Moving a giffgaff Number to CTExcel
The PAC route is official, but a suspended number, referral credit and discount code must each be checked before paying.
The 60-second version
A giffgaff-to-CTExcel port uses the official PAC process, but a suspended line and promotional offer require separate verification.
Key points
- Use PAC, not STAC, when keeping the old number.
- giffgaff supports an online PAC request and says the code lasts 30 days.
- CTExcel requires an activated SIM/eSIM and warns of a brief interruption.
- Official CTExcel pages show one to three working days depending on the screen.
- The £3 referral and `DEAL50OFF` claims are conditional and not guaranteed.
Verdict. Get the PAC first. It is the clearest test that the number remains portable; only then evaluate activation and price.
The takeawayThree separate questions
The post combines three issues that should not be treated as one claim: whether the number can still be ported, how CTExcel processes a PAC, and whether a promotion applies. Only the standard porting process is broadly confirmed.
Step oneGet the right code
Use a PAC to keep the giffgaff number. A STAC ends the old service without transferring that number. giffgaff lists text, phone and online account routes for obtaining these codes.
| Online | Log in to giffgaff Profile and settings; useful when the SIM cannot text. |
|---|---|
| Text | Send `PAC` to `65075` from the giffgaff line. |
| Phone | Call `43431` from the line. |
| Validity | Submit the PAC within 30 days or request another one. |
Step twoConfirm the number is still portable
A service stop does not prove that the number has already been released, but it also does not guarantee recovery. The safest checkpoint is whether giffgaff actually issues a valid PAC for that account and number.
Do not buy the destination SIM on the assumption that a suspended number must still be portable.
Step threeActivate CTExcel before porting
CTExcel's official flow is: obtain a SIM or eSIM, activate it, then submit the porting application with the old operator's PAC. CTExcel currently says physical SIMs and eSIMs must be activated in the UK or EU.
TimingExpect a short handover window
One CTExcel screen says the transfer is expected in one working day; another says the process normally takes one to three working days. Weekends and bank holidays matter, and CTExcel warns that service can be briefly interrupted.
| Before | Keep account access, PAC and both SIMs available. |
|---|---|
| During | Calls, messages or data may temporarily fail. |
| After | Wait for the completion notice, then test inbound and outbound calls and SMS. |
PromotionTreat the £3 and code as conditional
The linked order URL contains `recommendCode=CHQS`, so it is a referral path. The post also names `DEAL50OFF`. CTExcel's site shows changing welcome and referral offers, but we could not establish a stable official page promising this exact £3-plus-discount combination for every buyer.
- Check whether the checkout visibly applies the code before payment.
- Read the activation and spending requirements for any credit.
- Compare the renewal price, not only the first payment.
- Capture the offer terms shown at checkout in case support is needed.
RetentionPorting is not the end
CTExcel's customer terms say that 90 days without mobile-service use can automatically disconnect the service, ending the agreement and losing the remaining credit and telephone number. Individual plans may add activation or usage requirements.