Travelling to the US?? - sim/phone/nav info, healthcare, CAA coverage

MacDoc

MacDoc

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T-Mobile
1715 Niagara Falls Blvd, Amherst, NY, United States ‎ 26 km SE
+1 716-833-5039

If you cross at Lewiston this is a good spot for on and off.

If you cross at Buffalo heading to PA this is the better spot

T-Mobilemore info‎
1979 Seneca Street
Buffalo, New York 14210, United States
+1 716-939-2115

They are open til 8 but I'd call ahead just to check.

They have a $2 a day at 2G speed and the data is unlimited for each day.
AND
if you don't use it there is no charge for any given day.
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/pay-by-the-day-cell-phone-plans

So $100 gets you 50 days of use and the sim is good for a year.

$50 gets you 25 days of use but the sim is only good for 90 days.

AFAIK this is national coverage and there are no roaming charges.

2G is lots for nav data use with apps like MotionX GPSDrive

One caution - coverage is not available for any cell in the boonies so off line apps are still needed.
From the looks of the map here
http://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/pcc.aspx/

2g coverage is pretty solid but make sure you have an offline map like ForeverMap as where the best roads are....there are few or no cell towers.

TMobile is blocked from tethering ( tho maybe not by direct link )

All Macdonalds have wifi and you can download maps there.

•••

Please add other info to this thread. Roaming in the US from a Canadian phone is stupid expensive. Don't do it.

••

Other things to consider.

CAA Plus covers you in the US for roadside and towing issues.

You NEED healthcare coverage - you'd be ruined for life financially if you don't have it and need a hospital.
.......credit cards offer some short term coverage for a couple of days.
If you are doing more than one trip an annual fee covers for longer periods - I think up to 3 months total in a calendar year....CC and CAA offer them.

••••

Watch out for CC payments that require a ZIP code. This may or may not work - from another post.

If you ever find yourself in the USA trying to pay at the pump with a Canadian credit card and it asks you to enter your ZIP code you know how frustrating it can be. Having to go in and prepay for fuel in order to have the pump turned on.

I found out on a recent trip that all canadians have a zip code that can be used at the pump.
here's how to find out your ZIP code.


Take all the numbers out your postal code and add 2 zeros to the end to get your zip code for the gas pump.

Example,
if you postal code is A1C 2B4 your zip code would be 12400
The postal code used needs to be the postal code of the credit card's billing address
Click to expand...
here is the thread...
http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...-pay-for-US-fuel-that-requires-ZIP-code/page3

so it's not 100%

take some cash. That's all I can think of now.

Tip - you can get hit with a random check so make sure you have your docs in order and your stuff packed for easy inspection or you may be at the border for a while and be polite ;)
 
For calling, I also found this: http://www.roammobility.com/plans Apparently the sim cards don't expire as long as you use the card at least once a year.

For US medical coverage, also check your benefits at work. I have a decent health care package as part of my benefits at work and it covers US travel too -- although I admit I have to look into the details a bit closer one of these days.

Thanks for the info about using postal code numbers as a zip code. Last time I travelled to the US I used cash for every fuel purchase, and what a hassle that is -- up to counter, pay, fill gas, back to counter, receive change.
 
I'm planning to pick up a Roam mobility SIM for my trip next week. Of course, you need to make sure your phone is unlocked. As far as navigation, nothing beats a paper map for reliability so always take one as a backup. Rest areas will usually have free maps of the state if you ever find yourself lost and mapless.
 
I just started a couple weeks ago using the Roam Mobility SIM card.
Flawless.
So easy, even I could handle it..... after I paid someone to unlock my phone.
 
Gary said:
I just started a couple weeks ago using the Roam Mobility SIM card.
Flawless.
So easy, even I could handle it..... after I paid someone to unlock my phone.
Click to expand...

Roam sounds like the perfect solution, but the data won't work on my Betamax, uhh...I mean pre Z10/Q10 Blackberry.
 
Jayell said:
Roam sounds like the perfect solution, but the data won't work on my Betamax, uhh...I mean pre Z10/Q10 Blackberry.
Click to expand...

You could always buy the Roam phone. It's only an extra $30. (SIM card is $20 - the whole thing is $50).
I don't use the data plan - my eyes aren't what they used to be.
I take my tablet, not much better, but at least I can read it.
 
Nothing's easier than paper when your battery dies
Click to expand...
That's what 12 volt outlets are for - if my battery is dead so is the bike and the map is the last thing I'm worried about :D

Paper map does squat if you don't know where you are - and that very easy in the PA back roads. GPS forever...;)
 
MacDoc said:
That's what 12 volt outlets are for - if my battery is dead so is the bike and the map is the last thing I'm worried about :D

Paper map does squat if you don't know where you are - and that very easy in the PA back roads. GPS forever...;)
Click to expand...

In that eventuality I guess you're walking but where to? lol
I have an outlet as well but not everyone does (highly recommend!). My philosophy has always been to learn how to read a map before opting for the convenience of a gps device. I agree that finding my current location on a gps is very useful but it's a convenience. To each their own though. I've never driven 500 kms in the wrong direction following a map like some people I personally know :lmao:
 
My phone has these frequencies, anyone happen to know what network I could go with? Roam seems to cost a bit much for how much I will use it (will be gone for 30 days)


  • 2G Network : GSM GPRS EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
  • 3G Network : UMTS HSDPA UMTS 800, 850, 2100 MHz
  • 4G Network : LTE 800, 1500, 2100 Mhz
 
My phone has these frequencies, anyone happen to know what network I could go with? Roam seems to cost a bit much for how much I will use it (will be gone for 30 days)


2G Network : GSM GPRS EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
3G Network : UMTS HSDPA UMTS 800, 850, 2100 MHz
4G Network : LTE 800, 1500, 2100 Mhz
Click to expand...

That 90 day deal seems okay - you can get a 4G option on it for a $1 more per day.

90 day option gives you 25 days of use.
 
For cell phone, best plan I've found is from T-Mobile. Prepaid $30 a month gives you 100 minute talktime, unlimited text, and 5gb data (unlimited at Edge speeds after that). Pretty sure you can tether it as well, but could be wrong. http://news.cnet.com/8301-33620_3-57587175-278/is-this-the-best-smartphone-plan-ever/

The zip code thing works 90% of the time. I filled up 8 times this weekend and it worked every time, but I know it hasn't worked a few times in the past. Worst case scenario, they don't need a zip code if you pay inside.

CAA medical is a must, overall CAA coverage is always a good idea. Always ask for a AAA/CAA discount at motels/hotels, most of the time you can get 10% off.
 
MacDoc said:
That 90 day deal seems okay - you can get a 4G option on it for a $1 more per day.

90 day option gives you 25 days of use.
Click to expand...

I don't want to spend $90 for a month, oh well.

regder said:
For cell phone, best plan I've found is from T-Mobile. Prepaid $30 a month gives you 100 minute talktime, unlimited text, and 5gb data (unlimited at Edge speeds after that). Pretty sure you can tether it as well, but could be wrong. http://news.cnet.com/8301-33620_3-57587175-278/is-this-the-best-smartphone-plan-ever/

The zip code thing works 90% of the time. I filled up 8 times this weekend and it worked every time, but I know it hasn't worked a few times in the past. Worst case scenario, they don't need a zip code if you pay inside.

CAA medical is a must, overall CAA coverage is always a good idea. Always ask for a AAA/CAA discount at motels/hotels, most of the time you can get 10% off.
Click to expand...

Thanks, calling them now to see if my phone will work. I remember seeing t-mobile on the roaming network list on my phone, just want to be sure.
 
MacDoc said:
BTW here is a link for crossing times

http://www.niagarafallsbridges.com
Click to expand...

Excellent advice. I always try to make a note to check it at some point before the Queenston turn off. Forgot to check it this weekend thinking there wouldn't be much of a line up, ended up killing an hour and a half crossing at Fort Erie. On the upside, they had cheap whiskey at the duty free.
 
Historically on long weekends, when is the bridge traffic the worst?

I need to do a run to the canam mailbox this weekend -- if I go Saturday I might have a long line getting there, if I go Monday I might have a long line returning.

I am thinking just to go early Saturday morning so at least if I am in a line the heat won't be full strength yet.
 
Great thread
 
regder said:
For cell phone, best plan I've found is from T-Mobile. Prepaid $30 a month gives you 100 minute talktime, unlimited text, and 5gb data (unlimited at Edge speeds after that). Pretty sure you can tether it as well, but could be wrong. http://news.cnet.com/8301-33620_3-57587175-278/is-this-the-best-smartphone-plan-ever/
Click to expand...

Fyi, if you decide to go with T-Mobile make sure your phone supports their bands (1700/2100 MHz in most areas). For that matter, you should check this with any carrier but especially T-Mobile as not many phones use 1700 I'm told.
 
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