Help with Cell Phone Access for DLR and Legoland

[flying kiwi]

A different kind of question:
We are travelling from New Zealand to Southern California.
My cell phone can handle international cell phone access, but hubby's can't.

I imagine that we won't be making many phone calls while in Southern California, but will need to make a few short calls saying "where are you???"

We are thinking of purchasing a cheap cell phone from a website (Bestbuy.com) and have it delivered to our hotel so it is there when we arrive.

I don't know anything about Cell Phone companies or cellphone plans/pay-as-you-go in the US.

There are two phones was which are being sold for $9.99.
One for AT&T, and one for Verizon.

My questions:
Can I purchase a phone (without a contract) and purchase pay-as-you-go minutes ...

What do you think of these companies (because I know less than nothing).

Tx folks

 

[GrandBob]

They are the two largest cell carriers in the US. IIRC, Verizon is the largest, AT&T is the 2nd largest. They both have very extensive networks. You can't go wrong with either one.

-Bob

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I'd go for Verizon (and I don't even use them..I just much prefer them over AT&T...) Either way, like Bob said you really can't go wrong That's a great idea..big money saver!

I believe you can also get some good pay as you go phones at Walmart. Their shipping is cheaper too..if you can buy them online (I haven't looked)

 

[skiingfast]

I have a couple friends that have just arrived in the US for a while. They went with Virgin Mobile Phones, you can find them in most big stores, Walmart, Kmart, some grocery stores too. The phone was I believe $19.99 and for another $20 they got 400 minutes of talk time. You can find the card to add talk time very easily, in big stores, grocery stores and gas stations.

Not that I'm suggesting Virgin it's just what they went with. You can do something similiar with Trac Phones too. I know when one of my friend came over and used a trac phone they could text international for 50cents(deducted from their prepayment).