Purchase SIM Card at LAX

21 replies

crave555

Member since 10 May 2017

Total posts 4

You can get an Arieli Mobile SIM card with unlimited data at 4G is now around $45. They run on the same T-Mobile network so you get all of the same coverage

BJ01

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 07 Dec 2015

Total posts 57

Had the same issues with Sim Corner twice now. Arrive in the US and SIM card not activated. Incredibly frustrating. Not sure I'll take the risk again.

traveller99

Member since 18 Nov 2015

Total posts 119

Had the same issues with Sim Corner twice now. Arrive in the US and SIM card not activated. Incredibly frustrating. Not sure I'll take the risk again.

Was that a T-Mobile or AT&T SIM?

If it wasn't working when you landed kind of defeats the purpose of Sim Corner selling them. 

kaos

Member since 05 Jun 2017

Total posts 4

Here's my problem- I will be staying a lot this trip in Death Valley. there is only one major cell tower at Furnace Creek, and it is run by a 3rd party company. The only way you can access this tower is to have a POST PAID account, as pre paid accounts do not include 'roaming'.
I have contacted T-Mobile and they can convert my account to post paid but I will require a US government ID for the credit check (which I don't have). Has anyone dealt with this before?
@kimshep is your account a post paid account?

kaos

Member since 05 Jun 2017

Total posts 4

To answer my own question- even post paid accounts only get 200mb of roaming data so we decided it wasn't worth it. I will simply top up my per paid account and the others in the group will get this (which also strangely includes 200mb of roaming data.....)
https://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/t-mobile-tourist-sim-activation-kit

Jazzop

Member since 02 Dec 2016

Total posts 124

The Vodafone $5 a day extra isn't just so you can use your own data, it's for calls and sms too.

When I travel I'm always a data heavy user (Uber, Lyft, maps, restaurant and bar locations etc), so if I'm there for a couple of weeks then an AT&T sim is my preferred option, but it's going to be about US$50 for a month 9gb (maybe more now). 

But it's a hassle to change the SIM over to check messages etc, so I rarely bother now.  If you travel a lot then Vodafone are a good option and their coverage etc has improved since the issues they had a few years ago.

cougar_df

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 21 Jan 2017

Total posts 2

I'll be travelling to USA and Canada (mostly Canada) for a total of 6 weeks early next year. Can anyone recommend a sim card which works in both these countries? Am looking for large data allowance (average 1GB a day). Unlimited text and some free calls within the US and Canada would be great.


I believe most sim packages are valid for 30 days use only so I could be "unconnected" the last 2 weeks of my travel unless I do a top up, but I can live with that.

I've also heard different opinions of whether these sims should be purchased before travel or purchased upon landing in the USA/Canada. In other countries I've travelled to, I preferred to buy the local sim when I land so that any issues can be addressed on the spot before I pay for it and leave the store.

All advice/suggestions welcome. Thanks.

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