Mobile Phone hire in USA

[LuBlu]

I am travelling to New York in March with my husband and the in Laws. As we don't want to spend the whole 5 days doing the same things at the same time and pace we have wondered about hiring mobile phones over there so we can arrange when and where to meet up again.
Has anyone ever done this and is it possible/worthwhile? Would it work out cheaper to use our UK phones over there rather than hire?
I'd be interested to hear peoples thoughts and any experience of doing this?
TIA LuBlu

[EngTeach]

I would look into buying disposable cell phones once you arrive. You can add minutes as needed. I would imagine it would be much cheaper than using your phones while here.

[EngTeach]

TracFone is popular. $19.99 for 60 minutes including phone.

[LuBlu]

They sound interesting. Where would I look to find one? Do I need to go to a mobile/cell phone store.
How much (approx) would they be likely to cost.
Any more details would be appreciated...
Thanks Eng Teach.

[Clanad]

Here's the website for Trac-Phone:

http://tracfone.com/index.jsp

Here's leads on other products:

http://www.bizrate.com/search__cat_id--1__keyw ord--disposable+cell+phones__lp--1__sfsk--0.ht ml

Welcome to the U.S., by the way!

[Buenchico]

Using your UK phones would be very pricey. See my reply here:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/How-it-Works/Qu estion509846.html

There's a UK firm which hires out mobile phones for use in the USA:
http://www.adamphones.com/phonehire/usa.aspx

For a US-based company (which offers much cheaper call rates), see here:
http://www.cellularabroad.com/usRcell.php

If you're Googling for further suggestions, remember that Americans don't 'hire' things; they 'rent' them. Also, of course, a 'mobile phone' becomes a 'cell phone'.

Chris

[EngTeach]

Tracfones and ones like them are available in a lot of the major pharmacy chains. Rite-Aid, Duane Reade and also a chain called Family Dollar. Check out their website and look for retailers near where you will be. You may need the postal zip code to find a location. Good Luck. I will checxk back again.

[EngTeach]

Clanad, Where are you located? I am outside Manahattan in Quenns NY.

[LuBlu]

I've looked on Tracfone, don't seem to be able to find anything related to a disposable cell phone.

Clanad, thanks for the bizrate site, unfortunately when using the link in the UK it only brings UK webites in the search.

Have looked too at the pharmacy websites, equally no luck there!!
Maybe I need to wait until we get there and have a look around, just don't want to waste too much time trying to find a phone!!!

Thanks for your help...

[Clanad]

Quenns? Thank goodness English Teacher's are even susceptible to spelling errors... I'm out west, intermountain area of Montana and Wyoming.
I used to stay current in one model of aircraft at LaGuardia. The simulators I used are in the old Marine Air Terminal. You could still see the railroad tracks coming out of Bowery Bay that were used to pull the Clippership Flying Boats out for maintenance. Stayed at the Marriott across the road. Great family style restaurant just a little way from Marriott... think it was called the Bucaneer...

[Clanad]

LuBlu, sorry about the websites... you'll have no problem buying them once you're here, as EngTeach says. They run about $20.00 U.S. in the ad, with 60 minutes airtime and 90 days life. Again, best of luck!