Buy Cricket Phone Without Plan ##TOP##
Cricket Wireless hotspot availability is limited to eligible phones with either the $55 per month Cricket Core plan (with Mobile Hotspot added) or the $60 per month Cricket More plan. The process of setting up the hotspot will depend on what phone you use.
buy cricket phone without plan
Setting up your phone as a hotspot without cutting into your data plan is not advised as it can create problems with your carrier (i.e. extra fees or a cancelled contract). However, there are acceptable ways to reduce the amount of data used when tethering.
Fortunately, I was able to find an offer from my Chase credit card for $25 cash back on Cricket Wireless, so I was actually able to test the phone plan for only $15.74 total! Be sure to check offers on your cash back credit cards before switching phone service providers for potential additional savings.
Before I began testing phone plans, I highlighted the key factors that I would be exploring. This way, I would be able to accurately compare phone plans and get a full overview of what to expect from the service.
An eSIM is an industry-standard digital SIM that allows you to activate a cellular plan from your carrier without having to use a physical SIM. You can install eight or more eSIMs on an iPhone and use two phone numbers at the same time.
In general, I don't recommend buying a cell phone without checking if your recipient even wants one. From the type of phone to the choice of carrier, there are just too many variables here. What's more, unless you're willing to open service under your name (and be responsible for the payments), you can't activate or set up a phone for someone else if that person is not present.
Complaining about your cell phone carrier is a popular pastime, but that doesn't mean everyone would switch if they had the chance. If Uncle Kyle, for example, has an affordable service plan, loves a particular phone that's a carrier exclusive, or gets great reception where he needs it, he's likely to stick with his provider, even if its customer service is awful.
That's why it's important that you find out if he's willing to switch and which carrier he'd like to use. Verizon may be great for you, but if its network doesn't cover Kyle's house, then even the fanciest phone will be useless. Also, if he's still under contract, he may not be able to jump ship without paying an early-termination fee. Since that could be well over $150, ensure that your kindness won't result in a bite out of his wallet.
While we're on the subject, find out how long ago your recipient bought his or her current phone. Some carriers limit how often customers can upgrade to a new device at a subsidized price. That's beginning to change as carriers like Verizon loosen rules, but you'll typically pay a lot more to upgrade often. So if Cousin Caroline just bought a phone three months ago, upgrading now may be impossible or exorbitantly expensive. Also, some people may not want to change their service at all. They may enjoy the freedom of month-to-month service (see below) or they may have a really good grandfathered plan -- like one with unlimited data, for instance -- that they don't want to give up.
A great surprise gifting option, particularly for parents shopping for a handset for their kids, is adding a new line to a shared plan. Though not all carriers have them, these plans typically let you share unlimited phone calls and text messages, and a bucket of data between up to 10 phone lines. Even better, you should be able to add a new line without having your recipient present. If you're a parent buying for your kids, make sure you educate them on how many messages they can send per month and how much data and how many voice minutes they can use.
Another way to keep your gift a surprise is to buy an unlocked phone or one with no contract attached. It's then up to your recipient to activate the phone, giving them more freedom to choose the service plan that best fits their needs.
Sometimes, even a gift bought with the best intentions may not work out. If that happens, know that most contract carriers will let you return a phone within a specific time frame. This grace period may vary, but usually lasts 14 to 30 days. If you take advantage of it, you can return the phone and (if applicable) end a contract without paying an early-termination fee. You will, however, have to pay for any voice or data service you've used, and you may incur a restocking fee, as well.
Receive up to $504 promo credit ($180 w/Welcome Unlimited, $360 w/ 5G Start, or $504 w/5G Do More, 5G Play More, 5G Get More or One Unlimited for iPhone plan (Welcome Unlimited and One Unlimited for iPhone plans can't be mixed w/other Unlimited plans; all lines on the account req'd on respective plans)) when you add a new smartphone line with your own 4G/5G smartphone on an eligible postpaid plan between 2/10/23 and 4/5/23. Promo credit applied over 36 months; promo credits end if eligibility requirements are no longer met.
Many travelers enjoy the convenience of bringing their own mobile phone to Europe. Some people also prefer to bring a tablet or laptop for emailing or blogging, uploading or editing photos, reading, and watching videos in their down time. Using your mobile device abroad isn't hard, and with a little preparation, you can text, make calls, and access the Internet without breaking the bank.
Travelers who want to stay connected at a lower cost can sign up for an international service plan through their carrier. Most offer some sort of global calling plan that cuts the per-minute cost of phone calls and a flat-fee data plan that includes a certain amount of megabytes. Your normal plan may already include international coverage, as T-Mobile's does. It's a fairly painless process:
If your mobile phone is more than a few years old, you may need to upgrade your device before your mobile provider shuts down its 3G network, to avoid losing service. For more information on your mobile providers' plans for 3G retirement and how you can prepare, contact your provider directly.
If your mobile carrier is not listed here, you may still be affected. Many carriers, such as Cricket, Boost, Straight Talk, and several Lifeline mobile service providers, utilize AT&T's, Verizon's, and T-Mobile's networks. In addition, international visitors to the United States with 3G phones will be affected and are urged to plan accordingly.
Contact your mobile provider or consult your provider's website for more information about their 3G retirement plan and whether your phone, or other connected device, may be affected. It is important to plan now so that you don't lose connectivity, including the ability to call 911.
If you have AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile, then you will probably be able to use your phone in Mexico with no problem as long as you have an international plan. These plans typically give you unlimited texting, calls, and data while in Mexico.
If you are planning to stay in Mexico for an extended amount of time and want to buy a Mexican SIM card to use in your American phone, you will need to make sure that your phone is unlocked before you leave for Mexico.
No, cell phone plans in Mexico are very affordable. Monthly plans with Telcel can be as low as $25 USD per month with unlimited calls, unlimited app usage on social networks like Whatsapp, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as 6GB of data.
Cricket Wireless is a prepaid phone carrier owned by one of the nation's largest wireless providers, AT&T. Unlike T-Mobile with its 55+ phone plans, Cricket Wireless doesn't cater to older adults with discounted senior plans or phones designed for seniors. But that shouldn't stop you from considering Cricket Wireless as your next wireless provider.
How Does Cricket Wireless Compare? Cricket Wireless offers some of the most affordable, no-nonsense prepaid phone plans on the market. Rather than having you deal with complicated contracts or expensive overage charges, Cricket Wireless makes it easy to call, text, and use data without breaking the bank. That said, Cricket Wireless doesn't offer any specific plans or discounts for older adults. So, if you want to find a carrier that caters more to seniors, consider one of our highest-rated alternatives below.
You can purchase a plan or a cell phone and a plan in person at a Cricket Wireless store or on their website. I decided to buy on the website and quickly learned that it's a very smooth shopping experience. It's no wonder Cricket won the J.D. Power Award for Purchase Experience in 2020.1
I was also pleased to learn during checkout that Cricket offers free next-business-day shipping and no activation fees for SIM cards and phones purchased on the Cricket website. Plus, service taxes and fees are included in the monthly plan cost, so the advertised cost is actually what you're paying. That's transparency you don't always find from wireless companies.
I also asked William about any activation fees or special discounts for seniors or veterans. I learned that Cricket doesn't offer any special discounts, even for AARP members or veterans. William also explained that you won't have to pay activation fees if you purchase a new phone or plan online.
The Debut Flip is the only flip phone Cricket Wireless sells. We think it's perfect for older adults who want a simple cell phone that'll keep them connected. It has a compact, durable design with an easy-to-see keypad. Don't enjoy typing? You can make calls, send texts, and more with just your voice thanks to Google Assistant. Unlike other phones we've tested, including Lively's Jitterbug Flip2, the Debut Flip works with a data plan. You can surf the web, view your calendar, check email, and add apps and games.
Quick Tip: If you want, you can stretch that $180 to get you the iPhone SE, one month of service on the $60 plan, and four months of service on the $30-per-line 5 GB plan. That's five months of service and a $350 smartphone for only $180! 041b061a72