We appreciate all of our customers and want to help save money in any way we can. The activation/upgrade fee applies when any device is activated to cover the costs of bringing on a new line of service or device and powering our network.
Using our self-service option can help cut these fees in half. Also, you can also check if your current device qualifies for our Device Trade-In Program to help offset some or all of the fees. If you trade in your old device, you can get a bill credit or Verizon gift card for the appraised value of the old device.
JenelleR_VZW
All carriers charge them. You're welcome to pay upwards to over a grand out of pocket for a new phone if you want to save a one time $20 charge.
When a person already has a phone on your network, and is merely swapping out a SIM card into the new one, there is NO additional work that happens on your network. Therefore, there is no need to charge anyone a huge fee like that. It's not a NEW line, it's changing a device on an EXISTING line.
Just need clarification on this upgrade fee please? As I understand it, if you go into the store for your upgrade and receive the full in store experience including assistance getting everything transferred to your new phone that charge is $40. If you purchase online and set it up yourself, that is a $20 charge?
I'm sorry for any confusion about the $40 one-time charge for upgrades, SENO12. Allow me to clarify this one-time charge for you. An upgrade fee is applicable to all upgrades (see details on number 2 at https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/upgrade-device-faqs/). The $40 upgrade fee can be reduced by 50% if you process your upgrade online or with the My Verizon App.
We make every effort to be transparent with all the charges associated with upgrades, and this is why we have this information readily available on the public website at the above link.
Are there any other Verizon Wireless questions that we can answer for you today?
AntonioC_VZW
This post makes no sense. The FAQ page reads:
The upgrade fee is $20 when upgrading through the My Verizon app or My Verizon online ($40 when activating in a store or by phone).
Yet when I go to my account online to upgrade, the fee is $40. It states:
We are concerned to hear that you are being charged a $40.00 Upgrade Fee especially considering that you are doing this online. We will be glad to look into the issue to help you figure this out. Is there any way that you can send us a screenshot of where you are seeing this information? Have you tried to refresh your browser to see if the issue continues? DavidR_VZW
A valid charge - are you serious? I'm being charge the upgrade for replacing a stolen phone that was already on Verizon. I replaced an iPhone 8 with an identical iPhone 8 and Verizon wants to charge me an upgrade fee for the replacement phone. Nothing like getting robbed twice!
How does Verizon consider calling this an upgrade fee when I am replacing a stolen phone that was already on Version with an identical phone? No upgrade in hardware or capability.
Very sad to see a company try to use the words "upgrade" for "replacement" to siphon money from customers.
Yes, it is a valid charge. Verizon charges a fee when you purchase a phone from them. You are simply complaining because it is called an "upgrade" fee. Instead of having multiple fees for exactly the same thing("upgrade fee", "phone purchase fee", "phone replacement fee", etc...) Verizon simply uses the same term as an umbrella of this type of fee. Technically, you "upgraded" from not having a phone to having a phone. Regardless if you purchase a phone that is EXACTLY what you previously had or a better/newer model, you will be charged this fee.
NEXT time you want to purchase an iPhone, purchase it directly from Apple and choose the "unlocked" version. This way you will not be charged an "upgrade" fee. Then you can simply move the SIM card from your old device to your new device. The only difference between the "unlocked" version and the "Verizon" version is that the "Verizon" version comes with a Verizon SIM card. In the past, Verizon didn't charge for new SIM cards you request to be sent to you. I don't know if that is still the case, but you could have purchased the unlocked version and then requested to have a new SIM card to be shipped to you. Them you may or may not have had to pay for a new Verizon SIM card, depending on their current policy. Purchasing the Verizon version of the device means you didn't have to go thru the extra steps in order to get a new SIM card.
My apologies, shaneswartz. This fee is standard across any carrier. I know you technically did not upgrade. This fee is charged anytime a phone is purchased and activated on your line. The phone's make or model would not matter. This fee goes towards activating the device on our network, and also invested into improving our network as well.
MarshallP_VZW
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