T-Mobile To Go can be refilled by buying refills on T-Mobile's web site. So even if you are in a foreign country when the expiration date approaches, it should be at least theoretically possible to refill the account to extend the expiration date (the catch is that T-Mobile's web site is very suspicious of credit card fraud, so the risk of T-Mobile refusing your credit card (even a domestic-US one) without you having to call them on the phone seems to be higher than with most other web retailers).

or for a discount at sites like callingmart.com

-David

I am with T-mobile to go because they extend expiration by 1 year for any recharge amount after I make gold rewards level. I usage pattern is perfect for this plan. However, T-mobile's other rates are quite expensive.

I have been looking for other prepaid offerings for relatives who will be using it to make IDD calls. Two caught my eyes. Red Pocket Mobile, a MVNO on ATT's network, has free IDD to any countries in Asia and low rates to other countries. For recharge amounts of $100, you can get 10 cent per minute rate and 1 year expiration date. The only problem is they don't publish a list of stores or dealers where their SIM cards are sold. I will probably need to scour the local Asian markets for them.

The other one is Tuyo. They have a plan that is 10 cent per minute plus 10 cent connection charge per call. Balance expires in 90 days so needs to be constantly topped up. IDD rate for many countries are in the pennies range.

IDD calls
 

Interesting and hope you can tell us more. I always thought most efficient mobile calls include buying calling cards and using free mobile minutes to connect to local access number of the mobile card. And of course skype always works!

Ditto! If you visit the US most years then it's great to be able to keep the number and not have to get a new sim card each time.

Tracfone has worked well for me
 

So I would say it is good to use, & is really quite easy. Sorry to hear prev poster had so much trouble with his parents.

You can buy a phone for $15-20, and add a 1 year service card with 400 minutes for $100 [+tax]. I'm frugal, don't talk much

Net 10 is OK from what I've heard, sister company to tracfone

My relatives are coming to the states to study, so they will need a new line. I figured getting a prepaid sim card with inexpensive IDD option is less complicated than sim card plus calling card.

Certainly calling card or Skype are more economical if you already have a phone line or internet connection.

For Cellphones, cheaper calling rates article
 

Today's WSJ

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1219...2_1571_leftbox