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

[shortwave8669]

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

and i think when i upgraded my phone, i remember a popup along the way specifically mentioning to keep my existing plan, but today there was no such option anywhere.

My earlier advice in bold text and large font wasn't directed to you but for the next person who is thinking of placing an order without reading through all the earlier posts- just to be clear. There is nothing less useful than after-the-fact-advice

At this point you probably have to ride it out and see if the phone works as the Best Buy rep. suggests.

be prepared to return the phone if your plan changes.​

Keep all boxes and invoices in case you have to return the phone within the 14day return period back to Best Buy

 

[y2jasper]

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

My earlier advice in bold text and large font wasn't directed to you but for the next person who is thinking of placing an order without reading through all the earlier posts- just to be clear. There is nothing less useful than after-the-fact-advice

At this point you probably have to ride it out and see if the phone works as the Best Buy rep. suggests.

be prepared to return the phone if your plan changes.​

Keep all boxes and invoices in case you have to return the phone within the 14day return period back to Best Buy

I think I might have made it confusing by the way I stated the events. Last month i upgraded my phone with no problem and have unlimited data (i was also a secondary line on the account). Today I'm trying to upgrade my brothers phone, who is eligible for upgrade and also still has UDP. my first attempt at ordering the phone, i got a message saying there was a problem with the order, i called and cancelled my order after the representative said i would have to lose my UDP. I got a cancellation email and also checking the verizon account it still says unlimited data.

then i tried it a second time, and again i got another email saying there is a problem with the order, and i haven't done anything since then (because i cant find how to cancel the order without calling again).

so as of now there isnt any order for my brothers line thats been completed. first one was cancelled and second one is asking me to call to continue again.

 

[shortwave8669]

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

I think I might have made it confusing by the way I stated the events. Last month i upgraded my phone with no problem and have unlimited data (i was also a secondary line on the account). Today my first attempt at ordering the phone, i got a message saying there was a problem with the order, i called and cancelled my order after the representative said i would have to lose my UDP. I got a cancellation email and also checking the verizon account it still says unlimited data.

then i tried it a second time, and again i got another email saying there is a problem with the order, and i haven't done anything since then (because i cant find how to cancel the order without calling again).

so as of now there isnt any order for my brothers line thats been completed. first one was cancelled and second one is asking me to call to continue again.

You may have to call Best Buy at the number they provided. If you do- DO NOT PROVIDE ANY VZW INFO except the phone number related to the order. Tell them to cancel that order if you must.

The BB rep. may tell you they have to check with VZW and need your VZW login info to do that. DO NOT PROVIDE THAT EXTRA INFO. Insist on cancelling the order, if they want any VZW info to "complete the order." Verizon is NOT BOUND by what any Best Buy employee tells a customer. So if a BB rep. says "oh everything is fine and you have UDP" it doesn't mean VZW has to honor that promise.

I hope that helps answer your question

 

[shortwave8669]

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

so as of now there isnt any order for my brothers line thats been completed. first one was cancelled and second one is asking me to call to continue again.

It could be that there may be a balance due on your brother's line???
These orders will generate automatic "problem emails" if a balance is still due on the line. The account has to be up to date and current when an order is placed for everything to go through smoothly.

I will say that I am no expert on the line-swap-upgrade method so I'm just offering advice based on what others have seen using the method. If my advice doesn't help you may want to search much earlier in this forum thread for the best way to move forward

 

[y2jasper]

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

It could be that there may be a balance due on your brother's line???
These orders will generate automatic "problem emails" if a balance is still due on the line. The account has to be up to date and current when an order is placed for everything to go through smoothly.

I will say that I am no expert on the line-swap-upgrade method so I'm just offering advice based on what others have seen using the method. If my advice doesn't help you may want to search much earlier in this forum thread for the best way to move forward

There is no longer a balance on the account either. That was another headache to figure out before i got the first order to complete. When i was putting in the account information to check for upgrade eligibility, it kept saying the information wasn't correct. finally after messing around on the verizon website i figured out that the problem was there was a balance due. i made a payment on verizon's site, and 2 minutes later i was able to continue with the order. maybe because the payment might not have been finalized its giving the note that their is an issue with the order.

and i'm not trying to do a line swap or anything. my brother is upgrading his phone using his upgrade (im just footing the bill, since im a generous older brother).

 

[shortwave8669]

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

and i'm not trying to do a line swap or anything. my brother is upgrading his phone using his upgrade (im just footing the bill, since im a generous older brother).

So it sounds like VZW may be the problem. It could be an open order on VZW's system which will need to drop off, or several other reasons including that MAYBE these types of upgrades are no longer possible (just speculation). WHO KNOWS FOR SURE OUTSIDE OF VZW.

It sounds like you've taken the steps in the proper way and other than waiting for the start of the next billing cycle I don't have more advice.

Hopefully someone else has a suggestion how to move forward??​

Some people have had luck ordering online through Amazon and doing the SIM card swap. Be advised Amazon has their own additional ETF on top of VZW's ETF if the new phone isn't used through the end of the new contract.

 

[y2jasper]

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

okay so yeah sounds like i just have to wait. hopefully i'm not the first to fall to VZW changing its policies. I think i'll just wait until the next cycle and then order it from amazon instead (i've read people have had success, but so far haven't read anyone say they have not been able to keep UDP)

 

[prosndinc]

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

I've got a small business plan. Verizon does not allow BB to service Small business accounts so I thought I'd have no way to keep my UPD. I ordered a phone from the Verizon wireless website and when it arrived I popped the SIM card from my old phone in it rather than initialize the phone with the included SIM card 10 days later and I still have UDP. It seems like this isn't a just a BB quirk. You just have to be smart enough to initialize the new phone with the old SIM
YMMV

 

[cnotes2019]

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

I've got a small business plan. Verizon does not allow BB to service Small business accounts so I thought I'd have no way to keep my UPD. I ordered a phone from the Verizon wireless website and when it arrived I popped the SIM card from my old phone in it rather than initialize the phone with the included SIM card 10 days later and I still have UDP. It seems like this isn't a just a BB quirk. You just have to be smart enough to initialize the new phone with the old SIM
YMMV

When did you order and receive it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jfriend33]

Re: Verizon How to Both Get a Subsidized Phone and Keep Unlimited Data after 8/24/14

I'm hoping that people with extended udp contracts won't be affected by throttling after Oct 1. If that's holds true? And your one who uses more than 5GB a month? I wouldn't want to be stuck to being possibly slowed down for 2 billing cycles for another 2 years.
Choose wisely

2 billing cycles? Jesus the terms keep on changing. I thought it was only during your current billing cycle ended. On busy towers only of course.

From verizon " The top 5% with devices on unlimited data plans may experience managed data speeds when connected to a cell site experiencing high demand after reaching certain data-usage levels in a bill cycle. These high data users will feel the smallest possible impact and only experience reduced data speeds when necessary for us to optimize data network traffic in that area."

Sent from my unlocked consumer edition Motorola Droid Maxx xt1080m.

 

[jfriend33]

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

I've got a small business plan. Verizon does not allow BB to service Small business accounts so I thought I'd have no way to keep my UPD. I ordered a phone from the Verizon wireless website and when it arrived I popped the SIM card from my old phone in it rather than initialize the phone with the included SIM card 10 days later and I still have UDP. It seems like this isn't a just a BB quirk. You just have to be smart enough to initialize the new phone with the old SIM
YMMV

You're lucky. I think the business customers aren't subjected to optimization either.

Sent from my unlocked consumer edition Motorola Droid Maxx xt1080m.

 

[shortwave8669]

Re: Verizon How to Both Get a Subsidized Phone and Keep Unlimited Data after 8/24/14

2 billing cycles? Jesus the terms keep on changing. I thought it was only during your current billing cycle ended. On busy towers only of course.

From verizon " The top 5% with devices on unlimited data plans may experience managed data speeds when connected to a cell site experiencing high demand after reaching certain data-usage levels in a bill cycle. These high data users will feel the smallest possible impact and only experience reduced data speeds when necessary for us to optimize data network traffic in that area."

Sent from my unlocked consumer edition Motorola Droid Maxx xt1080m.

There is about 10 X as much panic about THROTTLING as the facts and details warrant.

No one has experienced it yet and we are all counting on "journalists" who are paid to generate pageviews and clicks who are talking about future events. Nothing sells like fear and panic. See also clickbait

Maybe we should slow down on speculation and review 1st-hand experience???

 

[Masx]

Re: Verizon How to Both Get a Subsidized Phone and Keep Unlimited Data after 8/24/14

Any one here try the "flying arrow method"? Waiting on the new Motorola Nexus/Note 4 before I upgrade and was trying to figure out the best possible way to go about this. Have 2 Basic 2 UDPs.

 

[Nicholas Sgherzi]

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

This says nothing about after the 24th...

I never said it did or it didn't.

I'm not the primary account holder. My line is eligible for an upgrade. BUt so are two others on the account. Can I use my line's upgrade or do I need to use another lines? Does it even matter?


When I first got unlimited data back in 2010 I bought a Droid X. Then in 2012 I bought the GS3 from a Verizon store and I used another line on the account to upgrade my phone. At first the Verizon rep told me that I'd lose my unlimited data so I said okay I'll take the 2gb plan. Well it turns out that 2 and a half years later I still have my unlimited data, I don't know how and I don't know why but I sure am glad I didn't lose it.

 

[shortwave8669]

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

okay so yeah sounds like i just have to wait. hopefully i'm not the first to fall to VZW changing its policies. I think i'll just wait until the next cycle and then order it from amazon instead (i've read people have had success, but so far haven't read anyone say they have not been able to keep UDP)

The VZW "change tickets" whatever they call them may expire in something like 3-5 days or so. Maybe that would be a good time to try again??? I'm a brother who received a new Galaxy Note 3 as a gift from my brother so I want your plan to be successful

If you haven't already you might want to subscribe to this forum. Perhaps in the next day or so another member will report if they have been successful in an upgrade through BB or maybe even though Amazon.

The key step in your situation is swap your old SIM into the new phone BEFORE EVEN 1 ELECTRON FLOWS THRU THE NEW SIM.

1) swap SIM
2) power on and allow new phone to boot up with the old SIM installed
3) make a phone call to any working number. If it goes through you are all done.
No additional activation steps are required.

 

[JJT211]

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

I can CONFIRM the Amazon method works.

Ordered last week, and selected "Keep existing plan" during the checkout process.

**once I saw this option, I KNEW that I would be fine.There's no way in hell I'd let Verizon weasel me out of my UDP if they have a big fat "Keep everything the same" option or I'd leave em for T-Mo or someone wayyy cheaper**

The phone arrived yesterday, I simply used my old SIM out of my G2 and plugged it into my G3, turned on phone and it automatically activated. I then immediately checked my account online and verifified that my device changed to G3 and my UDP was still intact.

I can very confidently say there's absolutely no need to get on the phone with any Customer service rep. Man It's great being able to use my upgrade again! Im 2 years OVER my last contract, it beats waiting the hell out of waiting 6-8 months for my target phone to come down $400 on Ebay. It's the first time, ive ever had a chance to have the lastest and greaatest device on the market.

The G3 is a VERY solid upgrade over the G2! The G2 was a pretty good phone but the G3 pretty much fixed all the minor complaits I had with the G2. Im so very excite! Enjoy yall!

 

[rdjr74]

Re: Verizon to close the upgrade to smartphone then downgrade to basic phone loophole

I guess I can no longer use my dads upgrade for a smartphone and downgrade him to a basic phone. Such a bummer, I wanted to do it again in a year.

We are on different accounts but it always worked but obviously doesn't work anymore.


Edit: maybe not? I noticed its for legacy plans only and my dad is on a More Everything plan. Does this mean I'd still be able to do it?
Samsung Galaxy S5 (Verizon)

You can transfer and upgrade or simply use his upgrade and insert your sim card in the new phone. The only thing that changed on the 25th of August as far as I've noticed was reverting back to a basic line without issue or additional fees. You can no longer do that, you must pay the etf as mentioned above, which in the long run is far less expensive then continuing on a 2 year agreement.

 

[berfles]

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

And what happens when you pick "Keep existing plan" but everything about the plan they show you is wrong? I have 450 minutes, unlimited text, and unlimited data. The "existing plan" Amazon shows is with 2GB of data and no texting whatsoever.

 

[oldsoldier]

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

I've considered jumping ship from Sprint to T-mo, but I haven't for a couple reasons. First, I'm a former Sprint employee, and its cheaper for me (right now) to stay with Sprint. Second, unless they offer me unlimited data PERIOD-which I get through Sprint right now-then, I will not be switching until I absolutely have to. It doesn't matter which network on Sprint I use data on, my plan allows me unlimited data. For me, that's a huge selling point, as I use a LOT of data, and not always in 4G and/or wifi areas. Unless I get offered that from T-Mo, I'll be sticking with Sprint, until they stick it to me

 

[DroidxRage]

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

I also activated a G3 from Amazon on 8/25 without any issues. VZW account still showing Unlimited Data still.

Don't worry about what the plan says on Amazon.. I know it seems wrong, but it doesn't seem to matter. That new 'plan' is tied to the new SIM in the device they ship. Don't use the new SIM and don't get put on that new 2GB plan. It's really that simple.

G3 is a beast of a smartphone too, in case anyone was wondering.