I’ve taken my Canadian cell phone with me the last few Vegas trips, and have gotten killed with the roaming charges when the cell bill popped through the mail slot.
I’d like to avoid that this trip.
I can get a roaming plan, but I’m wondering if it’d be worthwhile to just get a prepaid phone in the US. I’m thinking that twitter will likely the be communication choice of most WPBT-ites so I’d be looking for something that will let me both read and send tweets as well as texts.
So, my American friends, can you steer me in the right direction? Is there a US carrier or a service that you would recommend?
on Nov 15th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Virgin Mobile has 200 minutes for $20 and unlimited texting for $20 available on a pay as you go plan for 30 days of service. They have free phones or some cheap options in the $20-$30 range.
So for about $70 you could have 200 minutes and unlimited texting for 30 days.
Their coverage map for Las Vegas looks great.
on Nov 15th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
If you have a GSM phone, get your carrier to unlock the phone before you leave Canada. Then purchase a T-Mobile To Go SIM in Vegas, and put it in your phone. You’ll have a US number, but you can text and call until the money’s gone, and then throw the SIM away when you go home.
T-Mobile can go two ways: cheap or very cheap. If you aren’t going to text a bunch, go T-Mobile To Go. http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/prepaid.aspx 10 bucks gets you 10 minutes, and then slap USD $25 more on it by credit card and get 90-100 more minutes or so. Texts come out of the minutes pool. Once you use the minutes up or go home, you can then throw the SIM away and eventually the number goes back in the pool.
The Cheap plan is “Even More Plus”. Unlimited Text and Talk is $60 (plus taxes, say $70), no contract. Sign up on month 1, then cancel when you leave town.
My two kids and I need cell phones, but barely make any calls. We all three keep T-Mobile To Go phones. I refill theirs when they reach 90 days (you have to spend $100 (I think) to reach 1 year expiration), and I refill when I run out (every 2-3 months or so). Milady is currently on Verizon, but we will move her to the Even More Plus unlimited talk ($50 plus taxes minus the employment discount) when her contract is over in February. T-Mobile has been very good for us.
If you don’t have a GSM phone, then Virgin Mobile, Cricket, or TracFone are all good alternatives too.
on Nov 16th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Just get drunk and yell across the bar? Not helpful? Hello it’s me!!
on Nov 23rd, 2009 at 4:41 pm
nice to see you at the britBlogger !
(tell your friends:)
regards
dD aka ResdentEvil
ps enjoy Vegas, have a beer on me & say hello to sirAl