Originally Posted by Stefx

Originally Posted by Phil_Legault

Originally Posted by mrphantuan

we just got back from the US and I had no issues using a Canadian American Express Card to activate my Ipad
All I did was use the local ATT@T corps stores address for Billing and Usage info and My name and Amex # the the system took about 2 minutes to activate the account.

If anyone has solved the issue of using a Canadian VISA card to purchase ATT data plan, I'd love to know.

Thanks

Me too. I don't have an Amex but I have a Canadian Visa.
In Sept 2010 AT&T did not accept my canadian Visa but accepted a US Visa gift card

Thanks for the note. Can you still use a Visa gift card? The payment system has changed now that it automatically charges you credit card until you cancel.

It always "automatically" charged each month, I always had to cancel my count before coming back into Canada.
Last time I used a Visa gift card was Feb 2011, still worked.

Originally Posted by Stefx

It always "automatically" charged each month, I always had to cancel my count before coming back into Canada.
Last time I used a Visa gift card was Feb 2011, still worked.

Didn't the address have to match the billing address of the VISA? Did you just use any US address for it to work. I'll try that today. Thanks

My first Sticky. Hope it doesn't fall off.

Originally Posted by Hasty

Mats check with 3.co.uk.
They do pay as you go sim cards and its fairly easy to top up either through a phone shop or online.
Stopped at a motorway cafe the other day and found my credit was low so popped into a phone shop nextdoor and bought 25gb, openned the 3 site in my browser and entered the code. Done.

For connection abroad I acquired some weeks ago a sim card from wabnet which I bought in Paris. I totally sucks and I can't recommend. The website provides no contact number, nor on the support form nor on the contact form. I never got called back it is really an unsopported product.

Mike

Originally Posted by Phil_Legault

Originally Posted by Stefx

It always "automatically" charged each month, I always had to cancel my count before coming back into Canada.
Last time I used a Visa gift card was Feb 2011, still worked.

Didn't the address have to match the billing address of the VISA? Did you just use any US address for it to work. I'll try that today. Thanks

If you use a Visa gift card, it does not do an adress lookup. I just used the hotel address
It does however do a name lookup, so when you register the gift card online, make sure you type your name the same way you'll type it in the AT&T registration.
First time I tried to sign up It failed because I had not registered the gift card online prior to using it.

I've used this process three times in twelve months, when going to the US.

Originally Posted by Stefx

If you use a Visa gift card, it does not do an adress lookup. I just used the hotel address
It does however do a name lookup, so when you register the gift card online, make sure you type your name the same way you'll type it in the AT&T registration.
First time I tried to sign up It failed because I had not registered the gift card online prior to using it.

I've used this process three times in twelve months, when going to the US.

It worked great with no issues too when I put my Bell micro SIM card back in.

Thanks!

Just arrived in Frankfurt today. By way of passing, came across a Vodafone store, and the kind sales people there were able to get me up in less than 20 minutes with a pay-as-you-go service. I needed just more than two weeks, but the fellows there said take the two weeks, and here's a coupon with the sim card, which they had a punch to make into a micro, and loaded up the plan onsite, for a week, not self renewing, but able to be selected in the settings panel. Coupon is good for 3 - 1 hour sessions, at any time, so that will carry me for a couple of extra days that I need. I believe the plans are 14.95 Euro for 1 week [1gb], 39.95 Euro for 4 weeks [5gb], and even daily plans. Paid cash, no gift card need, no local address, for credit for 2 weeks, and will be prompted for renewal at end of week. Supposedly seamless, as the banner info says. Will see if that's the case. Posting this from Mannheim at the moment.
So of all the plans mentioned here, this seems to be the easiest to implement, although the salesperson did have to call the Vodafone Hotline for a bit of assistance which only took a few moments.
Very pleased with the service so far.

"...and put in any address info you like." I sort of like this solution, but putting in a fictitious American address...couldn't that be a little dangerous? Our son lives in the US: Could I not use his address and zip code? But the Canadian VISA card I'd use to pay for the AT&T simcard in the States wouldn't fit either his name, address or country. Would using his address maybe lead to problems for one or both of us that we can't anticipate right now? You know, the "unintended consequences" argument?

Why is this so hard? I'd like to do everything the right way without having to invent information or be a bit underhanded in trying to get my iPad (with 3G) up and working properly as we tour the US.

Originally Posted by rafraj

"...and put in any address info you like." I sort of like this solution, but putting in a fictitious American address...couldn't that be a little dangerous? Our son lives in the US: Could I not use his address and zip code? But the Canadian VISA card I'd use to pay for the AT&T simcard in the States wouldn't fit either his name, address or country. Would using his address maybe lead to problems for one or both of us that we can't anticipate right now? You know, the "unintended consequences" argument?

Why is this so hard? I'd like to do everything the right way without having to invent information or be a bit underhanded in trying to get my iPad (with 3G) up and working properly as we tour the US.

I wouldn't sweat the address. I have a legit U.S. address and have had AT&T data for more than a year (since iPad 1's 3G debut). I've not received a single piece of snail mail from AT&T about that account. They contact me only via email for everything -- auto renewal confirmations monthly, expiring credit card notice, etc.