Prepaid phone how does it work

This will allow you to refresh your voice minutes, text messages and data minutes automatically. The only downside is that you will have lost the remainder of your month of service; refreshing your monthly cycle can add up and end up costing more than a traditional contract cell phone plan.

Since most prepaid cell phone plans offer a la carte features, you can pick and choose which features work best for you. Some of the additional features include added minutes, text messaging packages, international call, mobile hotspots and cell phone protection plans.

If you purchase a small package of voice minutes every month, you might want to purchase additional minutes should your minutes run out. You can usually purchase more minutes by logging onto your account online and topping up your minutes. You can also top up minutes by purchasing a top-up or gift card at a major cell phone retailer like Best Buy. Should you choose a plan that offers limited text messaging, you can also top up your text messages the same way you would purchase additional voice minutes: with a top-up or gift card.

The benefit of purchasing an international calling plan with a prepaid cell phone company is you can use your international plan on a month-to-month basis. Most long-term contract carriers will make you restart your contract or force you to purchase international calling for the rest of your contract period if you want to add long-distance calls to your phone plan.

You can also purchase a prepaid cell phone if you plan on going out of the country for any period of time. Many prepaid cell phone companies allow you to add a mobile hotspot to your phone. By purchasing a mobile hotspot, you can use your cell phone to log onto the internet with your computer, laptop or other mobile devices. Your plan expires when you hit your data cap or when the month is up. Many prepaid plans also offer a protection plan for your devices.

Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Jerri Ledford. Writer, Editor. Jerri L. Ledford has been writing about technology since Twitter LinkedIn. Updated on September 11, Michael Barton Heine Jr.

Lifewire Technology Review Board Member. Article reviewed on Jan 27, Tweet Share Email. Android Switching from iOS. In This Article. The Basics. Advantages and Disadvantages. Are They Disposable? How They Work. Which Carriers Offer Prepaid Plans? Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Ads from certain prepaid card providers claim that buyers can make hundreds or thousands of minutes of calls to certain advertised destinations for just a few dollars.

In reality, a consumer using these particular cards could make calls for only a fraction of those minutes due to multiple hidden fees and surcharges. First, try calling the customer service number listed on the card. If you are having a problem with the local retailer from which you purchased the card, try calling or writing your local Consumer Affairs or Better Business Bureau or state Attorney General.

These phone numbers are often found in the blue pages or government section of your local telephone directory. Prepaid phone cards are often marketed by companies other than the telephone company or service provider. If you have concerns about deceptive or false advertising or marketing practices, contact the Federal Trade Commission: www.

What should I look for before purchasing a prepaid phone card? Make sure you: Read the fine print on the packaging or back of the card to understand any conditions or limitations on the use of the card.

Understand the rates for your particular phone card and any fees that may be assessed to use the card. In some cases the card's value will be reduced by "post-call," "disconnect" or "hang-up" fees after each time you use the card, or by a "maintenance" fee charged after you use the card for the first time and again at regular intervals.

Check whether the advertised minutes for the card apply only to a single call or if the minutes can be used for multiple calls.