Help Needed: Switching Plans for U.S. Trip

[Abha]

I’m planning a vacation to the United States and would like to temporarily upgrade my current mobile plan.

Right now, I’m on the basic $15/month plan, but I’m considering switching to the Canada-US plan for $30/month. This plan offers 20GB of data at 4G speed along with unlimited talk and text.

I have a few questions regarding this plan:

1. I understand that with the Canada-US plan, I can make unlimited calls to the U.S. while I’m in Canada. Does this also apply when I’m in the U.S.—can I make unlimited calls to both U.S. and Canadian numbers from there? Also, is the 20GB of data available for use while I’m in the U.S., or is it only for use within Canada?

2. If I switch to the Canada-US plan, will I need to purchase an additional U.S. roaming pack, or is that already included?

3. After my trip, will I be able to switch back to my original $15/month plan?

I’d really appreciate your help in answering these questions as soon as possible.

Thank you in advance!

[hockeytalk]

@Abha 

Do you have a phone that supports e-sim? You could keep your eye out for another one if Public Mobile's bonus R-A-F Referral promotions that they have been running lately ($15 for you and $10+$15=$25 for your referral...you of course).

Activate a new plan with an e-sim (usually free) and see if you can choose a new number close to your current one. Leave a voicemail message on your $15 plan phone's voicemail  with the new temporary phone #. Once your 30 days of Canaaa/US roaming service is up unsubscribe. If you have another trip to the US in the next 90 days you can reactivate the plan using the $10 (+$15=$25 hopefully?!!) credit or let it be deactivated on Day 90. 

It's an option if the promotion coincides with your US trip otherwise unless you need a lot of data best to stuck with an add on.

If your phone us not provisioned for VoLTE you will need a voip like Textnow to send and receive voice calls over the 4G/LTE network while roaming in the US since there is no 3G network service there anymore.

[will13am · Accepted solution]

@Abha , in your case just bite the bullet and buy a US roaming add-on.  I just bought a roaming add-on for one of my accounts that is going south in a couple of days.  It is not worth losing a legacy plan for a weeks of US roaming.  

[hTideGnow]

hi @Abha 

1. yes, when you are in US, you can make free calls to US and Canada
   but what phone do you use?  calls can be tricker if your phone is not on PM's VoLTE whitelist.  But the workaround is to use VoIP app like TextNow

2. no need to purchase any more roaming addon.  Just need to make sure you enable Roaming Data on your phone

3. you likely cannot switch back to your current $15 plan.  The current $15 plan pretty much "gone" 

if the changing back to $15 plan is an issue, then just buy the US roaming bundle for $30.  Not as good, but you get to keep your $15 plan

[computergeek541]

1.  The Canada-US plans can be used just the same as if you were in Canada while you are in the U.S.

2.  A roaming package wouldn't be needed.

3. You will not be able to get your $15 plan back if you change plans.