Inactive number

Yes, there is. To keep your account active, you need to keep a positive account balance. Before you leave, change to one of the pay per use plans and refill your account with $100. A $100 refill is good for a year and will still be there to use when you return in 5 months. When you return, just change back to your normal monthly plan.

I tried searching for cheap plans but looks like there are no pay-per-use type plans available in my area (Cincinnati OH).

There are 2 pay per use plans that are available to everyone. There is a $2/day and $0.25/minute plan. If you aren’t seeing them, one possible reason is if your have your account set to be a multiline account.

@sandblaster yes I was a part of a multiline, but not anymore. I recently kicked everyone else out of it, so now it's just me. I still don't see the plan. Do you have a link where I can see the plans and buy it?

Just removing the other lines is not enough. You must also change your account back to an individual account.

So how do I do that?