Cell service for Canadians in US

[KrowNB]

We're planning on spending 4 months over next winter south of the border. To have talk/text/data added to my Cdn phone (Koodo), I'm looking at $75 over my normal monthly fee. What do most Canadian Snowbirds do to maintain contact home while in the US. Add a roaming package? Buy a pay-as-you-go US phone?

[KrowNB]

almcc wrote:
...we also use the AT&T go phone plans (for a smart phone (bought an AT&T go phone SIM) and also for an AT&T hot spot), both are pay as you go.

When you initially sign up for the service you can use any zip code to get a number in the area where you mostly stay, but it's not important to do so.

I reactivate the plans from Canada via CC each fall before we cross the border into the US the equipment is usable once we cross

Forgive me if I sound stupid about all this - I am!

Do you use the same phone you use in Canada and just switch the SIM? If not did you purchase a separate phone for the US service?

Does it have to be an AT&T phone or can you use any smart phone - purchased in Canada or the US?

Did you purchase the service/phone at an AT&T dealer/storefront in the US or do it all online?

When you cancel/suspend the goPhone service and then pick it up again the next season, do you retain the same no?

Do you suspend your Cdn cell service when you head stateside? If so do you get your same number back when you return?

Again, sorry about all the dumb questions. I have a cell but have no idea how these networks function.

Keith

[Lenny_K]

almcc wrote:
In answer to the above post, we also use the AT&T go phone plans (for a smart phone (bought an AT&T go phone SIM) and also for an AT&T hot spot), both are pay as you go.

We started buying cards at Wal-Mart but found it easier to pay with a BMO US$ Master Card issued by our Canadian BMO bank. To get around the address issue on the AT&T website I entered an RV park address that we use in Arizona and the payments went through, no hiccups with BMO either. When you initially sign up for the service you can use any zip code to get a number in the area where you mostly stay, but it's not important to do so.

I reactivate the plans from Canada via CC each fall before we cross the border into the US the equipment is usable once we cross

You answered my question perfectly Al. I was unable to pay for straight talk using my RBC US credit card because I gave my Canadian address. I guess companies don't check addresses.

[almcc]

In answer to the above post, we also use the AT&T go phone plans (for a smart phone (bought an AT&T go phone SIM) and also for an AT&T hot spot), both are pay as you go.

We started buying cards at Wal-Mart but found it easier to pay with a BMO US$ Master Card issued by our Canadian BMO bank. To get around the address issue on the AT&T website I entered an RV park address that we use in Arizona and the payments went through, no hiccups with BMO either. When you initially sign up for the service you can use any zip code to get a number in the area where you mostly stay, but it's not important to do so.

I reactivate the plans from Canada via CC each fall before we cross the border into the US the equipment is usable once we cross

[Lenny_K]

homefor2 wrote:


I then go to AT&T and get a plan for $60 per mo US which gives me unlimited calls to Can. and texting. Also included is unlimited data. You get 8 gb of data (lots) per month then it slows down but 8 gb is a lot of data. I use the phone as a "hot spot" for my computer and it's much faster than the park wi-fi. If you don't use all your data in the current month, the balance rolls over to the next month.

Is that a pay as you go plan and if so how do you pay for it. Do you have a US bank account.

[KrowNB]

homefor2 wrote:


I have a Rogers phone without a contract. When I head to the US... I go to AT&T and get a plan for $60 per mo US which gives me unlimited calls to Can. and texting. Also included is unlimited data.

Canadians are getting screwed by cell phone companies thanks to the CRTC.

Thanks for this. Do you use the same phone and just switch out the SIM card or have separate handsets for each service?

[homefor2]

Wow, talk about highjacking a thread. This was about cell phone coverage. If you folks want to argue the days allowed to visit the US, you should start another posting.

I have a Rogers phone without a contract. When I head to the US, I change my phone to pay as you go for $10.00 and then don't use it. I do this to preserve my phone number and stop all charges from Rogers. The $10 is a one time fee. I then go to AT&T and get a plan for $60 per mo US which gives me unlimited calls to Can. and texting. Also included is unlimited data. You get 8 gb of data (lots) per month then it slows down but 8 gb is a lot of data. I use the phone as a "hot spot" for my computer and it's much faster than the park wi-fi. If you don't use all your data in the current month, the balance rolls over to the next month.

Soon as I get back to Canada, I call Rogers and get back on a monthly plan. I never sign up for any contracts. I give my new phone number to relatives (some of them) and friends when in the US and don't worry about anyone else calling me while I'm in the US.

Having a working phone with data when you travel is very handy for checking places to stay and Gas Buddy for fuel prices as well as road conditions etc.

Canadians are getting screwed by cell phone companies thanks to the CRTC.

[Lenny_K]

pianotuna wrote:
The closer connection form is from the US government. There is no better source that that. Read it.

The original information I found for the need to extend the "automatic" 90 day visa came from the Globe and Mail. That is hardly a "random" internet article.

Here is a link from the US government about the 90 visa.

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visa-waiver-program.html

Here is a quote from the visa page.

"Overview

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries* to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without first obtaining a visa, when they meet all requirements explained below."

You need to research this a bit more carefully. Being an Ostrich won't help you if you are turned back at the border.

Freedom polecat wrote:
Maybe go back and visit the border services sites or even the Canadian snowbirds site before quoting or posting a random internet article. You are definitely incorrect.

The VWP does not apply to Canada. The countries it applies to are listed.

[Lenny_K]

pianotuna wrote:
Hi Lenny,

I don't see the ten gigs in USA option for $145. I do see it for $160.00

Lenny K wrote:
This year I think I'm going to try Telus. They offer 10gb data and unlimited calling and texting in Canada and in the USA for $145 a month.

It's $145 if you bring your own phone. Here is the link:

http://www.telus.com/en/bc/mobility/plans/?&linktype=products_and_services&INTCMP=TcomHomeTile_MOB_Plans#byod

[pianotuna]

Joe and luckyd,

I've sent you both a private message.

[luckyd]

Pianotuna

Unfortunately you are very misinformed and you are
doing a great disservice to "newbies".

I realize that you will stand by your beliefs rather
than what is fact, so I will bow out of this forum.

[joebedford]

Sorry for the off-topic post, but this mis-information to a newbie needs to be corrected.

pianotuna wrote:
Here is a link to the closer connections form. If you read who must file you will note that if you stayed 31 days in 2016 you are required to file the form.

I've never seen that 31 days requirement before and it isn't on the irs.gov website or in the 8840 form. I believe that information is incorrect.

For the visa information surf here:

VWP is not applicable to Canadians. A Canadian does NOT need to renew after 90 days.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

There is no "may" about it. If you go each year the limit is about 120 days because of the "carry forward".

The current law allows a 240 day stay if you own US property to the value of $250,000.00

The visa "twist" may have been in place just like the 183 (really 121) day rule. But until June of 2013 the border folks had to look up the information manually. Now it is automatic.

Just because folks "got away" with ignoring the visa limits for many years does not mean that such activity will not be without consequences in the new "electronic" age.

-30-

luckyd wrote:

If you are going to the states on a frequent basis
you need to fill out Form 8840. This shows a closer tie
to Canada than the USA. It is for tax purposes only.
If you do not fill out the form each year you "MAY"
be only entitled to 120 days. This form must be sent in
by the end of June each year. You need to fill in each
years number of days for the past three years.

Homeland Security is the department that limits the stay
to 180 days.

The Canadian Snowbird Association has been trying to get
us 240 days per year. This is known as The Canadian Retirement Visa.
There will be certain rules that pertain to getting one.

I have been snowbirding for many years and each year I make sure
I am up to date on all R and R's regarding crossing the border.

[Freedom_polecat]

Passport yes, but you don't need a visa or visa extension of any kind. I don't where he's getting that info from but it doesn't pertain to Canadians.

But yes the 8840 form is not mandatory but definitely essential and could save you a lot of hassle both at the border and with the IRS

I believe the Canadian retirement Visa is not in effect yet and would really only apply to visits longer than 6 months anyways as we are already entitled to 180 days. But then you can lose your provincial health benefits for longer than 6 months. Also I thought the federal gov't was going to try and restrict retirement benefits also to people who were living out of country

Thank you !!

[luckyd]

Canadians require a passport to cross the border.
You are allowed 180 days in the USA per calendar year.
If you are going to the states on a frequent basis
you need to fill out Form 8840. This shows a closer tie
to Canada than the USA. It is for tax purposes only.
If you do not fill out the form each year you "MAY"
be only entitled to 120 days. This form must be sent in
by the end of June each year. You need to fill in each
years number of days for the past three years.

Homeland Security is the department that limits the stay
to 180 days.

The Canadian Snowbird Association has been trying to get
us 240 days per year. This is known as The Canadian Retirement Visa.
There will be certain rules that pertain to getting one.

I have been snowbirding for many years and each year I make sure
I am up to date on all R and R's regarding crossing the border.

[pianotuna]

The closer connection form is from the US government. There is no better source that that. Read it.

The original information I found for the need to extend the "automatic" 90 day visa came from the Globe and Mail. That is hardly a "random" internet article.

Here is a link from the US government about the 90 visa.

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visa-waiver-program.html

Here is a quote from the visa page.

"Overview

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries* to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without first obtaining a visa, when they meet all requirements explained below."

You need to research this a bit more carefully. Being an Ostrich won't help you if you are turned back at the border.

Freedom polecat wrote:
Maybe go back and visit the border services sites or even the Canadian snowbirds site before quoting or posting a random internet article. You are definitely incorrect.