Anyone use Mint Mobile for US trips?

I know people that have used it, no problem as long as you are ok buying three months of service at a time. You can also get an esim from their website.

Following …

We too are interested in Mint
Cuz unlike some other SIM / eSIM Services
It includes all 3 aspects … Talk, Text, and Data
On a pay as you go …
Albeit 3 month terms with no contracts

And pricing is really decent
At $ 15 / month

The cost of $ 45 = 3 month commitment
Aint so bad when you figure out Cdn Cell Providers
Want $ 15 a day now for roaming

Lol, $ 15 a day
Vs $ 15 a month

Pretty easy choice IMO

CorSter wrote: ↑ I know people that have used it, no problem as long as you are ok buying three months of service at a time. You can also get an esim from their website.

Thanks for the feedback that some have used it. 3 months works for us.

You can't actually buy the esim from Canada. I tried the website, then called in when that was a no-go. The CR was good and he tried with my Canadian address, and a US address that I have for packages, but it would not process by Canadian based credit card. I was on hold a few times while he tried to make it work but it was a no go. So if you have a US issued credit card and US address of some kind you can do it.

I figure that buying a physical sim at a Bestbuy in the US should be ok.

I know people that have bought the esim, they used a throwaway US address.

Other option if credit card acceptance is an issue, I guess is to buy a prepaid voucher in store in the US.

I bought and use US Mobile.

On the two trips I've taken to the US, I bought a one month $15/mth plan (plus tax,plus fees) which has unlimited calling and texting and 5gb of data. All in, the cost was $21.91 USD for each trip. Buy more data if you want to hotspot it.

The SIM you get can be used over and over again ie deactivated and reactivated. That sim is a one time cost. If you buy the SIM in the US (amerifriend or ship to hotel), it's free, or Sim can be shipped to Canada for $10.

gr8dlr wrote: ↑ I bought and use US Mobile.

On the two trips I've taken to the US, I bought a one month $15/mth plan (plus tax,plus fees) which has unlimited calling and texting and 5gb of data. All in, the cost was $21.91 USD for each trip. Buy more data if you want to hotspot it.

The SIM you get can be used over and over again ie deactivated and reactivated. That sim is a one time cost. If you buy the SIM in the US (amerifriend or ship to hotel), it's free, or Sim can be shipped to Canada for $10.

Interesting …
Would like more info

What phone(s) are you using ?
And are you using a US Phone #, or continuing with just your Cdn one ?
Is it just you, are you on a family share plan ?
You bought in with a Cdn CC ?
You had the Starter Kit mailed to Canada ?
And tell me more about how the Stop & Restart works on the SIM Card … does it actually stop the clock. And isn’t just a case of it running out when the timeframe is up (example … 30 consecutive days ). Wasn’t clear on this. I assume the clock runs down and you just buy more time next time, but don’t need to rebuy a new SIM

Answering here would be great …
So much to learn for so many RFDers who travel

But, if you aren’t comfy doing so … you can always send me a PM
Thx

CorSter wrote: ↑ I know people that have bought the esim, they used a throwaway US address.

Other option if credit card acceptance is an issue, I guess is to buy a prepaid voucher in store in the US.

I had a US address, the credit card was the issue. Should ask if they take paypal! We will stop at a bestbuy just across the border on the way.

atvds1210 wrote: ↑ I had a US address, the credit card was the issue. Should ask if they take paypal! We will stop at a bestbuy just across the border on the way.

Please keep this thread posted on your findings

Mint is a fairly new player … and as such RFD doesn’t have much info on them.

Also seems most RFDers when travelling are ok without talk service … we are not.
We are just looking for a reasonable option to replace the crazy Roaming Fees we encounter when we leave Canada

It will be a bit but will update on the experience.

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ Interesting …
Would like more info

What phone(s) are you using ?
And are you using a US Phone #, or continuing with just your Cdn one ?
Is it just you, are you on a family share plan ?
You bought in with a Cdn CC ?
You had the Starter Kit mailed to Canada ?
And tell me more about how the Stop & Restart works on the SIM Card … does it actually stop the clock. And isn’t just a case of it running out when the timeframe is up (example … 30 consecutive days ). Wasn’t clear on this. I assume the clock runs down and you just buy more time next time, but don’t need to rebuy a new SIM

Answering here would be great …
So much to learn for so many RFDers who travel

But, if you aren’t comfy doing so … you can always send me a PM
Thx

I got the FREE WELCOME KIT and shipped it to an Amerifriend and they mailed it me in Canada. You could get the welcome kit shipped to your US hotel so it's there when you arrive. Worst case you can get the Free WELCOME KIT and pay $10 to ship it to CDA. $10 is acceptable as you only need to buy a SIM once per phone.

I use a OnePlus phone. FYI there are two SIMs in a welcome kit.

Reuse:. The SIM can be activated and terminated and reactivated numerous times so I only need one SIM per phone. Some SIMs are single use which is a pain.

When you activate you can choose a new phone number - I do this and get a new local number every time I activate three service.

Re wifi hotspot. I paid a couple dollars to share or wifi hotspot my data with my spouse and friends.

No problem using a Cdn credit card to pay for service. You can activate a plan while still at home in CDA. It doesn't work here in CDA (you could buy roaming service but I've never done that). When I get close to the border or I'm in the airplane, I put the SIM in and restart the phone.

If you have more questions, just ask.

Re Mint. I looked at Mint before and the service is good and cheap but I think you have to buy 3 months which most ppl don't need. Most ppl only need a week or two for US trips.

atvds1210 wrote: ↑ Just wondering if anyone has picked up a Mint Mobile sim card in the US for a trip. I see that Bestbuy in the US has the 4GB at $45US for 3 months, which is perfect for us.

I've used Mint many times. Runs off the T-Mobile network. Never had issues. Free calling back to Canada. You can get free 30 day trial right now with 10gb data.
https://forums.redflagdeals.com/mint-mo ... e-2599718/

Don't use Mint, but use Tello on their pay as you go.
Being able to increase data/voice if I travel is convienent enough for me. Also a bonus in having a permanent # instead of needing a new sim for each new trip.

IceBlueShoes wrote: ↑ Don't use Mint, but use Tello on their pay as you go.
Being able to increase data/voice if I travel is convenient enough for me. Also a bonus in having a permanent # instead of needing a new sim for each new trip.

Interesting option. 5GB with calls is $19 per month so a bit more than Mint at $15 for 3 months. If they can set up the esim while someone is still in Canada, that is an advantage. For me, a different US number is not an issue.

I initially used my sisters address (she's in California), but had the sim card shipped to me in BC. Haven't had any issues with billing using Canadian CC, but I'm light on data and "tweak it" if I go to the US.
If you're looking at it as a normal phone plan it may not be the best since you mentioned Mint is cheaper.
They also have no roaming, but do support wifi calling when abroad. I've made the odd call while I'm here in Canada.I believe they do offer rollover mobile data though.

Update. Picked a 3 month Mint card kit at a Target store near the border. You need to download the app to activate the sim, so it is useful to do that ahead of time. Target had excellent in store wifi so we downloaded it there and installed the sim. Followed the directions and it activated no problem. The kit has a sim removal tool in it.

So far the service is great. Sent texts back and forth to Canada, and calls to Canada are fine and free. We used the data for navigation for many hours of driving and looking stuff up, across several states and the service was always there. Also set up a hot spot for another phone while travelling and worked well. Happy with the choice so far.

atvds1210 wrote: ↑ Update. Picked a 3 month Mint card kit at a Target store near the border. You need to download the app to activate the sim, so it is useful to do that ahead of time. Target had excellent in store wifi so we downloaded it there and installed the sim. Followed the directions and it activated no problem. The kit has a sim removal tool in it.

So far the service is great. Sent texts back and forth to Canada, and calls to Canada are fine and free. We used the data for navigation for many hours of driving and looking stuff up, across several states and the service was always there. Also set up a hot spot for another phone while travelling and worked well. Happy with the choice so far.

Great report
Thanks for this

Mint is definitely the plan I am most interested in as it offers Phone Calls - Text - and Data

I have a few questions …

Assume you’ve had no trouble paying with a Cdn Bank issued CC @ Target for the initial kit

What about Mint itself …
Assume you also had to link up your Cdn CC with them too

And tell me more about the SIM(s) you got in the welcome pkg
Standard - Micro - Nano
Just one, two, or all 3

PointsHubby wrote: ↑ Great report
Thanks for this

Mint is definitely the plan I am most interested in as it offers Phone Calls - Text - and Data

I have a few questions …

Assume you’ve had no trouble paying with a Cdn Bank issued CC @ Target for the initial kit

What about Mint itself …
Assume you also had to link up your Cdn CC with them too

And tell me more about the SIM(s) you got in the welcome pkg
Standard - Micro - Nano
Just one, two, or all 3

Good questions.

1. No problem paying at Target with a Canadian issued CC. We ended up at Target since they opened at 8 am, and Bestbuy did not open until 10am.

2. I did not link a credit card to my Mint account, as that would only be needed if you wanted to have an auto renew after 3 months or some add-on. I only want if for the 3 month term and have no interest in keeping the number and as that is all pre-paid no cc was required.

3. The sim card comes as a 3in1, and you punch out the size you need. I needed the Nano so punched that out.

atvds1210 wrote: ↑ Good questions.

1. No problem paying at Target with a Canadian issued CC. We ended up at Target since they opened at 8 am, and Bestbuy did not open until 10am.

2. I did not link a credit card to my Mint account, as that would only be needed if you wanted to have an auto renew after 3 months or some add-on. I only want if for the 3 month term and have no interest in keeping the number and as that is all pre-paid no cc was required.

3. The sim card comes as a 3in1, and you punch out the size you need. I needed the Nano so punched that out.

Fabulous info !!!
So helpful.

Looks like unless I’m missing some info / overlooked a situation that I cannot predict … we’ll be using Mint as our US Service Provider for the foreseeable future.