Fido refills can be made on the website. Also automatic refills are possible. Cards also. Min is $10 for 30 days of validity. Not great.
Rogers also offers online top up among others. Again it seems that $10 will buy you 30 days. Here
http://www.shoprogers.com/store/wireless/s...XTU9JB04WGS1F0A
it says $100 buys you 1 year. Not clear if that is in connection with the phone purchase or if the offer is like T-Mobile. $100 is $8.25 per month to keep alive.
Guess you'd have to guage your investment and usage versus Hop costs or whatever method you choose. There is the up-front investment and the need to FEED the beast to keep it alive.
Another method is to use a good calling card from the hotel room or wherever you are to dial out. Onesuite has local numbers in major Canadian and US cities. Also Enjoyprepaid. Or there is always the ATT or MCI route.
Stan