H20 changes minute plans, lowers rates but shortens expiration dates

**NC_curious** · 03-03-2012, 08:29 PM

I got a palm pixi plus (Verizon) for 29.99 delivered new not too long ago.. I don't think price now is too different @ amazon.com. It is small, capable phone for Pageplus.. maybe too much phone to give as an emergency phone to a child, but still a viable option on pageplus...

**stonedcold** · 03-04-2012, 12:59 AM

So what's the scope here? H2o is changing the game again? What about people that bought airtime cards do they retain the 90 day timeframe?

Sent from my iPhone 4S using Tapatalk

**CajunWon** · 03-04-2012, 09:25 AM

I have $60 on this Minute phone!
I was on the $1/day .14/min Unlimited N&W
Seems they switched me to the Minute Plan some months ago, was not informed but not upset about it anyway.
Now it appears the rarely used service (as posted above) goes from $40/year to $100/year.
I don't care about the number, but hard to switch with $60 to use-up first.
My 90days expires tomorrow, so need to figure quickly whether to pay $10 or $100.

**mommusic** · 03-04-2012, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by stonedcold

So what's the scope here? H2o is changing the game again? What about people that bought airtime cards do they retain the 90 day timeframe?

I was hoping the same thing, I bought my callingmart pins on 2/24/12, not sure what date the change was implemented. But I only got 30 days each added for these ones I added a few days ago.

I already have another phone my son will get on his birthday, he was going to use the current phone until then and 6 mos would have done the trick.

The last time when the 90 days was supposed to be changed to 60 days, I had added a pin and it still gave me 90 days so I figured it must have been a mistake on their website.

**NC_curious** · 03-04-2012, 12:38 PM

It seems like that it is a trend to reduce paygo expirations.. Airvoice, H2O started doing that.. Zapp unlimited changed 1 year expiration to 60 day expiration.. Not so surprising because the management of most companies are looking for a method of increasing revenue...

So far, Platinumtel has 90 day expiry (Sprint)
Pageplus has 120 Day expiry (Verizon)..

Spot mobile still has $20 per year ($5.00 minimum, 90 days), but I believe it is t-mobile based, with limited coverage...

Oh well, I did enjoy H2O for a while.. I started using it when it was called O2 wireless.. I don't even remember how long it was.. 3-4 years?.. It is time to move on... The cost is about the same as at&t gophone, and in my case, I get more value (online account management, customer service, etc..) from gophone... Of course this is for my own usage pattern only..

**fonezfonz** · 03-05-2012, 01:46 AM

Zapp is just another lameo generic Sprint mvno. Though I still haven't gotten a 100% bulletproof confirm whether H20 has rollover or not (Like I trust their CS), it does appear that Att is moving on their paygo front to eqaul Sprint's mvno. To me, the big slugfest has always been Sprint vs. Att mvnos because of their sheer numbers . I lean towards Att because of 1)Better coverage 2)Byod . Sprint has always been superior in unlimited and data plans but Att is closing the gap.

Air Voice and H20's 4-5 cents a minute rate go head to head with Sprint mvnos' best (Ptel, Mingo) in talk , text but in data, Sprint mvnos still have a lead. 10 cents a meg vs 30-33 cents...

**negma** · 03-05-2012, 10:43 AM

Roll over on Minute Plans -Just saw confirmation from H2O on their facebook page that minutes WILL roll over on MINUTE plans if you refill/activate another pin before expiration. I like this 5 cents because it works for MY needs. It is cheaper to text/call (I am not a heavy voice user) and I can use my latest iPhone without a hassle; for internet, I am always on Wifi at home or work and use ATT MIFI (separate plan) for the entire family when we are outside.

**CajunWon** · 03-05-2012, 06:57 PM

Just recharged $10, hoping to give them 30 days to change their mind on (more than) doubling my rate with them before moving on. I can confirm that the balance did rollover and the new expiry is 30 days.

Seems they could have grandfathered older plans. Not like it would be difficult to manage as the plan was already in their system.

Do these new plans have a weekend/night feature? -it would appear not

**mommusic** · 03-11-2012, 12:38 PM

callingmart has now updated their H20 minute plan page

**lydarn** · 03-25-2012, 08:05 PM

Ugh, looks like I'll have to find a new carrier. I was on the $10 for 70 minutes plan with ~90 days expiration but now that they changed that paying $10 a month is just not an option for me. Anyone know of a carrier that has similar expiration times for a similar price? I use a GSM phone for this all (locked iPhone 3G to be precise).

Airvoice is the only one I've checked and it has a $10/100 minute/90 day plan on this page but is missing it from their main plans page. If this works with my phone I might just spring for it, unless someone knows of a better plan.

**fonezfonz** · 03-26-2012, 03:54 AM

Att mvno Jolt Mobile has $10/90 day expiry without all of Air Voice's paygo hidden fees. Spot Mobile has primarily Tmobile coverage and your phone has to be unlocked but it gives you $5/90 days at 10 cents per minute. One year is only $20.

**lydarn** · 03-28-2012, 06:42 PM

I've checked out Spot Mobile and Jolt Mobile. Spot looks like it only works on the T-Mobile network, though I am not absolutely certain and have e-mailed them for confirmation. After e-mailing Jolt I found out that their 10c/min plan does have a 90-day expiry but I don't know yet if I can just spend $10 or if I have to pay for some higher amount.

For now it still looks like I will probably end up using Airvoice. They're the only one with a $10/90 day option that I've come across that is an AT&T mvno. I have like one day left to make a decision, so I will update this post later on. What hidden AV fees are you talking about, by the way? They specifically state no hidden fees.

**NC_curious** · 03-28-2012, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by lydarn

I've checked out Spot Mobile and Jolt Mobile. Spot looks like it only works on the T-Mobile network, though I am not absolutely certain and have e-mailed them for confirmation. After e-mailing Jolt I found out that their 10c/min plan does have a 90-day expiry but I don't know yet if I can just spend $10 or if I have to pay for some higher amount.

For now it still looks like I will probably end up using Airvoice. They're the only one with a $10/90 day option that I've come across that is an AT&T mvno. I have like one day left to make a decision, so I will update this post later on. What hidden AV fees are you talking about, by the way? They specifically state no hidden fees.

AirVoice used to have (may still have) $1.00 monthly fee, and 20c charged daily on the first call or text. In the newly designed web site, it is hard to find.. I am not sure it is still there or eliminated..

**fonezfonz** · 03-29-2012, 12:48 PM

Air Voice non monthly paygo still takes out those $1 and 20 cent charges. The new monthly option does not.
There are other paygo options with close prices on Att mvnos . Jolt mobile is one.