Trac-Fone: How do you use yours'?

[Fishslayer]

I have an Android (google Lolli-pop) issued to me as a replacement for a Samsung Generation 2 phone that was being discontinued. I use it only for emergencies; carry it in my vehicle and it stays there 99% of the time! The service is good and very inexpensive. I buy my air time annually and usually it costs about $85.00 (with bonus minutes and discounts).
I figure my cost at: $7.50 a month including taxes. My minutes carry over and I have, 4,850 left.
If there is a more affordable cell phone plan, I would like to hear about it!

I use mine pretty much the same way. So far I've come across 4 of the old Samsung flip phones the wife accumulated...

 

[shouldazagged]

I've been with American Trials & Tribulations for years on a no-contract plan that costs me $33 a month. I use my flip phone only for emergencies, I don't text because I can't for physical reasons.

May need to look a TracPhone.

 

[cowart]

Is that a one time fee of $5.00 and then when the 1,000 texts are used you're done with it if you want? Or is it a monthly fee?

Neither - its like buying hamburgers at McDonalds. You can buy one or more, or nothing of each item on the menu. A while back I bought the $5/1,000 texts 2 times in a row and added 2,000 texts to my phone.

The app tells you how much of each category you have left.

 

[martybee]

Thanks to all, for your replies. I believe I will keep my TracFone and buy more minutes and data as I need them!

 

[kwselke]

No one has noted that TracFone welcomes you to bring your own phone these days. The phone needs to be unlocked, it can be either iOS or Android, CDMA or GSM. They offer good rates for low volume users. You do have separate meters for days of service, talk minutes, data use, and texts. Wi-fi use is free. The only thing I ever seem to run low on is days of service. Talk minutes, data use, and texts all rollover.

 

[Targets Guy]

Neither - its like buying hamburgers at McDonalds. You can buy one or more, or nothing of each item on the menu. A while back I bought the $5/1,000 texts 2 times in a row and added 2,000 texts to my phone.

The app tells you how much of each category you have left.

That won't work for me; my phone doesn't browse. Just talks and texts.

 

[cowart]

That won't work for me; my phone doesn't browse.

You don't need to use a browser - you need to run an App. You can get a ZTE smartphone for *free* from Tracfone. It will run apps. Maybe its time to jump ahead to the 21st century. Or even the late 20th century...

 

[Targets Guy]

You don't need to use a browser - you need to run an App. You can get a ZTE smartphone for *free* from Tracfone. It will run apps. Maybe its time to jump ahead to the 21st century. Or even the late 20th century...

Not when you live in the dead zone. Everytime I try to upgrade my phone tracphone tells me their phones won't work in my zip code. My argument that I have used one of their phones in my zip code for over four years does not sway them. I have given up trying.

 

[kenv1950]

Not when you live in the dead zone. Everytime I try to upgrade my phone tracphone tells me their phones won't work in my zip code. My argument that I have used one of their phones in my zip code for over four years does not sway them. I have given up trying.

I had that problem in the beginning so I gave them the zip code nearest me and it was fine.

 

[kwselke]

Not when you live in the dead zone. Everytime I try to upgrade my phone tracphone tells me their phones won't work in my zip code. My argument that I have used one of their phones in my zip code for over four years does not sway them. I have given up trying.

I believe that issue is whether or not they have any phone numbers available that would be a local number for your zip code. TracFone will not charge you for long distance or roaming, but you may have a neighbor with an ancient phone plan that charges for long distance, and calling you from across the street could be a toll call for them.

 

[Targets Guy]

I believe that issue is whether or not they have any phone numbers available that would be a local number for your zip code. TracFone will not charge you for long distance or roaming, but you may have a neighbor with an ancient phone plan that charges for long distance, and calling you from across the street could be a toll call for them.

Interesting. You'd think at my age you would remember you always follow the money.

 

[Krell1]

I have Trac Fone also I get triple the minutes for 79 bucks I get 1350 min of talk 1350 texts and I think it's 1.5 g of data and it's good for a year, there are other plans out there like AARP but I don't think you will do any better than what already you have.

I just got a new LG Tracfone from HSN for $89 with the same deal. 1350 min of talk, 1350 texts and 1.5g of data good for one year. If you stay with Tracfone the minutes carry over as long as you keep the service active. If you're like me, and you don't use your phone much, you can keep adding up those minutes. I have enough saved to be able to talk for 80+ hours.

A friend also clued me into this as well. After your year of service ends you have to pay to keep the service going. This can be as little as $10 a month. BUT, at $10 a month you'd be paying $120 for the year. Instead of doing that, you can buy a totally new phone, keep your minutes and have another year of service. If you tend to use the phone enough to need added minutes, you can still do the same.

To me, this is a good deal. I can't see what benefit a contract plan with a major carrier can give you over Tracfone. I also can't see the benefit of an expensive I-Phone.

 

[kwselke]

I'm resurrecting this thread because I added time and service to my Tracfone this morning, and thought this might help folks understand how Tracfone works. I did not need to add service time, minutes, data, or text; I just found a good deal and added to what was on my phone.

There are multiple ways to add service to your Tracfone. Today I got a deal at my grocery store on a Tracfone service card. I had a $1 off electronic coupon and quadruple fuel points when buying the card today. I bought a 90 days of service/60 minutes card for $20 less the $1 coupon. Sales and Telephone taxes added another $2. I also received 80 Kroger fuel points and 100 points equates to 10 cents off per gallon on a fill-up of gas.

My basic LG Android phone is a Triple Minutes for Life of the Phone. When I entered the card's PIN 90 days of service, 180 minutes of talk time (60 x 3), 180 MB of data service (60 x 3), and 180 texts (60 x3) were added to my phone's account.

The metering app on my phone now reads:

Service End Date 1/17/2018

Remaining Balance
GB Data 4.61 GB
Minutes 2218
Texts 2676

I'll probably do a phone upgrade before January, so this will probably be the last service I add to this particular phone.

By the way, the PIN does not become active until the bar-code is scanned. Do not buy a card if the PIN is visible.