BajaNomad

TelCel Minutes

byoungquist - 1-2-2012 at 07:53 PM

I have a Samsung cell phone with service on TelCel. I loaded up some minutes for emergency use. I have now been told that if I don't use any minutes at all for a certain period of time, the original minutes deactivate and can only reactivated with purchase of new additional minutes.

Is this true? My phone does not seem to work at all with the original minutes.

Thanks,

Bob

Hook - 1-2-2012 at 08:26 PM

Yes, that's true.

Sounds like you dont have a monthly plan. Neither do we. We live down here. Basically, adding 20 pesos gives you access to all your minutes for about 8 days. Then you got to feed it again. Adding 100 pesos gives access for two months.

Carlos Slim didnt get to be the richest man in the world by being dumb.......:rolleyes:

If you spend very little time in Mexico and you just want a phone for emergency use, you're probably better off just adding a roaming plan to your existing US cell for the time you're down here. Most allow you the option of a short term increase in your monthly charge OR paying something like .99/minute.

Yeah, it's all a hassle. But it beats paying for monthly service, unless you are a yacker.

BTW, you can usually still RECEIVE calls even if your minutes are in limbo/expired.

[Edited on 1-3-2012 by Hook]

bajadock - 1-2-2012 at 08:29 PM

After 5 years, found out what a rookie gringo in Mexico is me.

Telcel website provides a remaining balance on your cell phone.

90 days is what I understand to be the "use it or temporarily lose it"period until you recharge. And you can recharge via credit card on the website. ilikey!

Tel-Cel Prepaid

MrBillM - 1-2-2012 at 09:16 PM

IF you exceed the 60 days and you go to ZERO, the 100-peso minimum regains whatever minutes were there previously. I'm told by others you can go 180 days, but I've only missed the 60 by a week or so twice so I can't say.

fdt - 1-2-2012 at 09:51 PM

True. And as morgaine7 posted there is a number to call for info on your balance. I dial *133# and press talk and I get a display of my balance on Telcel.

Hook - 1-2-2012 at 09:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
IF you exceed the 60 days and you go to ZERO, the 100-peso minimum regains whatever minutes were there previously. I'm told by others you can go 180 days, but I've only missed the 60 by a week or so twice so I can't say.


The minimum is only 20 pesos, at least with my Mexican go-phone.

I believe the 180 day expiration requires 500 pesos.

unbob - 1-3-2012 at 08:35 AM

I'm on the Telcel Amigo Combinado 20 plan.

When I signed-up I was told I would be charged 11 pesos for 10 min when calling any of my 5 designated "discount" USA numbers.

In reality, I've only been charged .64 pesos per minute (4.6 cents US at today's exchange rate).

Needless to say, I'm very happy to be paying close to half of what I was quoted!

Sure, that's more than Skype, etc. but I always have a nice clear call without all the echos, dropouts and delays of Skype.

A great deal as far as I'm concerned!

durrelllrobert - 1-3-2012 at 10:41 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hook

Carlos Slim didnt get to be the richest man in the world by being dumb.......:rolleyes:


[Edited on 1-3-2012 by Hook]

Here he is with a bunch of TelCell customers:

ALL in the Family ?

MrBillM - 1-3-2012 at 11:25 AM

Looks like those Tel-Cel customers are all related. The familial features are unmistakable.

I've called some in Baja and later, meeting them, didn't see those same distinctive features, but they may have been an exception.

ATT-Go Phone IS a better vehicle for calling to/from the U.S. while in Mexico IF you're within their (different from the contractural ATT) coverage area. CHEAPER. I keep the prepaid Telcel for local to-from in the San Felipe area.

schwlind - 1-3-2012 at 12:53 PM

From my experience on the Amigo plan...6 months no activity... you not only lose your phone number, but also any pesos you had previously paid but not used. 60 days... they "freeze" your pesos, but will reactivate once you add money to the phone. Also, depending upon the plan you have... our next door neighbor... not more than 200 feet away are in a different area code... ours is 646, but the neighbor's is in 616... they'll nail you on the rate they charge per minute for inter-MX calls (again depending upon the plan)... They certainly don't subscribe to the KISS philosophy in MX...

MitchMan - 1-3-2012 at 07:28 PM

Using a TelCel prepaid plan works pretty good in conjunction with Skype to contact those that also have Skype, works pretty well and keeps the phone expense well under control. Don't forget that you can send text messages on Skype for free as well as engaging in live Skype to Skype calls. When reception is bad, I and the person I call just switch to Skype insant messaging while still in the call connection.

On the prepaid TelCel basis, $11 pesos per 10 minute blocks to call the USA is pretty cheap. I am all about saving money and doing what works.

[Edited on 1-4-2012 by MitchMan]

Hook - 1-3-2012 at 08:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by unbob
I'm on the Telcel Amigo Combinado 20 plan.

When I signed-up I was told I would be charged 11 pesos for 10 min when calling any of my 5 designated "discount" USA numbers.

In reality, I've only been charged .64 pesos per minute (4.6 cents US at today's exchange rate).

Needless to say, I'm very happy to be paying close to half of what I was quoted!

Sure, that's more than Skype, etc. but I always have a nice clear call without all the echos, dropouts and delays of Skype.

A great deal as far as I'm concerned!


Is there a monthly fee associated with the Telcel Amigo Combinado 20 plan?

unbob - 1-7-2012 at 08:01 PM

Quote:


Is there a monthly fee associated with the Telcel Amigo Combinado 20 plan?
Not that I'm aware of.

PCbaja - 1-7-2012 at 08:28 PM

I have tried. Tel Cel, Movistar, skype etc.. Spent alot of money on all of them until I found the At&T VIVA MEXICO PLAN. Does'nt matter what country your in when you use your phone. Works out to .15 a minute with the plan I have.