Leicester_H Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 Hi I have a PAYG mobile with Virgin Media - I top up about £10 a year (only use occasionally, mainly have for safety if car breaks down etc). Virgin are stopping this option - so looking for alternative. Want to keep number as so many things send security codes to phone these days. Thought I'd found one - 1p - but have to top up £10 every 120 days. Anyone recommend an alternative please ? Thanks, H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beantree Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 I have an EE PAYG which was switched automatically from Orange when they stopped the service. As far as I am aware there is no requirement to top it up regularly, but it is very expensive to use from France, which I do, so top up £20 every 6 months or so. That's done via my EE internet account. When I went into the shop in England to change it before it was switched they said I needed a new SIM card but could definitely keep my old number. The new micro SIM needed an adaptor for my old phone which I had to pay £10 for, so didn't bother. But like you I must keep that number for security codes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 GiffGaff would be perfect for your needs. You can switch your number too! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarrisonFamily Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 On 10/12/2021 at 12:44 PM, Geoid said: GiffGaff would be perfect for your needs. You can switch your number too! We all use GiffGaff and love it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted October 12, 2021 Author Share Posted October 12, 2021 Great - thanks all - knew you'd sort me out! H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted October 12, 2021 Author Share Posted October 12, 2021 Just had another text from Virgin saying that they will NOT refund my remaining credit!!! OH thinks this is OK (I must have agreed to it!) BUT it's them who say my SIM will stop working on 11th Jan - THEY are changing the terms of the contract (I assume they want me to switch to a monthly plan) so I don't think its fair to keep my money. Your views ? H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted October 12, 2021 Share Posted October 12, 2021 (edited) On 10/12/2021 at 2:57 PM, Leicester_H said: Just had another text from Virgin saying that they will NOT refund my remaining credit That is the case with all mobile providers in the UK. Virgin Media's Terms and Conditions state: No refund: If you don’t use all of the credit in any Top Up that you purchase, or such Top Up expires (if applicable) then we will not give you a refund for it. Annoying, but nothing you can do about it unfortunately. Edited October 12, 2021 by Geoid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted October 13, 2021 Author Share Posted October 13, 2021 On 10/12/2021 at 6:18 PM, Geoid said: That is the case with all mobile providers in the UK. Virgin Media's Terms and Conditions state: No refund: If you don’t use all of the credit in any Top Up that you purchase, or such Top Up expires (if applicable) then we will not give you a refund for it. Annoying, but nothing you can do about it unfortunately. Agreed technically - BUT I can't continue to use their PAYG as THEY are stopping providing it - they are 'breaking' the agreement, not me! I would have expected a refund as as compensation for having to get a new service provider. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 Turns out you can request a refund! Money Saving Expert says: you'll have up to 12 months to claim a refund of any unused credit as cash. You'll need to contact Virgin Mobile's customer services to request a refund. All refunds will be made via bank transfer. Best give them a call! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted October 13, 2021 Share Posted October 13, 2021 Via Money saving expert I went with Lebara on a special offer - £4.90 a month (was half price for 3 months first) and get 3gb data and free texts, and phone calls to land lines and also to mobile phones. Also 100 international minutes free a month. It piggybacks via Vodaphone - I used to use them as PAYG but could not access internet on the go - now I find its really handy - worth thinking about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted October 14, 2021 Share Posted October 14, 2021 I have had a Tesco payg for years....use about £20 pa. Coverage is pretty good but my boys laugh at me as my 'phone is an ancient Nokia rather than a smartphone but does what I need it to do (ie; act as an emergency contact!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...