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

[ryco26]

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

Well, here's an update on my situation. I ordered the GS5 from bestbuy on 8/19 choosing to keep my current plan (UDP). Estimated shipping arrival date was 8/25. Here it is 8/28 and I've finally heard from them. Item is backordered. If it is still backordered by 9/2 they will cancel the item. My options are to wait, choose a similar item or cancel it myself. What should I do? I don't want to call and get notice to my accounts UDP and have it removed (not sure if that would even happen on just a backorder). I just remember reading that if best buy has a problem with your order you are supposed to cancel it, but I'm not sure if that includes a backorder. Should I wait until 9/2 to see if it will become available to ship? Obviously canceling and going through the order process again would serve no purpose as it would still be backordered.

 

[berfles]

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

Thanks for the info... now I just have to decide if I want the G3 or S5. If we had the 805 powered devices it would be a no brainer, but pushing all those pixels with the same hardware as the S5 just makes me think it'll be at a performance disadvantage. I know it benchmarks lower because of it and I thought I saw videos where they said the S5 felt smoother usually too because of it, even with the bloated TW interface (that I never use).

 

[HawaiiD]

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.

Per Verizon Network Optimization faq page:

Once my data speed is reduced, am I going to be under Network Optimization forever?*
No. You will be subject to Network Optimization for that billing cycle and the following cycle. When subject to Network Optimization you will only be affected when connected to a cell site experiencing high demand. Otherwise, your data will operate as normal.*

 

[Carla97220]

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!

Unless I'm not reading your post correctly.... based on past experience with Amazon, I think there is a chance that Amazon will charge you their secondary $400 ETF. it has nothing to do with Verizon. when I ordered a Verizon phone from Amazon last year, I did exactly what you did and put another line's SIM in the new phone. A month later, Amazon charged my credit card for the secondary Amazon-only ETF. I called Amazon immediately and was told that I had agreed to activate and keep the phone active on the line that I activated it for at least 180 days. When you don't activate it on the line that it was ordered with, Verizon doesn't pay Amazon their commission.

of course, that was last year, so I don't know if Amazon is still charging secondary ETF.

update; just checked Amazon's website. They still charge their own secondary ETF.

Here is what it says on their website:

The following are some scenarios where we may determine that you have not maintained your service and have not met the requirements listed above:

>>>>>>>>>>>> If your device with the carrier is not activated per Amazon's activation instructions within 14 days

If your service is canceled/disconnected before 181 days and you do not return the device(s) to Amazon

If a new individual or new family account is merged with or replaces a pre-existing account

If you transfer this equipment to another carrier's service or to another line in your family account and deactivate the line that Amazon established for your device

By accepting this Instant Discount Policy, you agree to repay $400 per smart phone or tablet and $200 per other device if you do not maintain your carrier service for 181 consecutive days from the service activation date. You also authorize us to collect that amount using any credit card we have on record for you. Amazon can periodically check your account status with the carrier to confirm your line of service is active and in good standing and thereby confirm you are in compliance with this policy.

 

[cnotes2019]

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

Unless I'm not reading your post correctly.... based on past experience with Amazon, I think there is a chance that Amazon will charge you their secondary $400 ETF. it has nothing to do with Verizon. when I ordered a Verizon phone from Amazon last year, I did exactly what you did and put another line's SIM in the new phone. A month later, Amazon charged my credit card for the secondary Amazon-only ETF. I called Amazon immediately and was told that I had agreed to activate and keep the phone active on the line that I activated it for at least 180 days. When you don't activate it on the line that it was ordered with, Verizon doesn't pay Amazon their commission.

of course, that was last year, so I don't know if Amazon is still charging secondary ETF.

update; just checked Amazon's website. They still charge their own secondary ETF.

Here is what it says on their website:

The following are some scenarios where we may determine that you have not maintained your service and have not met the requirements listed above:

>>>>>>>>>>>> If your device with the carrier is not activated per Amazon's activation instructions within 14 days

If your service is canceled/disconnected before 181 days and you do not return the device(s) to Amazon

If a new individual or new family account is merged with or replaces a pre-existing account

If you transfer this equipment to another carrier's service or to another line in your family account and deactivate the line that Amazon established for your device

By accepting this Instant Discount Policy, you agree to repay $400 per smart phone or tablet and $200 per other device if you do not maintain your carrier service for 181 consecutive days from the service activation date. You also authorize us to collect that amount using any credit card we have on record for you. Amazon can periodically check your account status with the carrier to confirm your line of service is active and in good standing and thereby confirm you are in compliance with this policy.

But it's not another lines sim...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JoshGlzBrk]

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

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.

I still haven't seen anyone actually attempt to transfer an upgrade from an unlimited line to a non-unlimited line since the changes went into place. If they made it so the line that has its contract extended is the one that is required to maintain the $30+ data plan for the two years then transferring upgrades from unlimited lines will not longer work because the unlimited data plan is only $29.99.

 

[Carla97220]

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

But it's not another lines sim...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

from what Amazon told me, if you don't activate the new SIM card that comes with the new phone, Verizon doesn't pay them commission, so they have to charge you the $400 secondary ETF.

however, UDP is safe.

 

[tx_tuff]

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

Anyone have any ideas on my 4G problem? I dont seem to have 4G on my Galaxy S5.

Go to a Verizon store and tell them you need a new 4G SIM for your phone. I had to do that before and had no problem.

 

[Carla97220]

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

I still haven't seen anyone actually attempt to transfer an upgrade from an unlimited line to a non-unlimited line since the changes went into place. If they made it so the line that has its contract extended is the one that is required to maintain the $30+ data plan for the two years then transferring upgrades from unlimited lines will not longer work because the unlimited data plan is only $29.99.

I was not able to do it at a Verizon store this morning for precisely that reason.
$29.99 is not enough to satisfy Verizon's new $30 2 GB data plan rule.

 

[cnotes2019]

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

I was not able to do it at a Verizon store this morning for precisely that reason.
$29.99 is not enough to satisfy Verizon's new $30 2 GB data plan rule.

Reps will always do anything to get you off of UDP. That's why you always avoid them. If it still works everything can be done online.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[anon(548143)]

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

I have a SIM card related question. I previously had an LTE phone that used a micro SIM card and then recently bought a Swappa phone that needed a mini SIM card. So I went to Verizon and they gave me a mini SIM to use in the swappa phone. No issue. So now I want to order a BB phone to keep unlimited and it will use a micro SIM card. So can I just pop in my unused micro SIM card to activate the phone or should I just cut down the mini SIM card (since it is in use now) and use that instead? I am concerned about confusing their system by activating the new BB phone with a currently unused SIM card. Thanks...

 

[Dukefrukem]

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

Go to a Verizon store and tell them you need a new 4G SIM for your phone. I had to do that before and had no problem.

Won't that screw up my UDP?

 

[berfles]

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

from what Amazon told me, if you don't activate the new SIM card that comes with the new phone, Verizon doesn't pay them commission, so they have to charge you the $400 secondary ETF.

however, UDP is safe.

Ugh, definitely going to need to know more about this before I do anything with Amazon. That would really suck to get hit with that charge after thinking you're in the clear.

 

[dkeithray1]

Trying to keep my Unlimited Data- I want help verifying my plan to do it-

Here is my situation-

My Line, Line 1- UDP, Galaxy S4, Upgrade Available
Wife- Line 2 UDP, iPhone 4s, Upgrade Available
Line 3- Dumbphone , Upgrade Available

Here is what I want to do-

I want to upgrade my wife to the S5, and when the Note 4 comes out (I know there is a risk that Verizon will close BB loophole before I get my chance), I want to upgrade my line to that one.

What is the best method to do this, without paying full price?

If I use the BB method on Line 2 that has the iPhone, do I need to get her a SIM card 1st before I place the order? Is there a better way to do this?

Anything I do, I want to do with the idea that I will upgrade my line to the Note4 when /if possible.

Thanks for your help

 

[mesocyclonic]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

So, it's not over yet. The pending activation has dropped off my account, but oddly, the UDP line still shows an old upgrade date. Does it take a few days to actually extend the contract? I wouldn't mind a phone without a contract extension, but I won't really feel "safe" in keeping my UDP until the contract is extended, not to mention the bonus of not being subject to Network Optimization. (How odd is it that being locked in a contract is actually kind of a good thing?)

 

[Carla97220]

Re: [Instruction] How to Keep Unlimited Data on Verizon

I will tell you how I plan to upgrade and get the phone at the subsidized price. By transferring an upgrade to a line that I recently put on a 2gb data plan. As this loophole has closed (where you can transfer an upgrade to a basic line, select a data plan then switch it back to a basic line), my plan was never to use the loophole. My UDP line is eligible for an upgrade so I will transfer it to that line, activate the phone on it, then switch that line back to the original phone (iPhone 5s : / ) , then remove my sim card from my phone and place it into the new phone. I’m holding out for the Note 4. If you have this scenario available you should consider this.

I'm a little confused about your plan. Is your second line already on 2 GB data plan?

Thanks!

 

[JoshGlzBrk]

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

Reps will always do anything to get you off of UDP. That's why you always avoid them. If it still works everything can be done online.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

But we don't know if it still works or not. No one has done it and confirmed.

 

[cnotes2019]

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

But we don't know if it still works or not. No one has done it and confirmed.

That's why I said "if"


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Masx]

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

Not anywhere does it say you have to use their SIM, from what I read even on their site and what you posted. It says that if you do not maintain your current service or do not return the phone you'll be charged the ETF. Now of course if there are separate instructions when you receive the phone... that I do not know of.

 

[NBAJ2K]

I'm a little confused about your plan. Is your second line already on 2 GB data plan?

Thanks!

Has anyone confirmed for sure this still works? I already have a 2gb line on the account and wanted transfer a UDP upgrade to it, but I read a couple people weren't sure if it still was working.

-J