 Poster: A snowHead
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I am going skiing in Tahoe this winter, anyone knows where I can get a pre-paid SIM card for my mobile phone in San Francisco area?
Thanks in advance.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You can get a prepaid mobile for $15 or $20 with almost the same in credit at Walmart, Target, Best Buy etc. Don't bother with network stores they try to rip you off for activation fees etc. Network matters in Tahoe for coverage - I had Verizon which wasn't great but not as bad as some.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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fatbob, So you meant I get a phone with a pre-paid SIM card at Walmart, Target etc.?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Crusader wrote: |
| fatbob, So you meant I get a phone with a pre-paid SIM card at Walmart, Target etc.? |
Yes but some are hardwired rather than with a removable SIM in I think so you need to be careful. If you want it for calls/texts it's easiest to take the phone then use your smartphone just when you've a wifi hotspot for Skypeing etc.
There are sims available e.g. http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones/cell-phone-detail.aspx?cell-phone=t-mobile-sim-card but I can't vouch for them being in stores for a buck or free like in the UK.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You have to pay for simcards in the USA. Cingular has the best coverage over the west side. The poo-poo thing about their mobiles is that even if someone calls you it'll eat your credit EVEN if they call from a US phone. Bloody yanks.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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When you have your sim card then you need a phone card to reduce the cost of phone calls. You can get those in supermarkets and "gas" stations.
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I'm after a prepaid SIM for the USA as well so I would be interested to find out if they are easily available.
The last time I wanted one was 2008 and I just got some strange looks when I went to the shops .. as though I was from a different planet.
I probably was.
Have fun in Tahoe .. try and get round to the other places apart from Heavenly
Sierra at Tahoe (quite old fashioned) & Northstar are particularly good.
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PS ... If I ever go there again, I'll stay in Truckee a real town with a very interesting history, not the same as the casino centres.
PPS .. The beer is very good .. "Sierra Nevada" (now available in Tesco's)
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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I'd agree with fatbob, your best bet is a $20 prepaid phone - that will usually include $10 credit and a micro USB charger cable + wall adapter.
If you really want to use your smartphone, then the only option I know of is Straighttalk. You can get a prepaid voucher for 30 days service that provides unlimited text, talk and internet for $45. But you have to buy an AT&T SIM card for another $15, making it $60 for a weeks skiing! I was going to get one this summer, but I wasn't convinced they wouldn't void the SIM card for inactivity before I was back in the States skiing. http://www.walmart.com/browse/electronics/instant-prepaid-minutes-data/3944_542371_1072335_1081104/?_refineresult=true&povid=cat1072335-env460189-module091012FC3PrepaidMinutes
NB I think you have to order online, I don't believe they carry them in stock in the Walmart stores.
Enjoy Tahoe - we are there in Feb.
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If you give me a couple of days I will go into Walmart and Target and find out what they carry. Last time I got a pre-paid SIM was about 2 years ago, and I got it at the AT&T store - cost $20 which included $10 of calls. Best phone carrier to have in Tahoe is AT&T, they have the most comprehensive coverage. You will still find some dead spots around, but that's because of the mountains........ 
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