Do they still do pay as you go sims that dont need a monthly top up?

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aje0200@reddit

This is what I got for my grandma, I believe it’s still active even though she’s not topped up in months. I should check

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Giffgaff will deactivate the number after several months of not topping up. They did it to me. I had a second phone for work and only used it for WhatsApp and e-mails so I didn't top it up after the first time and they deactivated it

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What_LikeItIsHard@reddit

I use GiffGaff, I have topped it up twice in the past 3 years (10£ each time). I haven’t topped it up since 2024 and it is working fine. As long as I send 1 text every 6 months, that keeps my account alive and I can receive calls and texts.

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dX_iIi_Xb@reddit

All of the PAYG sims listed on Giffgaff's website have a monthly fee... how can I get the sim you're referring to?

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What_LikeItIsHard@reddit

Not sure if it changed since but I ordered a free sim (https://www.giffgaff.com/freesim-international) but did not sign up to any plan. I think they don’t advertise it because they prefer people having a plan. And if it doesn’t let you not have a plan, then abandon the free sim.

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Glad_Librarian_3553@reddit

Sorry for the necro thread, im just after a sim for a navigation unit.

Do you mean you jsut click "i just want a free sim" and then its just like the old school sim cards that were actually PAYG? All i need is like 200mb a month, if that! XD

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What_LikeItIsHard@reddit

I never used it for data as I have another plan for that but otherwise yes, just asked for the free sim and put what you need.

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AllOneWord99@reddit

Buy a monthly rolling plan between £6 to £35 to activate the SIM.

Then in your account you can cancel auto top up, then top up manually when needed.

Also the send a text every 6 months to keep it active, they will remind you.

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SpaceTimeCapsule89@reddit

Yes sorry it's using the phone to make a phone call or text that will get it deactivated rather than not topping it up. You need to make a phone call or text to keep it activated but of course you need credit to do that

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jimmywhereareya@reddit

They will have contacted the number that needed topping up a couple of times before deactivating the SIM. They don't just deactivate without giving you the option to top up

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horseradish_smoothie@reddit

*After months of not spending credit.

I have an emergency/spam/burner Giffgaff PAYG sim card in the 2nd slot of my phone. I haven't topped up in years, just sent a text once every 6 months, when the warning text/email comes through.

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Alcoholic_Synonymous@reddit

I think they’ve stopped doing this since I got a GiffGaff eSim just for 2FA and after a few months they sent me a message saying “Do something or lose it, OR click this link to say it’s a backup line that will get little use and we’ll stop annoying you.”

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JoeyJoeC@reddit

You just need to make a call / SMS every 6 months apparently.

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dX_iIi_Xb@reddit

All of the PAYG sims listed on Giffgaff's website have a monthly fee... how can I get the sim you're referring to?

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edhitchon1993@reddit

All Giffgaff SIMs are PAYG, there is an option to buy monthly "goody bags", but it's not obligatory.

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Glad_Librarian_3553@reddit

Sorry old thread, but how does one find these pay as you go sims?

I need one for a navigation unit, but i cant find any that dont call themselves pay as you go but are really a monthly contract. Even if it is only 6 quid a month for 2 gig that is about 1.9 gig a month more than i need...

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edhitchon1993@reddit

Literally just order the SIM, top it up, and then don't buy a goody bag. It's all a bit hidden but the rates are here.

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dX_iIi_Xb@reddit

All of the PAYG sims listed on Giffgaff's website have a monthly fee... how can I get the sim you're referring to?

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horseradish_smoothie@reddit

It's quite well hidden

https://www.giffgaff.com/pricing

Then "Order free SIM", then "No thanks, I just want a free SIM"

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scatrr@reddit

10p a text. ouch!

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dX_iIi_Xb@reddit

Wow, that was well hidden! Thank you for your help. I've now (finally) ordered one!

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dX_iIi_Xb@reddit

All of the PAYG sims listed on Giffgaff's website have a monthly fee... how can I get the sim you're referring to?

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lil-smartie@reddit

Just don't buy a goody bag

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ogorun@reddit

Yes, EE does.

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MrTig@reddit

Yes but they are increasingly rarer and have conditions such as topping up every X months to avoid being disconnected. https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mobiles/best-pay-as-you-go-sim-cards/ has a list

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NINJA1200@reddit

I have two sim cards from Vodafone I set up for my parents on a dual sim card phone almost 10 years ago. I never top them up, and I call them every day! It's quite amazing actually and I feel grateful that these sim cards are still active after all this time

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Technical-Kiwi9175@reddit

I was really shocked when I found that out! I just assumed it would still be literally pay as you go. A monthly fee is pretty much like a contract.

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GapDifficult7@reddit

I have an asda pay as you go. Put £5 on it a year ago and it's still going. I only have it so I can have a seperate business WhatsApp. The t&cs do say you need to top up every 6 months but I always forget and they have never cut me off.

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660trail@reddit

I think you have to make a phone call or send a text every 6 months. I've certainly not topped every 6 months.

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GOTO_GOSUB@reddit

https://www.rwgmobile.wales/rates-plans-eng-per/

Scroll down to the Pay as you go section about half way down. I am using the PAYG SIM for my sat-nav's data connection for its live traffic updates that costs me less than £5 a year and the credit does not expire or require regular top-ups (a contract by another name).

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anotherbozo@reddit

Closest I've found is talkmobile that do pay as you go, and only need paid activity once every 90 days (send a txt that costs 1p)

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double-happiness@reddit

RWG Mobile PAYG. Others will disconnect you if you don't top up regularly.

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MikeCrypto88@reddit

They do £5 top-ups as well. Just make sure you make 1 call every 90 days to keep it active.

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UniquePotato@reddit

Theres a few companies that do single use e-sims for travelers. Eg its got 10gb on it, when its used you buy another

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ArmLogical5959@reddit

Yeah I've got ee pay as you go

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benjymous@reddit

Unless something's changed lately, giffgaff credit won't expire, as long as you do something chargeable every six months - i.e. send a text or make a call every now and again and you're fine.

If you're actually using it as your regular phone, you can just use it until the credit's gone

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dX_iIi_Xb@reddit

All of the PAYG sims listed on Giffgaff's website have a monthly fee... how can I get the sim you're referring to?

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dinkidoo7693@reddit

Giffgaff do, think o2 have one. i know a few people who use them in old handsets for when they go to festivals

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NiceCunt91@reddit

Yes. I give my mate shit whenever he says "need some credit"

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becky781@reddit

I got a sim from Tesco mobile YEARS ago - have never paid a penny for it and it’s still active to receive calls and texts

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RRC_driver@reddit

Recently set up a new Tesco payg for an elderly relative

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MikeCrypto88@reddit

Buy O2 321 classic from fleabay for 99p. *They no longer sell them in-store.

3p call, 2p text, 1p data. Minimum top-up is £10 and you need to make one call every 180 days to keep it active. You can buy top up vouchers from shops with top-up logo 👍

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PapaJrer@reddit

Yeah, I have one of these just for O2 Priority.

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Due-Structure-6110@reddit

I’m just here to be educated.

I haven’t used a PAYG for many many years now.

If you need to top up every month………isn’t that just a contract?

I suppose it’s a non-committal contract. But there are those sim-only 1 month rolling contracts that is almost the same thing.

What’s the difference?

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Sorry-Programmer9826@reddit

Push vs pull model. You don't promise to keep buying the monthly bundle and they won't pull money out of your account automatically.

It's a bit of a hybrid

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LionLucy@reddit

You can top up different amounts as needed, and you can stop any time. Also no credit check needed to start

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ImFamousYoghurt@reddit

I just got a three sim like this because I needed a temporary sim

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Itchy-Ad4421@reddit

Yes - some have a 6 month limit between top ups still.

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Worm_slayer3000@reddit

I use Smarty, they are super cheap with unlimited calls/texts and varying amounts of data. I have mine on a rolling 30day contract via direct debit meaning I can cancel any time. I also took them out for other family members on a group plan which saves 10% on the total too.

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