I have a 13yo niece visiting and I need a phone for her while she is here.  I need one that will text and voice in addition to maybe be able to get on the internet.

Any suggestions?

Cost is not a deal killer but would rather pay less then more.

If you have Cricket in your area that would be perfect, no contracts and its cheap.



 

just grab a tracfone.  I cant imagine a reason why she would need internet.

Virgin mobile, They have android phones, And unlimited text and web/data are included, all you do is buy the amount of minutes. 300,1200 or unlimited.

How long is she staying?
I agree with tracfone and cricket. I wouldn't get her an android though.

 Are virgin mobile's texts free now? When I was using them they took .3 minutes for every text I sent.



 

This.

Straight Talk (Wal-Mart) offers 1000 minutes, 1000 text messages + 30MB data for $30 (30 days) and unlimited talk/text/data for $45/30 days.



They offer QWERTY phones for $70 or so.



Straight Talk uses the Verizon network, which is a plus IMO.

Yeah, completely free to text.

I have the Optimus V as my regular phone, I am happy with it. You do have to buy the phone though.

When I bought mine it was $150, now they are up to $200. They have about the cheapest (cost)

internet and unlimited texting out there for a pay as you go phone.

Optimus V

This is the phone i have, i bought it the day before they jacked the price up :)

It back down to 145.  $40 a month is hard to beat.

Even walmart is $45.

Being a cheap b*****d, I 've gotten my cell phone expenses down as low as I possibly can.  
I use a Net10 prepaid phone.  http://www.net10.com/  Every month I order a new refill card that comes with a free phone.  I donate the phones to Cell Phones for Soldiers and use the cards in my phone so that I can keep the same number.

Net10 has two options, $25/30 days 750 minutes w/ a free phone and free shipping
or
$50/30 days unlimited w/ free phone/shipping.

Use coupon code "44477" to get $5 off, bringing the price down to $20/$45.

Plus, click through to Net10 from Mr. Rebates and get 15% cash back.  www.mrrebates.com
That brings the true cost down to $17 or $38.25.

Maybe a bit too complicated if your only going to need a phone for 30 days or so, but it works for me.

Edit:  I forgot to add that they charge sales tax, at least in Alabama.

Pick up a used CDMA phone, and activate it on PagePlus Cellular for $30 / year.  Would cost more, depending on how many minutes / texts used - but the minimum is $10 every 4 months.