Whats the best USA sim card deal at the moment?

[CJEMNMAC]

Was in the US in January and got a U.S. SIM card here before I left... Paid $50 AUD for 30 days unlimited data and it used T mobile network. I punished the data as I could not call Australia so I just used audio FaceTime on phone no problem and also connected the laptop via iPhone hotspot

I use www.simcorner.com for the SIM card and activation was immediate. On arrival at LAX just inserted the sim and received a txt with my number within about 3 minutes and used straight away

 

[Rebekkap]

Was in the US in January and got a U.S. SIM card here before I left... Paid $50 AUD for 30 days unlimited data and it used T mobile network. I punished the data as I could not call Australia so I just used audio FaceTime on phone no problem and also connected the laptop via iPhone hotspot

I use SimCorner - Buy International Roaming Prepaid SIM Cards for USA, UK, France, Europe and More for the SIM card and activation was immediate. On arrival at LAX just inserted the sim and received a txt with my number within about 3 minutes and used straight away

T mobile has just abolished their unlimited plans - around two weeks ago. You now get I think from memory 5 gig at a decent speed and then it's throttled. Also - worse - you can no longer tether. I'm currently in Orlando where there is basically zero t mobile coverage and the phone would be useless if theme parks didn't have wifi!

 

[coriander]

I'm currently in Orlando where there is basically zero t mobile coverage and the phone would be useless if theme parks didn't have wifi!

What phone are you using? We were in MCO (staying both at the Contemporary Resort on-site and the Caribe in Kissimmee for 12 days in Jan, and found t-mobile adequate for mobile coverage (both voice and data); wifi in Universal and Disney fell over occasionally as well, especially inside the rides, forcing us to go back to 3G to access WDW Wait Lines apps. We used SMS to communicate in the parks and the texts always came through instantly. Our phones ranged in age from a 2.5yo Razr M through to brand new HTC M8, Samsung S5(2x) and Nexus 6 (all purchased just before departure a/c TRS refund).

OT tip: if you're staying in the Parks on Disney's Atrium Club / Concierge levels (Contemporary and Floridian), ask them for the special text number to be able to get extra FastPasses whilst in the Parks. We found this invaluable for generating extra FPs once we'd used up our three (got FPs for Illuminations only 60 minutes before it started, routinely got extra ThunderMountain passes, never 7 Dwarves though). No queuing at kiosks and staff had FPs on our Mickey Bands within seconds.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

T mobile has just abolished their unlimited plans - around two weeks ago. You now get I think from memory 5 gig at a decent speed and then it's throttled. Also - worse - you can no longer tether. I'm currently in Orlando where there is basically zero t mobile coverage and the phone would be useless if theme parks didn't have wifi!

I think you are right however sim corner still sell unlimited data USA sim for $80.00 AUD and have a note on their website saying " exclusive " to limited retailers.

Still worth checking out for future

 

[ellen10]

We will be in the US for 6 weeks.
Leaving in 5 weeks.
Wanted a to be able to have both phone and data.
I have an iPhone 4

Is sim corner still the best avenue?

 

[CJEMNMAC]

I am in U.S. now using the SIM card from sim corner .. It cost $80 ( sometimes there is an online discount ) unlimited data.. It has been great

If you do get this, make sure they activate it for you. If they say it activates automatically just ask to have it done .. Don't rely on auto activation.

It only lasts 30 days however

Tethering is no problem. It is either 5gb or 7gb

 

[ellen10]

Thanks for the information CJEMNMAC.

So there isn't a longer SIM? For 60 days?

 

[yoyo]

readysim.com have good options for shorter stays: 7, 14, 21 days. I will be buying an ultra sim or airvoice on ebay, their plans are really good, especially if you don't need data. I'll just use wifi when I can. I have also used lycamobile and H2O wireless in the past.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

Thanks for the information CJEMNMAC.

So there isn't a longer SIM? For 60 days?

Not that I know of. If you can get by with a few weeks on local wifi and just use the 30 days on the sim OR you can buy 2 x $80 sim and get sim corner to activate the second one 2 weeks after the first.

Depends on your need to have data for the whole time I guess

 

[ellen10]

Other than wifi use. We will need a phone especially for our last 3 weeks in the US. Mainly for US calls.

 

[Kangarucci]

For the US, I have purchased H2O sim cards from Amazon for 0.1c and had them shipped free to the first hotel stop. I then add $10 credit for 'pay as you go' once I have activated the sim. We only use it for phone calls/texts and use the hotel's wifi or free wifi around.

 

[ellen10]

Sounds like a good idea.
Was it the Amazon US site?

 

[Kangarucci]

Yes, US Amazon. There is one company where you can purchase 2 with free shipping, others that after you purchase more than one, they charge shipping, $3.99 and $5.99, so take a look around. Also, some will only allow you to purchase max of 2 otherwise they will cancel your order.

 

[ellen10]

Thanks for the information. I will investigate

 

[yoyo]

Another advantage of ultra mobile is if you take on the unlimited $29 plan for 30 days, you get unlimited calls to Australian landlines included. Also, they give you a local landline number in Australia that friends and family can use to call you for free while you are there.

 

[ellen10]

Well we are still unsure how to go with the USA sim card.

Husband is thinking to wait until we reach the US. But I thought that we may have a problem buying one ( not being US citizens).
Has anyone had experience with just going in to a mobile shop in the US and purchasing one.

We will be in the US for 6 weeks.

 

[serfty]

Travel SIMS direct now has a $34 30 day 2GB 4G product out. No calls back to Oz, but VoIP (e.g. Skype) is possible.

Simple Mobile USA Prepaid SIM Card – Powered by T Mobile & with loads of 4G Data -Travel Sims Direct

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

I drop into Best Buy, pick up an unlimited calling/text/data plan from TMobile, iirc its US$80 for a month.
There is no asking if u are a US citizen or not. You can buy smaller plans, i.e. $40 and top up via SMS or online.

In fact, I'll do that Monday for my 3 week visit. Throw the SIM away when I get home.

Cheers
BF

Well we are still unsure how to go with the USA sim card.

Husband is thinking to wait until we reach the US. But I thought that we may have a problem buying one ( not being US citizens).
Has anyone had experience with just going in to a mobile shop in the US and purchasing one.

We will be in the US for 6 weeks.

 

[Timtammi]

Bought a travel SIMS SIM at the airport on the last trip. Wanted it only for data but coukd not get it to work. Got the number and message it was activated but woukd not work in our mifi device or either of our Samsung phones. Kept saying device not supported or some such. He up in the end as we were too busy and just relied on hotel and office wifi. Not sure what the issue woukd be never had problems with ones bought in the USA before direct from T mobile.

 

[whatmeworry]

Brother is flying out Tuesday to the US. Any suggestion for a pre-paid sim?