I need a cell phone in the USA

[Robert Lees]

On my travels to the States, I need a cell phone, so I'm seeking advice...

I would like a basic phone, pay-as-you-go, where the credit doesn't run out (or get cancelled) every month.

Any suggestions?

Rob

[mulwyk]

Re: I need a cell phone in the USA

Rob: We use tracfone. You can pick one up in any WalMart. It works everywhere in the USA, costs about $20 for the phone itself, then you buy airtime cards to add extra time, about $100 for 300 minutes and 1 year of service or $20 for 30 minutes and 1 month service (something like that anyway) and the unused airtime accumulates. Very reliable, we've used them for 6 years.

[Robert Lees]

Re: I need a cell phone in the USA

Thanks Bob. I note that Walmart (or Tracfone) limit the purchased minutes to 90 days of service...I guess that this means the remaining minutes expire after that time. Can the phone (and number) be reacivated after that 90 days with a fresh purchase of minutes?

Is there a service in the USA (like there is in the UK) where the minutes don't expire?

Rob

[flybikefarm]

Re: I need a cell phone in the USA

What you need to do is get on someone else's phone plan. A secound phone on at&t is only 9.95 a mounth. George

[Rick Hadley]

Re: I need a cell phone in the USA

TracFone minutes don't expire if you keep the service active. I don't know anything about what WalMart sells, but you can buy the 1-yr cards lots of other places, including online at tracfone.com. If you get to the this side of the pond at least once a year, that would be the way to go. We keep one just for use in those places where our Nextel iDen phones don't work. I've gotta renew my annual plan the end of this month.

Rick

[jdoran]

Re: I need a cell phone in the USA

Rob,

I bought a $25 phone at radio shack, and I bought $100 in credit with AT+T wireless.

I pay 25c per minute, but no monthly fee. I don't use my phone too much-$100 lasts me for 3-4 months.

I used to pay $50 month for one of the "plans" but I ma much better off just paying by the minute.

[NY86]

Re: I need a cell phone in the USA

If you have a T-mobile phone or other compatible GSM phone you can get it set up here as T-mobile pre-paid. $100 buys you 1000 minutes good for a year and if you add minutes it extends the expiration on current minutes. Their coverage isn't as good Verizon or AT&T, but it depends on where you want to use it. check the web site for coverage maps.

[Larry Lyons]

Re: I need a cell phone in the USA

Rob, after much teeth gnashing we have found the TracFone to be by far the best deal out there. Yes, you can get the short time by the month cards if you want, but the annul card for about $100 is still the cheapest. We buy the year card and then buy minutes as we need them. Verizon and the rest always want to sell you by the month with minutes thrown in. After about 6 months you have a 1000 minutes but the phone is going out of date next week or month. Very frustrating! My recommendation is TracFone, do it on line and you get better deals on minutes too. Larry

[Robert Lees]

Re: I need a cell phone in the USA

Thanks for all your input.

I've ordered a Tracfone (with minutes) and I'll let you know how I get on.

Rob