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

[dusoccer10]

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

Yes, I used my UDP upgrade to transfer it to the TDP.

Lots of people are having trouble transferring their upgrades through Best Buy. Can you share your steps with everyone?

 

[dusoccer10]

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

I would like to do the following:

Line 1: UDP with upgrade available
Line 2: 2 GB Tiered plan (no upgrade available)

I want to use Line 1's upgrade on Line 2 and give Line 2 a new two year contract phone (say iPhone), but when I went to go checkout, it says I need to select a data plan as Unlimited Data is no longer available. Is it correct that I select a $30 2 GB plan or did Verizon close the loophole?

If I select the $30 2 GB plan, do I let the phone ship to my house, take Line 2's current SIM and insert into new iPhone, then after an hour take out and put in UDP SIM before eventually switching back to Line 2's SIM so that the new iPhone stays on Line 2? Or is this impossible?

Thanks to all for your help.

Did you transfer your upgrade to Line 2 before ordering the phone?

 

[cheezmaker5]

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

Take a look at prices that mint iPhones can fetch on the market through Swappa or Ebay.

As for the actual selling, I would definitely wipe out the pending activation first and just explain to the buyer that you opened the iPhone to remove its SIM.

Using the Forever method I transferred my upgrade from ULD L2 to ULD L1 through the iconic portal. All seemed to go smoothly. I received an email to confirm the order. It contained a preorder confirmation number. When checking on my upgrades available, there are now no upgrades available. However, when I check on the order status, it says "We have received your order and is in process" (See Screenshot below) with no other information and when I checked my credit card transaction history, there was no charge. Is this typical? I have read that sometimes a card is not charged until the order ships. Other places say that there is at least a charge of $1. I have also read that this sometimes signals a credit card error within the system. I don't want to call Verizon to figure this out. Should I wait? Try to modify payment (as indicated in the screen shot)? Try to cancel my order (as indicated in screen shot) and attempt to get my upgrade restored? It has been about 12 hours with no status change.



Just a quick update. The status now reads:

Seems like things may be moving along.

 

[cruzmike89]

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

Lots of people are having trouble transferring their upgrades through Best Buy. Can you share your steps with everyone?

Sure I will do my best. At 1st it wouldn't let me transfer it also. It will tell to pick a line with the upgrade but wouldn't show my other numbers to pick from so I'm not sure if that's the same problem people are having but I think I might know way.
1. I started at this page: https://www-ssl.bestbuy.com/site/ol...=0&id=pcat21201&type=page&upgrade=true&rdct=s.
2. I put my UDP number and account info. On next page and said I have an upgrade and to pick a phone.
3. Once you pick the phone it will say check eligibility again and do that.
4. The next page will say that you can upgrade but don't do that. On the same page on mid right it will say something around try a different number. Click on that.
5. It will take you to a new page and that's where you put the number that has no upgrade available.
6. The next page will say you can't upgrade but you can transfer your upgrade. In the scroll area pick your number with the upgrade and continue to transfer.
7. Finish your checkout.

That's all I did. I think it didn't let me because I started those steps with the number with no upgrade but then when I started the steps with the number that had the upgrade it did let me transfer. I just switched lines once got to step 4. Hope that was clear and helps people out. Not really good at explaining stuff online lol. My new phone gets here today. Oh and I was using Google chrome on windows 10 of that helps too.

 

[nwasquad1]

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

Did you transfer your upgrade to Line 2 before ordering the phone?

Thanks for the response. Yes I transferred the upgrade from Line 1 (UDP) to Line 2 (TDP) and then proceeded to try to buy the phone on Line 2 when it gave me that msg (that I would have to select a new data plan). I'm guessing the msg is not supposed to show up normally? Or do I go ahead and select a new 'dummy' data plan before destroying SIM that comes with new phone?

 

[kenshell]

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

I hate asking but
I want a new phone (Note 4) for line 2

Family Share 700
Line 1 UDP Samsung s5, upgrade available, out of contract
Line 2 UDP Note 2, upgrade available, out of contract
Line 3 Basic phone,Casio Flip, upgrade available, out of contract

So I order an upgrade to line 3,
get smallest data plan,
when phone gets here I eat the sim card and put my note 2 sim card in the new Note 4?

I should have no issues with losing my unlimited?

 

[dusoccer10]

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

I hate asking but
I want a new phone (Note 4) for line 2

Family Share 700
Line 1 UDP Samsung s5, upgrade available, out of contract
Line 2 UDP Note 2, upgrade available, out of contract
Line 3 Basic phone,Casio Flip, upgrade available, out of contract

So I order an upgrade to line 3,
get smallest data plan,
when phone gets here I eat the sim card and put my note 2 sim card in the new Note 4?

I should have no issues with losing my unlimited?

That's the way to do it. I don't really recommend "eating" a SIM card, but cutting, setting on fire, or other destruction techniques will work. ;-)

 

[dusoccer10]

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

Thanks for the response. Yes I transferred the upgrade from Line 1 (UDP) to Line 2 (TDP) and then proceeded to try to buy the phone on Line 2 when it gave me that msg (that I would have to select a new data plan). I'm guessing the msg is not supposed to show up normally? Or do I go ahead and select a new 'dummy' data plan before destroying SIM that comes with new phone?

That is odd. What phone do you have on Line 1, Line 2, and are ordering? I wonder if you have an "older" phone on Line 2 and that is what is causing the issue.

 

[cheezmaker5]

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

Using the Forever method I transferred my upgrade from ULD L2 to ULD L1 through the iconic portal. All seemed to go smoothly. I received an email to confirm the order. It contained a preorder confirmation number. When checking on my upgrades available, there are now no upgrades available. However, when I check on the order status, it says "We have received your order and is in process" (See Screenshot below) with no other information and when I checked my credit card transaction history, there was no charge. Is this typical? I have read that sometimes a card is not charged until the order ships. Other places say that there is at least a charge of $1. I have also read that this sometimes signals a credit card error within the system. I don't want to call Verizon to figure this out. Should I wait? Try to modify payment (as indicated in the screen shot)? Try to cancel my order (as indicated in screen shot) and attempt to get my upgrade restored? It has been about 12 hours with no status change.

View attachment 190746

Just a quick update. The status now reads:
View attachment 190754
Seems like things may be moving along.

One more quick update:
View attachment 190771
I also received a Fed Ex tracking #. Still no charges on my credit card. I should be ready to activate the phone on Thursday if necessary. Any advice on how to handle a return in case we can still get subsidized pricing after Thursday? Is it as simple as mailing the phone back within the 14 day return window and then the original upgrade is restored on the account?

 

[Tieftoener]

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

Hello dusoccer10,

Thanks for all your help! I have read about 10 pages back through many scenarios... hopefully, I understand things. Can you please verify our plan of attack?

We have the following situation:
Nationwide Talk & Text Share 700 plan
Line 1: UDP with Moto X 2nd Gen (Upgrade available)
Line 2: UDP with HTC One M7 (Upgrade available)

We would both like to update to new smartphones (TBD phones right now) using our available upgrades. At this time, based on my understanding, our steps would be as follows:

For line 1:
1) Order phone from Best Buy online, ship it home.
1a) Choose New Phone 1 online.
1b) Select "Add to Package" on BB website.
1c) Select "Upgrade my Device," and "Check Eligibility" button.

On a test run, without ever entering my information, it gave me the following notification after clicking Add to Package in the pop up window:

"There's a change from Verizon Wireless for unlimited data plans.
Verizon Wireless has ended this plan option, so when you upgrade you'll be switched to their most common 2GB plan by default."​

I'm not sure how it knows I have an unlimited data plan. Maybe I've checked status before and don't remember doing it and it knows which phone number???​

2) Receive New Phone 1 for line 1. Do not turn on new phone.
3) Discard/destroy New Sim 1 that comes with New Phone 1.
4) Shut down Old Phone 1 and Remove Old Sim 1 from Old Phone 1
5) Install Old Sim 1 in New Phone 1 (cut Old Sim 1 with cutter, if necessary).
6) Turn on New Phone 1. Phone automatically initiates activation.
What from here? Does any information need to be entered when the New Phone is "activating?" Phone number? Anything else?

For line 2:
1) Order New Phone 2 from Best Buy online, ship it home. Note: Ensure this is a separate order from Line 1.
2) thru 6) - same as New Phone 1 for New/Old Phone 2

My limited understanding is that the new activation of the new data plan would only activate when/if the New Sims are used to turn on the New Phones. Is this correct?
If not, when does the "change" to data plan occur? Will it ever occur? Will these steps, for sure, NOT change our UDP?
If the new phone is received and activated after the 13th, will that matter? Or does it just have to be ordered by the 13th?
I saw something about a "Pending activation" notice or something that gets put on the account. Does this pending activation remain forever? When will it "disappear" from account?
Will I get another new "upgrade available" status in another 2 years?
Following the New Phones activations/turn ons, do we need to go to a Verizon Authorized Retailer for any reason?

If we decided to sell one of the new Phones (without activating it), do we need to do anything other than remove/destroy the New Sim?
Does the ESN remain clean and untainted?

Again, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Best Regards,
Scott

 

[dusoccer10]

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

Hello dusoccer10,

Thanks for all your help! I have read about 10 pages back through many scenarios... hopefully, I understand things. Can you please verify our plan of attack?

We have the following situation:
Nationwide Talk & Text Share 700 plan
Line 1: UDP with Moto X 2nd Gen (Upgrade available)
Line 2: UDP with HTC One M7 (Upgrade available)

We would both like to update to new smartphones (TBD phones right now) using our available upgrades. At this time, based on my understanding, our steps would be as follows:

For line 1:
1) Order phone from Best Buy online, ship it home.
1a) Choose New Phone 1 online.
1b) Select "Add to Package" on BB website.
1c) Select "Upgrade my Device," and "Check Eligibility" button.

On a test run, without ever entering my information, it gave me the following notification after clicking Add to Package in the pop up window:

"There's a change from Verizon Wireless for unlimited data plans.
Verizon Wireless has ended this plan option, so when you upgrade you'll be switched to their most common 2GB plan by default."​

I'm not sure how it knows I have an unlimited data plan. Maybe I've checked status before and don't remember doing it and it knows which phone number???​

2) Receive New Phone 1 for line 1. Do not turn on new phone.
3) Discard/destroy New Sim 1 that comes with New Phone 1.
4) Shut down Old Phone 1 and Remove Old Sim 1 from Old Phone 1
5) Install Old Sim 1 in New Phone 1 (cut Old Sim 1 with cutter, if necessary).
6) Turn on New Phone 1. Phone automatically initiates activation.
What from here? Does any information need to be entered when the New Phone is "activating?" Phone number? Anything else?

For line 2:
1) Order New Phone 2 from Best Buy online, ship it home. Note: Ensure this is a separate order from Line 1.
2) thru 6) - same as New Phone 1 for New/Old Phone 2

My limited understanding is that the new activation of the new data plan would only activate when/if the New Sims are used to turn on the New Phones. Is this correct?
If not, when does the "change" to data plan occur? Will it ever occur? Will these steps, for sure, NOT change our UDP?
If the new phone is received and activated after the 13th, will that matter? Or does it just have to be ordered by the 13th?
I saw something about a "Pending activation" notice or something that gets put on the account. Does this pending activation remain forever? When will it "disappear" from account?
Will I get another new "upgrade available" status in another 2 years?
Following the New Phones activations/turn ons, do we need to go to a Verizon Authorized Retailer for any reason?

If we decided to sell one of the new Phones (without activating it), do we need to do anything other than remove/destroy the New Sim?
Does the ESN remain clean and untainted?

Again, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Best Regards,
Scott

You have the general basics down. There are other methods that can be done with just two unlimited lines. The big difference relates to who has the better deal...Best Buy or Verizon. The method you typed up can only be done through Best Buy. If Verizon has a better deal for the phone you want, just let the forum know as we will be happy to help.

As for your specific questions:

1.) When ordering through Best Buy or Verizon, the plan change occurs when you activate the SIM that is shipped in the new phone. As long as you never activate the SIM, or reprogram it, you should be fine. With that said, there is never a guarantee with any of this stuff. Verizon can remove your unlimited data plan at any time regardless of contract status.

2.) I doubt it matters whether you activate the phone by the 13th. What matters more would be ordering before then.

3.) Pending activation occurs when you upgrade a line, but never actually activate the SIM/Phone that was ordered. It usually falls off the line in about a month, but it will prevent you from doing any plan changes.

4.) Assuming Verizon still has upgrades in two year, you will get it again.

5.) Based on your intended method, you should not go to a VAR. If you did a different method you could go to one.

6.) If you want to sell a new phone, just remove the SIM card that comes with it. The phone will keep a clean ESN as long as you make your bill payments.

 

[nwasquad1]

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

That is odd. What phone do you have on Line 1, Line 2, and are ordering? I wonder if you have an "older" phone on Line 2 and that is what is causing the issue.

Currently have Turbo on UDP line; Line 2 has iPhone 5 and trying to get iPhone 6 for Line 2

 

[nwasquad1]

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

That is odd. What phone do you have on Line 1, Line 2, and are ordering? I wonder if you have an "older" phone on Line 2 and that is what is causing the issue.

Currently have Turbo on UDP line; Line 2 has iPhone 5 and trying to get iPhone 6 for Line 2

What would normally happen if it was successful that the UDP upgrade transferred to a different line? Would the "Choose another data plan" option not show up? And it would let me upgrade using existing plan of 29.99 unlimited?

 

[dusoccer10]

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

What would normally happen if it was successful that the UDP upgrade transferred to a different line? Would the "Choose another data plan" option not show up? And it would let me upgrade using existing plan of 29.99 unlimited?

When you transfer the upgrade, nothing should happen.

 

[dusoccer10]

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

I used the upgrade on my basic line and got a smartphone. The Best Buy method went fine. The basic phone remained active on the line with any changes.

However, I recently read somewhere that if the basic phone is swapped(i.e. broken phone or simply want another basic phone) and the customer dials *228 to put the new basic phone on the line, Verizon will automatically put the $30 data back on that line for 2 years. (even if it's been 14 months after the upgrade was used)

Has anyone heard of this happening?

Thanks!

The SlickDeals thread has some stuff about that. In short, different systems within Verizon see different things. This loophole works because Billing does not see the plan change. However, other parts of Verizon do see the plan change. It's the price we pay to keep unlimited.

 

[ColdBrew]

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

Question...
I have 5 lines. 3 have UDP and 2 are dumb phone lines. I purchased a LG G4 on 1 of the dumb phone lines and just put one of the sim cards from the UDP phone lines in it. That was 2 months ago. If I transfer one of the UDP upgrades to that same dumb phone line (that I used to purchase 2 months ago) can I purchase another LG G4 on that dumb phone line or is Best Buy going to give me issues with it since I never activated the purchase from 2 months ago?

 

[Tieftoener]

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

You have the general basics down. There are other methods that can be done with just two unlimited lines. The big difference relates to who has the better deal...Best Buy or Verizon. The method you typed up can only be done through Best Buy. If Verizon has a better deal for the phone you want, just let the forum know as we will be happy to help.

As for your specific questions:

1.) When ordering through Best Buy or Verizon, the plan change occurs when you activate the SIM that is shipped in the new phone. As long as you never activate the SIM, or reprogram it, you should be fine. With that said, there is never a guarantee with any of this stuff. Verizon can remove your unlimited data plan at any time regardless of contract status.

2.) I doubt it matters whether you activate the phone by the 13th. What matters more would be ordering before then.

3.) Pending activation occurs when you upgrade a line, but never actually activate the SIM/Phone that was ordered. It usually falls off the line in about a month, but it will prevent you from doing any plan changes.

4.) Assuming Verizon still has upgrades in two year, you will get it again.

5.) Based on your intended method, you should not go to a VAR. If you did a different method you could go to one.

6.) If you want to sell a new phone, just remove the SIM card that comes with it. The phone will keep a clean ESN as long as you make your bill payments.

Again, many, many thanks!
1) Yeah, guarantee was the wrong word for sure. Understood.
2) Gotcha, that's what I thought.
3) What causes it to "fall off the line?" Can changes be made after it "falls off?"
4) OK, got it, assuming they continue the "upgrades" process
5) OK, got it.
6) OK....
6a) So, even if I don't activate a New Phone, the ESN is tied to my account and linked to my "contract" for two more years? But then how does the ESN/phone get applied to someone else's account?
6b) Hypothetically, if we were to switch to AT&T (no intention at this time, just thinking worst case), it would remain a clean ESN as long as we paid any account closing fees with Verizon?
6c) Does New Phone 1 get listed as Line 1 device even if I don't "activate" it? I'm a little confused on the approach for selling one of them...
7) Will ordering a new phone using the upgrades as prescribed initiate a new 2yr contract? IOW, will this reset "early termination fees?"

P.S. You're awesome.

 

[daily4x4]

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

Thanks dusoccer10 for the help. I made an error when I listed my situation and my children changed which phones they wanted.

line 1 has an samsung s5, udp and is upgrade eligible, month to month. on vzw site it says transfer upgrade
line 2 has a flip phone and no plan or upgrade
line 3 has an iphone 4,udp and is upgrade eligible, month to month. on vzw site it says transfer upgrade
line 4 has an iphone 5s,udp and is no upgrade.
I underlined and bolded the changes.
Both my kids want iphone 6. so iwant to get 2 iphone 6 one for line 3 and one for line 4 without losing my UDP. How do I proceed?
Thanks for your help

 

[dusoccer10]

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

Question...
I have 5 lines. 3 have UDP and 2 are dumb phone lines. I purchased a LG G4 on 1 of the dumb phone lines and just put one of the sim cards from the UDP phone lines in it. That was 2 months ago. If I transfer one of the UDP upgrades to that same dumb phone line (that I used to purchase 2 months ago) can I purchase another LG G4 on that dumb phone line or is Best Buy going to give me issues with it since I never activated the purchase from 2 months ago?

That will work fine.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[ColdBrew]

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

That will work fine.

Posted via Android Central App

I first tried to transfer using Verizon and ordering from Best Buy but it didn't see the transfer, but Best Buy did offer me to transfer the upgrade from another line. I did that and purchased another LG G4 using the same dumb phone line I used 2 months back. Went fine. No mention of changing my data plan or anything like that. It just said it will change my upgrade date on my UDP line to 2 years from now. Also that it would charge me $35 activation fee. But I don't think I got charged that fee on the last purchase. So I don't expect it this time either.