[Instruction] How to get a new phone and keep (legacy) Unlimited Data on Verizon

[JulesJam]

Re: Methods that will allow you to both get a subsidized phone and keep UDP after 8/24/14

Flying Arrow Method​

I have never tried the Flying Arrow Method myself, but here it is:

Flying Arrow Method

Please read through FlyingArrow's instructions yourself to confirm that I have interpreted his post correctly as I have not tried this myself.

This method is for an account that has multiple UDP lines and no basic or tiered data lines to transfer UDP upgrades to. These instructions are for a 2 UDP line account, but the method should work for accounts with more than 2 UDP lines.

The key is to activate the new smartphone on a UDP line different from the one whose upgrade was used to purchase the new smartphone AND to NOT select activate the new phone that was shipped but rather, select activate a phone that has not been on the account previously.

1) Log onto Verizon online and select Upgrade My Device;
2) Select UDP Line #1’s upgrade but purchase the smartphone you want for UDP Line #2;
3) Select the 2GB data plan for UDP Line #1; and
4) When the new smartphone arrives, log onto Verizon online and activate it on UDP Line #2 but DO NOT SELECT ACTIVATE THE NEW PHONE THAT WAS SHIPPED, instead click on the link that allows you to activate a different phone that you haven’t had on your account previously.

Although I haven't tried it myself, it seems like you should be able to just use UDP Line #2's existing SIM card rather than the SIM card the phone shipped with and thus avoid the online activation altogether. But of course, then you get into the issue of SIM card mismatch if the new smartphone uses a different size SIM card. Please do not clutter this thread with questions about SIM card mismatches - cutters, adapters, requesting new SIM cards, etc.


To use UDP Line #2’s upgrade:

1) Log onto Verizon online and select Upgrade My Device;
2) Select UDP Line #2’s upgrade but purchase the smartphone you want for UDP Line #1;
3) Select the 2GB data plan for UDP Line #2; and
4) When the new smartphone arrives, log onto Verizon online and activate it on UDP Line #1 but DO NOT SELECT ACTIVATE THE NEW PHONE THAT WAS SHIPPED, instead click on the link that allows you to activate a different phone that you haven’t had on your account previously.


The reason this method appears to work is because you do not activate the new subsidized smartphone on the UDP line whose upgrade was used to purchase it AND because you do NOT select activate the new subsidized smartphone that shipped; rather you activate it as if it were a non-subsidized smartphone that had never been on your account before.

This method seems like it would be pretty easy for Verizon to defeat with only minimal changes to their system. It's clear that Verizon is on a mission to exterminate every last UDP so I wouldn’t put it past them to come up with a way to stop this method from working.

 

[dj1807]

Re: Verizon: How to keep Unlimited Data and get phone on subsidized price

um, not really. What will happen then (and I think the Verizon memo to its CSRs said after August 24th, so I think that means beginning on the 25th) if you use a basic phone line's upgrade to purchase a subsidized phone, the basic line will have to keep the data plan for 2 years regardless of whether or not you put a basic phone back on the line.

The memo didn't address upgrades transferred to a basic line nor did it address the multi-UDP line Flying Arrow method or the single line Best Buy method.

So I have a relative on a dumb line with no desire to use his upgrade. Does this mean if I used his upgrade to purchase a new smartphone, the data plane wouldn't fall off after putting the flip phone back on the line?

I was thinking of using his upgrade for the new Note 4 when it hits, replacing original phone back on that line to free up the Note 4, then put the Note 4 on my ULD line by switching out the SIM in my RAZR Maxx with the SIM of the Note 4.

1. Is this plan possible or have I got some part of it wrong. please advise with corrections if I have something incorrect or missing.

2. Will the Verizon policy above prevent any such attempt?

 

[JulesJam]

Re: Verizon: How to keep Unlimited Data and get phone on subsidized price

So I have a relative on a dumb line with no desire to use his upgrade. Does this mean if I used his upgrade to purchase a new smartphone, the data plane wouldn't fall off after putting the flip phone back on the line?

Correct - if you do that after the 24th of August, your relative would be stuck with a 2 year commitment to a data plan. Before then, the data plan will drop off.

 

[shortwave8669]

Re: Verizon: How to keep Unlimited Data and get phone on subsidized price

So I am on BB website now and there are multiple warnings about losing your UDP when upgrading, was this the same for you when you tried it 2 weeks ago? I want to be sure that it works, I'm like the rest of the folks in here, I dont want to lose my UDP. BTW, I am eligible for an upgrade.

The warning is normal.

Be sure to select UPGRADE and KEEP MY EXISTING PLAN.

Take screenshots of each page as you go through the purchase and checkout to show the BB site says "keep existing plan."

BB may take up to 3 business days to ship your phone. But BB will charge the credit card almost immediately

 

[pnjabimunda8]

Re: Best Buy Mobile lets me keep Unlimited Data Plan on Verizon?

yes, since the Flying Arrow method works, that is the key.

Flying arrow methond as well as Costco and Amazon also seems to be working. So I think the it really doesn't matter if you select keep current plan or not as long as you put your old sim when activating the phone. Man if Verizon closes this loop we all be ****ed.

 

[JulesJam]

Re: Best Buy Mobile lets me keep Unlimited Data Plan on Verizon?

as well as Costco and Amazon also seems to be working.

So you can do the Best Buy method with Costco and Amazon and not lose UDP? What about the secondary ETF that Amazon charges if you downgrade the data plan? UDP is $29.99/mo and 2GB of data is $30/mo so UDP is a downgrade compared to 2GB according to Amazon.

 

[pnjabimunda8]

Re: Best Buy Mobile lets me keep Unlimited Data Plan on Verizon?

So you can do the Best Buy method with Costco and Amazon and not lose UDP? What about the secondary ETF that Amazon charges if you downgrade the data plan? UDP is $29.99/mo and 2GB of data is $30/mo so UDP is a downgrade compared to 2GB according to Amazon.

I have not done Amazon or Costco method but it works just like Bestbuy. On amazon and Costco you have to select a data plan but when the phone arrives just activate with the old sim. People on slickdeals are doing it and if you want go there and ask them. There reporting success so far.

 

[JulesJam]

Re: Best Buy Mobile lets me keep Unlimited Data Plan on Verizon?

I have not done Amazon or Costco methond but it works just like Bestbuy. On amazon and costco you have to select a data plan but when the phone arrives just activate with the old sim. People on slickdeals are doing it and if you want go there and ask them. There reporting success so far.

thanks, but Amazon has a $400 secondary ETF and they have your credit card info so I would not risk it with Amazon. Neither Best Buy nor Costco have a secondary ETF.

Remember that the secondary ETF has nothing at all to do with Verizon - it is a separate contract between you and Amazon. I will check slickdeals, thanks.

 

[shortwave8669]

Re: Best Buy Mobile lets me keep Unlimited Data Plan on Verizon?

I went through the process, chose to keep my same plan and got this message pop-up. Did this happen to everyone who was successful or is this new? I exited after seeing this not wanting to risk it.

I bought my Galaxy Note 3 two weeks ago on the BB site and saw that same screen.

It should be OK. I have my UDP and you should be able to keep yous as well.

Take screenshots of each page of the purchase/checkout process so that "keep existing plan" is shown.
Is BB shipping the G3 now?

Good luck

 

[luohan]

Re: Methods that will allow you to both get a subsidized phone and keep UDP after 8/24/14

What about transferring an upgrade from a basic line to a tiered line? Will that be possible after the 24th? Would the basic line be required to have data for 24 months? Thanks

 

[JulesJam]

Re: Methods that will allow you to both get a subsidized phone and keep UDP after 8/24/14

What about transferring an upgrade from a basic line to a tiered line? Will that be possible after the 24th? Would the basic line be required to have data for 24 months? Thanks

yes, it should be b/c when the upgrade is transferred from the basic line to the tiered line and used to purchase a subsidized phone on the tiered line, it is the basic phone's contract that is extended so it should be the basic phone's line that has the parallel data requirement.

 

[BrettWard]

Re: Best Buy Mobile lets me keep Unlimited Data Plan on Verizon?

Another curve ball. The only option now is to do an in-store pick-up at BB. It's my understanding it won't work unless it's shipped directly to me. Any advice?

 

[shortwave8669]

Re: Best Buy Mobile lets me keep Unlimited Data Plan on Verizon?

Another curve ball. The only option now is to do an in-store pick-up at BB. It's my understanding it won't work unless it's shipped directly to me. Any advice?

There MIGHT be some safe way to do an in-store pickup and keep UDP- but I DON'T KNOW HOW.

If it were me (and someone else doesn't explain how to safely do in-store pickup) I would cancel the order.
FYI I have only been following this topic for a month.

 

[JulesJam]

Re: Best Buy Mobile lets me keep Unlimited Data Plan on Verizon?

There MIGHT be some safe way to do an in-store pickup and keep UDP- but I DON'T KNOW HOW.

There is no safe way to do an in-store pickup because you cannot control what the best buy employee will do. Some will go to the back to get your phone and turn it on in the back and bring it out to you already opened and turned on. At that point you have lost your UDP.

Others will bring it out and open it before you and while you are arguing with them not to turn it on, they do it anyhow in the blink of an eye and you lose your UDP.

You can try and ask them if you can use another SIM card but if they understand anything at all about how the Verizon commissions work they will know that will cause Best Buy to lose their commission and won't let you do it.

Some people have claimed to have convinced a best buy employee to let them walk out of the store with an unactivated phone. That is not only rare, it is totally against Best Buy's policy so you have to be lucky enough to choose the day a complete fool is working the in-store pick-up counter. Most all of the BB employees know not to let you do that.

 

[Droid3r]

Re: Best Buy Mobile lets me keep Unlimited Data Plan on Verizon?

Someone mentions that if you lose your phone and or sim. When you go to vzw to get another sim.. Vzw will activate your new sim with tiered data. Is that true???

 

[kay2014]

Re: Methods that will allow you to both get a subsidized phone and keep UDP after 8/24/14

Single Line Best Buy Method​

Of course if you have an individual plan, you can’t transfer an upgrade. That leaves the Single Line Best Buy Method as your option. Note that Motomaker uses the Best Buy ordering system so this method will work on MotoMaker, too.

1) Go to Best Buy online;
2) Add the smartphone you want to your cart;
3) Check to see if you are eligible for an upgrade – it will warn you if you have UDP that you will lose it if you upgrade; ignore the warning;
4) Go through with the purchase and select Keep Existing Plan and have the new smartphone mailed to you, DO NOT PICK UP IN STORE;
5) When the smartphone arrives, DO NOT TURN IT ON;
6) Remove the SIM card that came with the smartphone and stomp on it, spit on it, cut it with scissors and then set the pieces on fire, or in the alternative, just dispose of it in a trash can;
7) Put your old smartphone’s SIM card in the new smartphone and turn it on; and
8) Log onto Verizon online and confirm that you still have UDP and the new smartphone is on your UDP line.


The reason this works is because the SIM card the phone ships with is associated with your account and when you activate the new smartphone using that SIM card, the Verizon system is programmed to kick you off of UDP even if you did not select a new data plan when you ordered the phone. By discarding the SIM card the phone ships with, you defeat that mechanism (i.e., the switch order). So do not turn the new smartphone on until you get that toxic SIM card out of the device.

BONUS - some users have reported that because the switch order was never completed they were never charged the upgrade fee by Verizon.

And do not select pick up in store because they will not let you leave without activating the phone with the SIM card it shipped with. Even if you tell them not to, they will open the package and in the blink of an eye turn the phone on. At that instant, you will have lost your UDP so don't risk it.

If you are contacted by Best Buy after you place your order due to a problem with your order requiring that Verizon be contacted, CANCEL THE ORDER. Numerous people here have lost their UDP when Verizon was involved in the process.

Again, if the new smartphone has a different size SIM card from your old smartphone, please refer to the many posts/threads about cutting down SIM cards, SIM adapters or how to request a new SIM card from Verizon. Please do not clutter up this thread with questions about how to deal with a SIM card mismatch issue. Start a new thread if you must.

I saw this on an earlier post from last year and am worried if I just take the sim out of my S3 and put it into the new phone. Just want to make sure I'm doing it right....

3)Once you receive your new phone, activate it onto the line that you used to upgrade which will deactivate the current phone on that line. <--This is very important. You CANNOT just activate the newly purchased phone directly to another line because you must first activate it on the line you used to upgrade to complete the upgrade and subsidized price process. If you were to activate directly to a line other than the line you used to upgrade and that line had unlimited data, you would lose unlimited because Verizon would think you used that unlimited line to purchased the upgrade.
(a)In order to be able to purchase a smartphone using an upgrade of a basic line, you will have to temporarily add a data plan that will be removed almost immediately. Verizon will most likely charge a prorated data plan cost at $1 provided you selected the $30 2gb plan stated in STEP (2)<--This is a cost that I have not been able to verify yet but I have been told you may have to pay a little more or nothing at all.

(4)Now that you have activated the new smartphone onto the basic line, it's time to free that nice new phone up to be used on your unlimited line. In order to do that, you have to reactivate which ever phone was originally on the line that you used to upgrade. This will deactivate the new phone and free it up for activation and use on your unlimited line and it will also drop the data plan that you had to add provided you reactivated a basic phone back to its number. I would still call VZW and make sure that the data plan has dropped but it should do so automatically.

 

[luohan]

Methods that will allow you to both get a subsidized phone and keep UDP after...

yes, it should be b/c when the upgrade is transferred from the basic line to the tiered line and used to purchase a subsidized phone on the tiered line, it is the basic phone's contract that is extended so it should be the basic phone's line that has the parallel data requirement.

Oh well, there goes my idea for the iPhone 6. Thanks

 

[JulesJam]

Re: Methods that will allow you to both get a subsidized phone and keep UDP after 8/24/14

I saw this on an earlier post from last year and am worried if I just take the sim out of my S3 and put it into the new phone. Just want to make sure I'm doing it right....

I have always first activated on the basic line and then switched the phone to the UDP line, but others here say you don't have to do that - that you can just pop your old SIM card into your new smartphone without first activating it on the basic line.

However, the S3 has a micro SIM and the newer smartphones mostly take nano SIMs so you wouldn't be able to use the S3 SIM card without cutting it down anyhow. So do this:

1. Activate the new smartphone on the basic line;
2. Put the basic phone back onto the basic line;
3. If the data plan doesn't drop off of the basic line, block data on the line; and
4. Put the new smartphone on the UDP line.

 

[JulesJam]

Re: Methods that will allow you to both get a subsidized phone and keep UDP after...

Oh well, there goes my idea for the iPhone 6. Thanks

I am sure the iPhone 6 is why they are implementing this now.

You could get another phone like the G3, M8 or S5 before the 25th and sell it and then use the proceeds to put toward an iPhone 6. That's what I would do if I had a basic phone upgrade available, but I don't.

 

[JulesJam]

Re: Best Buy Mobile lets me keep Unlimited Data Plan on Verizon?

Someone mentions that if you lose your phone and or sim. When you go to vzw to get another sim.. Vzw will activate your new sim with tiered data. Is that true???

No, it is not. However, underhanded Verizon CSRs have done that to people, but that is totally wrong for them to do that to people and not at all in line with Verizon's policy. They get bonuses if the eliminate a UDP so that is why they might do it. But again, they are not supposed to do that.

You can request a new SIM card over the phone and one will be mailed to you. I generally avoid the stores.