I have a prepaid phone. Don't know if it's a trac phone. You put the minutes on it by calling the company you have it through and adding them. I do have a number so that people can call me, I don't give it to anyone though, it is strictly an emergency phone. Yes the minutes costs more but $20.00 last me two years. I used them up mostly because I have to make a call once a month ( I call the time and temperature ) or get a service charge.