subject: Tips For Consumers: Using Prepaid Phone Cards [print this page] Are you a prepaid cell phone plan user? If yes, i have written this article to guide you on how you can save more when using your prepaid phone:
Choose a prepaid plan that is just right for you. Prepaid phone plans vary depending on the carrier or service provider. A phone plan that works for one person may not be practicable for another. If you are a post paid phone user who wants to switch to a prepaid service, do research and comparison diligently. When comparing, carefully consider whether the inclusions of the package go well with your lifestyle and personal needs.
Do not overload. Prepaid phones are reloadable using call cards. Prepaid phone call cards come in different denominations ( $10, $20 to $100 and up). Be sure to check the expiration period before loading a new call card to your phone. Remember that once the balance has been loaded to your account, you will have to consume it within the given period. Otherwise, all unused balance will be lost and you will need to reload a new card to make new calls or send text messages from your cellular phone.
Have an extra call card on hand. Some post paid plan users may be hesitant to go prepaid because of one inconvenience - reloading. It is a fact that looking for a reloading station or a call card merchant can be very challenging.
Bringing an extra prepaid phone call card wherever you go can really help especially during emergencies since you won't have to worry about not having enough balance in your account. Thus, you can reload your cell phone any time you want.
Get to know your provider's terms. See to it that you are familiar with your chosen prepaid cell phone service company's Terms of service. Get to know the exact areas where coverage is provided. Understand the per-minute call and text rates. Does the cell phone company offer promos or discounts that fit your needs?
In addition, you need to know the exact types of mobile phone units are offered by a prospective carrier. Take note that some handsets, especially smart phones, may not be compatible with a prepaid plan. If you have a specific phone model in mind that you want to use, you will want to check first with your preferred prepaid cell phone company.
Avoid unnecessary calls. True, the call per minute rate can be higher with prepaid cell phone plans compared to a post paid plan. If you constantly need to make calls on a daily basis or if you spend more than 300 minutes of talk time on your mobile phone, then you can save more with a post paid cell phone plan. However, if you usually use your cell phone for sending text messages and occasional calls, then you can better control your phone spending if you go with a prepaid plan. Before making the decision, always consider first if a particular plan goes well with your personal lifestyle.
