Posted on 01/30/2025 3:18:12 PM PST by Jamestown1630
I am thinking of changing cell phone plans, and have been looking at Pure Talk.
I make very few calls on my cell phone, and maybe a couple of texts a week, both usually from home. I need to have some data, in case I’m out and need to call someone, or a cab, road service, find a map, etc. – but I have almost never used that. I do NO business on the cell phone, and most of our telephone use is VOIP from home.
Frankly, the main thing I use a cell phone for is listening to the radio at home, over the Wifi; and having it for emergencies when I'm away. My husband’s needs are a little greater, but not much greater.
Does anyone here have Pure Talk, and have you been happy with it? We’re also interested to know if the monthly data allowance can be rolled over if you don’t use it, which has always been the case with our TracFone plans.
Thanks for any advice.
I have had Tracfone for around 20 years. I pay $20 for 3 months, that is less than $7/month. I use data when I use the phone for Apple maps. But Tracfone reduced the rate they charge for data. It was $10/GB they reduced it recently to $10/3GB.
“Communication via cell was 75% of the hassle.”
We didn’t really mind the cell phones not working. It was all the travel there and back. We had to take two flights each direction, which meant leaving home early to get to the airport, then wait. Take the first flight to the connecting airport and then do the plane changing thing. Then take the last flight to get to out landing airport. Go through immigration and customs and then be transported to our resort. This 5 hours worth of flying time turned into 16-18 hours worth of hassle. Oh, and I didn’t mention all the nice people at TSA and the airport employees and who knows who you have set by in the plane. This takes a whole day going and a whole day getting back. It done went and blew 2 days of my so called vacation just traveling.
That’s the same position we’re in; our plan is costing about $27 per month for two phones.
We get our phone and Internet via T-Mobile on the Magenta+ plan.
There some cheaper plans but excellent customer service. The ability to use data (Internet) in 210 counties is useful to us as we travel a lot. It also comes with a Netflix subscription and MLB.com subscription if those are important to you
My wife and I are going through the same process. Consumer Reports has a good report on which low cost providers use what services (e.g.: Verizon towers) so if you have good Verizon service in your area, you might look into one of the low cost services aligned with them.
Its nearly impossible to do a “side by side” comparison and Consumer Reports acknowledges that as well.
I switched to Visible, division of Verizon, and my bill went down from $180 a month with Verizon to $70 a month with unlimited talk and data.
I also like Motorola phones
“This takes a whole day going and a whole day getting back. It done went and blew 2 days of my so called vacation just traveling.”
I hear ya. Two days driving to the port and two days driving back home. Hotels. Hassle.
I am happy with PureTalk, no complaints and no problem with service for 2.5 years.
I wish I could get hubby to be on tracfone with me. I did get him on MintMobile a few years ago and off verizon. He is against tracfone but has no reason why.
I was wrong.
It is $10 for 3 GB of broadband.
Thanks.
“I remember a few years ago my wife had to give up her keypad phone... Verizon didn’t support 2g anymore. She almost cried. She loved that phone.”
I can identify. Verizon hasn’t supported my BlackBerry with a physical keyboard for years, and I’m still pissed.
“ I got one just to keep in the glove compartment so if I forget my regular phone it will always be there.”
Brilliant idea! Thanks.
Well, TracFone Wireless is run by Verizon now; Verizon bought it in 2021, so I assume it runs over their network:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TracFone_Wireless#History
Great! How much of all that do you use, if I may ask?
What about Mint Mobile?
Another vote for Tracfone. About $25.00 for 60 day plan. All the talk, text and data I need. Unused minutes roll over. Way better coverage than I had with T-Mobile.
Thanks to all of you, and to everyone else who responded.
I didn’t expect so many responses, and I will have to take time to look at all of this.
I appreciate your help very much, and I’ll come back and tell what we decide.
Is that for calling from foreign countries, or to them? Back when I had it they only had the option to call to other countries if you paid extra, which didn't help if I was wanting to place a call from outside the US.
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