US pay as you go cell? Question!
 

Help!
I have a Canadian PAYG phone with Virgin. I put on $100 voucher which lasts me for the year - great no problem.

I am off to the US for a 2 week road trip in the middle of nowhere and think a cell is a good idea (!) BUT virgin CA will not allow me to roam with my CA cell - apparently you have to be on a monthly plan (which I don't want to be).

So, can anyone tell me if the US does PAYG and can I buy a cheap phone and then chuck it away?

Any advice gratefully received. :D

Re: US pay as you go cell? Question!
 

The US does PAYGO, virgin has a US operation for one
http://www.virginmobileusa.com/

LOL the virgin website has said "We're working on roaming agreements to bring on the US soon" for at least 6 years now. "Soon" is an elastic term I guess!

Re: US pay as you go cell? Question!
 

From what I remember you can pick up PAYG phones in the US for around $20usd.

Re: US pay as you go cell? Question!
 

I've been using Net10 for years. 10c per minute call within the US and 5c text anywhere in the world. (I text my best friend in Australia every day, very inexpensive)

Did you want to call Canada using that phone? Then all you need to do that is get International Roaming activated on it and it's around 15c per min.
Never had a prob with these guys.

And when you buy the phone (only $30), you get $30 worth of calls included, so in effect, it's free. Then you can chuck it.

I tried to get a PAYG iN Australia last year. Bloody expensive. We're spoiled here.

Re: US pay as you go cell? Question!
 

If you go to Target or Wal-Mart in the US you can pick up a pay as you go for as little as 9 bucks.

I have Virgin Mobile in the US here and no issues with it, my phone cost me 9.99 at Target, its not a fancy phone but works for calling.

Re: US pay as you go cell? Question!
 

I also use Net10. The main drawback is that to call Canada from the US you first have to dial a 1-800 number every time to make a connection. A nuisance to me but I'm told that they all do that. Otherwise it's fine. I just have to try to remember my new number every winter !

Re: US pay as you go cell? Question!
 

Thanks all.

Re: US pay as you go cell? Question!
 

Tracfone is probably the cheapest payg if you don't use loads of minutes, can pick one up for $10 at walmart, target etc.

ATT have a sim payg too, but your phone will have to be unlocked if you want to stick it in.