Cell phone + prepaid plan help

[MichaelB]

My son, who lives abroad, is coming to visit, and will be here for one month. While they are here he’ll need a smartphone and prepaid voice and data plan. He thinks 10GB of data is enough, along with voice and text. He’ll probably want to keep the phone and bring it back with him, but that’s not certain. I’d like to keep the cost of the phone to $100.

I’ve looked over past threads but don’t see any that look at short term needs in the US and am looking for suggestions for phone, carrier and data plan.

 

[Sunset]

For plans with data text and voice, Mint mobile has a good offer

it is for 3 months on their special, but lots of data:
https://www.mintmobile.com/plans/

 

[Sunset]

As for the phone, do you have an old one you can loan him ?

<edit> Why can't he just bring his cell phone and change the sim ?

 

[Sunset]

Or if he is a light data user:

https://slickdeals.net/f/16726187-qvc-32gb-tracfone-6-5-samsung-galaxy-a03s-smartphone-w-1500-talk-text-data-for-29-99-fs

 

[PaunchyPirate]

Perhaps look at https://www.tracfone.com/home

I see a Samsung phone for $119.

 

[jimbee]

Samsung Galaxy A03 with 1500 minutes talk/1500 text/1.5 GB data for $49.99. If 1.5 GB will meet data needs, this could work.
https://www.qvc.com/Tracfone-65%22-Samsung-Galaxy-A03-Smartphone-with-1500-TalkTextData.product.E309497.html?sc=SRCH

 

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

Boost Mobile still has this deal. I think they use T-mobile and AT&T and you get a months service and new phone for $50. I've never used Boost Mobile so can't comment on how good they are.

https://slickdeals.net/f/16730093-1...-service-boost-mobile-locked-50-free-shipping

https://www.boostmobile.com/shop/moto-g-stylus-5g-2022.html

 

[rk911]

Consumer Cellular
https://www.consumercellular.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=BL+%7C+G+%7C+Search+%7C+Brand+%7C+Pure&utm_content=General&utm_term=consumer+cellular&gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwnf-kBhCnARIsAFlg491tkTn0yk8Kowzz1SnFfFaAErt0hmMFwGAU9j0G_M30KMoDhknR0TgaAi0uEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[The Cosmic Avenger]

As for the phone, do you have an old one you can loan him ?

<edit> Why can't he just bring his cell phone and change the sim ?

That's what I was thinking. My current cell phone is 2.5 years old eek and it is eSIM capable. Unlike most countries, we have both CDMA and GSM networks here, so compatibility is not likely an issue.

But assuming you've thought of that, I'd say look for a used phone. OnePlus is a decent second-tier brand, IMO.

 

[MichaelB]

Thanks for the responses.

He has a work smartphone phone and they don’t want him swapping the sim. I have an old iPhone which I use as an iPod but it freezes easily and frequently and isn’t reliable for mobile data use, like GPS, crashing regularly.

The Samsung / Tracfone options look interesting. BestBuy also has a Moto G at around the same price. I have no experience with Boost or Tracfone but they both have voice / data plans. Tracfone has plenty of mentions here, which I value. There does seem to be customer service issues, but I suspect this is common among prepaid plans.

 

[troutnut1]

Visible.com $25 month with data and Hotspot included

 

[easysurfer]

I switched from Tracfone to Consumer Cellular (CC) a few years back and when needing some customer service, Tracfone was horrible (pretty much lied to me about sending a replacement, then saying they never saw the request after I waited weeks and inquired). Consumer Cellular on the other hand I've found has outstanding service.

Not sure though if CC offers a prepaid option. Plus, don't believe they offer international calling (Tracfone does on the prepaid minutes). As for the need for data during son's visit, how much will son be using the in house wifi vs own data? If house wifi, that would drop the data plan usage a lot, I'd think. Unless if on Tracfone, does their clock tick anyhow no matter if have wifi or not? May be the case.

With my CC lowest plan for about $25/month, has unlimited calling and text, and a small amount of data that I rarely exceed since I mostly use the home wifi. Should I exceed, with CC, they automatically bump me up to the next higher plan but I can then change back to a lower plan anytime I like for free.

 

[MichaelB]

I forgot to update this thread. We went with Tracfone, got a Samsung Galaxy A03s for $90 including 1 month unlimited talk and 4GB of data. It worked perfectly, he used most of the data. He plans on giving the phone to his son so it worked out very well.

 

[RetiredAndLovingIt]

Great deal.
Just FYI they are usually locked to Verizon but if he pays for another months service Tracfone will unlock the phone after 60 days service. That was the deal Verizon had to agree to when they bought Tracfone.

 

[Birdie Num Nums]

... Tracfone has plenty of mentions here, which I value. There does seem to be customer service issues, but I suspect this is common among prepaid plans.

I have used Tracfone for years now, with zero problems, until recently. For the past two years I have signed up for their $199 (some $228 total with taxes and fees) one year unlimited minutes/texts and 24GB (any un-used GB carry over if the plan is renewed).

I emphasized no problems "until recently." When I recently renewed my one year plan, my phone stopped working -- no calls nor texts, and wifi wasn't working. So I contacted customer service online at their main website via my laptop (I have a Tracfone online account) and they guided me on how to reactivate my phone. Had it working again in about 15 minutes. Customer service was a breeze; no issues here for me. I give them 5 stars!

 

[Texas Proud]

I forgot to update this thread. We went with Tracfone, got a Samsung Galaxy A03s for $90 including 1 month unlimited talk and 4GB of data. It worked perfectly, he used most of the data. He plans on giving the phone to his son so it worked out very well.

Be aware that some Tracfones do not actually have a sim you can replace... mine does not... not sure what I have but kinda the same deal but mine was $45 a few years back... only got 1 GB though...


BTW, I have had this phone as my DD and DW are now on their 3rd Apple phone...