Question about PAYG phone sims

[Rockhead]

Guys - scuse the dumbass question, but if I wanted to buy a £15 payg sim from GiffGaff for example, and only use it for a month or some other limited time, and never renew it or use it again after that - is that actually viable?
What I don’t want is to find myself signed up for a contract, paying every month for a year or whatever. I’d only need it for a very limited time, for example over Xmas and New Year.
I’m as clueless as my avatar on these matters.

[Lou2019]

Try the search function, this subject has been discussed many times

[FiveKnuckles]

there's a few thread about PAYG sims. 
https://www.ukpunting.com/index.php?topic=292914.0
https://www.ukpunting.com/index.php?topic=323390.0

best to read the terms for each payg plan and decide what fits your needs.
 
For me Asda 4p text, data, voice.  I top-up £5 when my balance hits like £3.  I just need to to make one call or text every 180 days to keep the sim active or I lose £3 to £8.   

[Rockhead]

best to read the terms for each payg plan and decide what fits your needs.

Thanks - my main question though, which I couldn’t find an answer to via search, is whether you can use a sim for a very limited time and then bin it - or are you always tied into a ‘plan’?

[daviemac]

Thanks - my main question though, which I couldn’t find an answer to via search, is whether you can use a sim for a very limited time and then bin it - or are you always tied into a ‘plan’?

It all varies, some you have to top up every month, others not, but if a PAYG, as the name suggests, it isn't a contract. Read the terms of the sim you want to buy. that will give you a definitive answer.   

[Aldebaran]

When you buy a PAYG sim it usually comes with £10 worth of credit on it. I don't know how much you intend to use it before you bin it, but if you don't want any tie to you or any form of contract then buy a top up voucher when you need to. You can even top up a PAYG sim on some ATMs but this would of course lead back to your bank account.

Edit. I've now found that the banks have withdrawn the option of topping up a phone at a cashpoint for some reason. Sorry for the misinformation.

[Spacecowb0y]

I do what the OP is suggesting.
Buy a 10 quid payg sim and use it to exhaustion.

Once depleted, removed, smashed and binned when out and about.
At the same time buy another with cash from a different newsagent or supermarket

[FiveKnuckles]

I do what the OP is suggesting.
Buy a 10 quid payg sim and use it to exhaustion.

Once depleted, removed, smashed and binned when out and about.
At the same time buy another with cash from a different newsagent or supermarket

SCB,   do those £10 Sims have unlimited time use once activated?   i.e last until you spend the entire credit.

was checking out the pre-loaded Sims and they're 'bundles' that last 30days. 

[Spacecowb0y]

Not unlimited, usually between 3-12 months  depending on vendor.

I couldn't care less if a pound or two goes unspent , just easier to buy a new one.

[Gordon Bennett]

Wasn't sure where to post this so thought I'd bung it in most recent "punting phone" thread.....

This change in law crept out recently, no longer allowed to sell mobile phones "locked" to one network:

External Link/Members Only

This will make it easier to re-purpose any phone into a punting phone going forwards.

More immediately, if you were ever in a situation before a meet where your punting phone went on the blink you'd have the flexibility to simply pop it's SIM into your main phone to get up and running.

[starman]

This is what I did:

Used old phone that I hadn't used in years.  Bought an EE £15 sim card from supermarket, paid cash.  Bought an EE £10 e-top up voucher from supermarket with cash.  Phoned 150 and topped up using the voucher number.  Now, because this was below £15 the £10 just goes on as credit and is not converted into a £15 monthly 'pack'.  So, when the credit gets down to about £3 I top up with another £10 voucher. Calls are 30p texts 15p.  Not the cheapest but it suits me.  As long as I use the phone at least once every 180 days the sim card stays active and the credit doesn't get wiped.