Best pay and forget SIM?

Buster_Danog

I used to buy RWG SIM cards so that I had an additional working number for receiving text messages or calls. The SIMS could be topped up then there was no time limit on using the credit. Now RWG seems to have changed. I cam not getting a reply from their customer service so need to find alternatives. Am I right in saying GiffGaff or Asda are the best options as a £5 credit doesn't expire?

Are there any other options where less credit is needed. I did get some SIMs from 1p Mobile a while back but within a few weeks they changed their pricing structure.

Frozen_up_north

Most of the "pay occasionally" PAYG SIM deals have vanished as the business model is not viable for the companies. One of the old favourites is the O2 Classic PAYG SIM, still available from eBay for around £1.20. Top up with £10 and it's 3p per min, 2p per text and 1p per MB of data. The top up doesn't currently expire. How long before it's scrapped by O2 is unknown.

chrisw

Make sure you read the t&c's closely. Giffgaff needs a chargeable call every 6 months to keep the number active. I think the minimum initial top up is £10 but sending a 10p text every 6 months will last for ages. However, Asda (and maybe others) require a TOP UP every 6 months which will soon build into excess credit.

Buster_Danog

Thanks, guys. I can't seem to order an Asda SIM without making a payment for a bundle online so I will give them a call tomorrow.

Buster_Danog

So for the Asda SIM you have to buy a bundle for the first month if you order online. The rules changed a few months back. The 50p SIM cards might still be available in store, but I don't have an Asda near me. Just mentioning for anyone else who is interested.

redux

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82057055#Comment_82057055

Register it online and they might add £5 extra credit

I said this on another thread recently, and someone did it and said thanks

I even got another £5 added when I ordered a replacement SIM and registered that on the newer website, so I've still got about £14.50 from the original £10 over 6 years ago

Or on giffgaff the cheapest usage to keep it alive every 6 months is an international call, such as Poland landline 1p a minute. This would also be a way to make cheap occasional outgoing calls via an access number or diversion

mta999

An EE PAYG sim - credit does not expire but need a chargeable event eg a call every 6 months

atlantis187

Does the o2 Classic sim work for priority and does it need a regular top up to use this?

Will it give the extra £5 for registering?

can it be used as an eSim?

alanjones60

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82058822#Comment_82058822

1.yes

2. No

3.no

4.no

redux

https://www.o2.co.uk/topup

Scroll down to perks

ScratchyCat

Yes it was me that got an extra £5. I registered on the O2 website then for ages it would let me login. Then one day i checked again, managed to login and got an additional £5.

I do keep getting a text telling me to top up to keep the sim active but someone else said that they hadn't topped up there o2 classic payg sim and it was still active. So ive ignored it. Just make the odd call.