disposible cell phones

[essom71]

Hi

Does anyone know if I can buy a disposible ( cheap! ) pay as you go cell phone in the states if I don't have a U.S. address. My kids have virgin phones that won't work in the states and I want to be able to keep in touch with them at Disney when we are there in August.

Thanks

 

[Snibs2412]

We bought 2 Net10 phones at a Wal-Mart, and they worked perfectly! We were able to top them up online as well, without any difficulty. They each came with 300 minutes, but my husband was using them for work calls, too, so we used up a lot of time, but the price was so reasonable, compared to using our Bell Mobility phones in Florida.

 

[dave 2]

We bought a phone at Target through TMobile last Xmas and they added like 100 minutes on activation on top of a base 20 minutes for around 20$ or 25$. My wife and I both have Blackberrys so we texted through BB Messenger which does not use much data but father in law and I used the prepaid phones to keep in touch and worked wonderfully.

 

[essom71]

Thanks so much. I'm going to go to Michigan tonight and will stop and pick some up!

 

[4boyz]

I did a bit of research on this and found Net10 to be the best deal for Canadians. You can find them at Walmart or Target.

You can rollover minutes if you top up or re-activate with no connection charge.

Most other carriers nail you with a connection charge to re-activate your phone. This is what sold me on the re-usability of the phones.

Net10 uses the AT&T network.

 

[Sue M]

Thanks for the info, I may do that rather then buy a US calling & data plan for my i phone (although I'd really like to be able to use my i phone). It's prob. cheaper to get a net 10 phone.
Can you text with it?

 

[Snibs2412]

Yes, you can text with them. We had 2 very basic models (LG400, I think?), and could text Canada as well, without any problems.

 

[Sue M]

Yes, you can text with them. We had 2 very basic models (LG400, I think?), and could text Canada as well, without any problems.

Thanks!

 

[GrtWtNorth]

We bought 2 Net10 phones at a Wal-Mart, and they worked perfectly! We were able to top them up online as well, without any difficulty.

Did you use a Canadian credit card to top up the phones online?

 

[essom71]

Did you use a Canadian credit card to top up the phones online?

I went to Best Buy in the states and although I did not buy the phones yet for our upcoming trip, I did all the research. We were assured that we could do all payments with our credit card no matter what phone we choose. We were also told we did not need a US address.

 

[YukiPhnx]

I don't know why your kids can't use their phone at WDW. I have a virgin phone too and I emailed them about using them in the states. It would cost $0.40 to send a text while in the States.

 

[petunia]

DOes anyone know how much the net 10 phones are at Walmart/Target, and approx. how many minutes they come with?

 

[Snibs2412]

The Net10 website is very helpful. We bought the phones at Wal-Mart for $39.99, which included 300 minutes of airtime. Basically, the phones only cost us $10, since 300 minutes of airtime would be $30. We used our Canadian credit card to top up, without any issues. The cost of using these phones while at Disney, either for callingtexting each other, or home to Canada, was a fraction of a 40c/minute call (although it would've cost us a lot more than that with Bell Mobility), and very convenient. The phone's homescreen keeps track of your minutes for you, too.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Hope this isn't obvious to everyone but me ...could I purchase in Buffalo and then take to Florida with me? Just wondering as that would definitely help logistically. Thanks!

 

[Snibs2412]

Most definitely!! When you register online, you can choose the zip code for your phone number, so where you bought it doesn't matter. Hope this helps!

 

[essom71]

I don't know why your kids can't use their phone at WDW. I have a virgin phone too and I emailed them about using them in the states. It would cost $0.40 to send a text while in the States.

My kids have pay as you go phones from virgin. We live on a border city and travel often to the states and they will not work there. I was told at future shop that i was unable to have them work in the US unless I signed up for a plan.

 

[bdoyledimou]

Just an FYI -- We purchased 2 Net10 phones from Walmart yesterday for $29 each, and they include 300 minutes and 60 days of service, making the phones FREE.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Just an FYI -- We purchased 2 Net10 phones from Walmart yesterday for $29 each, and they include 300 minutes and 60 days of service, making the phones FREE.

Was that a deal if you bought two? ...that sounds like an awesome solution to our problem!

 

[bdoyledimou]

Nope, not a deal $29.98 each.

300 minutes (well, a $30 credit) which is 300 minutes with 5 cent text messages.

It is the LG320G phone as well. We picked them up in Michigan.

I made it clear when we bought them that we were Canadian, and they didn't care (although it does say on the package that it is illigal to use them outside of the US).

I am currently looking to see if i can find a double your minutes promo code. (I actually plan on providing them to other Vanactioners).

They are regesitered in the names of Mike Emouse and Min Emouse

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Nope, not a deal $29.98 each.

300 minutes (well, a $30 credit) which is 300 minutes with 5 cent text messages.

It is the LG320G phone as well. We picked them up in Michigan.

I made it clear when we bought them that we were Canadian, and they didn't care (although it does say on the package that it is illigal to use them outside of the US).

I am currently looking to see if i can find a double your minutes promo code. (I actually plan on providing them to other Vanactioners).

They are regesitered in the names of Mike Emouse and Min Emouse

Awesome, very cool, hope you find that code and love your aliases!!!