Many of us have family and friends around the world and like to keep in touch. However, sometimes mobile communication across borders and vast distances can seem expensive. That’s why we want to help you start off the year with a unique, limited-time offer that can help you stay connected to loved ones living far, far away.
From February 1st through March 31st, we’re giving you 30 minutes of FREE International Long Distance calling, regardless of where you’re calling.
It is super easy to take advantage of this offer. You don’t need to call us first or change your plan or even set anything up. All you need do is place your international call and we’ll take care of the rest. The first 30 minutes you use during our free offer period will be on us. It can be stretched out over more than one call or covered in a single call.
Those who take advantage of this offer by the end of March will see their 30 minutes noted as “International Toll Promo” on their monthly bill. Current customers can take advantage of this offer anytime within the promotional period plus, any new customers who sign up before February 28th can also participate in the offer.
There’s no need to purchase a calling card or pay for some other service when it comes time to make a long-distance call. It’s also more convenient – and cost-effective – to use your own Consumer Cellular phone to place those calls… even after our free promotion expires.
That’s because we offer some of the lowest per-minute rates for international calls available. To see just how low, please check out your country of interest on our International Rates page.
I’m certainly pleased to start off the year with a special offer for our loyal customers, one that can save you money. I encourage you to take advantage of our offer soon and I hope that you enjoy your free international minutes!
Remember to keep your eyes open for other Consumer Cellular offers and promotions in 2015. I have a feeling it’s going to be a fantastic year.
How do I get the free sim cards if thy truly free??
Thank you for asking, Norma. Our SIM cards can be purchased at your local Sears or Target store, or you can call us and order one directly at 888-345-5509. They are $10, but we will give you a $10 credit on your first month’s bill. If you have any questions or would like to get started, just give us a call at 888-345-5509. Thank you again!
Hi, is it available in Canada ?
We appreciate you asking, Lynn. Our service is meant to be used within the United States, so it won’t be available if you are in Canada. You may be able to get service, but you may be subject to costly international roaming fees. It’s best to keep your phone in airplane mode when you are outside of the country. You’ll still be able to use Wi-Fi, but you won’t need to worry about any surprises. If we can answer any questions about our service, we’re happy to do so at 888-345-5509. Thank you for posting today!
I want to make phone calls in Mexico when I’m there and receive text do I need to change the plan that I have and how much is going to cost me I’m a senior thanks.
Hi Rosie, you’ll need to call our customer service team at 888-345-5509 to add international roaming to your service before you leave. You can find more information about international roaming here.
I am interested in making calls to Czech Republic 420!
Thank you for the comment, Wendell. For a full list of country codes, just visit ConsumerCellular.com/Support/InternationalRates. Thank you!
Will this free long distance work on a cruise ship?
Thank you for the question, Linda. Cruise ships offer service based on the country in which they travel to. Since that can vary from ship to ship, we recommend that you turn your cellphone off while on a cruise to ensure you don’t have any roaming charges. If you have any questions about using your cellphone outside of the U.S., give us a call at 888-345-5509 and we would be happy to help. Thanks!
I have been so pleased with your service. You will grow as word continues to circulate about your service. My bill as compared to Verizon is about 2/3 the amount I was paying.
One thing that sets you apart is your friendly support representatives. I know anyone can have a bad day but they always are courteous and responsive.
Thank you for taking time to comment, John. We appreciate your kind words, and we’re thrilled that you are able to save money with Consumer Cellular. Thank you for letting us know!
When I’m in Mexico, Guaymas, how do the rates work between my only other number, my wife’s, and mine?
Thank you for the question, Thom. Our phones will only work in the U.S., so your service will not be available if you are in Mexico. With this promotion, the free minutes can be used by a Consumer Cellular customer calling someone in another country. If you have any questions about using international calling or where your phone will have service, just give us a call at 888-345-5509, and we would be happy to help. Thanks!
Are these 30 minutes in addition to the plan minutes? I have the Anywhere 600 voice plan. Will these 30 minutes count towards my 600 minutes? Thank you.
Thank you for asking, Shaun. The international promotion minutes count against your plan minutes, but you will not be charged the international rates. Thanks!
I wish had a slide smart phone for my wife as she has poor eyes hard for to use the new type
Thank you for the comment, John. We offer the Samsung S Relay, which does have a slide out keyboard. You can take a look here. Thanks again for commenting!
Does this offer apply to calls placed to the United States from outside the Country?
Already answered. Thanks!
I have an old cell phone. Do think it will work for international calls??
Great question, Carmen. If your phone has service with us currently, you should be able to make international calls. If you need any assistance, please give us a call at 888-345-5509, and we will be happy to help. Thank you!
can I call from a foreign country back to United States and use your international promotion
Thank you for the question, David. The promotion will only work for Consumer Cellular customers calling internationally from the U.S. Thanks!
Is the 30 Int’l Free Minutes per account, regardless of how many phones on the account?
Great question, Isaac. Each line on the account will have 30 free international minutes available for use. Please keep in mind that these minutes will be counted against your plan total, they just won’t have any associated international calling fees. If you have any questions about this promotion, please give us a call at 888-345-5509. We will be happy to assist!
How do I monitor how many international minutes are used by each phone?
You can view your usage in the My Account section of our website, or you can just give us a call at 888-345-5509, and we will be happy to let you know! Whichever works best for you.
Does the international promotion allow each member on the plan to call for 30 minutes free or all members of the plan share the 30 minute promotion? Thanks!
Thank you for the question, Julie. Each member of the plan can use 30 international minutes for free, but they will count against your total shared voice plan. Thank you!
Is this free 30 minutes per account, regardless of how many additional lines you have in your account? Or, each additional lines are allowed 30 minutes each?
Great question, Prajwol. Each line will have the 30 free international minutes, but those minutes will be counted against your total shared plan. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at 888-345-5509. Thank you!
Is Puerto Rico considered International? What are the rates to call Puerto Rico? What are the rates to call FROM Puerto Rico to the continental US? Thanks.
Great question, Anne. Puerto Rico is not considered international calling as Puerto Rico is an U.S. territory. Any calls made to or from would be counted against your regular minutes. Thank you!
if I have 2 lines with you guys they will share the 30 minutes? or it’s 30 minutes each line?thanks
Thank you for the question, George. Each line will receive 30 minutes of free international calling, but please keep in mind that they will count against your total plan minutes. Thank you!
I understand the free international minutes only apply if we are in the US calling other countries, but what if we are just turning our phone to use features on the phone, up such as contact info, the alarm, etc? Just just turning on the phone somehow invoke roaming charges, even though there is no service?
Great question, Christie. A great option for smartphone users is the Airplane mode setting. This allows the user to have access to contacts, music and other functions without using a signal or data. This is normally found under settings on both Android and iPhone models. Thanks!
I have a question is my minutes being used if I am calling another consumer cellular phone that is on my account? I know with Verizon it is not being used. also if I call at night is the minutes being used?
Great question, Robert. Calls between any Consumer Cellular phones on a shared account will not counted against your plan. Our plan minutes are good for any time of day, no matter what time you call. Thank you!
I am interested in making calls to bermuda
Thank you for the comment, Mavis. Please visit our International Calling page here. On it you will find directions on how to place international calls, as well as the country code for Bermuda. If you have any questions or need assistance, please give us a call at 888-345-5509, and we would be happy to help. Thank you!
We have 2 phones (different numbers) on one account. Does each phone get 30 international minutes free or is it 30 minutes per account.?
Thank you for the question, Bernice. Each line on your account is eligible for the 30 free international minutes. Thank you!
Puerto Rico is a US territory, and therefore not considered international (question #11).
Guam is a US territory. Can I assume the rate for regular calls to Guam from continental US would be the same as state to state on the continent?
That is correct, Jennean. Calls to Guam will use minutes from your plan in the same way any other calls would. Thank you!
I know this thread is a year old, but I have the same question about Guam. Is it free like you say here, or is it 6 cents a minute like it says on your International Calling rates page?
Thank you for asking, Mark. Consumer Cellular offer service within the United States, but we do consider Guam to fall under the category of “International calling”. To call someone in Guam would be $0.06 per minute. We’re happy to answer any other questions you may have about international calling at 888-345-5509 if you like. We appreciate you posting today!
Will my phone work while I travel in Great Britain and if so are there additional costs?
Thank you for the question, John. Your Consumer Cellular phone will only work in the U.S. Thank you!
If John has an unlocked phone, he can do as I now always do with my i-phone 5 bought via C.C. That is, when I arrive at Heathrow Airport in London (where I’m now visiting, actually), I buy a UK SIM card for no more than about $30 to $40 and have a lot of calling, texting, & 3G internet access while here. For anyone who travels abroad quite a bit, what C.C. offers is wonderful!! Just scale down the plan if you need to, then be fully active in Europe on your own phone will all the familiar apps, contacts, etc….!!
That’s just what I need for my business trip to France coming up. Do you know if that kind of temporary alternate sim card is available from Paris Airports? (I have an iPhone 3S).
The trick there is to be sure that your phone is unlocked. It used to be that the Service Providers allowed this once you’d been with them for some period of time. More recently, they deferred to the Phone manufacturer. I’m not sure if Apple phones allow this. We bought a Samsung Note with the understanding that they would unlock it for us and they stuck to their word. Now, any foreign place has stores that you can buy a SIM card to fit your particular phone. You specify how many minutes your are going to buy and then you can just buy more minutes online or at a store during your trip. In Italy you purchase the refills at a Tabach Store (a sort of newspaper and cigarette stand or store). I’m sure that they are available at airports, or nearby. We usually rent a car and find a phone place once we’re on our way. Your phone number will have to be different, but once you have your SIM, that will be your “refillable” number.
I’ve not had any experience of buying a SIM card at a French airport, although my TIM (the company) card bought in Italy carried me over into France. These days, I’d imagine that there are SIM card outlets at most major international airports.
How can you check to see how many of the international minutes you have used per call?
Thanks
Thank you for the question, Theresa. You can see how many minutes you have used by looking at the Usage Details section of My Account, or at the detail summary of your statement. Another option is to give us a call at 888-345-5509, and we’ll let you know how many minutes you have used. Thanks again!
Do you offer wifi hotspots on all smartphones or will you offer it in the future?
Thank you for the question, Al. We support Wi-Fi tethering on our iPhone models, and are looking to add this function to other devices in the future. Thanks!
Are international mobile phone calls or/ and text messages included in this offer, too?
Thank you for the question, Corina. The promotional minutes are for calls only, not text messages. Thank you!
Thank you for your answer, Ashley.
Sorry… besides text messages, I meant calls to international mobile phone numbers (not landline). Are they included, too?
The international promotion works for both international mobile phones and landlines, so yes, those calls are included as well. Thank you again for reaching out to us!
We travel to Canada 3 times a year when will we be able to use our phone to send and receive calls and texts?
Thank you for the comment, Gail. At this time, we only offer service in the United States. We apologize for any inconvenience, and I have forwarded your feedback on to our management team. Thank you again for commenting!
We live in Canada 2 months out of the year. Please, Please inform management of all the customers that travel and have friends in Canada and Mexico. Most all cell companies have add on for this. Thanks
Can I use my SIM card in my WX345 flip phone in my unlocked GSM 3G Android phone? If not do you have a SIM card that will work with it. Thank you.
Great question, Don. Most smartphones use a micro or nano SIM card, which is likely different than the version used in your feature phone. It’s easy to get a new one- just give us a call at 888-345-5509, and we’ll get one on the way to you soon! Thank you!
I have the $10 plan, so that means I don’t have any included minutes and pay $0.25 for each minute that I do use. So when it says on the blog:
“When you make an international call on your cell phone, you use minutes from your plan. In addition, there is a per-minute international charge (see International Rate Table and Country Codes below).”
Is the 30 free international minutes truly free or I’m paying $0.25 for each of the 30 minutes and just the international charge part is free? Thank you.
Great question! The international minutes are not in addition to your plan, so they will be counted against your existing minute balance, but you will not be charged the international rate. We appreciate you taking the time to comment.
I’m still a bit confused…I too have the $10/mo plan, with no minutes….will I pay the per minute fee for the 30 minute international call, should I decide to use it? Thanks, this is the best plan I’ve ever had!
That is correct, Kate. You would pay the per minute fee only, and would not be charged the international rate. Thanks!
can I use the free 30min when on vacation from Mexico to the USA in march or is it just from USA out bound?
Great question, Don. Your Consumer Cellular phone can only be used in the U.S., so the promotional minutes won’t be of use. If you have any questions about using your phone internationally, please give us a call at 888-345-5509. Thanks again!
Is this free 30 minutes per account, regardless of the rate for country? In other words is free 30 minutes to Bolivia (with rate .16$/min) and for Cuba (with rate .92$/min)?
That’s correct, Joe. The promotion is good for every country, regardless of the normal international charge. We appreciate the comment!
Can I use this Free International Minutes at one time or sum 30 minutes in several calls?
Thank you for the question, Liz. You can use the minutes in one call, or you can use them over a series of calls. It’s up to you!
Do incoming calls from Canada get charged to my account?
Thank you for the question, James. The promotional minutes are good for any international calls. If you have any questions about our international calling promotion, feel free to give us a call at 888-345-5509. Thank you again for commenting!
Do Trac Phones compare with you. What cell phones offer better coverage/connectivity here in Brooking’s, Or
Thank you for the comment, Michael. We offer nationwide service on the nation’s largest GSM network. You can view the coverage in your area by entering your zip code into our coverage map here. If you have any questions about our plans or phones, please feel free to give us a call at 888-345-5509. We will be happy to answer them for you!
If you call from US to Japan to a Verizon customer, will their phone be charged?
Great question, Jan. How international calls are handles by the receiver’s carrier varies depending on their service. Every one is different. Thank you again for commenting!
Does the free International Call plan allow calls to both foreign cell phones and land line phones?
Thank you for the question, Ken. The international promotion works for both international mobile phones and landlines. Thank you!
Can I use my Dora phone (as is) to call my family in another country or do I need to purchase an additional SIM for $10.00 to make this overseas phone call? Is this a criteria?
Thank you for the question, Allie. You can make international calls from your Doro phone without needing a different SIM card. You would just dial the country code and international number as you would on a non-mobile phone. If you have any questions or need assistance, please give us a call at 888-345-5509 and we would be happy to help. Thank you!
Ashley, Thank you….I meant Doro and not Dora!
That’s okay, Allie! We understood!
If I dial a toll-free number (e.g. 800-xxx-xxxx) do the minutes count against my billing, or will the call show as a 0 minute call?
Great question, Paul. Calls made to a toll-free number will use minutes from your plan. Thank you!
I am very pleased with Consumer Cellular. Your Customer service representatives are attentitive, sincere and kind…Overall, Consumer Cellular is an exceptional company! I am grateful and thankful to Consumer cellular for offering cell phone plans that are affordable, particularly the AARP discount. I am a former research scientist. I used to program Perkin Elmer robots. I left my career to teach school for the past 10 years. I am retiring from teaching soon due to minimal eye sight loss. As a parent of two children in college and who lost her husband to Cancer, I thank you for keeping your rates low and affordable for those of us living on a fixed income, I am also grateful that my Dora phone has a large key pad which makes it easy for me to see with my eye sight loss challenges, I would love to work for Consumer Cellular. Do you offer telecommuting employment? I would be an asset to your company! I love the Product!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Allie. We love hearing from customers who enjoy our product and get to save money! You can view our open listings on our careers page here. Thank you again for reaching out to us!
Ashley, Thank you for the info. I will check out the link you provided me with.
Hi, I am traveling to Paris France and London England. Is it my understanding that I CAN’T make calls from France and England? Or I CAN? I am confused.
Thank you for asking, Rojeana. Your service with Consumer Cellular will only work in the United States, so you will not be able to make calls from France or England. If you have any questions about where your service will work, feel free to give us a call at 888-345-5509. We would be happy to help!
Will this require a separate sim card? Or will the Consumer Cellular phone I have accomodate the free 30 minutes of International calls. Must the 30 minutes be used on one call or separate calls? After this promo what will the charges to the Island of Jamaica be? Thanks
Thank you for the questions, Sislyn. For this promotion, you don’t need to do anything out of the ordinary with your phone, just dial the international number. For a full list of our international rates, you can visit our International calling page at ConsumerCellular.com/Int. And please remember if you ever need help, we’re only a phone call away at 888-345-5509. Thank you!
India calling is too expensive. 5 cents/min. Many providers give 1.3 to 2 cents per minute (including service charges).
Thank you for the feedback, Bhavin. We do our best to offer the best service at a great value for our customers, and I have passed your comments on to our management team. Thank you again for reaching out to us.
is the 30 minutes free calls is it per line or per account? I have two line in my account.do I get 1 hour or just 30 minutes? Thank you!!!
Great question! Each line receives 30 free international minutes to use during the promotion, but they can’t be combined onto one line for a phone call lasting 60 minutes. If you have any questions regarding this promotion, feel free to give us a call at 888-345-5509. We would be happy to assist!
After March 31, will there be a a monthly fee for international calling along with the per minute fees? Thank you.
Great question, Mary. After the promotion ends, you will be charged the per minute charge that is determined by the country you are calling. There won’t be a monthly fee charged to your account. To see the per-minute cost by country, please visit our International Calling page at ConsumerCellular.com/Int. Thank you!
Hi, I would like to make a call to Malaysia. How can I check if I already reach the 30 minutes free international call?
Thank you for the comment, Feezah. If you login to My Account, you will be able to see your balance under the usage section. You can also give us a call at 888-345-5509, and we would be happy to review your account and let you know how many promotional minutes remain. Thank you again for the question!
Will I be able to receive calls if the phone is in the Airplne Mode?
Does data usage stop if the phone is in the Airplne Mode?
What is the cost of an additional MB over 100 MB?
Thank you for the questions, Kirit. If you place your phone in Airplane mode, you will not be able to make or receive calls, and all data usage will stop. Airplane mode prevents your phone from connecting to cellular towers. If you exceed your 100MB plan, each MB will be $0.25, so we recommend adjusting your plan if you think you will exceed it. If you ever have questions about your usage or phone features, please give us a call at 888-345-5509. We’re happy to help!
Communication means that the two parties should be able to understand each other. So far, both calls I have tried using my “free international minutes” have been a waste of time as the connection was so bad neither of us could understand the other. A call placed on a Verizon System was as clear as a bell.
You can only sell what works.
We’re sorry that you’ve had such a frustrating experience, Harold. Can you give us a call at 888-345-5509? We would like to hear more about those issues and see if we can resolve them. Thank you again for letting us know.
On the Consumer Cellular website in the International Rates dropdown menu, at the bottom of the page I am instructed: “To learn more about using your phone outside of the U.S. visit the Making Calls section in our Knowledgebase.” Clicking on the highlighted Making Calls redirects me to the FAQs page, not a page titled Making Calls, and I can find no page or dropdown menu titled Knowledgebase. Your phone service and customer service is great! Your website – not so good.
We’re sorry for the confusion, Debbie. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention, and I have notified our site development team. Thank you!
I have 3, soon to be 4, phones on my plan. Is this 30 minutes total for the plan, or 30 minutes per phone?
Thank you for the question, Karen. Each line gets 30 minutes to use. We appreciate you commenting!
Quite happy with our CC iPhone 5c, but was disappointed when I learned from CC help line that the phone would work in US only. “Don’t bother to take with you to Mexico,” she said. I couldn’t believe that was true so I called again. This time I asked the helpline if the Wi-Fi feature would still work. “No” was the answer. No phone, no texting and no internet connection?? I wish I had understood this before I signed with CC. Frustrated I called a third time, this time the help-line guy said “just swap in a Mexican Telcel nano-SIM, and it’ll work fine.” That’s what I did, and it worked great. Paid 150 Pesos (about $22) for a fully functioning iPhone.
I am currently in India but have no service. How can I connect to make international calls from another country? I don’t plan to make calls but having the option to make emergency calls would be wonderful.
Thank you for the question, James. Consumer Cellular service is only available in the United States, so your phone will not work in India. If you have any questions about making international calls and where your phone will have service, please give us a call at 888-345-5509. We would be happy to assist!
What is the process when using the 30 minutes free international calling promotion from a Consumer Cellular wireless home phone base?
Thank you for asking, Dan! It is a bit different from the process used to call from a cellular phone. All you need to do is dial 401-537-2523 from the phone attached to the wireless home phone base and follow the prompts. If you have any issues, just give us a call at 888-345-5509. Thanks!
30 free int’l minutes. Could that be from USA to anywhere in the world or are your minutes only to a selected countries? When will this promotion ends?
Thank you for asking, James. The promotion is good for any calls from your Consumer Cellular phone to any international number. The promotion will end on March 31st, so be sure to use your minutes sooner rather than later. If you have any questions about the promotion or regarding international calling, please give us a call at 888-345-5509. We would be happy to help! We appreciate your time, and thank you again for the comment.
I tried to make an international call but it didn’t go through. A machine keep saying ” xxxxx doesn’t accept incoming calls” , The weird thing is that every time I dialed the phone number I wanted the machine changed automatically into an unknown one.(16179638384 {???} ). Really disappointing.
That certainly sounds frustrating, Adith. If you give us a call at 888-345-5509, we can troubleshoot that issue for you and help you place the call. Just give us a call at 888-345-5509, and we can work with you to get this figured out. Thanks!
Will the 30 free international minutes work for Hawaii and Alaska?
Thank you for the question, Patricia. Calls made to Hawaii and Alaska aren’t considered international calls, so these would be counted against your normal minute plan. Thanks!
Got a CC phone(Doro) two weeks ago…..Why I waited so long to switch to your plan is beyond me…..
I am so pleased with your service, the phone, and cost. Your company is the best thing I have seen in quite awhile…..Thank You! I plan on telling all friends and family to switch to Consumer Cellular, its the best!!!!!
We love hearing things like this from our customers, Nancy! We’re so glad you are loving your Doro as much as we love having you as a customer. Thank you!
I have tried on several occasions to make an international call. It rings then says “we are unable to recognize your phone number at this time”
We would be happy to troubleshoot that for you, Grace. Can you give us a call at 888-345-5509? We’ll walk you through the international calling process and get the issue resolved. Thank you for reaching out to us!
Is the 30 Int’l Free Minutes per account, I have 3 lines on the account?
Thank you for asking, Tarek. Each line on your account gets 30 free international minutes. Thanks again!
what happens after the first 30mins? how much is it per min? calling to guam usa!!!!
Thank you for asking, Phil. The price per minute after the 30 promotional minutes varies depending on which country you call. You can view the full list of countries and pricing at ConsumerCellular.com/Int. Calls made to Guam use minutes from your plan without additional charges. If you have any questions about international calling, please give us a call and we would be happy to assist you. We can be reached at 888-345-5509. Thanks again for the comment!
I will be in London, England March 14 – 21. How do I make an international call with my Samsung GalaxyS Relay G4 Phone to the United States?
Great question, Alana. Your Consumer Cellular phone will only work in the United States, so you will be unable to make calls from the U.K. We can talk to you about your coverage and some options you may try, just give us a call at 888-345-5509. We will be happy to assist. Thank you again for commenting.
How can i place a call to the Philippines? Is it +639 (mobile #)? Or do i have to call the CC rep or is there any prompt to follow? We also have two lines in one account. So that means 30mins each? Thank you.
Thank you for asking, Sharon. The country code for the Philippines is 63, so you would dial 011 + 63 + the Phone number to call. You can find the instructions on our International Calling page at ConsumerCellular.com/Int. Each line on your account has 30 minutes to use with the promotion, and if you have any issues while making a call, we’re available to help you. Just call us at 888-345-5509, and we can walk you through it. Thank you again for commenting!
What numbers do I use to call Brisbane, Australia?
Thanks.
Thank you for the question, Alice. The country code for Australia is 61, so you would dial 011 + 61 + the phone number to place the call. We have instructions on our International Calling page at ConsumerCellular.com/Int. It’s a good resource if you need help. Also, we’re available at 888-345-5509 to assist you if you have any questions. Thanks again!
I’m trying to call a cell phone in South Korea, dialing 011 + 82 + the eleven digit phone number. I get an automated message telling me the call can’t be completed at this time 200-4. Is there something I’m doing incorrectly? What does the 200-4 at the end of the message mean?
We’re sorry for any frustration, Linda. Can you give us a call at 888-345-5509? We can troubleshoot that issue for you and help you place that call. Thanks!
Will there be a chance in the future to use our accounts while roaming internationally?
(I regularly go abroad and would like to have the option to use my phone occasionally – I understand that the rates can be higher.)
Thank you for commenting, George. At this time, our service is only available in the United States. We have had some customers use their phones in other countries by purchasing a SIM card for a local carrier and using that while overseas. If you have any questions about roaming or where your phone will work best, please call us at 888-345-5509. Thanks again!
I HAD 3 TEXT MESSAGES TO CANADA THIS MONTH AND WAS BILLED $.05/TEXT. ARE TEXTS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS PROMO?
That’s correct, Jack. Text messages are not included in the promotion, only 30 voice minutes. Thanks!
We are leaving in mid May for the Scandinavia and the Baltic
Countries. We will have been on CC for 1 yr in June and on auto pay. Can we use our phones instead of buying a World Phone and sim card. Would make life easier and cheaper.
Thank you for asking, Jo Ann. We have had some customers have success with using a SIM card from an international carrier in their current phone. Can you give us a call at 888-345-5509? We can talk to you about which option might work best so that you can enjoy our trip. Thank you again for the comment!
Will consumer cell work if I move to Hawaii for 6 no.?
Thank you for the question, Dennis. Your phone will absolutely work in Hawaii! Our service is available within all 50 states. We hope you have a great time while you are there. Aloha!
My Son will be vacationing outside the U.S. this summer. Will he be able to send or receive calls or texts from his Consumer Cellular line while he is to, from and in Ireland?
Great question, Angela. Consumer Cellular phones are designed to work within the United States only. If your son uses his phone in Ireland, it may be subject to very expensive roaming charges due to connecting to their local towers. One option is to purchase a SIM card for an international carrier and use that while abroad. We have had customers successfully use that option, so they can use their own phone. If that is not available, we recommend placing the phone in Airplane mode so that the phone can’t be accidentally used to make calls. If you have any questions about using your Consumer Cellular phone outside of the U.S., we would be happy to answer them at 888-345-5509. Thank you for posting, and we hope your son has a wonderful trip!
I am a Cons Cell customer. If I buy a Moto G 3rd Gen can I use it when visiting the UK if I insert a UK SIM over there? Thanks
Good question, Michael. You may be able to use an international SIM card with your device as long as it has been unlocked. We can help you with that, but we can’t guarantee that it will work once you are in the UK. It’s best if you can test the international SIM card ahead of time. Another option is to keep your phone in Airplane mode, but use Wi-Fi to check Facebook, or send messages through an app like Hangouts. If we can help you with anything or answer any questions for you, just let us know at 888-345-5509. Thank you for posting, and we hope you enjoy your trip!
Hello- Although calling from overseas is excluded, will the wifi function when traveling overseas so as to be able to access data?
Great question! You are able to use the Wi-Fi function on your smartphone, even if you remove the SIM card. That’s a great option to use while traveling if you have access to Wi-Fi. Thank you for asking!
I’m considering using Consumer Cellular. I live in Illinois but have family in Toronto Canada. Will I be able to call and text to Canada? Can I use a Consumer Cellular while in Canada?
Thank you for asking, Jennifer! Our phones are designed to work within the United States, meaning that they will not work while in Canada. However, you can call and text internationally as needed. Calls made to Canada are only an additional 4 cents per minute. If you receive calls from your family members in Canada, you will use your plan minutes as you would normally. If we can answer any questions about international calling for you, please give us a call at 888-345-5509 and we will be happy to help you. Thank you for commenting!
What do I need to have cell phone use within Europe, including Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland? I will be there for 5 weeks.
I have submitted a question: What do I need to have cell phone use within Europe including N.Ireland and Republic of Ireland. I will be there for 5 weeks.
Thank you for asking, Edna! Our phones are designed to work within the United States, meaning that they will not work while in Europe. If you have a smartphone, you can put it in airplane mode to disconnect from the cellular network, then you can connect to an available Wi-Fi network to use an app like Google Hangouts, Skype or FaceTime (for iPhones). These apps allow you to make voice or video calls at no charge. I’d recommend trying this before you travel. Wi-Fi charges may apply, so check with the Wi-Fi provider.
If we can answer any questions about international calling for you, please give us a call at 888-345-5509 and we will be happy to help you. Thank you for commenting!
Nice Blog post!
I read your blog post, It’s amazing and provide something new which helps to make calls easily.
Thanks for sharing!!
My son is going to Turkey in early September. Can I get an international plan for him? How does it work
Thanks for posting, LaMarre! We do offer some international calling options, so please give us a call at 888-345-5509 so that we can review these with you at your earliest convenience. We appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us today!
Why am I just now hearing about this FREE offer???? I’ve been a customer for at least a year by now and I was never notified that this was available. I’m very disappointed with you.
Hi Timothy, thanks for your post. The article, and promotion, you’re mentioning is from 2015 and we are not currently offering it for our customers. If you would like some information on our international calling though, visit our website here.
Hi,
I recently upgraded my phone and lost all my contacts…not CC’s fault.
However, I lost the number I would call to call my family in Canada.
Can you please provide this to me?
Hi Laura, you can locate numbers you’ve previously called on your detailed usage. Just log into your account here. When logged in, you can click “View Usage Details” and check your call history. On the top-right there will be a drop-down menu to change billing periods.
I see international calls/roaming have been an issue for years now and still not resolved. All of the advertising for Consumer Cellular says unlimited calls/texts, so my mom signed up, only to find out it would actually cost her 4 cents a minute to call family in Canada. On top of that, she has to dial a secondary number, before entering the actual number…it sounds simple for tech-savvy folks, but for seniors who have relied on simply tapping the name in saved contacts it’s a lot to deal with.
Hopefully Consumer Cellular can modernize its service soon.
I am planning at some point to travel to Europe. How can I make an international call to someone back in the USA?
That’s a great question, John. International roaming will need to be enabled for you to do that. We can help with that if you give us a call at 888-345-5509 or chat with us here.