month
"Ready Connect" (Available at Wal-Mart and Amazon.com, and other stores)
$35 - Basic Phone Only - Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text, Unlimited Mobile Web
$45 - Smartphone - Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text, 1GB Data
$55 - Smartphone - Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text, 2GB Data
Maximum of 200MB can be used off network.
Data stops when allotment is exhausted, additional buckets can be purchased for $5/250MB, $15/1GB, $25/2GB
"Simple Connect" Plans all include Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data, the high speed allotment varies depending on the plan, prices are monthly
$40 - Basic Phones Unlimited Data
$45 - 1GB Data
$55 - 2GB Data
$65 - 4GB Data
Data is throttled to "1x" speeds thereafter (max of 196 Kb/s)
TracFone GSM 850/1900 or CDMA
Annual Cards (Good for 365 Days from Activation)
$199.99 1500 Minutes
$159.99 1000 Minutes
$119.99 800 Minutes (Plus double minutes on future refills)
$99.99 400 Minutes
$19.99 Package adds double airtime to all future refills
Pay-As-You-Go
$79.99 450 Minutes for 90 Days
$39.99 200 Minutes for 90 Days
$19.99 60 Minutes for 90 Days
$9.99 30 Minutes for 30 Days (online only)
Web Access for Android Phones
$50/2GB
$20/750MB
$10/300MB
Red Pocket (Link)
512MB - $5
1GB - $10
3GB - $30
5GB - $50
Uses T-Mobile's 4G/LTE network
All plans except 512MB are throttled after exceeding data usage.
SIM cards can be purchased inexpensively through Amazon and ebay
Cricket Wireless GSM 850/1900, LTE Data
AT&T Wireless Subsidy
Plans are monthly, and include Unlimited Talk and Texting, Included data varies; LTE speeds are throttled to 8Mb/s, HSDPA+ is throttled to 4Mb/s, $5 discount available when on autopay
$25 - NO Data Access
$40 - 2.5GB
$50 - 5GB Adds Unlimited Calling and Texting to Mexico, plus 35 additional countries
$60 - 10GB Adds Unlimited Calling and Texting to Mexico, plus 35 additional countries
$60 - 20 GB (Promotional Plan) Adds Unlimited Calling and Texting to Mexico, plus 35 additional countries
MetroPCS GSM 1900, LTE Data
T-Mobile Subsidy
Plans are monthly and include Unlimited Talk and Text. Included Data Varies, once package data is exceeded speed is throttled to "2G" speeds (128Kb/s max), prices include add fees and taxes
$40 - 2GB Data (promotional)
$50 - 4GB Data (promotional)
$60 - Unlimited Data
$50 Unlimited Data plan is available when purchasing a device from MetroPCS, BYOD is not available on that plan
Add-ons
$10/month Mexico Calling: Unlimited Calling to Landlines, 1000 minutes to mobile phones, Unlimited texting to mobile phones, 200 minutes and 200 texts when traveling in Mexico
$10/month World Calling - Select countries include unlimited calls to landlines, Unlimited texting, 200 minutes to mobile phones; 200 voice roaming voice minutes, Send 200 text messages, unlimited incoming text messages
Net10 GSM 850/1900, LTE Data
Pay as you go
$100 - 1500 Minutes, 180 Days
$60 - 900 Minutes, 90 Days
$45 - 600 Minutes, 60 Days
$30 - 300 Minutes, 60 Days
$20 - 200 Minutes, 30 Days
Monthly No Data Plans (Good for 30 Days)
$25 - 1000 Minutes
$30 - 500 Minutes
$15 - 200 Minutes
Monthly Unlimited Plans - Price is monthly. Includes unlimited Talk and Text, Amount of high speed data varies per plan and is then throttled to 64 kbps thereafter
$35 - No Data
$40 - 500 MB (additional 250 MB with autopay)
$50 - 3GB
$60 - 3.5GB (additional 1GB with autopay)
$75 - 5GB (additional 1GB with autopay)
Virgin Mobile CDMA
Sprint Subsidy
Monthly Basic Phone Plans "PayLo", Text Messages are 25
$40 Unlimited Talk, Unlimited Text, 50MB of Data
$30 1500 Minutes of Talk, 1500 Text (in and out), 30MB data
$20 400 Minutes, 15¢ per text, 25¢ per picture message, $1.50/MB for Data
Unlimited Plans
$20 300 Minutes and Text
$35 Unlimited Talk and Text, 250 MB 3G/4G data throttled thereafter
$35 Unlimited Text, 300 Minutes 2.5GB 3G/4G data, throttled thereafter
$45 Unlimited Talk and Text, Unlimited International Text, 100 International Voice minutes, 1 GB 3G/4G data throttled thereafter,
$55 Unlimited Talk and Text, Unlimited International Text, 100 International Voice minutes, 3 GB 3G/4G data throttled thereafter
Data Share Plans
Plans are monthly and include Unlimited Text, Voice minutes vary by plan, data allotment is 2.5 GB of 3G/4G data and is throttled after the included data is exhausted, $20 starter kit is required and available only at Wal-Mart
$35 - 300 Minutes
$45 - Unlimited Talk
Additional data
$10/Month - 1 GB
$15/Month - 2 GB
$25/Month - 4 GB
$35/Month - 6 GB
$65/Month - 12 GB
$85/Month - 20 GB
$2 One time 100MB DATA
$5 One time 500MB DATA
$5 VOICE EXTENDED COVERAGE 60 MINUTES (ROAMING)
$2.50 DATA EXTENDED COVERAGE 10MB (ROAMING)
$5 DATA EXTENDED COVERAGE 20MB (ROAMING)
$10 DATA EXTENDED COVERAGE 40MB (ROAMING)
$2 100 MINUTES OF TALK (Good for 30 Days)
$5 300 MINUTES OF TALK (Good for 30 Days)
Ultra Mobile GSM 850/1900 UMTS 1700/1900 LTE 1700
LTE Bands 2, 4, 12
Roams off T-Mobile with theoretical full access to the T-Mobile network, but network coverage is slightly reduced as is 4GLTE coverage
All plans include:
Unlimited domestic calling
Unlimited domestic SMS/MMS
Unlimited global SMS/MMS
Standard features: 3-way calling, caller ID, voicemail, 411
Plans range from $19-49/month and generally include free international calling (landline/cell) and local access numbers for friends/family to call.
SIM card costs $1. See Ultra.me for more info.
You can purchase SIM and plan through 3rd parties such as EZKonnect or even Amazon for a discount.
[consolidated] Prepaid SIM cards in USA
Jan 12, 2016, 8:31 am
#301
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 916
What is the cheapest way to get 1 year of service , 100-200 minutes a month , that you can pay all at one time ?
My friend just needs something when he is away from home , going to the store etc ,
does not need data.
thanks for your ideas
My friend just needs something when he is away from home , going to the store etc ,
does not need data.
thanks for your ideas
Jan 13, 2016, 10:01 am
#302
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LGA - JFK
Programs: UA, AA, DL, B6, CX, KE, Latitude, VIFP, Crown & Anchor, etc.
Posts: 2,589
a) Consumer Cellular (which partner/discount for AARP members @ 5%, not a big "deal") as a postpaid, starting with the $15 monthly plan with 250 airtime minutes + taxes/fees, no texting (optional add-on). BYOD or get an inexpensive Moto E or G, unlocked and/or from CC (or, perhaps a pre-owned iPhone 5c, etc.)
https://www.consumercellular.com/Info/Advantage
b) T-Mobile prepaid - PAYG for $3 a month with 30 airtime minutes and/or 30 SMS, or a mix of both - extra airtime minutes are just 10 cents/minute. If he/she has access to WiFi at home , calls can be routed over Google Voice/Hangouts with no deductions for airtime minutes, just don't use the carrier's WiFi calling feature (this might be too complicated in keeping with KISS principle, unless a good "friend" like you help set it up)
Say he/she used 150 minutes a month - that would only come to about under $16 in total (30 minutes included with the base $3 monthly fee plus 120 minutes x 10 cents = $12; and, Prepaid refills have a 2% surcharge these days ... still continue to get mine from Callingmart)
Start with a $100 initial funds should give the account "Gold" status, with the unused minutes/funds valid for one year and not expiring, as otherwise it's typically 90 days. That should be sufficient for about 5 month's worth of service and about $10 in "reserve" to cover another 100 airtime minutes. You can get PINs, refill directly to the account, and have additional funds added via a linked checking account and/or credit card. T-Mo will SMS free to alert of low balance & upcoming refills necessary to maintain the account.
Haven't look at AT&T's prepaid Gophone offers lately, but most of the MNVO basic plan are starting in the $25 to $30 monthly ranges - I've probably missed some of the lesser known ones
someone else can fill the details.
Jan 13, 2016, 3:49 pm
#303
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
Hmmm, those good old PAYG (Pay As You Go) plans are disappearing these days and new activations tend to have higher minimum monthly "maintenance" charges.
<snip>
b) T-Mobile prepaid - PAYG for $3 a month with 30 airtime minutes and/or 30 SMS, or a mix of both - extra airtime minutes are just 10 cents/minute. If he/she has access to WiFi at home , calls can be routed over Google Voice/Hangouts with no deductions for airtime minutes
<snip>
b) T-Mobile prepaid - PAYG for $3 a month with 30 airtime minutes and/or 30 SMS, or a mix of both - extra airtime minutes are just 10 cents/minute. If he/she has access to WiFi at home , calls can be routed over Google Voice/Hangouts with no deductions for airtime minutes
At suggestion of FT many, many years ago, I used to use Callingmart.com for years to buy 1,000 minutes on T-Mobile to stay active for a year, and still have 1682 minutes accumulated.
So you can see I don't talk much, and wondering if I could go to this $3 a month plan, since I can also talk over WiFi.
Actually, so far haven't found the $100 refill anywhere ....
Thoughts?
Jan 13, 2016, 5:38 pm
#304
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 916
Hm, my year snuk up on me, so need to renew. Tomorrow
At suggestion of FT many, many years ago, I used to use Callingmart.com for years to buy 1,000 minutes on T-Mobile to stay active for a year, and still have 1682 minutes accumulated.
So you can see I don't talk much, and wondering if I could go to this $3 a month plan, since I can also talk over WiFi.
Actually, so far haven't found the $100 refill anywhere ....
Thoughts?
At suggestion of FT many, many years ago, I used to use Callingmart.com for years to buy 1,000 minutes on T-Mobile to stay active for a year, and still have 1682 minutes accumulated.
So you can see I don't talk much, and wondering if I could go to this $3 a month plan, since I can also talk over WiFi.
Actually, so far haven't found the $100 refill anywhere ....
Thoughts?
*999* is the number to call
go to Tmobile website and add the $10
Jan 13, 2016, 7:02 pm
#305
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
That seems too good to be true
OK, 10 bucks seems like a good enough gamble to renew for a year, since I have enough minutes.
Thanks for the prompt reply ^
Jan 13, 2016, 10:10 pm
#306
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LGA - JFK
Programs: UA, AA, DL, B6, CX, KE, Latitude, VIFP, Crown & Anchor, etc.
Posts: 2,589
From the other forum (HoFo) - it's possible (if you get a knowledgeable CSR) to switch to a current plan being offered without losing the airtime or unused balance (just check & make sure) - but, once you switch out - you can no longer go back to this discontinued, legacy plan to "park" your mobile # again.
Once you have Gold Status, you don't need to refill/add $100 every year, just $10 every year (360 days, actually) - there are $100 T-Mobile refills offered on eBay every now & then, like this one - http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-T-Mobile...MAAOSw7ThUf0xP
Actually, I'm surprised my old/regular-sized T-Mo Sim card is still working & hasn't been worn out or expired. I cut it down to nano size & popped it into the iPhone 5S, as it's for backup & I do WiFi and VoIP calling.
Feb 12, 2016, 1:53 pm
#307
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: YQR
Programs: no status
Posts: 1,054
We will be travelling to Kauai and it seems At&T and T-mobile have GSM networks there, with slightly better coverage for AT&T. We are mainly interested in data, though doing some calls might be handy too. It looks like net10 seems to have reasonable rates. Is that a suitable provider for our purpose?
We used the simple mobile on Kauai and found the coverage (T-mobile) very spotty. Is Net10 much more expensive, as they also are on At&T?
We used the simple mobile on Kauai and found the coverage (T-mobile) very spotty. Is Net10 much more expensive, as they also are on At&T?
Last edited by gfunkdave; Feb 12, 2016 at 2:01 pm Reason: merged duplicate/consecutive posts
Feb 14, 2016, 8:15 pm
#308
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 1
Coupon for TMobile 5gb prepaid sim card for your travels
arielimobile.com offers a prepaid Т-Mobile SIM card that has 5gb data limit at 4g speeds and unlimited calls/text for 30days. it's $45 minus "TENOFF" coupon that comes down to 40.50 and shipped internationally.
Activate the dAy before you arrival to states and you will get a USA phone number and be online the minute you land.
Activate the dAy before you arrival to states and you will get a USA phone number and be online the minute you land.
May 18, 2016, 3:54 pm
#309
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,633
Just a note that Roam Mobility currently have their sim cards on sale for half price: $5 CAD with free shipping.
I haven't used them so I can't vouch for them.
I am planning to use them this fall as I have an interrupted trip to the US planned, and this appears to work well for that.
$5 CAD per day, with 500 Mb 4g data, with 2g afterwards.
I haven't used them so I can't vouch for them.
I am planning to use them this fall as I have an interrupted trip to the US planned, and this appears to work well for that.
$5 CAD per day, with 500 Mb 4g data, with 2g afterwards.
Jun 1, 2016, 3:00 pm
#310
Join Date: Aug 2015
Programs: Virtuoso Luxury Travel Agent; Bonvoy Titanium Elite; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 665
Is T-Mobile really as bad as people say it is? We are going to do a trip in the LA-area, Palm Springs, Vegas, and Miami/Orlando.. would we be completely dead at times and would it be smarter to go with at&t?
Jun 1, 2016, 4:08 pm
#311
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,508
You will likely be fine if you stick to the cities. Major highways will still have service too, just possibly degraded to HSPA/EDGE. Going way off the beaten path (smaller rural highways, national parks, etc.) is where you'll have issues.
Jun 1, 2016, 10:12 pm
#312
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: UA, BA Avios, AMEX Plat
Posts: 497
Another t-mobile option, they just announced a new "Tourist Plan" (launches in stores June 12).
1000 domestic minutes
Unlimited texting (domestic and international)
Unlimited data with first 2GB at full-speed LTE
Automatically expires after 3 weeks, cannot be renewed.
$30 including sim
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/p...l-tourist-plan
1000 domestic minutes
Unlimited texting (domestic and international)
Unlimited data with first 2GB at full-speed LTE
Automatically expires after 3 weeks, cannot be renewed.
$30 including sim
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/p...l-tourist-plan
Jun 4, 2016, 2:18 am
#313
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Kingdom of Bahrain
Programs: GE, UA silver, Amex Plat, SPG Gold, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 24
OK, a three week trip to the US planned.... will be traveling in rural areas as well as urban, so need decent coverage. I have an unlocked Iphone 6plus, as well as an Iphone 4 bought via virginmobile that I allowed the service program to lapse. I am totally confused as to what might be my best options - I use phones for voice, data, navigation but not movies etc..... what's my best bet for solid coverage for such a short time?
Jun 5, 2016, 12:47 pm
#314
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: UA, BA Avios, AMEX Plat
Posts: 497
OK, a three week trip to the US planned.... will be traveling in rural areas as well as urban, so need decent coverage. I have an unlocked Iphone 6plus, as well as an Iphone 4 bought via virginmobile that I allowed the service program to lapse. I am totally confused as to what might be my best options - I use phones for voice, data, navigation but not movies etc..... what's my best bet for solid coverage for such a short time?
http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage-map.html
The new tourist plan I just mentioned above may be a good option for you if you need voice.
