Going to USA, Have Some Questions to Fellow Members: )

rlexyd on 17/04/2018 - 21:08

Going to the States soon and was wondering the following:

• I heard AT&T have a prepaid $99 unlimited downloads phone sim? Can anyone verify?
• Is there a way to set up or purchase Netflix when there which I can somehow use in Australia on my TV without proxy?
• Or is setting up an iTunes Account from there with my new US mobile number be good to than have a US iTunes account to be able to download things or watch movies that are usually only available for them?
• Is getting a prepaid Debit Card from there with US money loaded on it be helpful in any way for verification or anything like that when I'm back in OZ if I need to buy something in the future from there that may require you to live there or something?

I know questions are weird, but I just want to take any advantage I can while I'm there :)

Travel

Comments

  • Quantumcat on 17/04/2018 - 21:14
    +2

    For number 2, no, Netflix has to think you're in the US to deliver the US site so you'd need a proxy.
    For 3, you can set up a US iTunes account right now, no need to be in the US
    For 4, I don't know but I doubt it, you'd need a US address if it was used for verification in any way

    • rlexyd on 17/04/2018 - 21:41

      Thanks Quantumcat for your help with my enquiries 🙂

  • [Deactivated] on 17/04/2018 - 21:16
    +5

    why don't you disconnect from netflix and itunes and enjoy the sights?

    • rlexyd on 17/04/2018 - 21:42

      Appreciate your advice and will take it on board when I'm back at home 😎

  • Donaldhump on 17/04/2018 - 21:34
    +1

    I bought a SIM card from at&t for 60 us on sepulveda blvd in la near airport, which had unlimited download for a month, and I just YouTubed music, Facebook messenger and video for cummonication and used google maps for navigation

    Never used Netflix overseas, didn’t have time to bother, too busy doing holiday stuff.

    I plan to use a VPN for Foxtel / Optus next time, so I am hoping that is possible.

    • rlexyd on 17/04/2018 - 21:44

      Thanks unclesnake for your help with my enquiries 🙂
      Do you know if that also allowed you to tether your data to another device? Also, was any overseas calls included?

      • Donaldhump on 17/04/2018 - 22:26

        I don’t think it had overseas calls, but I’d say no

        And I used my phone as a hotspot for my iPad

  • Randxyz123 on 17/04/2018 - 21:54
    +1

    • I heard AT&T have a prepaid $99 unlimited downloads phone sim? Can anyone verify?

    I think it's $60 / month unlimited to something like 20GB then it's throttled. Overseas calls aren't included(but with FaceTime/skype you don't need them really) but you can tether.

    • Is there a way to set up or purchase Netflix when there which I can somehow use in Australia on my TV without proxy?

    Netflix will work over there but you will get the American shows not the Australian ones.

    • Or is setting up an iTunes Account from there with my new US mobile number be good to than have a US iTunes account to be able to download things or watch movies that are usually only available for them?

    A US iTunes account requires a US address. There's no point doing this though.

    • Is getting a prepaid Debit Card from there with US money loaded on it be helpful in any way for verification or anything like that when I'm back in OZ if I need to buy something in the future from there that may require you to live there or something?

    Not really. The issues people often have with Australian issued cards is that in the US they verify your card to your address. Unless you have a US friend who's address you can use there is no point doing this.

    To clarify are you going there to live or just for a holiday?

    • rlexyd on 17/04/2018 - 22:01

      Thanks Knick007 for your help with my enquiries 🙂
      Just a family holiday in California.

    • hazzad on 17/04/2018 - 22:34

      Oh there are definately benefits to having a US itunes account…lol.

  • Wystri Warrick on 17/04/2018 - 23:19
    +5

    A bullet proof vest.

    Wystri Warrick on 17/04/2018 - 23:19 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
  • Frozen Pizza on 18/04/2018 - 01:38
    +1
    1. Can confirm that AT&T do offer unlimited data plans, however it costs $60USD + Sales Tax Per month. There are four major carriers in the USA; these being AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon and Sprint. Unfortunately due to compatability requirements, if you are taking an Australian phone you are limited to AT&T and T-Mobile.
      When these carriers list 'Unlimited Data' it must be noted that once you reach a certain usage amount your data can be slowed, for AT&T it is 22gb on their $60 unlimited plan, and for T-Mobile it is 50gb on their $75 per month "T-Mobile One Prepaid" plan. Not sure how much data you were planning on consuming, however for the extra $10 an additional 28gb before slowed speeds is definitely worth considering.

    For 2,3,4 I believe it has been answered in previous comments

    • rlexyd on 18/04/2018 - 06:54

      Thanks Frozen Pizza for your help with my enquiries 🙂

  • rlexyd on 18/04/2018 - 07:06

    I appreciate all your help 🙂

    I do have one more Question:

    I have done a lot of research regarding Car Rental in California, it seems there rental car comes with NO included insurance, it's seems we would have to Pay for Collision Damage Waiver & Liability Insurance always.
    • Is that 100% Correct?
    Our Travel Insurance & Credit Card Insurance do NOT cover the above either, so the only way to get the above is direct from Car Rental Company.
    • Is that 100% Correct?
    Are there any other insurance we need in California??

    It is very confusing what's needed over there, even insurance companies here couldn't give me a straight answer and different insurances have given me different answers that I'm NOT that confident I am making the right choices regarding Insurances especially the Car ones!

    Travel & Card Insurance seems to only cover a certain amount of (Excess), but not the cost of insurance

    • Sterio on 18/04/2018 - 07:29
      +1

      Book your car thru arguscarhire. They are a wholesaler. Most of their cars include CDW, Liability, no excess etc. Basically, everything u need. Alamo or Dollar are cheap and reliable. When u pick up your car do not ask for any extras as everything u need has been included and paid for. Also, unlike Australia they will not stitch u up with claims u damaged a vehicle. You can return the car damaged and they will not care.

      • josetann on 18/04/2018 - 07:40
        +1

        Yes, they WILL charge you for damages. I always do a quick walkaround taking video with my phone before I leave, and again when I'm turning it in.

      • rlexyd on 18/04/2018 - 08:38

        Thanks Sterio for your help 🙂, I checked ArgusCarHire and they seem good, they show cars from different rental companies but seem to show the collision and a liability insurance included 🙂

        Thanks Josetann, yes I'm sure they will charge, I will video everything when I pickup and when I drop off :)

  • idjces on 18/04/2018 - 08:21
    +1

    You can buy prepaid debit cards online without needing to be in the US. I registered my td bank prepaid card to my postal forwarding address.

    Setting up a google voice account lets you keep a US number into the future which could have its uses. You can't recieve calls, only sms

    • rlexyd on 18/04/2018 - 08:42

      Thanks idjces for your help 🙂
      Will setup google voice account as it might be handy in the future.

  • branners on 18/04/2018 - 16:14
    +1

    Try to arrange your car hire before you leave Australia, it helps a lot. Some of the people arranging walk-up car hires have clearly never seen anything but US driver's licences…
    I second the comments re documenting the car's condition on pickup and drop-off, whether by pics or video (or both). I do it to the point of videoing the person from the rental car company.
    I once had a supposedly reputable car company rip me off the cost of the 3-day rental for returning the car late, and without filling it up. I had to send copies of the receipt from the gas station and the boarding pass that showed that, at the time they said I did return the car in North Carolina, I was actually aboard a 747, 10,000m above the Pacific ocean…

    • rlexyd on 24/04/2018 - 13:39

      Thank you branners for your help 🙂

  • rlexyd on 24/04/2018 - 14:06

    I'm in LA now, hadn't booked a car yet but will in a few days, when I check online it seems ArgusCarHire.com & CarRentals.com seem the best price although they are mainly showing Budget Car rental vehicles!

    I could have sworn that ArgusCarHire.com showed me BOTH insurances as included (CDW & Liability), but it's not anymore.
    I think because it must pick up I'm in the states, can you guys help verify this for me??
    Just pick random dates end of this week for a few days and pickup and drop off LAX.

    CarRentals.com includes CDW but not SLI, that $15 US a day extra now!
    ArgusCarHire.com doesn't include any insurance now!
    .
    Also, I got the AT&T prepaid, The $65 plan is unlimited but doesn't allow tethering, the plan I got was $85 US but lets you tether just 10GB.
    It does also come with unlimited Text Messages to Australia.
    Correct, the amount is 22gb in total before it throttled (sale guy didn't mention that of course).

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join