Activating a Pay and Go sim too early.

[Anonymous]

I ordered an international sim to take on holiday. The idea was I'd put in an old phone to use while out and about, in markets and on boats for example. That way, if it was slolen or dropped into the sea it woundn't really matter. And the calls would be cheaper.

It arrived but I kept getting emails telling me to activate it so I activated. As soon as I did I was told I had 

3000 O2 texts, 50MB of data and 1p/min calls - excellent - but had to use them within a month. I'm not going for another 6 weeks.

I contacted O2 chat to see if they could help, but all they managed to do was remove my international tarriff. that was the whole point of the card.

Have I just lost my top-up money and card, or is there a solution out there?

[Cleoriff]

If I were you I would contact CS and speak to someone on the phone. If you get a good advisor they may be able to reset/it...or at least advise you what else you can do...

http://www.o2.co.uk/contactus

You may have lost out but if you don't ask you wont get...:smileywink:

[jonsie]

Try calling again, at the very least they will reinstate the tariff. I'm not sure if they will be able to help with the early activation. Explain the situation and what's happened and maybe they help in some way. 

[MI5]

Order another sim and don't activate it until you travel.

[jonsie]

Just a thought...you do know the 3000 minutes are for use in the UK when dialling international numbers? 

[Anonymous]

Thank you, and everyone. I will try Customer services again. Not quite what happened with this morning's attempt.
For my own reference - ignore O2 emails and only activate/top up just before travel.

[perksie]

Are you sure you need this sim, it's mainly meant for calls from the UK?

[Anonymous]

Thank you,

I have no idea if it's the right sim. As of now I am not very sure of anything - I've just had another email from O2 suggesting I top up my sim... and it's another mobile phone number completely, one I've never owned or used. (I might just phone it to see who it is.)

As for the international sim - I just wanted to have a phone to use in France - to phone other people, who will also be in France. I was trying not to register for roaming which would charge me £2 a day just for the privilege of being abroad with charges on top. 

Perhaps I should have looked at another network that can work with French phone such as Three or Orange.

[jonsie · Accepted solution]

The international sim will be of no use to you in France. You are better just using o2 travel that comes as standard or better yet a local sim if your phone's unlocked. 

[MI5]

Get a Three PAYG sim and top it up with £15. Exchange this for their unlimited data bundle and it will give you 300 mins and 25gb of data to use in France all included.