We got a TIM sim card for our phone last October in Rome. We are going back in September 2017, will the card still be usable? I know they expire, but it has been less than a year.
Thanks.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15185 posts
It's good for a year. But check your credit on it. It might be negative. Some data plans automatically renew the following month, and if you don't have sufficient credit, then the balance goes negative (after which it stops renewing). At that point, if your credit is a negative -10€, adding money to it, may be more expensive than purchasing a new SIM.
To know your existing balance on the SIM card send a text message to the number 119.
In the text type a question such as QUALE È IL MIO CREDITO RESIDUO?
(what is my residual or remaining credit?).
TIM will respond with a text stating your remaining balance.
I'm not sure it will work while in the US, but if not, you can try when you arrive there. If the SMS msg returns with a positive figure, or with a negative number over -10€ (the SIM card itself costs 10€), then use it again. Add some money to it, and it will be good for another year from the moment you put more money.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
You can try putting it in your phone now. If it is still good, it is likely to roam to AT&T or T-Mobile (don't actually use it, as there are likely very high charges for this roaming). If it gets no signal at all, it's probably expired.
How long SIM cards last when not used depends on the carrier and their exact terms. Some give you a year; some much less. Some define "use" as topping up, while others define "use" as a call, text, etc.
If there's any question, just bring it with you; they'll tell you in the store, before setting up your plan.