Best Pre-Paid Cell Phone Service?

[Weekend_Warrior]

Alright, so I've officially had it with my monthly cell phone service through Verizon and I'm getting interested in trying one of these "Prepaid/Pay as you Go" cell phone plans through either AT&T, T-Mobile, or maybe even Verizon again if they can offer a good deal with no BS!

Right now, I'm paying about $74 per month ($60 plan but with many state taxes) for my current "free nights & weekends plan" through Verizon, and yet it only comes with limited text and no internet browsing. The internet I really don't need on my phone, but more or unlimited texts might be nice to have since I have gone over on that a few times.

I actually don't use my phone much at all. I'd say on average that I probably only use about 250/300 minutes of talk time per month with roughly 150/200 text messages sent/received. I used to have the bare minimum plan through Verizon which was around $40 each month, but after I received a couple $300 and $400 phone bills (when I was out of work and using it a lot), I ultimately felt compelled to upgrade.

Anyway, to keep a long story short.... I'm sick of that, and now that my 2-year contract is over I'd really like to try the "pay as you go" model.

So here's the type of phone service that I'm looking for...
- Pay for a flat number of call minutes with no monthly charges.
- Don't have to buy new cards/minutes for at least 90 days.
- Possible rollover minutes.
- No roaming charges.
- No bullshit charges and/or hidden fees.
- Costs somewhere in the ballpark of $40-$50 per month.

Now here are my questions:
- Is there a certain company and/or plan that you guys might personally recommend to me?
- What brand of phone/call plan do you use and how would you rate the service?

[hardrrocker]

Track phone

[noiseredux]

we just switched from T-Mobile Prepaid and Tracfone to Virgin Mobile Prepaid. The "more than talk" plan is awesome. It's $25/mo for 300 mins (I dont use that many) plus UNLIMITED text, and web!

[gtmtnbiker]

Track phone

Ditto on the Tracfone. I've been using it for several years. I don't make too many calls, probably 50 minutes per month max. I pay $100 per year for one of those 800 minutes cards.

The only dislike I have is that the phones are pretty basic. I wish I could keep the service but have a better phone.

[JohnBaxterly]

I'm actually about to switch from Virgin Mobile to AT&T, but nonetheless, VM is pretty good. A handful of their phones are above average (they just got a Blackberry Curve, for instance), but most of them are basic phones that do just a little bit more than normal. Service is good (I'm pretty sure they run off of Sprint's towers) and I've never actually had a problem with any of my phones from them (I've had 3, with the most recent being the Rumor2).

Would I recommend them? Yes. And as somebody already mentioned, the new Beyond Talk plan sounds like it would be perfect for you. For $40 a month, you get 1000 minutes, unlimited texting, and unlimited data. Check 'em out!

[jfrost]

When I lived in Florida (two years ago), I used Boost Unlimited. It was $80 dollars for unlimited calling, text and internet nation-wide. I thought it was quite awesome, but I suppose it's still not available in the entire country, right?

[JohnBaxterly]

but I suppose it's still not available in the entire country, right?

Good question. It should still be available in most places, though. Boost is one of the best.

Also, it's only $50 for their unlimited plan now. Exceptional deal.

[Weekend_Warrior]

I'm actually about to switch from Virgin Mobile to AT&T, but nonetheless, VM is pretty good. A handful of their phones are above average (they just got a Blackberry Curve, for instance), but most of them are basic phones that do just a little bit more than normal. Service is good (I'm pretty sure they run off of Sprint's towers) and I've never actually had a problem with any of my phones from them (I've had 3, with the most recent being the Rumor2).

Would I recommend them? Yes. And as somebody already mentioned, the new Beyond Talk plan sounds like it would be perfect for you. For $40 a month, you get 1000 minutes, unlimited texting, and unlimited data. Check 'em out!

That is a very good deal. I'll take that one into heavy consideration.

To the others mentioning Tracfone, how does text messaging apply to those minute cards? ..or is text messaging a separate deal that I have to pay extra for?

[pepharytheworm]

Virgin Mobile if you will be web browsing, calling, and texting moderately. More expensive than Tracfone and net10 but you can have the money taken out automatically when minutes are up or monthly. I use this company but only because its cheaper than a real phone plan and I don't have to top-up all the time with the automatic plan. Phones priced from $9.99 - $129.99

Tracfone if you are going to be using your phone not frequently. This is the best service for keeping an emergency phone in your glovebox. Phones priced from $9.99 - $79.99

Net10 is a sister company to Tracfone, use this company if you always want to know exactly how much you pay and talk more frequently. Cards don't last as long but cheaper than tracfone cards. Their phones while being the same as Tracfone's are a little more pricey. Phones priced from $14.99 - $99.99

[pepharytheworm]

we just switched from T-Mobile Prepaid and Tracfone to Virgin Mobile Prepaid. The "more than talk" plan is awesome. It's $25/mo for 300 mins (I dont use that many) plus UNLIMITED text, and web!

I have never heard of that plan and I am with them. Link please

Edit: nevermind I see it. I have 200 Anytime/500 7PM Night & Weekend Minutes its also $25. I hate texting.