How does adding a line work?

[Jon_Cox]

Gents and Madams,

So I am ineligible to upgrade until October this year. I sold my iPhone 4 for a couple reasons- one I didn't enjoy iOS on a phone and second, I wanted a new iPad. So I have been using a cheap go phone in an attempt to hold me over until October. It's been a more difficult transition than I anticipated. I just don't want put out the money for a new phone off-contract and someone mentioned that I could add a line on our AT&T Family Plan and use that phone. After having played with a co-workers Galaxy S2, I have become pretty smitten with the phone.

Basically, I don't know the ins and outs and if this is a really good plan. I'm not super set on the latest tech but I was impressed with the Galaxy S2 and I don't want to spend a huge amount of money.

Thoughts?

and Thanks!

-Jon

 

[pazzo02]

Well, if you have no use for an additional line other than to get a discount on a smartphone, that's not a good idea. The line alone will cost $240 over the life of the contract, plus I believe they will require a minimum data package on the line, wether or not you keep the phone on that line, since you used it to get the discount. So that's another $480 over 2 years. I think you'd better off paying the no-contract price.

 

[AZbear]

I did this to get my wife's iPhone. AT&T told me the steps to follow.

1. Open new line
2. After a day or so switch new phone to existing line.
3. Buy a cheapo Gophone (~$15-$20)
4. Call AT&T or go into store and have them setup the GoPhone on the new line and drop the data plan.

End results

Phone for subsidized price plus $10/month($240) for unused line. In my case I gave it to my grandson for texting.

Is it worth the extra $240? maybe/maybe not but it was still quite a bit cheaper than the off contract price.

 

[for3nsicguy]

Take a look at this site:

www.swappa.com

It is a site to buy/sell used android phones in good condition. You could most likely pick up a GS2 for less than half of the off contract price.

Sent from my HTC PH39100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[ravyn80]

If you're on a single plan, you'll have to up your rate plan to add a line. This could add an additional $30 depending on the rate plan you're currently on. I would probably stick to the go phone a few more months, or, there is a cheap Android phone you can get through go phone that you can use and familiarize yourself with.

But, for the most part, I wouldn't suggest it. It would probably end up costing you more than buying a phone outright would. Also, if you do, they will not make you keep the data plan on the line. It would be a cross upgrade type thing. They would take off the data charges from the added line and put it on your main line. The new line would remain at $9.99 a month. Cheapest Family Plan is $69.99 for two lines...with all the trimmings you're looking at around $129.99, before tax, for both lines. ($30 unlimited text, plus $30 for 3gb) Hope this helps.

At&t dealer....just to let ya know. Always steer my customers to the little green man.

 

[here4kids]

Can he get the additional line then in Oct drop the old one? Anyway att would switch numbers so he can keep his original #?