OT tracfone question?

[hsmamato2]

I have a tracfone,love the price,etc. Just wondering, I already have the one year card activated,if I buy another card,say the 200 min. card they're running a special on right now,is it really only good for 90 days,that portion of minutes? or does it blend in with the rest for the full year?
and if it's only 90 days, how do I keep track of those minutes,b/c they'll expire sooner than my others?
TIA

 

[granmanh603]

I have a tracfone,love the price,etc. Just wondering, I already have the one year card activated,if I buy another card,say the 200 min. card they're running a special on right now,is it really only good for 90 days,that portion of minutes? or does it blend in with the rest for the full year?
and if it's only 90 days, how do I keep track of those minutes,b/c they'll expire sooner than my others?
TIA

I think they just add 90 days on to the expiration date you have right now and it is kept track of right on your phone...they show a date right on the phone screen.

 

[traveljunkie2]

That's my understanding, too. Whenever I buy minutes they just add those minutes to whatever is remaining on the phone, and add 90 service days. The minutes never expire, but if you don't add minutes before you are out of service days, then you may have to reactivate your phone.

 

[hsmamato2]

so, if my exp. date is Oct. 2010- and I buy a card now, it'll simply tack 90 days on to the end date? (plus the minutes,of course) that seems like a good deal....

 

[traveljunkie2]

Yep, that's my understanding. But I have never bought a one year card. I usually buy a 60 minute card, then google "tracfone promotional codes" and you can find bonus codes to give you extra minutes. Usually I get at least 20 bonus minutes with a 60 minute card. And my phone gives me double minutes, so I actually get 60+60+20 (I don't think they double the bonus minutes).

If you use alot of minutes, buying the "double minutes for life" card is really worth it, if your phone didn't come with that feature.

 

[hsmamato2]

I have the double minutes,which is why I love the tracfone rates,and the service is 'mostly' good...way better than my previous t-mobile service at least

 

[EllenFrasier]

Is having a tracfone really better than like AT&T? We have a family plan - myself, my daughter and my son. My daughter is the only one with texting and it costs us $20 a month extra for that. Can you use your existing phone, or do you have to buy a "tracfone"?
Thanks.

 

[hsmamato2]

Well...it's easier on the wallet than a traditional plan,KWIM? At&T is GREAT they have great coverage,and not bad plan prices. They would be my next choice if I decided to pay more for a cell- but you can't beat Tracfones pricepoint, for a year,approx 1000 minutes for 100.00- It's always 7-10 cents per minute, depending on specials,and the cost averages out to approx. 8.00 per month for usage,and since my son has one too,it's 16.00 for both of our phones per month.( in reality,we pay the 100.00 once, but that's the average)
I can't make myself upgrade,as I use the phone only to make calls(gasp) so it is just what I need right now. Ds can get a better plan when he also gets a job. Till then, he can plain old talk to his friends when he needs to

 

[Straitlover]

Is having a tracfone really better than like AT&T? We have a family plan - myself, my daughter and my son. My daughter is the only one with texting and it costs us $20 a month extra for that. Can you use your existing phone, or do you have to buy a "tracfone"?
Thanks.

If you do decide to switch over, I would get your DD a StraightTalk phone rather than a Tracfone if she texts a lot. ST is owned by Tracfone, and is only available at WalMart or on the ST website. You just pay a flat fee per month: $30 for 1000 minutes/1000texts/30MB mobile web access; or $45 for unlimited. http://www.straighttalk.com/

 

[JB2K]

Can you use your existing phone, or do you have to buy a "tracfone"?
Thanks.

As Tracfone goes, you have to buy one of their phones, becuase the software inside the phone is significantly modified for features unique to Tracfone (such as $ balance/remaining minutes display).