Best PAYG option?

chrisaw

I've been with 3 for the past couple of years on the 3pay tariff that worked really well for me - top ups would give free calls, texts and internet for 90 days, after which time the top up would get used as basic PAYG credit until that was all used up. As a fairly light user it meant that each top up would really last. In March they changed the tariff to give extras lasting just 45 days and I'm ready for a change.

But to what?

Thought I could do with a new phone anyway, and so have just ordered a sim free Xperia Ray - I'm now wrestling with the question of what network and what tariff to go with?

My call usage is light, my text usage is slightly more (although both of these might increase once I get my new improved phone). I mostly use my current phone for accessing the internet on the go. Can anyone offer any suggestions as to the best option for PAYG?

grumbler

>> What to do???

chrisaw

So just to clarify - if I were to go with the TMobile option and signed up for the PAYG text plan with a six month internet booster (@ £20), would I have to pay £10 per month no matter what? Or as a fairly light caller/texter, do I just take advantage of the free texts in the first two months, then let the remainder £10 credit run down before paying another £10 (being aware that I wouldn't get my free texts until the following month)?

Equally with GiffGaff, most of my calls/texts are between me and hubby, who is also getting a new phone and looking to switch provider. I could in theory start off with a £10 GoodyBag and my free £5.00 credit, and then just top up with PAYG until three months are up and I lose the free GiffGaff/GiffGaff calls. Then I get another GoodyBag. Would that make sense?

They do make things so complicated, don't they? It's almost impossible to compare like with like...

grumbler

chrisaw wrote: »

So just to clarify - if I were to go with the TMobile option and signed up for the PAYG text plan with a six month internet booster (@ £20), would I have to pay £10 per month no matter what?

No

Or as a fairly light caller/texter, do I just take advantage of the free texts in the first two months,

I don't see 'two months', but I may be missing something.

then let the remainder £10 credit run down before paying another £10 (being aware that I wouldn't get my free texts until the following month)?

I think your understanding is correct, but I can imagine various scenarios. E.g. topping up £15 the first two months to get free texts and internet, then using the credit to buy 6 months of internet.

Equally with GiffGaff, most of my calls/texts are between me and hubby, who is also getting a new phone and looking to switch provider. I could in theory start off with a £10 GoodyBag and my free £5.00 credit, and then just top up with PAYG until three months are up and I lose the free GiffGaff/GiffGaff calls. Then I get another GoodyBag. Would that make sense?

What 'three months'? AFAIK, a goodybag lasts for a months and gives you free internet and calls/texts to giffgaff.

chrisaw

It says on the TMobile site that when you join the text plan you get 100 free texts to use straight away. But it also says that when you top up £10 you get unlimited emails the following month. Not exactly the same as two months free emails, but for me, that's what it would equate to.

As for GiffGaff - have I misunderstood this then (from 'More info on pricing' on http://giffgaff.com/goodybags/10pound-facebook-goodybag)?

Free to giffgaff:
You need to top-up by top-up voucher, top-up by credit card or buy a goodybag from your credit card at least every 3 months to receive free giffgaff to giffgaff calls, if you don't other UK rates will apply as above. The free giffgaff to giffgaff calls last for 60 minutes per call, so you need to hang up and re-dial if you want to keep talking.

steveE2

chrisaw wrote: »

Equally with GiffGaff, most of my calls/texts are between me and hubby, who is also getting a new phone and looking to switch provider. I could in theory start off with a £10 GoodyBag and my free £5.00 credit, and then just top up with PAYG until three months are up and I lose the free GiffGaff/GiffGaff calls. Then I get another GoodyBag. Would that make sense?

They do make things so complicated, don't they? It's almost impossible to compare like with like...

Re Giffgaff:
If you top up £10 when you activate the sim this will give you £10 to use as PAYG @10p min calls 6p text to non giffgaffers.(you only get the £5 bonus buy ordering from an existing member ) or as you say purchase a £10 goodybag,this lasts for 1 month
Your calls/texts will be free for 3 months to all giffgaffers,and extends on each topup/goodybag purchase.

teffers

I vote for giffgaff. I switched my mum to them and as I'm on GG too it has saved her loads.

Free giffgaff calls/texts for 3x months after top up is a real deal clincher.

chrisaw

I think I'm leaning toward GiffGaff. Can I just ask - if I register with them, does that mean that my phone then becomes locked to them? Or is it possible to try out other provider's PAYG SIMs if I find the coverage in my area isn't good enough?

Probably a really basic question...

jamesperrett

No, your phone doesn't get locked to giff gaff if you use one of their sims. I don't think it is possible for a sim to lock a phone.

I'm with them and, as I mainly receive calls on my mobile, I don't think I've topped up since my initial £10. If you make a few useful posts to their forums and introduce the odd person to their service you find that they keep adding to your mobile credit.

James.

lil.smartie

My husband uses GiffGaff, seems OK as long as you have OK o2 signal!

Kate

Im_just_careful

The 3pay deal is still better than anything currently on offer.

If you top up by £5 on the phone you get 150MB of internet & 25 texts and you still have your £5.

Try that with your smart phone and a £5 top up every 45 days. Buy some Internet if you are running out of data.

Only then will you know if you need a different deal.