Can I upgrade early and leave unlimited data plan?

[Kyla1234]

After it came out that Verizon would be adding $20 to the unlimited plans I checked into upgrading early. I'm currently on a 2 year contract still with the unlimited data. Verizon confirmed that it ends in March. I've also been told by 2 reps one being a store manager, that we can upgrade early and change over to the newer plan and pay for the phone per month. I call in today to upgrade and the guy tells me that I couldn't.

He also didn't know much about the $20 fee per line, or the fact that after this weekend they will charge $20 upgrade fees. It took a bit being on hold for him to find the info on it and then quickly said no we can't upgrade. Didn't want to go through the past account notes to check and see any info that might be in there. Been having some issues lately so I've had to call in a few times.

So I'm completely confused! If getting people off these unlimited plans is such a big deal why not let them upgrade early as long as they are staying with Verizon?

[Snn5]

Normally Early Upgrades are not allowed until much closer to contract end dates.  This effectively cancels the contract and the contract phone is returned to compensate for the ETF in lieu of actual money.  Current customers on contract can switch to the new plan at anytime, with no upgrade, and get the plan rate advertised, but the access fee isn't $20, it stays $40 until the end of the contract.

[Kyla1234]

What?!

When the rep broke down the pricing we would get the 18 GB for $100 a month and then $20 per each line (2) because we already have phones. So the plan would stay around what we have right now which is $145ish per month. Actually a tiny bit less because I would be dropping the insurance on my line.

So it's $40 per line and not the $20?

I'm getting frustrated because I don't want any surprises on my next bill if changes are made. I'm also curious if my plan even falls under the new $20 fee after our contract ends since our plan was never through Verizon's unlimited. We have an Alltel Friends & Family with the unlimited data built in.

[MiiHere]

The data portion of your plan is NOT a contract, which is why you're allowed to change your data whenever you please. Get more data, get less data, your choice. Your PHONE however is in contract. You bought that phone for a discounted rate, and in order to make up for that you're access line fee is $40. You must finish out that contract, so even on the new plans your line access fee will be $40, and once you're no longer in contract on the new plans it will drop down to $20 (though you may have to call in order for this to happen.)

If you're offered early upgrade, you must turn in the phone that is currently on contract, this also makes up for you getting the phone at a discounted rate when you originally purchased it. At that point you can get a new phone on the DPP, but again this is something that has to be offered to you. Not everyone qualifies.

[Snn5]

Contract lines are $40 access until the end of the contract.

The new plan, which is NOT a contract, is $20.

This is because on contract, the subsidized phone cost is included in the $40. (No such thing as a free phone, or a $600 Smartphone for $200)

On a payment plan or BYOD, or if you already have your phone paid off or are out of contract, the line charge (access fee) is lowered.

Reps come and go, training is incomplete or sparse and the things we know here on the Forums is because of our length of time here, through all the plan and promo changes.  It is quite possible that a rep can get very confused trying to offer or understand any old plan, especially Alltel plans, that is no longer offered or has any info displayed on their screen.  Early Upgrades are generally a huge hassle due to the condition of the returned phone, the time waiting for return to warehouse and acceptance/approval of the returned phone, the charges that might still be incurred (upwards of $299) and other details that are hard to remember or explain because honestly, the reps sell what is in front of them, not try to figure out the workarounds of the system.

[Kyla1234]

Snn5 & MiiHere-

How would you find out if you're excluded from the $20 per line increase for unlimited after the contract ends? From my understanding on what I've read so far this fee will only be applied to the unlimited accounts who started out with Verizon and not the ones that were acquired when Verizon took over Alltel.

[Snn5]

It applies to all unlimited accounts.  All unlimited accounts will be raised $20.  No exclusions except for government and some business contracts.  Customers under contract will not see the increase until the month after contract ends.

[Kyla1234]

Here is the post http://www.droid-life.com/2015/10/08/verizons-20-unlimited-price-hike-more-details-about-who-it-impa...

It states

• If you have a really old plan, like a Legacy Alltel SmartChoice plan, where the unlimited data portion is built into the plan, you are also not affected.

I do not pay for my data separately, it's built into my smart pack plan for 110 a month. The wording is what has me questioning it since my data has never be separate.

Another post on Droidforums says the same thing and says a smart choice plans. But with this being so long ago I don't remember if there was a difference.

PHEW! That Was A Close One! Legacy Unlimited Plans Unaffected By Verizon Price Hike! | Android Forum...

[Snn5]

Are you under contract?  If not, then this can affect you.  If you are, then no affect until that fact.  Plus, Verizon will at a later date raise the price again, that time fewer will be exempt.  Then, the price will rise again.  And, if not, you'll need a new phone.  Then you'll either buy full price from Verizon or elsewhere, or have to move over to a DPP and even then, there is a new activation fee on phones after Nov 15, then even after that....(yeah the increase will come) there will be another increase until it's just not feasible.

[MiiHere]

Verizon seems to have just reached a point where unlimited data isn't worth it, hence the raise. My thoughts are they won't be sad to see you change your plans as to avoid the increase, that is their goal, even if that that means leaving Verizon.

In comparison to what I'm paying now, the new plants aren't TERRIBLE, but what stinks is having a phone in contract when you switch because you can't get that $20 line access fee.

[Snn5]

Well, if Verizon can get some folks off UDPs then some folks might see where they are overpaying really vs what they use.  Also, DPP means that customers will stick around longer.  The idea is not always a contract of service, but maybe an agreement for a device.  Someone pays a little along the way for a phone, then they stay on Verizon, Verizon makes money.

[Kyla1234]

What is DPP?

[Snn5]

Device Payment Plan

[Snn5]

Way back when, at least 5 years ago, Alltel separated data and voice.  At least my plan was.

[Snn5]

I suppose the best question to ask is:  What is the name of the plan on your Verizon Bill?

[Kyla1234]

Appears on my bill as - Friends & Family 10 Smart Pack 1200 109.99

[Snn5]

Have you compared the amount of data you use to the prices of other plans?

[Kyla1234]

Average is 16GB/17GB more depending on if my husband works out of town and for length of time. 

Currently we pay (with discount) $143 (including taxes) a month for 2 lines.

The new plan we would have to go with the 18GB and then limit/stress how much we use.

So $100 and then $40 per line. If we switched right now while still in contract. With discount it would be apx $175 with taxes.

If we were allowed to upgrade now we would trade our devices in on the Turbo 2 and use that $200 credit per line as payment (already spoken to store manager who said we could do this). The phones would then be apx $18 a month after that. Then 2- $20 line charges and then $80 for the 18GB with our discount. Total is apx $165ish with taxes.

[Snn5]

If you are under contract you will be returning the phones, not getting credit for them.  Having no contract the lines would be $20 each.  Phones on DPPs are a set amount each month and no credit will adjust the total price divided by 24 months.  You can say that the credit, if you had one, would be applied to the bill but not each phone payment.  The only way to trade in your phones for credit is if you were out of contract.  But, I'm not sure you have answered that question yet.

[Kyla1234]

Yes, as stated I'm still in contract, the contract runs out in March '16. If that't what your referring to as not answered yet?

"You can say that the credit, if you had one, would be applied to the bill but not each phone payment."

I was told the exact opposite, It was said as long as your trading a device in inside a store that the phone trade in credit would be subtracted from the total cost of the phone and then the monthly price would be adjusted.

[Snn5]

That sounds like salesman sophistry.  I asked about a trade in credit not 2 days ago and basically the money is the money either way, it's a matter of how you word where and when it is spent.  Example:  Take a $200 credit, you save $200 on the bill, that might include the phone payment, but when that $200 credit is spent, you go back to the usual monthly payment price and the service and data costs.  Again, still $200 credit, but it doesn't change the price of the phone payments unless you made a large down payment of $200.  However, being under contract, IF you were to be allowed an Early Upgrade, the current contract phones would have to be turned in to compensate for the Early Termination Fee, since you would be cancelling that contract so that you could upgrade early.  You wouldn't receive credit for contract phones that were used on contract lines where the contract terms were not fulfilled to term.