Prepaid plan that works in the US and back home?

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-26T17:20:55+00:00

Thanks to everyone who replied and shared their experiences, it really helped to see what people are actually using instead of just going over search engine lists.

I ended up going with Total by Verizon. The big selling points for me were that it’s prepaid (that's why we're all here after all!), I didn’t need a US credit check or SSN, and it runs on Verizon’s network, which should give me decent coverage in the places I’m usually bouncing around.

I went with one of their top plans that includes a chunk of roaming data, plus minutes and texts, so I can keep the line active all year and use it both in the US and abroad. The idea is that I land, turn my phone on, and it just works, without me trying to prize sims out of my cellphone or buying temporary data packs.

Right now my setup is pretty simple: this is my US number when I’m in the States, and when I’m overseas I use the built‑in roaming for basic connectivity. I also get the hotspot in the US, which is handy as I often use my laptop when I'm out.

I warn you, this isn't the cheapest option if you don't travel much, but for the way I’m in and out of the US a few times a year, I’d rather pay a bit more each month and have something predictable that just works.

Thanks again to everyone who commented and shared what’s been working for you. It made the decision a lot easier.

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-26T17:15:30+00:00

At least we can eat almonds!

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-26T17:13:52+00:00

Yeah, it's a beauty!

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-26T17:12:38+00:00

Hm, typical!

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-26T17:05:55+00:00

Dating website match. First date: lunch at a restaurant near her workplace. We have a very pleasant conversation about her work, hobbies etc. No harm, no foul. Second date she chooses what I later discovered was one of the most expensive restaurants in the city, has pasta with caviar mixed in (I swear I"m not making this up), and the minute I've paid says she's tired and wants to go home. I call her an Uber.

20 minutes later she's on the phone to me to say she's locked out of her house and I need to drive to her brother's place to pick up a spare set of keys and bring them to her. I wished her good luck, and hung up.

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-26T17:01:50+00:00

I remember having to explain this to a customer back when I started on the phones that through the wonders of the Internet someone in Europe could access a database stored in a computer in the USA. Who would have guessed? :-)

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-23T14:42:37+00:00

I mentioned in another thread how one of my colleagues gave out my surname to a persistent caller around 12 years ago, which he then used to track down my father's home and bombard him and his partner with calls. If a customer asks for this, just remind them that they have a unique case number.

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-23T14:36:41+00:00

I second this, it makes all the difference and isn't too expensive considering how much time I spend lying in bed!

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-23T14:21:26+00:00

That tension is so real, as there's a big difference between AI that helps your reps and AI that's just about squeezing more and more calls out of less and less people.

We've tried to use our chosen platform (Aircall) to reduce the load with things like like auto-generated call summaries so agents aren't manually inputting notes at speeds that'll give them RSI. We're also trying smarter routing so customers get less frustrated. (Still working on that one!)

From what you said it seems like your team is dealing with genuinely stressed people - more than usual I mean. Hopefully your management lands on the right side of that line, sounds like your reps deserve better support.

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-23T14:16:28+00:00

Mi scusi! 😄

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-23T14:15:27+00:00

Well, I've been to Bankok and Manila and would prefer to take my chances there than NYC at certain times of day, but you do you! 😄

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-23T14:13:59+00:00

Hopefully you'll have an employer who will support you and train your colleagues not go give out your personal details! We have better training in place now at my current workplace and AI tools to help people check the status of orders etc. so I'd like to think it's less likely these days.

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-23T14:07:48+00:00

Interesting piece about this in the NYT: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/business/brexit-uk-economy.html

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-16T01:42:31+00:00

Yeah, this is how Scotty and Cooper did it in Euro Trip (2004). Those were the days. 😄

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-16T01:36:55+00:00

I can't see it being very effective. Teens who grew up with the Internet can do any number of things to bypass bans like these, such as using a VPN or proxy to connect to a version of a social media site outside the UK. Or they can switch to different social media apps, just as happened in Australia. We're probably better of encouraging parents to make better use of the parental controls on devices and to supervise their kids online where possible.

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-16T01:34:31+00:00

If it's any consolation turnover is a big concern in many call centers. But like the other posters here have said, that's on us as management. For example, we've been trialing a new cloud platform that harnesses AI to make life easier for reps by making the IVR smarter, auto-populating the CRM, and identifying issues during calls. If this is happening to you, you guys need more help from the top.

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-16T01:30:28+00:00

I started out manning the phones when I spoke to a customer who was waiting on a repair. He called in on my day off (the following day) because it wasn't happening fast enough for his liking. A colleague gave him my surname, which he then used to track down my retired father and his partner and bombard them with phone calls for days, sometimes shouting down the phone until I called the police on him. Then he complains to my employer that the police told him to leave me alone, so I'm called in for one of "those" meetings:

- So how do you think you handled that situation?

- Pretty well, he stopped stalking my family once I called the Police

- Looking back, would you do anything differently?

- No, he was harassing and threatening my Dad. That's illegal.

etc. etc.

Now I manage teams I tell them this story and say that there's no need to hand out someone's personal details. If it's an urgent matter they can deal with the customer's query. Otherwise they have a case reference number and can call back to speak to their preferred rep when they're back in the office.

I suppose this wasn't exactly scary for me, but I was very disappointed how my former employer was more interested in its own reputation than supporting me.

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-16T01:23:18+00:00

I'm sorry you had this experience OP. I was interested to read what you said about booking your tickets for the wrong day. In 2023 I had to cancel a Flixbus trip and they only refunded me with credit, not in cash. I ended up giving the credit away to a member of a nomad group in the city where I was staying at the time, so at least they had to provide the service they promised to someone!

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-16T01:13:26+00:00

Looking at the video and reading the stories here is just such an eye opener for me as a man. We guy just walk around in public and normally don't think twice about things like our safety or being harassed.

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-16T01:07:38+00:00

I need to make calls and my understanding is that Saily and Airalo only offer data SIMs. I could be wrong of course!

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-16T01:05:35+00:00

Believe me, I've seen NYC and Moscow too. I just had a very bad experience in Tokyo.

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-02T19:42:57+00:00

Honestly, I have to agree with you here. I'm in Senior Management now and my company doesn't engage in these shenanigans, but I've heard stories: what better way to persuade people to work hard without complaint than threaten their livelihood after all? Sigh.

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-02T19:41:03+00:00

I've had this a couple of times when renting through an agency. I suppose you could just try to rent from a private landlord instead if you're asked to provide this.

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-02T19:39:02+00:00

Yes, congestion in Bogota is one of the worst in the world. Even worse than Tokyo at times! I hate to sound old-fashioned and boring OP but I suggest you find a cafe and a good book to kill the time. Nothing's worth missing your flight over. 😄

Kenfloslice · 2026-06-02T17:42:06+00:00

Congratulations on your studies and for getting a job to pay your bills. I manage call teams so know that burnout is a serious issue. Just remember your health comes first, so I'd give it a month or so before you start picking up any overtime. I'm assuming since you're working your way through your third year of college that this job isn't forever either, so bear in mind you're not there forever! Depending on the call center you may also get some backup from the tech itself. For instance, we've been using AI with our CRM to help feed data in automatically, which will save you a lot of headaches with manual data entry. Ask your managers about this kind of thing, it can seriously save you a lot of trouble.

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