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

[wonderrx]

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

Ok, I see you have a lot of questions and a few misconceptions about everything that is going on.

Unlimited Data Price Increase - Starting on November 15th, if you have an unlimited data line that is out of contract, you'll have a price increase of $20 per month per line. Your data promotion is still valid; however, you'll now be paying $29.99 a month per line rather than $9.99 per month. Those of us (like me) without that promotion are looking at data being $49.99 a month.

To avoid this price increase for two years, people are using their upgrades via loopholes to get back on contract. This will allow you to avoid being hit with the extra $20 per month charge (see http://www.droid-life.com/2015/10/0...price-hike-more-details-about-who-it-impacts/) or in your case $40 per month.

As for the Best Buy method, everything you are seeing is standard. By selecting a 2GB plan, you are not actually switching to that plan. That only happens if you activate the new SIM that comes with the phone you ordered. Just do the following:

1.) Go to Best Buy's website and upgrade Line 1 to the phone you want. Select the 2GB plan and have it shipped to home.
2.) When the phone arrives, do not turn it on or plug it in
3.) Remove the SIM card that comes with the new phone and destroy it
4.) Take the SIM card from your iPhone and put it in the new phone. Turn on the new phone and give it a couple of minutes to activate

That's all you need to do. As for SIM sizes, all new android phones released this year use the same size as the 5s and 5c except for the LG G4.

First off dusoccer10 thanks for posting this great summary. I am being a super big chicken because I love my UDP.

My smartphone line is out of contract and has an upgrade available.
My wifes smartphone on the same Nationwide Share plan just used an upgrade to get an iphone6s, she is on the 2GB a month feature pack
We have 3 dumb phones, most have upgrades.

Got a few questions dusoccer10 (or anyone), want to walk through it a bit more:
Your instructions seem to say I should just focus on my line on BestBuy.com, buy a new phone, stay on current plan, choose the 2GB feature pack a month, complete purchase.
I plan to just sell the phone to fund my Nexus 6P in part.
When new iPhone arrives I will pull the sim card out of it, burn/destroy it and never use it in a phone.
I don't plan to boot up or active the new iPhone, just will sell it - Do I have to call and activate it with Verizon or I am in the clear here?
Because I got the phone and placed the order I have then extended the contract on my UDP line correct?
Then I will use my current phone/sim until I am able to get a 6P and then cut that sim down and keep on trucking.
Is this how it works?

Thanks again for your help!

 

[dusoccer10]

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

Thanks for clarifying, but one last point of confusion is: do you mean ordering a phone through my line which will not have an upgrade after I transfer it? Or do you mean ordering a phone from Line 3 which has my upgrade since I transferred it?

If I am understanding correctly, after I transfer my upgrade to Line 3, I will also activate that upgrade on Line 3, and because the upgrade which was just transferred from my line was activated, my line will renew on contract?



Is it that when I activate the Turbo 2 on my line, that is when the 2 year contract renews?

Just follow the steps I outlined and everything will be fine. You must transfer the upgrade to line 3 and then use the upgrade that is now on Line 3. This will cause your unlimited line to go under contract because the upgrade originated from there. It doesn't matter when you activate the Droid Turbo 2.

 

[dusoccer10]

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

I'm still kinda confused after reading...

1) I go to Best Buy
2) I upgrade the UDP line I want to upgrade
3) I switch out SIMs when I get the phone
4) I keep UDP.

Is that really how it is now?

Yes, but you need to order online and have the phone shipped to home. You cannot do this in-store.

 

[lauried1079]

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

Yes, but you need to order online and have the phone shipped to home. You cannot do this in-store.

Thanks! I'll order one today.

 

[dusoccer10]

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

i have the following:
line 1 6+ UDP month to month - upgrade available
line 2 basic no upgrade
line 3 S4 UDP month to month - upgrade available
line 4 basic - upgrade available

What is my best option - to transfer upgrade at verizon.com to the basic phone and then just use my current sim to turn it on and wait for pending activation to fall off? or should i just go to bb.com and order the upgrade on line 1 and put my sim in it when it arrives?

Just want to do the one that works best (i can't transfer upgrade on bb.com for whatever reason...so i have to do that on vz.com)

Thank you for your help.

Both work just fine and leave you with the same result: Pending activation on 2 lines and new contracts. Order from the store that offers the phone you want the cheapest.

 

[dusoccer10]

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

Wife is under the same old plan as I am (we share minutes, she has the 2GB feature pack), not sure if this is wise to mess with hers, although she just used an upgrade 2 weeks ago. Also not sure it's wise to use 2 upgrades in a month on a line.

It will be fine on both accounts. You might share minutes and texts, but your data plans are separate. That's why she can upgrade without any problems, but you cannot. It's also why you should just transfer your upgrade to her line.

If you really don't want to mess with her line, then do the Best Buy method. It will leave a pending activation on your line for about a month, but will work just the same.

 

[dusoccer10]

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

First off dusoccer10 thanks for posting this great summary. I am being a super big chicken because I love my UDP.

My smartphone line is out of contract and has an upgrade available.
My wifes smartphone on the same Nationwide Share plan just used an upgrade to get an iphone6s, she is on the 2GB a month feature pack
We have 3 dumb phones, most have upgrades.

Got a few questions dusoccer10 (or anyone), want to walk through it a bit more:
Your instructions seem to say I should just focus on my line on BestBuy.com, buy a new phone, stay on current plan, choose the 2GB feature pack a month, complete purchase.
I plan to just sell the phone to fund my Nexus 6P in part.
When new iPhone arrives I will pull the sim card out of it, burn/destroy it and never use it in a phone.
I don't plan to boot up or active the new iPhone, just will sell it - Do I have to call and activate it with Verizon or I am in the clear here?
Because I got the phone and placed the order I have then extended the contract on my UDP line correct?
Then I will use my current phone/sim until I am able to get a 6P and then cut that sim down and keep on trucking.
Is this how it works?

Thanks again for your help!

That's exactly how it works. When doing the Best Buy Method, people are confusing two different things:

1.) Going on contract - this happens when you order the new phone
2.) Plan switching to 2 GB - this happens if you activate the phone with the SIM that ships with the new phone

I'm bolding the above two points so that everyone who comes across this post understands what is going on. If you like the phone that you have and just want to go on contract, order a new phone from Best Buy but do not activate it. Feel free to sell it for a profit or fund a different purchase. If you want a new phone, order a new one from Best Buy and activate it with the SIM in your old phone. In both cases, make sure to remove the new SIM that ships with the phone and destroy it.

In either case, you'll end up with a pending activation on your account for about a month. This means no contacting Verizon, no adjustments to minutes or texts, and no adding or removing features until it goes away. So, make sure you plan is doing what you want for the next month or two before ordering a phone from Best Buy. Also, no one knows why it goes away, but it just does.

There are other methods that involve using other lines. These other methods can be useful in dodging the pending activation, but it depends on your overall plan. If your goal is to just get on contract to dodge the up-coming price increase, then do the above. Make sure to order the new phones no later than November 14. No ones knows what will happen if you try these methods after that date. So, until someone tests it, your best bet is to get this done as soon as possible or be prepared to pay extra a month.

 

[TheNeckerCube]

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

They won't let me check out! Verizon!

OK I just bought the Turbo 2 under Line 3. Shipping Next Day. Now what?! AHHHHH

Where do I check, how do I know, that my Line has been renewed?!

I am so confused!

 

[TheNeckerCube]

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

They won't let me check out! Verizon!
OK I just bought the Turbo 2 under Line 3. Shipping Next Day. Now what?! AHHHHH
Where do I check, how do I know, that my Line has been renewed?!
I am so confused!

I just want to confirm the steps I need to take when my phone arrives tomorrow:

1. When phone arrives, destroy the SIM card it came with, and activate the new phone on Line 3, my sister's line.
2. Use the phone? Pretend to use? At least one hour?
3. After playtime with new phone on Line 3, reactivate my sister's old phone on Line 3.
4. The new phone, now available, activate it on my line.
5. Success?!

 

[dusoccer10]

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

I just want to confirm the steps I need to take when my phone arrives tomorrow:

1. When phone arrives, destroy the SIM card it came with, and activate the new phone on Line 3, my sister's line.
2. Use the phone? Pretend to use? At least one hour?
3. After playtime with new phone on Line 3, reactivate my sister's old phone on Line 3.
4. The new phone, now available, activate it on my line.
5. Success?!

You got it though you do not need to destroy the SIM card that comes with the phone as it is coded to your sister's line and not yours. You'll need a SIM to eventually activate it on your line; though, that can also be done in-store.

As for your previous post, log out and then log back into My Verizon online. When you are on the main page, just scroll down to the section "My Devices". Click you line and it should tell you when your contract date ends.

 

[cg101]

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

That's exactly how it works. When doing the Best Buy Method, people are confusing two different things:

1.) Going on contract - this happens when you order the new phone
2.) Plan switching to 2 GB - this happens if you activate the phone with the SIM that ships with the new phone

I'm bolding the above two points so that everyone who comes across this post understands what is going on. If you like the phone that you have and just want to go on contract, order a new phone from Best Buy but do not activate it. Feel free to sell it for a profit or fund a different purchase. If you want a new phone, order a new one from Best Buy and activate it with the SIM in your old phone. In both cases, make sure to remove the new SIM that ships with the phone and destroy it.

In either case, you'll end up with a pending activation on your account for about a month. This means no contacting Verizon, no adjustments to minutes or texts, and no adding or removing features until it goes away. So, make sure you plan is doing what you want for the next month or two before ordering a phone from Best Buy. Also, no one knows why it goes away, but it just does.

There are other methods that involve using other lines. These other methods can be useful in dodging the pending activation, but it depends on your overall plan. If your goal is to just get on contract to dodge the up-coming price increase, then do the above. Make sure to order the new phones no later than November 14. No ones knows what will happen if you try these methods after that date. So, until someone tests it, your best bet is to get this done as soon as possible or be prepared to pay extra a month.

Ok, say I want to keep my Note 3. I order I guess a iPhone 6s. Sell that for whatever it goes for new (I am guessing a pretty sweet profit, and I have a nice rep on Swappa.) This pending activation is what has me confused.

After I order the phone, and NOT activate it, it is on pending activation. After a month or so, what happens? When do I go on contract? What am I missing? I think this is what is getting me...

 

[dusoccer10]

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

Ok, say I want to keep my Note 3. I order I guess a iPhone 6s. Sell that for whatever it goes for new (I am guessing a pretty sweet profit, and I have a nice rep on Swappa.) This pending activation is what has me confused.

After I order the phone, and NOT activate it, it is on pending activation. After a month or so, what happens? When do I go on contract? What am I missing? I think this is what is getting me...

Re-read the bold parts. Your contract automatically renews when you order a new phone via an upgrade. This also causes a pending activation on your account. After a month or so, it just disappears. No one knows why.

 

[cg101]

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

Re-read the bold parts. Your contract automatically renews when you order a new phone via an upgrade. This also causes a pending activation on your account. After a month or so, it just disappears. No one knows why.

So one last question, because I think I will just sell the phones on my upgrade.

When my line "automatically renews when (I) order a new phone via an upgrade," will it still show the phone I am using (e.g. Note 3) or the phone that I ordered (e.g. iPhone 6)? I'm guessing it will show the phone I am using due to wherever the active SIM is.

I'm not exactly thrilled about my choices, think I'll just get two iphones and sell them (bout the only thing I like about Apple is the high resale value.)

There is a Jetpack that's $1, so I think I'll do that too (but keep it). Then I guess I gotta get SIM cards from Amazon (which I've done before, and get Verizon to activate my SIM there?) My Jetpack has unlimited, (because of the FCC...yee haw!). But my ZTE 890 has the old school SIM...not going to cut it down, though maybe I will...we'll see.

 

[dusoccer10]

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

So one last question, because I think I will just sell the phones on my upgrade.

When my line "automatically renews when (I) order a new phone via an upgrade," will it still show the phone I am using (e.g. Note 3) or the phone that I ordered (e.g. iPhone 6)? I'm guessing it will show the phone I am using due to wherever the active SIM is.

I'm not exactly thrilled about my choices, think I'll just get two iphones and sell them (bout the only thing I like about Apple is the high resale value.)

There is a Jetpack that's $1, so I think I'll do that too (but keep it). Then I guess I gotta get SIM cards from Amazon (which I've done before, and get Verizon to activate my SIM there?) My Jetpack has unlimited, (because of the FCC...yee haw!). But my ZTE 890 has the old school SIM...not going to cut it down, though maybe I will...we'll see.

It will show whatever the active SIM is in. In this case the Note 3. After you upgrade, there will be a picture of the iPhone asking if you want to activate it. That's the pending activation and will disappear in about a month.

 

[TheNeckerCube]

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

You'll need a SIM to eventually activate it on your line; though, that can also be done in-store.

Thank you for your response. I'm am very worried because I am confused about activating the phone. You mentioned doing it in-store? I am confused. Can you list out the steps from when the Turbo 2 arrives? Please?

I will try to list it:

1. Turbo 2 arrives, comes with Nano SIM, do not destroy. Give phone to my sister, have her activate it on Line 3.
2. Leave new phone with new SIM activated for at least one hour.
3. (Confused here.) Now what? Have my sister reactivate her Samsung?
4. Once the Turbo 2 is deactivated off Line 3 (how), then what do I do with the Turbo 2? Bring it into store?
5. What do I say to the people in store? Do I say, I want to activate the Turbo 2 on my line? How do I make sure I keep my UDP? What if they try to take away my UDP?
6. I had thought I was suppose to trim down my Micro SIM, is this incorrect?

I appreciate your help, thank you again in advance. PS: My Turbo 2 should arrive tomorrow and my sister is in town for the weekend. This must be done soon!

Edit: I also engraved my name on the back of the Turbo 2 ... will this be a problem?

Edit 2: Can you please elaborate on how I will activate in-store? Or do I shave my Micro SIM down and shove it into the Turbo 2?

 

[wonderrx]

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

That's exactly how it works. When doing the Best Buy Method, people are confusing two different things:

1.) Going on contract - this happens when you order the new phone
2.) Plan switching to 2 GB - this happens if you activate the phone with the SIM that ships with the new phone

I'm bolding the above two points so that everyone who comes across this post understands what is going on. If you like the phone that you have and just want to go on contract, order a new phone from Best Buy but do not activate it. Feel free to sell it for a profit or fund a different purchase. If you want a new phone, order a new one from Best Buy and activate it with the SIM in your old phone. In both cases, make sure to remove the new SIM that ships with the phone and destroy it.

In either case, you'll end up with a pending activation on your account for about a month. This means no contacting Verizon, no adjustments to minutes or texts, and no adding or removing features until it goes away. So, make sure you plan is doing what you want for the next month or two before ordering a phone from Best Buy. Also, no one knows why it goes away, but it just does.

There are other methods that involve using other lines. These other methods can be useful in dodging the pending activation, but it depends on your overall plan. If your goal is to just get on contract to dodge the up-coming price increase, then do the above. Make sure to order the new phones no later than November 14. No ones knows what will happen if you try these methods after that date. So, until someone tests it, your best bet is to get this done as soon as possible or be prepared to pay extra a month.

dusoccer10 thanks again for your help and patience, you are so helpful and I am very thankful.

Just did a order direct through Verizon, moved my upgrade from UDP line over to my wife's iphone and ordered another new phone on her line (2nd in 3 weeks, wow). Went with a rose gold iphone 6s 16gb, hoping that will be a fairly easy sell on swappa. So far it doesn't show my contract has been extended with the transfer upgrade, hoping it will when it ships.

 

[TheNeckerCube]

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

So far it doesn't show my contract has been extended with the transfer upgrade, hoping it will when it ships.

I'm in the same boat, I transferred my upgrade to "Line 3" and through that I bought the Turbo 2 this morning. My Line still does not show contract has been extended.

Can't wait for dusoccer10 to chime in, I'm grateful that he's here to help us!

 

[dusoccer10]

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

Thank you for your response. I'm am very worried because I am confused about activating the phone. You mentioned doing it in-store? I am confused. Can you list out the steps from when the Turbo 2 arrives? Please?

I will try to list it:

1. Turbo 2 arrives, comes with Nano SIM, do not destroy. Give phone to my sister, have her activate it on Line 3.
2. Leave new phone with new SIM activated for at least one hour.
3. (Confused here.) Now what? Have my sister reactivate her Samsung?
4. Once the Turbo 2 is deactivated off Line 3 (how), then what do I do with the Turbo 2? Bring it into store?
5. What do I say to the people in store? Do I say, I want to activate the Turbo 2 on my line? How do I make sure I keep my UDP? What if they try to take away my UDP?
6. I had thought I was suppose to trim down my Micro SIM, is this incorrect?

I appreciate your help, thank you again in advance. PS: My Turbo 2 should arrive tomorrow and my sister is in town for the weekend. This must be done soon!

Edit: I also engraved my name on the back of the Turbo 2 ... will this be a problem?

Edit 2: Can you please elaborate on how I will activate in-store? Or do I shave my Micro SIM down and shove it into the Turbo 2?

What type of phone does your sister have?

 

[dusoccer10]

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

dusoccer10 thanks again for your help and patience, you are so helpful and I am very thankful.

Just did a order direct through Verizon, moved my upgrade from UDP line over to my wife's iphone and ordered another new phone on her line (2nd in 3 weeks, wow). Went with a rose gold iphone 6s 16gb, hoping that will be a fairly easy sell on swappa. So far it doesn't show my contract has been extended with the transfer upgrade, hoping it will when it ships.

That's strange, but give it a little bit of time. You might need to borrow your wife's current SIM, but I would be surprised if you plan doesn't extend within the next 48 hours.

 

[TheNeckerCube]

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

What type of phone does your sister have?

She has a Samsung Galaxy S5. And my contract end date is still Month-to-Month. And the Turbo 2 doesn't seem to have shipped. Ahhhhh.

dusoccer10 can you please advise me on the steps I need to take when the Turbo 2 arrives? Please? Thanks!