Last Minute Phone Plan Switch

[Deleted member 67185]

It was kind of a weird cell phone week.

Jill and I decided that we wanted to switch to T-Mobile for the Military Magenta Plus plan (Veteran). $35.00 per line (fees and taxes included) for unlimited talk and text in the US. And unlimited data in Spain, with talk at 5 cents/minute. And outside of Spain, it is unlimited talk and text in all of the other European countries we will be visiting. Kinda weird about Spain vs the rest of Europe, but I confirmed it.

So far, service with cell and data is no different at all from our Verizon plan.

The weird or inconvenient thing was that my iPhone SE, my faithful companion, decide it was too pooped to function for more than three hours at a time before needing a charge. For over a month, I noticed that the standby time was shortening, and that active use really drained the battery.

I thought about trying to replace the battery, but other factors with its age made me look at upgrading the phone itself. So I ended up with a new iPhone 11 (non-pro) as part of the deal with T-Mobile when switching plans.

Compared to my SE, it is big, bulky, and a bit heavier. But it makes data-intense app use easier to see, and I do like the face recognition. I do not like the deletion of the Belly Button, though The 'swiping' learning curve takes a bit of getting used to.

So here's hoping that, between a new phone and a new plan provider, weird stuff doesn't happen after we head out on Tuesday for Camino Ingles .

 

[Deleted member 3000]

it is big, bulky, and a bit heavier.

Aren't phones supposed to be getting smaller? Maybe SNL got it wrong...

 

[Camino Chrissy]

This gal hates new things that require any learning curve! I think that means I am getting old. I have a 6 year old Android Samsung Note3, and dread the day it gives up the ghost. I dropped it in a lake in 6' of water this past summer. It thankfully came back to life in 3 days, like our Lord, but my phone was laying in a tomb of rice.

 

[rappahannock_rev]

As soon as I arrived in Logrono last month, I bought a 5 Euro LLAMAYA sim card that gave me everything I needed for a three week walk. Satisfied customer.

 

[lt56ny]

It was kind of a weird cell phone week.

Jill and I decided that we wanted to switch to T-Mobile for the Military Magenta Plus plan (Veteran). $35.00 per line (fees and taxes included) for unlimited talk and text in the US. And unlimited data in Spain, with talk at 5 cents/minute. And outside of Spain, it is unlimited talk and text in all of the other European countries we will be visiting. Kinda weird about Spain vs the rest of Europe, but I confirmed it.

So far, service with cell and data is no different at all from our Verizon plan.

The weird or inconvenient thing was that my iPhone SE, my faithful companion, decide it was too pooped to function for more than three hours at a time before needing a charge. For over a month, I noticed that the standby time was shortening, and that active use really drained the battery.

I thought about trying to replace the battery, but other factors with its age made me look at upgrading the phone itself. So I ended up with a new iPhone 11 (non-pro) as part of the deal with T-Mobile when switching plans.

Compared to my SE, it is big, bulky, and a bit heavier. But it makes data-intense app use easier to see, and I do like the face recognition. I do not like the deletion of the Belly Button, though The 'swiping' learning curve takes a bit of getting used to.

So here's hoping that, between a new phone and a new plan provider, weird stuff doesn't happen after we head out on Tuesday for Camino Ingles .

I had an SE also that was about to drop dead. Last week I got an iPhone 7. I have a Wattsapp group chat with my daughters and they told me I can only buy a 7. (They said for my purposes an 8 would be a waste of money) because there is no longer the Home button (belly button) and it would take me years to figure out how to use a new phone.Of course they also included many comments about my technological disability that they found to be very funny.

 

[AndreaCT]

HI Dave, I'm so glad to hear that you're heading out again and that you dipped into your "emergency Camino kit". I trust that you and Jill will have a fantastic time! Enjoy your walk and the weather. It may be warmer than our unseasonably cold West Coast fall....

 

[Deleted member 67185]

As soon as I arrived in Logrono last month, I bought a 5 Euro LLAMAYA sim card that gave me everything I needed for a three week walk. Satisfied customer.

That's terrific

I wasn't looking for an inexpensive method of phone use in Spain and the rest of Europe, it just happened to be part of the phone plan that we signed up for. T-Mobile is far less costly per line than Verizon is with the Military/Veterans plan which was the motivation to switch.

On previous Caminos, I used my iPhone SE (RIP trusty friend) and wifi for free communication, so I never bothered with a SIM card. But anyone who does not have an international cell phone plan, and who wanted to use their phone for un-tethered talking and texting, should definitely look at getting an in-Euro SIM card like you did.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

HI Dave, I'm so glad to hear that you're heading out again and that you dipped into your "emergency Camino kit". I trust that you and Jill will have a fantastic time! Enjoy your walk and the weather. It may be warmer than our unseasonably cold West Coast fall....

Thank you for those thoughts, Andrea. It will be good to be on Camino again. And being with Jill adds a wonderful new dimension for sure

To tell the truth, I AM anxious about how I will do with the walking, even though the distances on each day are not long and my backpack is light. That illness and surgeries has me not as fit as I was last year, 30 pounds heavier, and cranky. Well, not so much CRANKY as cranky.

I think a Camino will do wonders for the spirit and Spirit.

 

[Former member 49149]

Thank you for those thoughts, Andrea. It will be good to be on Camino again. And being with Jill adds a wonderful new dimension for sure

To tell the truth, I AM anxious about how I will do with the walking, even though the distances on each day are not long and my backpack is light. That illness and surgeries has me not as fit as I was last year, 30 pounds heavier, and cranky. Well, not so much CRANKY as cranky.

I think a Camino will do wonders for the spirit and Spirit.

I will count you in when I light my candle in the mornings. Be Kind to yourself. Buen camino to both.