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

[Super Turtleman]

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

Alright, well I pulled the trigger. Used the Verizon30 coupon code.

I "upgraded" my mom's basic flip phone to the LG G2. When the LG G2 is delivered, I'll activate it on my mom's basic flip phone line, then re-activate my mom's basic flip phone line. This should drop the data plan from my Mom's basic flip phone line. Next, I log into My Verizon and transfer the LG G2 to my line and activate it there.

This should allow me to keep my unlimited plan, yes?

Am I missing anything here? Activation is done on the phone, but transfer of the phone to my life is done online, correct?

You can activate the phone online, reactivate the old phone online then activate the G2 on your unlimited line.

What's this Verizon30 about? Does it apply to any new phone?

Sent from my Razr Maxx using Tapatalk 4

 

[sushiglobster]

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

You can activate the phone online, reactivate the old phone online then activate the G2 on your unlimited line.

What's this Verizon30 about? Does it apply to any new phone?

Sent from my Razr Maxx using Tapatalk 4

Oh cool, didn't know I could do that online. Where abouts online can I do this at? I know I have to log into my account, but specifically where do I click?

The Verizon30 is a discount promo code that can be used when upgrading a phone. It can't be applied to phones at full retail, only if you're upgrading.

EDIT: Oh I see, online in my profile/account settings area, I see an "activate or switch device" section. I guess this is where I'll be doing all the work then??

 

[Super Turtleman]

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

Oh cool, didn't know I could do that online. Where abouts online can I do this at? I know I have to log into my account, but specifically where do I click?

The Verizon30 is a discount promo code that can be used when upgrading a phone. It can't be applied to phones at full retail, only if you're upgrading.

EDIT: Oh I see, online in my profile/account settings area, I see an "activate or switch device" section. I guess this is where I'll be doing all the work then??

That's where you'll do all the activating. On the line that has the upgrade available you'll see the upgrade my device option. That's where you'll start.

Sent from my Razr Maxx using Tapatalk 4

 

[dpham00]

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

Well, here what's confusing. I got my current phone on 11/28/2011. My account shows that I was eligible for an upgrade on 7/28/2013, with the Note 3 pre-order at $299.99. 7/28/2013 is 20 months after I got my Rezound.

Yes, that is correct. Anyone who signed a contract before January 1,2012 would be able to maintain the 20 months upgrade

Sent from my Verizon Samsung Galaxy Note II via Tapatalk 4

 

[Super Turtleman]

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

I wonder if I can get that Verizon30 retroactive to my orders last week. Hmmm...

Sent from my Razr Maxx using Tapatalk 4

 

[kajinofe]

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

The error message online said that I had just purchased a new phone (the LG G2) and had not yet activated it. I'm not sure why I got that error since I had already activated the LG G2 on the dumbphone line; in fact, I had already used it to make a couple of calls so I know it was active. The error message actually gave me the phone # for VZW Customer service and told me to call them.

When I called the rep to reactivate the dumb phone, it was OFF. The LG G2 was also OFF. All I had to give the rep was the MEID of the dumbphone. She was able to activate it over the phone without any issues.

Yea I get that error message when I try to go in to "Change Minutes, Text or Data" to check if my unlimited data is intact. However, when I go to "Activate or Switch Device" it eventually just goes to the page where it tells me to swap SIM cards... Thanks for your reply on this, I thought both phones needed to be on and in reach of Verizon towers in order for them to activate... It is still strange that VZW site will tell you that you still need to activate your phone when we got it activated in store right then and there. When I called CSR they told me, "it could take up to 24 hours" standard response...

 

[MDsmartphone]

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

Does the lg dare count as a dumb phone?

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 4

 

[gotwillk]

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

what has been people's process of upgrading 2 smartphone lines with 1 dumbphone line?

so i have 3 lines. 2 of them are smartphones and 1 dumbphone. all lines are eligible for upgrade. the question i have is, can i use the dumbphone line to upgrade to LG G2, then use one of the smartphone lines to upgrade to LG G2 as well? all at the same time? i want to be able to get both phones in my hands on the same day. i'm gonna be on vacation in 2 weeks and i want to be able to just activate one phone first and the let the other sit unactivated until i get back from vacation. will that affect anything? i shouldn't incur any monthly charges since that phone isn't activated yet right? or do i have to do the upgrade process by using the dumbphone line only? if thats the case, then i will have to upgrade the dumbphone line, wait until i receive the new phone, do the whole activation/deactivation thing, transfer an upgrade to the dumbphone so it can be upgraded again, then go through the whole ordering process again for my other line? is that correct?

 

[givenz]

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

Hi I've decided to keep with my unlimited plans on the two main lines.

Although this is really confusing to figure out since I don't already have a 3rd line to begin with.
I have two smartphone lines with unlimited on both.
I do have an old non data phone I could use for the 3rd line once everythings squared away.
What do i do to get this started?
There is no option to just add a 3rd line it wants me to register a device. Do I need to add the non data phone first? then ask for an upgrade from my main line to be switched to it?
If there is someone patient enough to lay out the steps I'd really appreciate it.

 

[dss2000]

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

Hi I've decided to keep with my unlimited plans on the two main lines.

Although this is really confusing to figure out since I don't already have a 3rd line to begin with.
I have two smartphone lines with unlimited on both.
I do have an old non data phone I could use for the 3rd line once everythings squared away.
What do i do to get this started?
There is no option to just add a 3rd line it wants me to register a device. Do I need to add the non data phone first? then ask for an upgrade from my main line to be switched to it?
If there is someone patient enough to lay out the steps I'd really appreciate it.

You could start a new 3rd line and get a new smartphone with that. Then put your dumb phone on that line to free up the new smartphone and to also shed the data plan on that 3rd line to make it cheaper. Take the new smartphone and put it on one of your unlimited lines, lets say line #2. Then transfer the upgrade from line #1 to that new line 3 and order another smartphone (your contract will be renewed for 2 years on line 1 but since upgrade occurring on line 3 you don't lose unlimited data). Activate that second new smartphone on line 3. Then put the dumb phone back on line 3 to free up the second new smartphone. Put that second new smartphone on line #1. Now you have two new smartphones on lines #1 & #2 with preserved unlimited data, a still unused upgrade on line #2, a dumb phone on line #3. You can give the dumb phone to a child or grandparents to use or you can call Verizon and put a dummy # on it to to minimize the payment to $10/mo.

 

[givenz]

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

You could start a new 3rd line and get a new smartphone with that. Then put your dumb phone on that line to free up the new smartphone and to also shed the data plan on that 3rd line to make it cheaper. Take the new smartphone and put it on one of your unlimited lines, lets say line #2. Then transfer the upgrade from line #1 to that new line 3 and order another smartphone (your contract will be renewed for 2 years on line 1 but since upgrade occurring on line 3 you don't lose unlimited data). Activate that second new smartphone on line 3. Then put the dumb phone back on line 3 to free up the second new smartphone. Put that second new smartphone on line #1. Now you have two new smartphones on lines #1 & #2 with preserved unlimited data, a still unused upgrade on line #2, a dumb phone on line #3. You can give the dumb phone to a child or grandparents to use or you can call Verizon and put a dummy # on it to to minimize the payment to $10/mo.

Thanks alot that makes alot of sense now. Although in the process of doing this online it wants to add $35 activation fee for the new smartphone on line #3 instead of the usual $30 upgrade charge. I assume this is normal and I'll pay the the $35 for this whole process to work. Thanks so much.

 

[dss2000]

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

Thanks alot that makes alot of sense now. Although in the process of doing this online it wants to add $35 activation fee for the new smartphone on line #3 instead of the usual $30 upgrade charge. I assume this is normal and I'll pay the the $35 for this whole process to work. Thanks so much.

If you want to really push it you can use that last unused upgrade and again upgrade it through line #3 and then sell it to recover some of the fee's and the cost of the third line. Lets say you get a Note 3 for $300 ($400) after upgrade fee and taxes and then sell it on Craig's list or eBay for at least $650, you'll pocket the $250. Some people will buy it for $650 as another method of avoiding losing their unlimited data. Also buying it for $650 is cheaper than buying for $699.99 which would end up being $800 after taxes and fee's.

 

[eddie33081]

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

Once we have bought the phone for the dummy line and activated it, when moving it back to our Unlimited line. Do we have to worry about the SIM cards at all? We just change them online and do not need to swap them? Also when selling the old smartphone from the unlimited line should we just leave that sim card in as well?

Thanks!

 

[dss2000]

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

Once we have bought the phone for the dummy line and activated it, when moving it back to our Unlimited line. Do we have to worry about the SIM cards at all? We just change them online and do not need to swap them? Also when selling the old smartphone from the unlimited line should we just leave that sim card in as well?

Thanks!

Experience with this has been variable but easy to overcome. Some have reported no problem activating the phone on unlimited line, some report that the sim is still attached to the dumb phone line and waiting anywhere from 5 min to 24 hrs allows it to unattach from the dumb phone line. If you have a problem activating it on your unlimited line you can (if it is compatible) either:
1) take your sim from your receiving unlimited line and put it in your new phone
2) get a new sim that you may have laying around and put it in there (I had one that came with another warranty phone that I never used)
3) call Verizon telephone support and tell them to disassociate the sim from the dumb phone account
4) go to Verizon store and have them disassociate the sim from the dumb phone account or give you a new sim

Also if after you activate the smartphone on the dumb phone line if you happen to actually associate it with your gmail account you need to do a factory reset to wipe the data before you can activate it again with a gmail account on the new line.

 

[thefairman]

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

questions for this upgrade stuff. i'm on a family plan with 3 brothers. 2 of us (including me) have unlimited data, 2 of have tiered.

my older brother recently did something similar here to upgrade his old Inc 2 to an S4 -- he transferred his upgrade to my younger brother who then bought the S4, activated it, then activated his iphone 5 again and gave the S4 to my brother, who activated it successfully. however, he said he had to do it all online, as when my younger brother (who has the iphone and tiered data) went to the VZW store to pick up the S4, the rep told him activating the phone (on my younger brother's line) would deactivate my older brother's unlimited data.

was the rep blowing hot air (because he knew what they were trying to do or something)? i can't see how they can force my older brother (who has unlimited) to go to tiered when transferring his upgrade over to another tiered line. for me, i want to avoid getting my potential new phone mailed (as i would have to mail it to my brother's apartment in college) and would prefer if he could just pick it up at the store tomorrow (as we both happen to be at my parent's house this weekend). in short summary:

1 Unl line (me)
2 tiered lines (my brother)

can i order (say) a G2 for in-store pick up, send my brother to pick it up and activate it in-store (on his line), then activate it again on my line (after he reactivates his old phone) while keeping my unlimited data?

thanks a bunch!

 

[dss2000]

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

questions for this upgrade stuff. i'm on a family plan with 3 brothers. 2 of us (including me) have unlimited data, 2 of have tiered.

my older brother recently did something similar here to upgrade his old Inc 2 to an S4 -- he transferred his upgrade to my younger brother who then bought the S4, activated it, then activated his iphone 5 again and gave the S4 to my brother, who activated it successfully. however, he said he had to do it all online, as when my younger brother (who has the iphone and tiered data) went to the VZW store to pick up the S4, the rep told him activating the phone (on my younger brother's line) would deactivate my older brother's unlimited data.

was the rep blowing hot air (because he knew what they were trying to do or something)? i can't see how they can force my older brother (who has unlimited) to go to tiered when transferring his upgrade over to another tiered line. for me, i want to avoid getting my potential new phone mailed (as i would have to mail it to my brother's apartment in college) and would prefer if he could just pick it up at the store tomorrow (as we both happen to be at my parent's house this weekend). in short summary:

1 Unl line (me)
2 tiered lines (my brother)

can i order (say) a G2 for in-store pick up, send my brother to pick it up and activate it in-store (on his line), then activate it again on my line (after he reactivates his old phone) while keeping my unlimited data?

thanks a bunch!

Yes typical Verizon misinformation. Transfer your upgrade to your younger brothers tiered line. Have him pick it up and activate it on his line. Take it home and put his iPhone back on his line and give you the G2. Activate the G2 on your unlimited line.

 

[thefairman]

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

Yes typical Verizon misinformation. Transfer your upgrade to your younger brothers tiered line. Have him pick it up and activate it on his line. Take it home and put his iPhone back on his line and give you the G2. Activate the G2 on your unlimited line.

excellent. so even if he activates in store (lets the rep do it) after the rep says it will kill my unlimited, it won't affect my plan? if so, i will do this tomorrow. another question: do i have to swap SIM cards from my current phone (GNex) to the new phone (after i activate it on my line)?

 

[Mr. Toad]

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

excellent. so even if he activates in store (lets the rep do it) after the rep says it will kill my unlimited, it won't affect my plan? if so, i will do this tomorrow. another question: do i have to swap SIM cards from my current phone (GNex) to the new phone (after i activate it on my line)?

To activate on your line all you have to do is put your current SIM in the New phone. (if the SIMs are different size you might need a new SIM.)

Sent from my maguro using Tapatalk 4

 

[BevilltheDevil]

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

Has anyone tried adding a new line using an old phone then transferring upgrade to the new line to get a new phone while keeping the new line on month to month. Swap the phone then cancel the new line avoiding cancellation fee given that it was never on contract?

 

[dss2000]

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

excellent. so even if he activates in store (lets the rep do it) after the rep says it will kill my unlimited, it won't affect my plan? if so, i will do this tomorrow. another question: do i have to swap SIM cards from my current phone (GNex) to the new phone (after i activate it on my line)?

Yes, as long as the rep does it that way and just activate the phone on his line and not involve yours. The standard procedure in the Verizon manual (which is to activate on your line then transfer it) will cause you to lose your unlimited. Don't let them do it that way:
They call it the "Alternate Upgrade"
Activating iPhone? 4 on Another Line on Your Account (Alternate Upgrade) | Verizon Wireless