prepaid plan

[/priːˈpeɪd plæn/]
nounpl: prepaid plans
plano pré-pago
1. A service plan where a customer pays in advance for a set amount of usage or services, typically for telecommunications, mobile phones, or utilities
I switched to a prepaid plan because I wanted more control over my monthly expenses.
Troquei para um plano pré-pago porque queria mais controle sobre minhas despesas mensais.
2. A payment arrangement where funds are deposited before services are rendered or products are consumed
The prepaid plan allows you to use the service without worrying about unexpected bills.
O plano pré-pago permite que você use o serviço sem se preocupar com contas inesperadas.
Prepaid plans are extremely popular in Brazil as they offer flexibility and cost control, particularly among younger users and those with variable income. This contrasts with postpaid plans which require credit history and are more common among higher-income earners. In the USA, prepaid plans have become increasingly mainstream as alternatives to traditional carrier contracts.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
prepaid servicepay-as-you-go planadvance payment planprepaid account
Antonyms / Antônimos
postpaid plancontract planbill-after-use plan

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
plano pré-pago
Most common term used for mobile and telecom services
São Paulo
plano pré-pago / recarga
Recarga (top-up) is commonly used alongside the main term
Rio de Janeiro
plano pré-pago
Standard usage, sometimes shortened to 'pré-pago'
Portugal
plano pré-pagamento / tarifário pré-pago
Portuguese European usage differs slightly; often called 'tarifário' or 'plano de voz'

Related Words

mobile plancellular plansubscription servicetop-upcredit balance

Related Idioms & Phrases

pay as you go
putting money upfront
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