Cannot Upgrade Phone without Upgrading Plan? What is going on?

[TheCaffiend]

I have been with Verizon for over 10 years and have  upgraded my phone several times over the year, once I am eligible every few years. I am on a plan with my family under the "new verizon plan unlimited" plan. 

I have been told on my Verizon app/account messages over the last few months that I am eligible for another free upgrade to the Iphone 17  Pro. Great! So I follow the link and it tells me that I can only get a discounted upgrade on my phone if I sign up for the Unlimited Ultimate plan, which is a hefty $90 per month, PER LINE, $40 a month more than it is with our plan now, split up amongst the 4 of us on the family plan!

So you're telling me that I cannot upgrade my phone (unless I want to pay its full retail price) unless I sign up for a phone service that will cost me an additional $600 a year in monthly plan costs? That sure sounds like it isn't a free upgrade, but rather a long-term phone plan. I need someone from Verizon to reach out to me and help me with an actual free upgrade on my phone, because forcing people to pay more for a plan they don't need, just to get an upgrade on a phone that I've received a free upgrade on in the past, is not right and should be remedied.

[SynthpopAddict]

Unfortunately, promotions only apply to current plans.  Not sure why the ads are appearing in your account since your existing plan doesn't qualify.  If you don't want to switch plans, you can shut off the marketing in your account settings.