With this can I just buy the minutes for my dad, or do I have to buy a service contract too - it comes with 60 days service, so what happens on day 61
1696577
With any prepaid phone you buy new minutes when your minutes are gone. Every three months is the norm. I buy the one year card ad I buy from the website. They automatically add the minutes to your phone and they talk you thru how to do it.
1696578
I bought this for my Dad also. It will be for Xmas. My understanding with this phone is that you just buy the minutes.This particular model also has double minutes built in so when you purchase more minutes and load them,it automatically doubles them. There is no service contract
1696579
No, you don't have to buy a service contract, but you do have to buy additional minutes before they run out and/or before your days expire. I think all no-contract phones quit working after their time/days are exceeded but some may have ways to get service back without losing/changing your phone number. This phone comes with only 10 minutes, so my suggestion would be to purchase the $19.99 Airtime card (60 minutes/90 days, 120 minutes for your phone) and add the time immediately after charging and activating the phone. My reasoning for this step is 10 minutes isn't much time...it can easily be used in one call, and your dad can evaluate his usage and buy minutes accordingly. No, you don't have to buy a service contract, but you do have to buy additional minutes before they run out and/or before your days expire. I think all no-contract phones quit working after their time/days are exceeded but some may have ways to get service back without losing/changing your phone number. This phone comes with only 10 minutes, so my suggestion would be to purchase the $19.99 Airtime card (60 minutes/90 days, 120 minutes for your phone) and add the time immediately after charging and activating the phone. My reasoning for this step is 10 minutes isn't much time...it can easily... » Read More No, you don't have to buy a service contract, but you do have to buy additional minutes before they run out and/or before your days expire. I think all no-contract phones quit working after their time/days are exceeded but some may have ways to get service back without losing/changing your phone number. This phone comes with only 10 minutes, so my suggestion would be to purchase the $19.99 Airtime card (60 minutes/90 days, 120 minutes for your phone) and add the time immediately after charging and activating the phone. My reasoning for this step is 10 minutes isn't much time...it can easily be used in one call, and your dad can evaluate his usage and buy minutes accordingly. « Show Less
1696580
In order to get an extra year for $65, I first bought a 30 minutes card for $9.99 and then it asked me before checkout if I wanted to add an extra 365 days for a total of $65. This is so much cheaper than paying $100 for a year of service card.
1696581
You have to add service days..You can buy 1 year of service for about $65. For occasional users this is the best option. If you need more minutes...buy more and you will also add some service days. If you don't need more time you'll be good for 1 year
851747
There is a short period , 20 minutes or so? The thing to keep in mind is that the phones are not this months phones. The phone I bought had a coupon that expired a year or two before I got it, but the phone works well for the price. Adding minutes to the phone is easy and relatively inexpensive.
506838
Yes, the minutes expire at some future time depending on what quantity and time you purchase. Go to their site and you can see the different choices:https://www.tracfone.com/direct/Purchase?app=TRACFONE〈=en&fromPopup;=yes&payGo;=true&promoId;=48334&cardType;=TSAPP4001Y
2250164
It came with 20 minutes free for activation, but we use the 40 minutes/3 month option with double-minutes to get 80 minutes (19.99). It has been all I need. You will need to set up an account though and keep it active or you will lose the number. Mine has cost me about 6-7 bucks per month.
1105327
I'm sorry Chris B. I'm pretty much a moron when it comes to the working of a cell phone. :( That was a gift I purchased for someone, did you sign up for an account to get minutes? Like it works when he's at home for internet but cuz he doesn't have the minutes right now, it doesn't work if he leaves.. sorry that probably doesn't help much but it's all I got.. ;)
1443858
Mine is a Tracfone. So I purchase the minutes as I need or want them. With your minutes, comes service time. The service time could run out before the minutes if you don't use the phone very often. Usually, you're a good half a year ahead. I am anyway. You don't want to let the service days go to zero. That's what keeps your phone activated. 90 days are included with most or all minute cards. No contract. I buy the minutes online at Tracfone. If you buy the phone with tripple minutes, it's great. Check out Tracfone, if you haven't already. You do have to choose a phone with your zip code. Some phones don't work in some areas, I guess. Mine is a Tracfone. So I purchase the minutes as I need or want them. With your minutes, comes service time. The service time could run out before the minutes if you don't use the phone very often. Usually, you're a good half a year ahead. I am anyway. You don't want to let the service days go to zero. That's what keeps your phone activated. 90 days are included with most or all minute cards. No contract. I buy the minutes online at Tracfone. If you buy the phone with tripple minutes, it's great. Check out Tracfone, if you haven't already. You do have to choose a phone with your zip... » Read More Mine is a Tracfone. So I purchase the minutes as I need or want them. With your minutes, comes service time. The service time could run out before the minutes if you don't use the phone very often. Usually, you're a good half a year ahead. I am anyway. You don't want to let the service days go to zero. That's what keeps your phone activated. 90 days are included with most or all minute cards. No contract. I buy the minutes online at Tracfone. If you buy the phone with tripple minutes, it's great. Check out Tracfone, if you haven't already. You do have to choose a phone with your zip code. Some phones don't work in some areas, I guess. « Show Less
2127760
it comes with the customary 10 min. and free activation. after that, whatever card you buy, the minutes are tripled. for example, if you buy the 60 minute card, you actually receive 180 minutes.
297135
Each time you add minutes to your phone, it gives you a certain number of service days. The number of days varies depending on how many minutes you purchase. As long as you add more minutes before your number of service days ends, you won't lose any minutes. The number of days you have left displays right on your main screen, along with how many minutes you have remaining. You can also buy separate cards to add service time, but if you buy minutes on a fairly regular basis, you really wouldn't need to do that. I only put minutes on mine about every 4 months and have never come close to running out of service days. Each time you add minutes to your phone, it gives you a certain number of service days. The number of days varies depending on how many minutes you purchase. As long as you add more minutes before your number of service days ends, you won't lose any minutes. The number of days you have left displays right on your main screen, along with how many minutes you have remaining. You can also buy separate cards to add service time, but if you buy minutes on a fairly regular basis, you really wouldn't need to do that. I only put minutes on mine about every 4 months and have never come close to... » Read More Each time you add minutes to your phone, it gives you a certain number of service days. The number of days varies depending on how many minutes you purchase. As long as you add more minutes before your number of service days ends, you won't lose any minutes. The number of days you have left displays right on your main screen, along with how many minutes you have remaining. You can also buy separate cards to add service time, but if you buy minutes on a fairly regular basis, you really wouldn't need to do that. I only put minutes on mine about every 4 months and have never come close to running out of service days. « Show Less
1656596
I believe so. Your just buying the equipment and can buy new minutes or a perminate phone number at amytime.
2250167
No, it does not come with minutes. You must buy them through Tracfone. Once you pay they will give you a number, which is keyed into the phone.
1601319
If u buy 60 minutes you get 120 minutes and etc...they even have triple minutes
574570
No you can purchase the lifetime service plan. Not the cheapest but worth it if you plan to use it for a while.
2250166
It all depends on which package you purchase. Some come with minutes, while others don't.
805102
When I purchased my tracfone the battery was included, but I did have to buy some minutes by chosing from the cards enclosed with the phone. At the time the minutes could be doubled, but now, they can be tripled! So if you buy a card with 60 minutes - you get 180 minutes for 90 days. That is an excellent idea - in my opinion! Hope this anwers your question(s), Jennifer. Buy it, you won't be sorry! Anita
306010
I'm sorry but I have never had this issue so I cannot answer this question adequately. I can guess that you do not have a insufficient number of minutes and therefor you may need to purchase more by increasing the size of your monthly plan.
297138
Each time you add minutes to your phone, it gives you a certain number of service days. The number of days varies depending on how many minutes you purchase. As long as you add more minutes before your number of service days ends, you won't lose any minutes. The number of days you have left displays right on your main screen, along with how many minutes you have remaining. You can also buy separate cards to add service time, but if you buy minutes on a fairly regular basis, you really wouldn't need to do that. I only put minutes on mine about every 4 months and have never come close to running out of service days.
806511
400 minutes are tripled to 1200, but you can go on the internet and get a bonus code and when you activate the phone it will give you another two months service and 250 more hours. Total of 1,450 minutes and 424 days service. Be careful, some sellers are not including both the 1200 minutes and the year of service.