Need mobile plan for AU, Hong Kong, NYC, Montreal

Geekomatic on 13/09/2015 - 16:23

The closest I've found thus far is

http://www.usaprepaidsimcard.com.au/

But, they don't cover Hong Kong. My daughter & friend are traveling in Nov. from Perth to HK— long lay-over so I'd like to be able to talk to them there. From HK, they go on to NY. During the visit, they'll likely have a side-trip to Montreal.

So, what I'm looking for is dependable, not bank-breaking service for me to ring them from Perth (I am on Boost unlimited (no int'l included), but can easily use my Skype credit to ring them) & dependable service for them to ring Perth from those locations as well as having data.

Has anyone recently traveled to these areas & have advice?

Thank you so much in advance. I trust the people here at OzB more than the shops I go into,

:)

Mobile

Comments

  • Randxyz123 on 13/09/2015 - 19:15

    Last time I was in the US I used AT&T and they now have plans that cover Canada as well.

    http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/plans/prepaidplans.html are the plans and I bought my sim from Midtown_girl - http://www.ebay.com.au/usr/midtown_girl?_trksid=p2057872.m27…

    How long are they in HK for? Most places have wifi so they can pop into a Maccas or something every few hours to check in with you. Don't buy a special sim card just for there - really isn't worth it.

    I wouldn't bother about ringing them it's always gonna be expensive.

    When they get to NY you can use whatsapp or iMessage or something to keep in contact with people at home most of the time…. That's what I did and I used FaceTime in the evenings when I had wifi at my hotel.

    The website you suggested seems to be a rip off…

    When I put in to the website you suggested the top plan + a sim card + shipping it came to $139. That is crazy. They are also charging you $45 just for the sim card.

    Buy from the eBay seller and you can recharge online using your credit card with the included instructions.

  • Geekomatic on 14/09/2015 - 00:03

    I looked at the seller's other stuff & found h2o—- using ATT but better plans. Reminds me of Boost/Telstra.

    I emailed the seller as it says they provide a "blank" SIM- & I really want to have it activated the day before- so there's no trouble for her once she's headed off. I don't understand the diff between this SIM & the ATT other one she sells. These "plans" are just month-to-month, right? Not "plans" as here in AU- 12/24 month?

    I'm clueless on this Int'l mobile stuff- so I appreciate your info. Anything else I/we should know, please do tell!

    Cheers :)

    • Randxyz123 on 14/09/2015 - 00:09

      Alright relax it isn't as complex as it sounds :)

      When I bought a sim from this seller it came with 2 a4 pages of instructions on how to activate it, how to recharge from Australia etc.

      I don't understand the diff between this SIM & the ATT other one she sells.

      Not sure what you mean? The difference between which sims? - Do you mean the difference between the one on eBay and the one sold by http://www.usaprepaidsimcard.com.au/?

      These "plans" are just month-to-month, right? Not "plans" as here in AU- 12/24 month?

      Correct they aren't contracts. They are the same as our prepaid.

  • Geekomatic on 14/09/2015 - 01:09

    "I don't understand the diff between this SIM & the ATT other one she sells."

    The difference between the ATT & the h2o…The ATT ebay ad talked about it being able to be activated but the h2o was a "blank"?

    That's what I meant.

    Ta.

  • proxyalex on 14/09/2015 - 05:00

    For Hong Kong they can go for the tourism sim card http://www.discoverhongkong.com/au/plan-your-trip/traveller-… for 88 HKD which is roughly $15 AUD for 5 days with 1.5gb of data and unlimited at PCCW wifi locations. It also has $30 of prepaid credit at around 45 cents a minute international. Although it doesn't seem like much value, it's really more for the convinience of not having to register anything and just buying a sim and putting in your phone.

  • [Deactivated] on 14/09/2015 - 08:16
    +2

    Are you leaving the airport during your layover?
    If not, just use the free WiFi at the airport and call them on WhatsApp.

    Alternatively find free WiFi somewhere and call them on WhatsApp.

  • Geekomatic on 14/09/2015 - 16:27

    Thanks, knick, proxy, & Drew— for all of your input.

    I feel like I can now sit down & discuss it all with the girls to make sure everyone understands.

    Appreciated sooo much!

    Ta.

    :)

  • Justplanemad on 16/09/2015 - 13:43

    How long are you in Hong Kong for? Im an aussie expat there, and China Mobile HK (CMHK) are the only provider than does plans without 24mnth contract if you are looking for lots of voice/data for extended stays. Otherwise just get a prepay simcard at any 7eleven for only a few days.

    • Geekomatic on 16/09/2015 - 14:17

      It's only a long layover…but thank you for the reply!

      Just a worried mum,

      :)

  • MtlOz on 19/09/2015 - 06:14

    Canada is not cheap when it comes to mobile. I used Similicious (http://www.similicious.com/) last time I was there on holiday (I now live in Canada (again) and I missed Vaya!). Depending on how long she's planning to stay in Montreal, she may want to use Roaming from her US sim. Montreal is a nice city to visit, but November through March is quite cold for an Aussie!

    I used that http://www.austel.net/phonecard_at.php to call the family in Montreal when I was living in Perth.
    And http://www.lycatalk.ca/ to call Australia when I was in Canada. (US wwbsite: http://www.lycatalk.us/ and they also have Sim http://www.lycamobile.us/en/).

    I am not affiliated with any of the companies above, just used them while out and about.

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