PrePaidGSM.net Forum (Archived) - View Single Post - For Americans Going To Europe Or Overseas

snaimon · 06-09-2006, 19:36

Just two personal experience with LOCAL SIM cards. One good and one bad.

1. Good. German D1 (T-Mobile) cards. Bought 2 cards at a low price off German Ebay several years ago and we have used them in 3 or 4 visits to Germany. Refill cards purchased and have been used. Apart from various family members not understanding the ins and outs -- (don't use to call international #s directly and don't call during a weekday in the daytime. Cards were in XtraOne tarif with economical weekend calling but high weekday daytime costs), they have served their purpose.

2. Very bad. Bought 2 Malta cards about 2 years ago. Purchase price was low, but yearly refills cost approx $55 per year. I invested approx $220 to keep these cards going for two years. Wife & son went in 2005 and 4 of us went in 2006. We did use the cards, but not to the tune of $220. Son did use up most of balance on international calls to his girl friend in US - all but $40. The other card had about $63 balance when we left Malta. Not sure when or even if we would be returning. Rather than throwing another $110 or $220 into these accounts, I thought it best to sell them. My own fault (I was not feeling well at all), but I lost the card with the $40 balance in Munich airport. I just sold the other card for $10 to the only bidder on Ebay.

BOTTOM LINE:

If you decide to buy a local or other SIM for your travels, consider ALL the costs over WHOLE the time of holding the cards. It may simply be best to use up your balance during your current trip and let the card expire with a low balance. You can always by another SIM on your next trip.

Stan

	(#16)
snaimon (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Specialist Posts: 898 Join Date: 17 Mar 2004 Location: Richmond, VA USA Country:	06-09-2006, 19:36 Just two personal experience with LOCAL SIM cards. One good and one bad. 1. Good. German D1 (T-Mobile) cards. Bought 2 cards at a low price off German Ebay several years ago and we have used them in 3 or 4 visits to Germany. Refill cards purchased and have been used. Apart from various family members not understanding the ins and outs -- (don't use to call international #s directly and don't call during a weekday in the daytime. Cards were in XtraOne tarif with economical weekend calling but high weekday daytime costs), they have served their purpose. 2. Very bad. Bought 2 Malta cards about 2 years ago. Purchase price was low, but yearly refills cost approx $55 per year. I invested approx $220 to keep these cards going for two years. Wife & son went in 2005 and 4 of us went in 2006. We did use the cards, but not to the tune of $220. Son did use up most of balance on international calls to his girl friend in US - all but $40. The other card had about $63 balance when we left Malta. Not sure when or even if we would be returning. Rather than throwing another $110 or $220 into these accounts, I thought it best to sell them. My own fault (I was not feeling well at all), but I lost the card with the $40 balance in Munich airport. I just sold the other card for $10 to the only bidder on Ebay. BOTTOM LINE: If you decide to buy a local or other SIM for your travels, consider ALL the costs over WHOLE the time of holding the cards. It may simply be best to use up your balance during your current trip and let the card expire with a low balance. You can always by another SIM on your next trip. Stan Phones: DASH V3 (3) Service: US T-MO post paid (2) - US T-MO prepaid (2) - UM+ - TravelSIM DE SIMYO - DE SUNSIM T-Mobile DE Calling Cards: Onesuite Enjoyprepaid AT&T MCI Mobivox