Whats the best USA sim card deal at the moment?

[Baysider]

See The best USA SIM card for travellers to the United States - Australian Business Traveller

 

[whatmeworry]

See The best USA SIM card for travellers to the United States - Australian Business Traveller

Thanks, I shall send that to him.

 

[Baysider]

Historically the little booths don't carry Sim cards. You have to go into a T-mobile store.

 

[get me outta here]

From Travel Sims Direct I bought an "unlimited" T Mobile sim. I' been here a few days and made about 15 mins of calls and now it says I am out of credit. I've contacted TSD on thier website, but somehow I'm not expecting a reply.

 

[ellen10]

From Travel Sims Direct I bought an "unlimited" T Mobile sim. I' been here a few days and made about 15 mins of calls and now it says I am out of credit. I've contacted TSD on thier website, but somehow I'm not expecting a reply.

We bought from Travel Sims Direct and it was great and lasted the full 30 days. We did make some calls but probably at least 15mins worth.
I hope it gets sorted for you.

 

[coriander]

I had always used Simcorner, except once last year when I bought from TSD as result of an OzB deal: it was a hand-cut nano-sim and didn't work at all when I got to the US. It was only a $28 loss, but I wasted time trying to get the sim to work, finally bought a new sim (for $US60) in Watsonville (I was in Monterey). So for me over the past 3-4 years the score is Simcorner 13 vs TSD 0.

Some people on Whingepool (apart from me ) also reported hand-cut sim failures at about the same time.

 

[bosox76]

I previously bought a T-mobile sim from Simcorner for my last trip in Jan. Worked a treat. Will be heading over again in Sep. Should I or can I top up the old one or just buy a new one? Thanks

 

[marki]

Telstra premium plan is an alternative especially if other countries are on the itinerary

 

[coriander]

Should I or can I top up the old one or just buy a new one? Thanks

The sim will normally be de-activated after 6 months of no use (which is why you sometimes get texts from people contacting the previous user of the number).

Did you go online whilst in the US in Jan and set up an account with t-mobile? If you did, you can top up with a $2-3 amount to keep it active till you return in September and top up properly.
If you didn't set up an account, but did set up voicemail, you can open an account and when they send your phone a confirmation text, follow the steps at
How do I Check My Messages From a Landline on T-Mobile? | Science - Opposing Views
to retrieve your confirmation code that they send you by SMS.

We keep our three US sims alive in between trips by paying the $2-3 per month until we return to the US then top up online just before we go.

If all else fails, you can "chat" to them online.

HTH.

 

[bosox76]

Thanks coriander for the quick reply. I didn't do either last time so maybe I'll just get a new one for the next visit and keep that one active for future trips.

 

[get me outta here]

Just an update, I have now been using the TSD sim form T Mobile for about 25 days of my 30 day allowance. I have had reason to call in to a TMobile shop a couple of times, but things have been sorted out to my satisfaction. The TMobile sim does not work in the subway, which is one of the places you often need it urgently unless you completely sure of your route. But, maybe no sims do (?)

I have unlimited phone calls and and more data than I can use on the phone.

We bought from Travel Sims Direct and it was great and lasted the full 30 days. We did make some calls but probably at least 15mins worth.
I hope it gets sorted for you.

 

[coriander]

The TMobile sim does not work in the subway, which is one of the places you often need it urgently unless you completely sure of your route. But, maybe no sims do (?)

1. I assume you're in New York.
2. No mobiles work telephonically in the subway tunnels yet (planned for 2018), though sometimes work at stations.
3. Many stations* (moreso closer to Times Square) have free wifi in them: apparently will be rolled out to all stations by end of 2016. The so-equipped stations have posters saying that wifi is available. Look for TransitWirelessWiFi on your smartphone.
4. Download and install the "NYC Subway" app from the Play Store. It shows ALL the subway routes in Manhattan: hint: both express and local trains stop at white-dot stops, only local trains stop at black-dot stops. This app doesn't need an internet connection. It was all I needed when in NY last month to combine walking and commuting.

* = EDIT: Most of the "white-dot" stations (ie the big ones with transfers) do have wifi already.

 

[Baysider]

This may be of help: The best USA SIM card for travellers to the United States - Australian Business Traveller

 

[porterble]

Its probably already been said, but if there is a Walmart nearby then grab this: (Email Delivery) New T-Mobile Monthly4G $30 Unlimited Web & Text with 100 min of talk - Walmart.com

Probably the best option i have found.

 

[coriander]

Probably the best option i have found.

That's a beauty for recharging an existing account. Thanks for posting the link.

 

[coriander]

This may be of help

Not a bad article, except for the last paragraph......

When you do return home, stash your T-Mobile SIM in a safe place for use when you next visit the United States, where a simple recharge – or ‘refill’, in American vernacular – gets you going where you left off.

Not exactly accurate for ">7-month-between-trip travelers" as an unused/non-topped up T-mobile sim will be cancelled after 6 months.

 

[Baysider]

... an unused/non-topped up T-mobile sim will be cancelled after 6 months.

Hmmm that's unfortunate. Canada's Speakout sim gives you 12 months.

 

[porterble]

That's a beauty for recharging an existing account. Thanks for posting the link.

Easy as man. Plus if there is a physical Walmart nearby then you can get a SIM/Recharge pack for the same $30 pricetag with this plan.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

I previously bought a T-mobile sim from Simcorner for my last trip in Jan. Worked a treat. Will be heading over again in Sep. Should I or can I top up the old one or just buy a new one? Thanks

Have always used the Simcorner unlimited data sim for T Mobile.

Was checking the other day and my last purchase was about $80. Now the same sim is $119.

In any case unlimited data has been the best feature of this for my use.

I also need to look at keeping a sim alive so great question here bosox76

 

[CJEMNMAC]

That's a beauty for recharging an existing account. Thanks for posting the link.

Its probably already been said, but if there is a Walmart nearby then grab this: (Email Delivery) New T-Mobile Monthly4G $30 Unlimited Web & Text with 100 min of talk - Walmart.com

Probably the best option i have found.

Have you given this a go yet???

I notice in the T&C

"The $30 Unlimited Web & Text with 100 min talk plan works only with T-Mobile Phones purchased from a Walmart store or from Walmart.com."