kodi

I know it's been discussed a million times but I need to buy a cell phone for,2 months.
So I need a phone with no contract and a good long distance plan.

Probably the biggest catchis that I need to be able to call Canada without losing my right arm .
Am I better to get a phone and then a long distance card on its own?
What about if I get calls from Canada? Will that cost me a fortune in long distance air time ?

With my own Canadian phone texting is a good option when I'm away . I wonder if texting is a good idea with a throw away phone .

I'd appreciate and advice .

tomfuller

Check the deal with Page Plus Cellular. Use a prepaid plan.
Calls from the US to Canada are about .34/min.
From Canada to the US or other countries it is about .60/min.
Depending on the phone you choose, you could use texting to save some money.

nyer

You have 2 choices. Some companies let you buy a phone and pay a monthly fee, but without a contract (AT&T, Virgin Mobile) With some other companies, you can get a prepaid plan where you pay for a certain number of minutes and when you run out, you add more as needed. Texting in the U.S. usually costs about half a "minute"

The prepaid companies like Tracfone & Net10 have some very cheap phones ($10-$20) and then you can pay as little as $20 for the 2 months (very limited minutes) .
If you pick a monthly plan, figure about $30-$60 per month (high end is unlimited calls)and the phones are not as cheap either (better phones, though)

With all U.S. cell phones when you receive a call, you pay (use up minutes) at the same rate whether the call comes from around the corner or across the globe. Calling to another country varies. Some (like Tracfone) include it at no extra cost, but for others you have to add a plan or consider using a calling card (which will also eat up the minutes of your cell phone if you're not on an unlimited plan)

How many calls do you expect to make and receive?

kodi

Thank you so much . It's so confusing .
It sounds like I should limit my calls home .
So the calling card would cover the cost of the long distance but I had not thought that it would eat up the phones minutes too .

Using Skype on my own phone might be the best option .

starrs

I'd just buy a phone at the drugstore when you get in the States and use that as much as you need it. Verizon is the carrier with the best coverage.

nyer

Starrs, I've never seen Verizon phones at drug stores here in NYC. It's also not universal that Verizon has the best coverage though in NYC it probably is!

Kodi,it really doesn't need to be confusing. When I have oversseas visitors they usually buy a Tracfone or Net10. Tracfone as I said can be very very cheap if you're making and receiving few calls, Net10 is better for heavier users.
Net10 can be 600 minutes for 2 months for $45 Tracfone can be 120 minutes for 3 months for $30 or 60 minutes for $20 ) Other options for more minutes too. (plus cost of phone). Phones can be $10-$50.
They are widely available in stores like Walmart, Kmart and Target and some drugstores (NYC stores don't carry a lot of the stuff that suburban stores do because of space limitations)

Skype is fine if you have good WiFi where you're going.

DebitNM

Download Viber app. You can call others using WiFi for free. Also free texting. They need to have it too. Works great

kodi

Thank you all . Nyer, so true it depends own how good the wifi is . It's possible when I add up the costs, it might be just as well if I buy a block of minutes with my own provider here in Canada . I've usually done that ,but have never been away for 2 months .. I'll have to compare . Thanks so much for all the great info .

Debit do others have to have it for the calls or only the texts?

DebitNM

Yes, they have to have it for texts. I am not sure for the phone calls. It should say so on website.

kodi

Thanks Deb