USA for 4 Weeks, Looking for a Sim Card!

geoffs87 on 11/07/2018 - 10:14
Last edited 11/07/2018 - 10:48

Hi All,

I'm going to the USA in August / September for 4 weeks for my Honeymoon, and will be doing a bit of driving/getting around. I like to have access to mobile data for google maps/tripadvisor/spotify etc (beyond the normal use of data haha), but don't want to even think about the roaming costs while overseas! I also like to be able to dial to book restaurants etc.

For reference, we will be in:
-San Fran
-Yosemite
-Vegas
-New York
-Bahamas (but I'm happy not to worry about that and have a week away from technology :) )

Can anyone suggest the best option for a prepaid travel sim (or other equivalent option) to pickup either when we arrive in LA (international flight - Airport Only) or SF (domestic from LA), or online that will arrive before we leave in 5 weeks?

Thanks in advance!
geoffs87

Travel

Comments

  • borntospeed on 11/07/2018 - 10:29

    From memory, we took the shuttle bus to AVIS to pick up our rental (you need to drive everywhere). AVIS was only a few mins from LAX. From AVIS, we drove to T-Mobile and got a prepaid sim card there (8632 S Sepulveda Blvd Suite 105, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA). reception was pretty good in around LA and we drove to SF using Google Maps with no lag.

    I had to present my passport to get my sim as a name check. Make sure to tell them to turn off auto recharge (you want to get that box ticked at the start because you get a cheaper rate).

    Make sure to pack some warm jackets because the temp diff between LA and SF is like Syd and Canberra in winter. for example 20 deg in LA and 8 deg in SF.

    No speed cameras or tolls in LA but toll for Golden Gate Bridge and other bridges in SF. Tip: Get a slightly more powerful car and not a economy box because every one drives fast on the highway (typical speeds were like 80-90 MPH) and the trucks are even more scary than the AU ones. They are not limited to 100KM/H. Petrol is cheap, roughly US$30-35 a tank, but you need to prepay at the counter. Add 10% to everything you buy because of tax. Tip if you're in a restaurant but no need for burger joints. LA is mexican, so brush up your spanish.

    • geoffs87 on 11/07/2018 - 10:51

      Thanks for the tips!

      Sorry should have mentioned we arent spending any time in LA, rather its just arriving at their international airport.

      We're flying straight to SF after arriving at LA, where we will spend a few days with friends, before renting a car and driving SF - Yosemite - Vegas, where we will then fly to NY.

      I've recently completed 3 weeks driving around europe (6000km) so i'm pretty good on the highway driving now! But yeah, we've rented a Merc SUV, so should be pretty good on speed and comfort.

      Thanks for the reminder re: tips! not looking forward to that…

  • knobbs on 11/07/2018 - 10:29
    +1

    Hey Geoff,

    I am travelling to Canada (banff) and USA in August/Sept and going through quite a few similar places too. Mainly just the west coast of USA though not getting to all the locations you are. So I am interested to hear of any deals people have for the SIM card as well.

  • [Deactivated] on 11/07/2018 - 10:49
    +2

    AT&T has a $60 plan with unlimited data that works in the US, Mexico and Canada

    • geoffs87 on 11/07/2018 - 10:51

      Thanks! Can you pick that up online before i land, or when i'm there?

      • [Deactivated] on 11/07/2018 - 10:55

        There are two places in Melbourne that sell them, one is in the CBD that can be collected l. Both of them sell online and ship

        • knobbs on 11/07/2018 - 10:59

          Hey Drew do you have a link to either store? I live in Bris so need to get it shipped up here.

        • geoffs87 on 11/07/2018 - 11:10

          @knobbs: Me 3… im in Sydney

        • [Deactivated] on 11/07/2018 - 11:39

          @knobbs:
          https://www.roamingabroad.com.au/product-category/usa-prepai…
          The mark up is fairly considerable

          $60 AUD if you get it direct, or $100 from Roaming Abroad.
          https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/plans/voice/sku7420265.htm…

          The $40 is a fair bit, but consider how you're going to get from the airport or car rental place to the nearest AT&T store without data?

          Pretty sure you need to be in the US for the sim to activate before it will work in Mexico and Canada.
          Last year I went to Vancouver, Canada via LAX and didn't have enough time to pop out of the airport.
          The $40 markup was still cheaper than what any of the Canadian telcos offer. Think $85 for 2GB of data.

        • geoffs87 on 11/07/2018 - 12:18

          @Drew22: wonder if you can buy online from att and get them to post to your hotel… ican ask the hotel to hold it for me…. I’ll investigate, could be worth the $40 saving!

        • [Deactivated] on 11/07/2018 - 12:34

          @geoffs87:

          Possibly, but probably not?
          Why not just go to an AT&T store when you land?

        • knobbs on 11/07/2018 - 12:39

          @Drew22: That might work for Geoff but I am flying into LAX then onto Calgary straight after so can't pickup in US until after my Canada portion.

          I have found this site with the AT&T unlimited for $60 (I am guessing it is USD) with free international devliery. Looking like my best option currently. https://www.arielimobile.com/product/attxgb/

        • [Deactivated] on 11/07/2018 - 13:27

          @knobbs:

          Yeah, you'll want to have your hands on it before you leave Australia and then activate when you're transiting.

  • pingualien on 11/07/2018 - 13:04
    +1

    go on this website called dbssimtrade. Great guy and will help you with what you need.

    • geoffs87 on 11/07/2018 - 13:29

      Nice, just on the blower to old mate Saul now, some good options with apparently free worldwide postage.

      I have few options.
      1. T-Mobile 50GB for $65
      2. T-Mobile 10GB for $55
      3. T-Mobile 4GB for $50
      4. H2O 3GB for $50 (at&t network)
      5. Lycamobile 4GB for $35 (low service provider)

      • knobbs on 11/07/2018 - 14:00

        Spoke to Saul as well, 2x options for me now either:

        Saul: T-Mobile 10GB for $55
        or
        ArielMobile: AT&T Unlimited data and some international calls + text $60
        https://www.arielimobile.com/product/attxgb/

        This is probably the best option for you Geoff as you aren't entering Canada
        http://www.arielimobile.com/smxgb/

        • geoffs87 on 11/07/2018 - 14:55

          Yeah that looks good. Its an extra $10 for tethering so my wife can connect to my phone and do some browsing also… maybe i just get her her own sim card though :s

          Does Arieli charge for shipping on top of those prices?

          EDIT: Just read it does :)

        • knobbs on 11/07/2018 - 15:12
          +1

          @geoffs87: The $60 one I am looking at had free shipping

        • focused77 on 11/07/2018 - 20:37

          Just be aware of the coverage on the T-Mobile network, it probably a bit like vodafone over here, so hence why you might see some cheaper data prices. I'd at recommend at least looking at the coverage maps and just confirming you'll be covered where you expect to be, cities will be fine but when you get out into the sticks might be another matter.

  • focused77 on 11/07/2018 - 20:32

    In regards to sim cards, yeah this AT&T sim card has treated me well through out my travels in USA, Mexico(at least Tijuana) and in Canada, unlimited data (22gb high speed, then capped at 3mbps for the rest) https://datago.co/products/us-att-prepaid-sim this guy has always come though, maybe not always the quickest but certainly comes though, plenty of details about how to activate and you can buy credit as well.

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