Pay as you go has always been about freedom: no contract, no credit check, renew when you want. But if you already renew the same plan every 30 days without fail, you are paying full price for flexibility you never use. A 12 month pay as you go SIM plan keeps the no-credit-check simplicity of PAYG while knocking 10 percent off the price of every 30 day period, in return for committing to a year.
Where the 12 Month Plan Sits
Think of the options as a ladder. At one end, 30 day PAYG plans renew month by month with no commitment at all. At the other, pay monthly contracts run for 12 or 24 months on a bill. The 12 month PAYG plan sits in between: still pay as you go, still no credit check, but with a lower price because you plan to stay for the year. eSIM is available on every tier, so you can switch over in minutes.
The Price Difference, Tier by Tier
| Tier | Data | 30 day plan | 12 month plan | Saved over 12 periods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK Plan Smart | 5GB | £5 | £4.50 | £6 |
| National Plus | 30GB | £10 | £9.00 | £12 |
| UK Plan Super Extra | 75GB | £15 | £13.50 | £18 |
| UK Plan Mega Plus | 120GB | £20 | £18.00 | £24 |
| UK Plan Unlimited | Unlimited | £25 | £22.50 | £30 |
The 30 day prices shown are the standard prices; those plans currently carry a first month discount, while the 12 month plans have no promo and simply sit at the lower rate for the whole year.
Matching a Tier to Your Year
If your phone is mostly for calls, messages and maps, UK Plan Smart 12 month gives you 5GB, 1,000 UK calls and texts and EU roaming for £4.50 per 30 days.
If you scroll and stream a little every day, National Plus 12 month is the all-rounder at £9.00, now with 30GB thanks to a 5GB extra offer, plus unlimited UK calls and texts and 100 international minutes.
If you travel to Europe, China or India, UK Plan Super Extra 12 month includes EU, China and India data roaming with 75GB at home for £13.50.
If you share your connection or stream heavily, UK Plan Mega Plus 12 month gives you 120GB, unlimited UK calls and texts and 100 international minutes for £18.00.
If you never want to check your data again, UK Plan Unlimited 12 month brings unlimited data, unlimited UK calls and texts and 100 international minutes for £22.50.
A Year on Each Tier
Over twelve 30 day periods, the full year comes to £54 on UK Plan Smart, £108 on National Plus, £162 on UK Plan Super Extra, £216 on UK Plan Mega Plus and £270 on UK Plan Unlimited. Compared with renewing the matching 30 day plan at its standard price, that is between £6 and £30 kept in your pocket each year, simply for deciding to stay. On the larger tiers that saving is roughly the cost of an extra 30 days of service, earned just by committing to the plan you were already using.
Common Questions
Is there a credit check? No. The 12 month plans are pay as you go, and no credit check is needed.
Can I keep my number? Yes. Text PAC to 65075 from your current number for your Porting Authorisation Code, then enter it when you join. Transfers usually complete within one working day.
Is eSIM available? Yes, on every 12 month tier, so you can be connected without waiting for a card in the post.
What if I want an even lower price? The 24 month PAYG plans go further, from £4.00 for 5GB to £20.00 for unlimited data.
In Short
If you already renew the same plan every month, the 12 month version gives you the same allowance for 10 percent less, from £4.50 for 5GB to £22.50 for unlimited data, with no credit check. Pick your tier and switch to an annual SIM only deal, or compare every 12 month SIM only plan side by side.
All five plans are offered by Lyca Mobile. A year of savings deserves a treat: browse new arrivals and styling ideas on Feedfashion.
