Smartphone Upgrade loop hole

Does anyone have experience and knowledge of the following scenario.

I have a family plan which having two smartphones with unlimited data plan and two dumb phones with no data plan. I plan to do an upgrade to one of the two dumb phone with a smartphone and then select a tier data plan for this line. Activate the new smartphone for a shart period of time, then replace this new smartphone with the old dumb phone or a new dumb phone. The new smartphone will be re-activated to replace one of the two existing smartphone. Doing all these steps is tring to get a new smartphone without paying the full price and keeping the unlimited data plan. So, I have a few questions, first, will Verizon allow me to activate a LTE 4G smartphone to replace a 3G Iphone without changing the data plan? Second, Will the new tier data plan on the third smartphone line be dropped after I replaced the new smartphone with a dumb phone?

Accepted answers

rcschnoor

You should not be able to keep you unlimited data. According to Verizon, unlimited data will be forfeited if a new contract is signed for a line with unlimited data. Even though you are transferring the upgrade to line B, the contract is being signed on line A, thereby forfeiting your unlimited data.

There are those, however, who have claimed to have kept unlimited data by doing this. I have no way of knowing if they are correct, just trying to misinform people or if it was eventually caught and then unlimited data lost for the original line after a period of time.

Verizon's policy, though, is that line A would lose unlimited data.

All comments

Verizon_Support

Never fear help is here!

@faatdaat, upgrading to a new phone is always a fun time. I understand you wanting to keep your unlimited data plan and I’m here to help clarifying your concerns.

To answer your first question, yes, you will be able to activate a 4G device on the line that currently has a 3G Smartphone and still keep your unlimited data plan.

In regards to your second question, if the device you are activating on the line does not require a data plan you can remove the tiered data plan at any time.

I trust this has fully addressed your concerns. Keep me posted if you need further assistance. I’ll be more than happy to assist.

John B

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSuppport

lewisr13

Be sure to remove the data plan after you activate the dumb phone, it may not be done automatically.

BDA

I just did this exact thing, I went to a corporate store and told the guy what I wanted to do and he took care of it without me even having to do anything. He upgraded the basic phone and then immediately switched it to my line and reactivated the basic phone. It was incredibly simple and I did not have to do a thing. I went to Best Buy to do this first and was told no way and that there was no choice but to switch to a share everything plan. I asked the Verizon guy about that and he said it maybe set up in their system so they have no choice as to what to do.

Labrynthfire

I find it absurd that we have to pay for dummy phones to keep our unlimited data. I did the math and it the cost over time to pay for lines you dont need is only beneficial if you are using more than 5 gb or so of data a month. Verizon wins on this one.

lewisr13

He's talking about dumb phones(ie. basic phones) not dummy phones. They actually use the lines the dumb phones are on, there are 4 people.

Labrynthfire

I understand he is actually using the lines but many people are not. I was actually instructed by a verizon rep to get a new line to upgrade my phone and then decrease the service and move the device to the other line. My point overall is we should not have to jockey phones around to get our service/plans the way we would like them. If it possible to go through all the trouble why not just do it for us in the beginning..

EmagehtmaI

I think I understand what he's saying. He's saying that if you have a "dumb phone" that is eligible for upgrade, use THAT upgrade to upgrade to a smart phone. You can add a $30 tiered data plan to the line without switching to shared data. THEN, you activate brand new smart phone on the line that has unlimited data, then REACTIVATE the old "dumb phone" on the line that you just upgraded, then drop the data plan. In theory it should work, BUT... doesn't Verizon have some sort of clause in the Terms & Service when you're upgrading that you can't downgrade your freshly upgraded smartphone to a "dumb phone" within a certain time period? I'm almost positive that's the case, because Verizon's people aren't stupid, and have foreseen this kind of stuff.

lewisr13

No they don't care if you transfer it to a different line.

faatdaat

you are right on. Three to four years ago, I was able to reactivated a dumb phone after upgraded to a smartphone with data plan. The data plan was dropped automatically. The only unknown is that has Verizon changed the policy on it. The response from customer support message suggests that the policy has not changed as long as the reactiviated dumb phone is really a basic feature phone.

mattplaybass

I have a slightly different scenario, but I'm a little scared to try it just yet. I have two lines with two smartphones and both have unlimited data, so no lines with regular phones. I was told by a CSR on the phone that one loophole was to upgrade the first phone line online. In the order, I could select (instead of the shared data plan) to just have the traditional family share plan with 2GB of data for that one line (keeping unlimited on the second line). He stated my unlimited data would stay in effect until the phone came in and was activated on the line in which it was upgraded. This would be due to the 2GB data plan being in limbo until the activation occurred.

However, if I instead activated it on the other smartphone line with unlimited data, it would never take affect (since the phone was never activated on the line in which the upgrade occurred). And since the phone was activated on the second line without that line being upgraded, it too would stay unlimited. Then in turn, I could use the second line for the same purpose on the first line.

Basically, he stated that as long as the order/upgrade was done online and if I never activate the new subsidized phone to the line in which it was connected to via the upgrade, the change to the data plan would not get processed.

So my question is, has anyone tried this? Or, if any one completed an upgrade online and downgraded their unlimited data to a shared data plan (or just a 2GB per line plan), when did the new data plan take affect on your account (that you noticed)?

faatdaat

The scenario you described should work but with risk. last year, I upgraded a feature phone to an Iphone and received the Iphone in mid-June. I didn't actually activated the iphone until early July (two days before Verizon stopped offering unlimited data). The data plan was not added to my account until the phone was activated in eary July.

Pariyah

FYI to all:

info: Please hold for a Verizon Wireless sales
representative to assist you with your order. Thank you for your
patience.

info: You are now chatting with 'Faith'

Faith: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat
service. May I help you with your order today?

Chris: Hi I recently received advice from customer
service about a method to use to keep my unlimited data for the smartphone
lines. After reading some of the forums i'm seeing conflicting info. I'd like
to verify with you what I was told

Faith: The only way to keep that unlimited data
will be to buy the phone at full retail price

Chris: I was told by 2 different reps that i could
update one of the basic phone lines on our plan to the iPhone 5

Chris: then when i get the phone activate it on the
basic line

Chris: then, reactivate the basic phone on that line
and it would open up the i5 to use on any other line

Faith: Yes you can do that as well if that line
has an upgrade you can put it on the line that has the unlimited data and
keep that

Chris: the conflicting comments i see is do I activate
the i5 on the basic line once i receive it and then switch it over to the
unlimited data line?

Chris: Or when i get the phone can i just activate it
on the unlimited data line?

Faith: You will activate the phone on the line with
the unlimited data when you get the phone however you will need to call into
customer service to do so

Chris: and in doing that i will NOT lose my unlimited
data? Because i'm not changing that lines plan. Just the phone. Is that
correct?

Chris: Still there?

Faith: Yes I am here and no you will not lose the
data that is why you need to call in once the phone comes and let customer
service activate it for you

Chris: Gotcha. Thank you so much for the help. Last
question. Once i activate the phone on my unlimited data line, do i have to
do anything on the basic line or will nothing change for it since the i5 was
not activated on that line?

Faith: That line should remain the same since it
will not be activated on that line. Are you ready to begin and I will help
you?

Chris: I haven't received the i5 yet. Status says it's
scheduled to ship Oct. 5th. I've already ordered based on the other reps
telling me about this process to keep the unlimited data. I just wanted to
make sure this was acurate prior to activating the phone when i receive it.

Faith: Do you have any further questions today?

Chris: No you have been very helpful. Thank you for
all the help!!

Faith: It has been my pleasure to chat with you
today! Please feel free to re-open the chat session if you need further
assistance . Thank you and have a great day!

Faith: Sorry

ash67

Cool. This was helpful. Just a question. When I placed my pre-order for the i5, I transferred an upgrade from a dumbphone to my smartphone, instead of using the upgrade on the dumbphone. Will I not be able to use this trick then? When it asked me to pick a plan the non-shared options were the only ones available. Or can I still activate this on the dumb line and then transfer it?

lewisr13

ash67 wrote:
Cool. This was helpful. Just a question. When I placed my pre-order for the i5, I transferred an upgrade from a dumbphone to my smartphone, instead of using the upgrade on the dumbphone. Will I not be able to use this trick then? When it asked me to pick a plan the non-shared options were the only ones available. Or can I still activate this on the dumb line and then transfer it?

You should not have transfered the upgrade, it will eliminate your unlimited if you activate it on that line. I'd call CS when you get your phone to see if you can activate it on the line without losing unlimited. If you activate it yourself, you will lose unlimited. You may need to return it and start over, if you want to keep unlimited.

ash67

Oh okay. Well, it's not a huge deal if I lose my unlimited data, but I will try calling CS when I get my phone. Do you think I might be able to do the same thing in the store, or would I be better off calling in?

lewisr13

I'd call in. The store will try to sell you something as opposed to helping you. And the lines will be huge in the store.

Pariyah

I don't think transferring the upgrade will cause you to loose your unlimited. You're still not changing your plan. You're just giving up your upgrade to a different line. You may have to activate the basic phone line with the i5 and then immediately reactivate the basic phone back onto that line. Then activate the i5 on the unlimited data line. That's how it was first explained to me. When you get the i5 you should go to a store and talk to someone live. The lines will definitely be huge but when you have someone in front of you its easier not to mess up. Even the rep who first explained the workaround to me suggested to speak with someone in store once the phone was received.

Best of luck!!

lewisr13

In most cases, stores are sales people not service people. I never go to the store, but each to their own.

dreucla23

Has anyone actually done this with the ip5 and succeeded? I have done most of this process (upgraded to ip5 on a basic phone line, then re-activated the basic phone on that line and verified that the data plan was removed). Now, I'm waiting 24 hours before I can activate the ip5 on my line, and hopefully keep my unlimited data plan. I was told that I have to wait 24 hours before I can re-use the SIM card and get it activated on my line.

fparker6

I went in to the store today to do that same thing and they would not let me keep my unlimited. I'm calling customer service first thing tomorrow and try to have it switched back. Tried calling tonight but was waiting forever.

Tidbits

fparker6 wrote:
I went in to the store today to do that same thing and they would not let me keep my unlimited. I'm calling customer service first thing tomorrow and try to have it switched back. Tried calling tonight but was waiting forever.

sounds like you went to a Premium RETAILER, and not a Corporate Store.

marine3228

ok I have a question. I went into the Verizon store last week since my phone was up for a renewal and to look at new phones. For giggles I asked if they had any more iphones left. They did so I upgraded it. Well I went online today to look at my bill and found out I am no longer unlimited, but now on a 2 gig data plan. They never told me this when I upgraded. I knew Verizon dones't do unlimited, but if you were grandfathered in you are ok. Now I am still within my 14 day trial, if I go back to what I had, will i stil have my unlimited or is it gone?

Also I was thinking about calling and have them put the iphone on a basic line, activate my old phone that had unlimited, then put an old basic phone for the old line and bring the iphone over to my main line to keep unlimited. Can I do this?

shangsu18

Did you ever try this? I'm in the same position and was curious if it was true or not??

ineoxs

My current situation is (I am the authorized owner for all these 5 lines):

Line 1 - smart phone with unlimited data -> eligible for upgrade

Line 2 - smart phone with unlimited data -> eligible for upgrade

Line 3 - dumb phones -> not eligible for upgrade (out-of-state with relatives)

Line 4 - dumb phones -> not eligible for upgrade (out-of-state with relatives)

Line 5 - dumb phones -> not eligible for upgrade (out-of-state with relatives)

I was wondering if the following scenario is possible:

1. Transfer Line 1 upgrade to Line 3

2. Order iPhone 5 with Line 3 by adding 2GB data

3. Activate the iPhone 5 upon arrival on Line 1 via online VZ account or phone with CSR (since I don't have access to Line 3 physically)

4. Remove 2GB data from line 3 (is this even needed since I am not activating iPhone 5 on Line 3. Theoretically, data should not be added to Line 3 as it's still a dumb phone)

5. Contract is renewed on Line 3 for 2 yrs

6. I keep my unlimited data on Line 1

Anyone had success with this scenario? If it's possible then I can repeat it with Line 2 and Line 5.

I got conflicting responses. Some folks are saying the dumb phone also needs to have an upgrade available.

pxl

Have pretty much the same scenario as you . 5 lines(2 smart 3 dumb). I just upgraded to galaxy s3 by transferring upgrade from smart phone to dumb line. then use that upgrade for dumb phone to purchase the S3. the rep at the store activated the phone and put it on a data plan, then deactivate and switched it back to dumb line. i had to wait a day to use the S3 and had that activated on my smart line yesterday. so far, it looks like i still have my unlimited plan. i had to go to a 2nd store to have this done. the 1st store i went to said i would lose unlimited. the 2nd & 3rd store i called said it could be done.

slove2491

I have the exact same scenario as you mentioned. I want the iPhone 5 on my line but do not want to give up my unlimited data plan. I've asked two different verizon reps and here are the conversations.

Please hold for a Verizon Wireless sales representative, we appreciate your patience. Your current estimated wait time is 0 min 11 secs.

You are now chatting with 'Kawandis'

Kawandis: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. May I help you with your order today?

Steven: Hello, I have a question regarding upgrading

Kawandis: I'd be happy to assist you.

Steven: Can I transfer my upgrade from a smartphone line to a basic line and still keep my unlimited data plan?

Kawandis: Just to be clear you are giving away your upgrade?

Steven: Yes.

Steven: But I'm not renewing the contract on my smartphone line

Kawandis: Yes you are able to keep the data as long as you are just giving the upgrade date away.

Steven: Ok I wanted to make sure because I was told at a store that it would get rid of my data plan if i do anything with the upgrade.

Kawandis: Yes if you use the upgrade,

Steven: So even if i give it away to another line and use it on that line then it counts as an upgrade for the smartphone line?

Kawandis: That does not count towards your data or anything.

Steven: ok thank you

Kawandis: My pleasure

Kawandis: Is there anything else that I may assist you with?

Steven: No I believe that is it. Thank you

Please hold for a Verizon Wireless sales representative, we appreciate your patience. Your current estimated wait time is 0 min 23 secs.

You are now chatting with 'Ashlei'

Ashlei: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. May I help you with your order today?

Steven: I have a question regarding upgrading.

Ashlei: Sure, what is it?

Steven: I have a smartphone line with unlimited data. It currently has an upgrade available. If I were to transfer that upgrade to another line, would it get rid of my unlimited data?

Ashlei: Yes, it would, because if you upgrade you would have to remove all of the unlimited data on your line.

Steven: Even if i do not upgrade on the smartphone line?

Ashlei: Yes, that is correct.

Steven: I just spoke to another Verizon rep and he stated that it would not effect my data because I am not upgrading the smartphone line.

Ashlei: I apologize for the misinformation, but if you upgrade anything of the lines on plan and you have unlimited data, you'll have to change it.

ineoxs

pxl - was your dumb phone eligible for upgrade? Mine aren't.

pxl

the dumb line was not eligble for ugrade. i transferred the upgrade from my smart phone to the dumb line.

MichelleLong

I went into Verizon today, transferred my upgrade (smart phone line) to out basic phone line and ordered the iPhone 5. They said when the phone comes in, activate it on the basic phone line and then re-activate the basic phone. Then, wait 24 hours and activate the iPhone on my line -- w/the unlimited data plan. He said it would be as if I brought my own device and I would still have my unlimited data plan. Fingers crossed that it works & I get to keep my unlimited data plan. I will me really #@#%% off otherwise!

Thanks to everyone for sharing the details about this!

Weth

Good luck to you, but everything says this is not going to work and you will lose unlimited data on the smartphone line. You do not really transfer an upgrade, the upgrade is still credited on the line that has the was up for upgrade (your unlimited smart phone line). Once that is done, that line cannot keep unlimited data. Did you get it in writing that you will still have your unlimited data? If not, I suspect your are not going to get what you expected.

MichelleLong

See this thread with the reply from a VZW rep on Oct. 2

https://community.verizonwireless.com/message/879633#879633

Weth

The error in your thinking is that you cannot transfer an upgrade. You can use an upgrade on one line and activate on another line, but the upgrade is not transferred. You are still upgrading the unlimited line and because of that I doubt you will be able to keep unlimited data.

If you have this situation it will work

Line 1 unlimited smartphone not due for upgrade

Line 2 dumb phone due for upgrade

In this situation you can "transfer" the upgrade to line 1 and keep the unlimited data

You have

Line 1 unlimited smartphone due for upgrade

Line 2 dumb phone not due for upgrade

In this situation, if you "transfer" the upgrade from line 1 to line 2, the upgrade is still against line 1. When you go to activate the phone on line 1, you will still need to give up unlimited even though you "transferred" upgrade to line 2. It is not really transferring the upgrade.

Like I said, I hope you get it, but expect you will not get to keep unlimited. This has been discussed in detail in other forums, and others have not kept unlimited.

The key is understanding, you cannot really transfer upgrades, only use upgrades on another line.

eqnox

I believe I am going to try this but I wanted to take it an extra step.

Line 1 - Smartphone in contract

Line 2 - phone in contract

Line 3 - Smartphone w/ unlimited data and $10 additional line waived for smart phone out of contract

Line 4- phone out of contract

Step 1. Upgrade line 4 with a new smartphone

Step 2. Switch new smartphone to line 3

Step 3. Reactivate old phone on line 4

Step 4: Transfer upgrade credit from Line 3 to Line 4

Step 5: Upgrade Line 4 with new standard phone

Out come:

Line 3: New smartphone with unlimited data and $10 discount

Line 4: New phone

Will this work?

Tidbits

No it will not. You are using two upgrades which one has to come from line 3 therefore you'll lose unlimited.

Weth

Your logic breaks down on Step 4. Upgrades are not transferred. You upgrade the line that is eligible, then transfer the phone, not the eligibility to upgrade. So when you do Step 4, you will upgrade line 3 and you will lose unlimited.

akadolka

Is this still true now? I went in to look at the HTC DNA and asked a sales rep about this, he said it was changed in the past 3-4 days and you can no longer do this.

burg3434

Hello,

Did you try this upgrade option? I have 2 lines with unlimited, and one is scheduled for an upgrade. I want to keep unlimited on both lines. If you pulled it off, I will give it a shot.

thanks

burg

Tidbits

If you ever use your upgrade on a line that has unlimited you will lose unlimited. You have to buy the device outright to keep unlimited.

ndahi

I did some calculations and found it cheaper to pay full price and keep my current unlimited plan rather than sign a new 2-year contract and get a share everything plan. The share everything plan with 4-gigs ends up being $110/mon. I currently pay 89.19/mon. Even after I paid $749 for my 32 gig iphone 5, I still come out $49.44 ahead after two years. I know i will not get unlimited calling or tethering, but unlimited data is just too valuable to me. I just hope that Verizon does not force me to get a new contract and allow me to go month-to-month once my current unlimited contract ends in February.

bighot3231

no, you can upgrade for a smart phone but not line 4 basic phone

spike77wbs

I have a slightly different scenario. I have unlimited data (old Alltel connect pack) on a Family plan line that only has a basic phone. Will I be able to purchase an iPhone at full retail and activate it on that line without losing my unlimited data?

unknown

I highly doubt it.

SuzyQ

spike77wbs wrote:
I have a slightly different scenario. I have unlimited data (old Alltel connect pack) on a Family plan line that only has a basic phone. Will I be able to purchase an iPhone at full retail and activate it on that line without losing my unlimited data?

The type of data plan you have, unlimited on a basic phone, is not the same type of data plan you will need for an iPhone. Just like Verizon's old America's Choice "Connect" family plan unlimited data on basic phones, it's not going to work with a smartphone.

joepineapple

Sorry this may have been covered in past posts. But here is my scenario: I would like to upgrade from a Droid 2 to the Galaxy S3. I have two lines on my current plan. Line 1 - Droid 2 with unlimted data. Line 2 - Dumb phone. My plan shows an upgrade is available for line 2 dumb phone. I want to understand what I will need to do to keep my unlimited data from line 1.

1. Upgrade line 2 from dumb phone to Galaxy S3, select to pay the discounted price and the 30.00 data plan.

2. Upon receiving the Galaxy, assign it to line 1 to replace the Droid 2.

3. Call to make sure that I don't get charged the 30.00 data plan that I ordered when I used the line 2 upgrade. Or will verizon realize that I didn't turn on the Galaxy on the line 2 dumb phone line and not charge me for the data plan? In other words, will my entire plan remain unchanged?

Thanks for any help!

Intocable

joepineapple wrote:
Sorry this may have been covered in past posts. But here is my scenario: I would like to upgrade from a Droid 2 to the Galaxy S3. I have two lines on my current plan. Line 1 - Droid 2 with unlimted data. Line 2 - Dumb phone. My plan shows an upgrade is available for line 2 dumb phone. I want to understand what I will need to do to keep my unlimited data from line 1.
1. Upgrade line 2 from dumb phone to Galaxy S3, select to pay the discounted price and the 30.00 data plan.
2. Upon receiving the Galaxy, assign it to line 1 to replace the Droid 2.
3. Call to make sure that I don't get charged the 30.00 data plan that I ordered when I used the line 2 upgrade. Or will verizon realize that I didn't turn on the Galaxy on the line 2 dumb phone line and not charge me for the data plan? In other words, will my entire plan remain unchanged?
Thanks for any help!

upgrade LINE B(dumbphone line) to S3 ..activate S3 on line b(dumbphone) line. then activate s3 on LINE A( droid 2 line) ..activate dumb phone back on LINE B..AND QUICKLY ELIMINATE THE DATA PLAN.

MAKE SURE YOU DONT GO INTO THE SHARE EVERYTHING RIPOFF.

joepineapple

Intocable -

If I op to get the S3 in the mail, can I skip the step of activating it on LINE B and just go ahead and acitvated it on LINE A? Or is that not possible and I go with your directions.

joepineapple

Also how do I cancel the data plan once I switch the phones? Is that something I can do thru my online account or at the store?

xbure9x1

can this all be done online, or do you need to call in to a rep or go to a store??

golson22v

did this work for you as I am told that it will only work if paying full price?

Tpv

So I have a question Line 1 is available for an UPG and has basic phone and my line 2 which has a smartphone w/ UNL data. So if I UPG line 1 with a note 2 and then put the basic phone back on it, move the note 2 to line 2 will I keep UNL still? What about insurance? Also would you recommend to UPG in store or online then switch phones online then get a sim for the note 2 for line 2? I'm kind of impatient and want it ASAP.

JRunner01

Hi All...

Sorry if this has already been mentioned in the previous pages and answered already, but there is a lot of different scenarios going on and I am not sure I have found a similar situation that clearly answers it. I know I heard time after time that if you transfer an upgrade from line 1 to line 2, and line 1 has the unlimited data plan and line 2 has the tiered plan, that you will effectively loose the unlimited plan from line 1 since it was the originator of the transfer \ upgrade and it will be converted to a tiered plan. However I have experienced what appears to be the "loophole" in the online tool for upgrading and wanted to see if I am not going to loose my unlimited data on line 1 based on the experts here or those that may have experienced this same scenario.

What I did is I used the online transfer upgrade tool to first transfer my upgrade from line 1 (unlimited) to line 2 (tiered). I then selected Line 2 as my upgrade device. Selected a new phone (galaxy s4) and kept my existing family share voice plan option. I then left the default selections for my current line 2 plan options for Data (which set to 2gb tiered) and my other normal features. All of these options were indicating "existing plan features" text. After clicking next I was given a pop up that said features added and features removed. The added section contained what I expected as mentioned earlier and the removed had nothing listed. NOW, according to the sales reps who tried doing this with me via the phone while they were logged in to My Verizon account, said when they got this pop up it said the same as my pop up except that theirs also said "unlimited data" as a removed item. I explained my pop up did not but they still insisted it would be removed even though it didn't say it for me for some reason.

I then cancelled the process and the next day spoke to another sales rep via chat and explained all the above and he indicated that if it didn't say it was being dropped then I am good to go and should be fine to keep my unlimited data on line 1. He said that if for some reason it all turns out bad that Customer Service should be able to back it all out for me as if I never did any of it.

So today I took that chance and did it... order submitted. Took screen shots off all the screens as I explained above as hope that I have some recourse if I need to have them back it out or to justify my unlimited data remaining on line 1.

I have no plans of moving the new phone to line 1, it is meant for my line 2 as the phone there is old and tired and needs upgrade sooner that it's line allows.

Can anyone comment if I'm OK to keep line 1 unlimited data?

Thanks in advance !!!

SuzyQ

JRunner01 wrote:
... I know I heard time after time that if you transfer an upgrade from line 1 to line 2, and line 1 has the unlimited data plan and line 2 has the tiered plan, that you will effectively loose the unlimited plan from line 1 since it was the originator of the transfer \ upgrade and it will be converted to a tiered plan. ...
What I did is I used the online transfer upgrade tool to first transfer my upgrade from line 1 (unlimited) to line 2 (tiered). I then selected Line 2 as my upgrade device. ...
So today I took that chance and did it... order submitted. Took screen shots off all the screens as I explained above as hope that I have some recourse if I need to have them back it out or to justify my unlimited data remaining on line 1.
I have no plans of moving the new phone to line 1, it is meant for my line 2 as the phone there is old and tired and needs upgrade sooner that it's line allows.
Can anyone comment if I'm OK to keep line 1 unlimited data?

If you are using Line 1 as the "eligible" line, and purchasing a subsidized (discounted) phone based on that line, then the data will be a 2GB tiered plan. It doesn't matter what line the phone ends up on, what is key is the line eligibility that was used to purchase the discounted device.

IF line 1 remains unlimited, I will be surprised - and you got away with one. Most likely, you will find that Line 1 is now on a tiered 2GB plan as well as Line 2 (which sounds like it already was on a tiered plan). Let us know what your first bill shows....

lewisr13

You are going to lose unlimited as soon as you activate the new phone. By activating the new phone that will activate a new 2 year contract on line 1, causing you to lose unlimited data. If you decide to return the phone after activation you will also be charged a $35 restocking charge.

JRunner01

I just don't get how they can take my unlimited data away from line 1 (as everyone says will happen), without notifying me in the checkout windows. None of the screens ever said anything about loosing or removing an unlimited data plan. All screens were referencing the line 2 that I was upgrading to and as I stated earlier, the "popup" window that you must accept to continue showed nothing being dropped and only my existing line 2 options being carried forward.

The popup has a title at the top for Added Features and the existing plan features for line 2 being re added, and a title for Removed Features, and nothing was there. And even so, if it did have the unlimited data listed there it would be odd since this line doesn't have unlimited data, so it would be misleading to even mention it here. Unless in some way they added a note about line 1 as the actual drop next to the text.

If Verizon is not going to tell their customers in some way during this checkout process that under the hood line 1 is being modified to a tiered 2gb plan, then how is the customer supposed to know? I feel this would be dishonest practice on Verizon's part and my recourse for either getting what I'd expect or if anything reverting it all back with no loss on my end (unlimited data put back and no charge for restocking fee etc.)

Gravik

If I recall from my experience from trying various things - At the beginning of the process there is an innocuous disclaimer that paraphrased to something like "If you have an unlimited data plan, you may lose it when upgrading...bla bla". After that it doesn't mention it again.

The only way I could tell what was going on with my accounts was to log in and out of the website and look at the status of each of my phone accounts.

In my research, I did come across similar scenarios as yours. The one that comes to mind is -
- 2 Unlimited lines ready for upgrade.
- Each upgrade is sent to the opposite phone.
- Activate like normal.
- Unlimited is saved on both lines

Your scenario sounds like 1/2 of that.

Verizon_Support

Hello JRunner01. We want to make it super easy for our customer to manage their account online. Our goal is always to attain and retain your wireless happiness. When a change is made to a mobile number then the user is prompted of such and is required to accept the change before proceed. May I ask what calling plan do you have? I want to ensure that we investigate this concern from all angles for you. I'm looking forward to your reply.

Thank you...

ArnettH_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

JRunner01

FYI... I noticed over the weekend my line 1 now says its contract has been extended to a new 2 yr end date, around 8/2015. This jives with what all have been saying about you are actually renewing the contract from the line your transferring the upgrade from. However, my data still shows unlimited.

I have not received the new phone yet to activate on Line 2 (as it is intended for).

Am I in the clear of keeping unlimited yet?

Thanks in advance...

rcschnoor

Once you activate the new phone, things may change...

Good luck.

skylinefoo24

I have an unlimited line along with

- 1- feature phone

- 1- Tiered Smartphone

- 2- Unlimited Smartphones

My question:

Line A: Unlimited with upgrade

Line B: feature phone

Transfer upgrade to line B, upgrade B with smartphone. Activate phone

on B, then transfer phone to A.

Will I be able to keep unlimited?

rcschnoor

Verizon's policy, though, is that line A would lose unlimited data.

chewy26

Ok, Here is my scenario...

line 1. unlimited plan with no upgrade

line 2. unlimited plan with update

line 3. dumb phone with no update

My solution

step 1. add a NEW line with tiered data plan

step 2. order smartphone (HTC One)

step 3. activate on NEW line

step 4. then move HTC One to unlimited plan- Line 1

step 5. activate a dumb phone to NEW line

step 6. downgrade tiered data plan to dumb line.

Will this work to get a new phone to line 1 without losing unlimited?

Thanks

tikibar1

chewy26 wrote:
Ok, Here is my scenario...
line 1. unlimited plan with no upgrade
line 2. unlimited plan with update
line 3. dumb phone with no update
My solution
step 1. add a NEW line with tiered data plan
step 2. order smartphone (HTC One)
step 3. activate on NEW line
step 4. then move HTC One to unlimited plan- Line 1
step 5. activate a dumb phone to NEW line
step 6. downgrade tiered data plan to dumb line.
Will this work to get a new phone to line 1 without losing unlimited?
Thanks

Yes. Once you put the basic phone on the new line, you can drop the data plan (I'm assuming that's what you mean by 'downgrade tiered data plan'). Keep in mind that if you cancel the new line before the contract is complete, the ETF will be based on the smartphone purchased rather than the basic phone that's on it. Also, the warranty on the new phone may or may not transfer.

chewy26

Thanks for your response

Merlin3100

That is not what was asked. The new contract is on the dumb phone line, not the unlimited line. The unlimited line is just going to have the new smart phone associated with the unlimited number. The big question is, when you start any plan, is the a grace window like 10-14 days where you can still change your mind and turn of the new data plan and go back to an old plan. Like the dumb phone?

Merlin3100

So your saying the line with the dumb phone if upgraded to a smart phone where a data plane is now connected to the once dumb phone number, and then dropped in 3-4 days, your not dropping a contract line, your just turning on and off features on a given line. Correct?

When upgrading a line to a smart phone where you get the discounted price, does Verizon require you to keep the phone on the given plan to keep the phone at the discounted price or will you them have to pay Verizon the difference?

rcschnoor

IF you upgrade a line by purchasing a smartphone, it is NOT required to keep that smartphone on the line for the length of the contract. AT ANY TIME, you can reactivate a dumb phone on that line and THEN drop the data plan if you so choose. You are then free to do whatever you would like to do with that smartphone.

Keep in mind, the line you purchased the smartphone MUST stay active, but it does not need to be active with that smartphone. Any phone will do. If you decide to cancel the line, though, the ETF on that line will be that of a smartphone which starts at $350 and drops by $10 for each month of the contract you complete.

Merlin3100

Thank you very much. Let me ask you this;

I have 2 smart phones w/unlimited 4G, and 3 dumb phones, and 1 USB modem on a 4G 5GB plan (month to month). I know the smart phone SIM's will work in the modem. Can I do a AOL on another unlimited plan from someone giving it up and somehow move that plan over to my USB modem?

Where I'm located 3G or 4G is the only connection to the outside internet world. 5GB is NOTHING and can be used up VERY fast.