Mobile phones again....

[floridahol]

Slightly different scinario:

We're going over for 3 weeks and for various reasons (brother spending a lot of time at a flying school, also we're a large group so we will split up a lot etc etc) we are going to need 3 mobile phones, but only to phone each other, not to or from the UK. I'm guessing this makes call charges a lot cheaper. Hope so anyway.

So, whats the cheapest and easiest way of doing this? anyone know any good rental websites? The virgin mobile deal looks good, $60 for the cellphone includes $20 free airtime, and only 25c per min.

Any comments would be usefull, thanks.

[neilandkay]

I don't think you will get a much better deal than the virgin phone. It sounds as though the price has come down since I looked at getting a new cellphone. I know that 7-11s offered a pay as you go phone also.

I think rental phones work out at $5 per day minimum. That is what they used to be when I hired them for salesmen travelling to trade shows in Vegas. Assuming they are still the same rate, it is cheaper for you to buy the virgin phones.

Be aware of roaming and long distance charges though. I know my mobile which normally costs me $30 a month, sphot up to $180 for the month when I spent a week in Florida - this was due to all the long distance charges. I will probably get a virgin phone when I am there next time to avoid all the LD charges.

If your group is going to be within a close range (1-2 miles) have you considered Walkie Talkies as an option? They are great for parks and other areas where groups may split up but want to be able to keep in touch. I think they were $10-20 in Walmart.

-Kay

[blott]

If you're thinking of buying more than one phone, http://www.tracfone.com has a promotion at the moment of referring a friend and both of you getting 60 free minutes. You can buy their phones in Wal-Mart and other large stores (as well as gas stations/garages) as well as top up air time cards.

[floridahol]

Thanks Kay and Blott.

Blott - virgin phones also do the 'refer-a-friend' scheme, giving you $40 of free airtime instead of $20.