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Deciding Which Prepaid to Choose:

Pick Your Most Important Cellular Features and We'll Suggest Your Best Pay-As-You-Go Choice.

The Lowest Per Minute Price:
The 'cheapest' plans offer Unlimited Minutes for a fixed daily usage fee, available from most carriers. The cheapest is $1 a day, when used, from Cricket Wireless. Otherwise, the best per-minute rate without a monthly or daily base charge is about .10 offered by T-Mobile Prepaid and NET10.

The Lowest-Cost Data Plan:
We like Cricket's $2 per day Unlimited Broadband access which includes Unlimited Voice and Text.

The Best Coverage:
Tracfone operates throughout the whole country on virtually all networks without roaming charges. Coverage varies based on whether you choose a CDMA or GSM phone. Similar coverage is available from NET10.

The Most Included US Roaming:
Tracfone and NET10 include more roaming in the US at no extra charge than any other Pay-As-You-Go plan. Which cellular systems are included depends on your phone model.

Longest Refill Period:
Once you have accumulated $100 in your account and achieve "Gold Rewards" level, T-Mobile Prepaid gives you a 1-year expiration with any amount of Refill...as little as $10. Verizon Prepaid and AT&T GoPhone offer 1-year expirations on refill amounts of $100.
Cheapest International Long Distance Rates:
TracFone gives you a special toll-free number that allows you to then make Free calls to 40 countries including Mexico and Canada.
Lowest Minimum Yearly Cost:
If you use very few minutes, T-Mobile Prepaid "Gold Rewards" customers can renew for one full year for only $10.

Cheapest North American Roaming:
Canada: Verizon Prepaid and T-Mobile Prepaid Roam in Canada at .69/minute.
Mexico: AT&T GoPhone Roams in Mexico at .25/minute.

Do's & Don'ts with Pay-As-You-Go Cellular:

Do the Math:
Divide the amount you pay per month for cellular by the actual number of minutes you use. Most people never use all the minutes they pay for, so the per-minute price is surprisingly high. Pay-As-You Go can be as little as .05 a minute, but you can save money at a rate as high as .35 per minute. Keep in mind that if you drop your current wireless plan you may be charged an Early Termination Fee. However, it may be worth it.
Do Check Your Options:
Determine how much you can do with your current phone and current carrier. To save the greatest amount of money you may need to change one or the other...or both. If you truly love your current phone, you may not see maximum cost savings. With some carriers, you can't use that phone off their network or on a prepaid plan.
Do Check for Coverage and Features:
Make sure your new Prepaid plan includes the features you need, not necessarily the ones you might use. Also, make sure your new choice provides coverage where you need it without Roaming charges. Check the Online Coverage Finder and look for "Prepaid" Coverage.
Don't Feel Like You Are Limited to a Few Phone Choices:
In many cases you can use use a phone from another source other than those offered by a Prepaid retailer. You might need an "Unlock" code, and some stores can 'flash' new software on your phone. In some GSM phones you can just slide in a new SIM (programming chip). It is not unusual to buy a special "Prepaid" phone just to initiate the service, then use your old phone on that account and set the "Prepaid" phone aside. The phone must be compatible with the CDMA or GSM technology of the Prepaid carrier.
Don't Make the Switch in the Wrong Order:
If you plan to change to a Prepaid plan that is not with your current carrier with your current wireless phone number, let the new carrier initiate the move and cancel the old service for you. Use the Step-by-Step list at How to Switch to Prepaid.
Don't Get Caught by the Prepaid "Gotchas":
The cellular companies don't really want you to pay by the minute, so they throw several hurdles at you: short renewals that reset on the date you pay...not when your old minutes expire, Roaming charges, reduced Off-peak or Mobile to Mobile capabilities, and changing your rate based on your refill amount. They are slowly becoming a little more consumer-friendly, but if your carrier isn't, we'll help you make the switch, even with your existing phone.
Don't Confuse "Prepaid" with "Pay As You Go":
There are several Prepaid plans that still give you a certain number of minutes, including "Unlimited" for a fixed monthly charge. Pay As You Go plans allow you to pay only for what you use, and if you use fewer minutes, you pay less.
Don't Be Afraid to Experiment:
You can stop by a local discount store like Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens or the like, and pick up an inexpensive pay-as-you-go phone to test your choice of prepaid services. If everything works out, you can then either switch to your favorite phone or invest in something fancier.



More Decision-Making Resources:





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