Let me start by saying I hate cell phones. They are a necessary evil. Wife has an iPhone which we share since we are together almost all the time.At most once or twice a month we need an additional phone for quick conversations when we are separated. Sometimes we might go two or three months without needing two phones. What is the best option for buying a cheap no frills cell phone with no contract that has minutes that don't expire and can be "refilled" when needed

I think all cell phone companies will sell you a phone and not require a contract. However, some of these cell phones are very expensive. Not like the old days. The contract is because if they give you a smart phone for $1000 they want to make sure they make some profit. If you walk in and insist on paying for the phone and no contract they will do that.

Although they don't have rollover minutes because its unlimited, straight talk seems good because you can get a card to activate the phone for a month a time for $30 a month unlimited talk and text. When you don't need the service just let it expire as there is no reactivation fee and the phone can be had for #30.

I have a AT&T prepaid phone. Phone on ebay about $35. buy the $100 prepaid card good for one year. Do a refill before the year is up and any balance rolls over. Cost of usage is .10 a minute. Pretty low cost per month when you figure it over 12 months.

I have an iPhone and DH uses a cheap TracPhone if we're not together. We got it at Target, and it came with "double minutes" as long as we renu the minutes once a year. Total cost is $100 per year and the minutes accumulate. Works perfectly for us.

Best no contract cell phone? | Good Sam Community

33 Replies

travelzoo
Explorer
Oct 22, 2014
I have a AT&T prepaid phone. Phone on ebay about $35.
buy the $100 prepaid card good for one year. Do a refill before the year is up and any balance rolls over. Cost of usage is .10 a minute. Pretty low cost per month when you figure it over 12 months.
powderman426
Explorer
Oct 22, 2014
Although they don't have rollover minutes because its unlimited, straight talk seems good because you can get a card to activate the phone for a month a time for $30 a month unlimited talk and text. When you don't need the service just let it expire as there is no reactivation fee and the phone can be had for #30.
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Oct 22, 2014
I think all cell phone companies will sell you a phone and not require a contract. However, some of these cell phones are very expensive. Not like the old days. The contract is because if they give you a smart phone for $1000 they want to make sure they make some profit. If you walk in and insist on paying for the phone and no contract they will do that.

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Best no contract cell phone?

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