Help Looking for some clarification about keeping unlimited data

[sandoichi]

Hey, I was wondering if anyone could give some insight on keeping unlimited data with Verizon. I know that there was some posts from earlier in the year where people said it was possible, but I was wondering if it has changed since then.

First off, I read that some people were able to use a line upgrade from a different phone to get the subsidized price of their new phone and then switch it over to their unlimited line.

So...what if I have 2 lines on my contract that aren't smart phone lines (have no data). If I use one of those upgrades to get the DNA at $199, does that mean I will be forced to purchase a data plan for that line which I will be stuck with for 2 years?

I really want to get the DNA tomorrow to replace my Thunderbolt that I've had since it got released, but I use at least 4gb a month in data and there is no way I'm paying $70 for that on a shared plan when I have unlmited for $29.99 now.

Can anyone give me some insight on this? Thanks!

 

[untitled1]

I'd suggest playing around online now as if you were going to buy it. Without actually finalizing the purchase, see what it tells you if you try to add the phone to certain lines. You can get to the point where it's telling you what contract features you're adding or dropping, and still cancel the whole transaction at that point.

 

[AntimonyER]

Hey, I was wondering if anyone could give some insight on keeping unlimited data with Verizon. I know that there was some posts from earlier in the year where people said it was possible, but I was wondering if it has changed since then.

First off, I read that some people were able to use a line upgrade from a different phone to get the subsidized price of their new phone and then switch it over to their unlimited line.

So...what if I have 2 lines on my contract that aren't smart phone lines (have no data). If I use one of those upgrades to get the DNA at $199, does that mean I will be forced to purchase a data plan for that line which I will be stuck with for 2 years?

I really want to get the DNA tomorrow to replace my Thunderbolt that I've had since it got released, but I use at least 4gb a month in data and there is no way I'm paying $70 for that on a shared plan when I have unlmited for $29.99 now.

Can anyone give me some insight on this? Thanks!

After you upgrade the phone on one of your dumbphone lines, reactivate the dumbphone on the line. That will allow you to remove that $30 data fee. Then just add the DNA to your line with the Thunderbolt. I have done this in the store, and the CSRs knew what to do. But it only works through Verizon stores, as 3rd party retailers charge you an ETF if you drop the data charge. Verizon doesn't.

 

[defkorn]

When I went through to pre-order my DNA, it had me select my plan options, etc. It automatically dropped my unlimited data and selected the 2GB/$30 option. When I called to ask someone about this, they said this would apply to all customers making the switch from 3G unlimited to a new LTE phone.
Interestingly, back when the S3 came out is when Verizon started switching people to the 2GB/month data option. A friend of mine had his plan switched without any sort of prompt, he called up Verizon and they gave it back to him. I think at this point, there's nothing that can be done to keep unlimited data when upgrading to a LTE phone. I'm just thankful that I'm nearly always in range of a decent wifi signal!

 

[AntimonyER]

When I went through to pre-order my DNA, it had me select my plan options, etc. It automatically dropped my unlimited data and selected the 2GB/$30 option. When I called to ask someone about this, they said this would apply to all customers making the switch from 3G unlimited to a new LTE phone.
Interestingly, back when the S3 came out is when Verizon started switching people to the 2GB/month data option. A friend of mine had his plan switched without any sort of prompt, he called up Verizon and they gave it back to him. I think at this point, there's nothing that can be done to keep unlimited data when upgrading to a LTE phone. I'm just thankful that I'm nearly always in range of a decent wifi signal!

Not true, you can switch to a 4G phone without losing unlimited. What you can't do is use a subsidized upgrade to get it on your unlimited line. By doing what the OP is asking about, you aren't using an upgrade on the unlimited line, and therefore will keep unlimited.

 

[defkorn]

Not true, you can switch to a 4G phone without losing unlimited. What you can't do is use a subsidized upgrade to get it on your unlimited line. By doing what the OP is asking about, you aren't using an upgrade on the unlimited line, and therefore will keep unlimited.

Ahh, I missed that part. Thanks for clearing things up for me!

 

[sandoichi]

Thanks for the replies.

So if I go down there today, do I just tell the verizon person that I want to use the upgrade on the dumb line to get the DNA, then immediately reactivate the old phone and cancel the data? So if I tell them what I am doing up front, will they just not even bother actually activating the DNA on the dumb line? So like, I just use the upgrade to get the phone for the subsidized price then they can activate it on my real line to save time?

Basically, should I just be up front with them about what I'm doing and they will handle it?

 

[Millinium]

Well, this is what I did today! Went to Verizon authorized retailer and he ordered me DNA on Dumbphone line. When phone comes in we will swap it to my main line which currently has unlimited data. Easy as that!

Also, a couple of other verizon stores wouldn't do that for me but I finally found one that did. They knew exactly what I was talking about.

Thanks for the replies.

So if I go down there today, do I just tell the verizon person that I want to use the upgrade on the dumb line to get the DNA, then immediately reactivate the old phone and cancel the data? So if I tell them what I am doing up front, will they just not even bother actually activating the DNA on the dumb line? So like, I just use the upgrade to get the phone for the subsidized price then they can activate it on my real line to save time?

Basically, should I just be up front with them about what I'm doing and they will handle it?

 

[sandoichi]

Well, this is what I did today! Went to Verizon authorized retailer and he ordered me DNA on Dumbphone line. When phone comes in we will swap it to my main line which currently has unlimited data. Easy as that!

Also, a couple of other verizon stores wouldn't do that for me but I finally found one that did. They knew exactly what I was talking about.

I did the same a few hours ago None of the verizon stores had any in stock by me, so I just ordered one to a dumb line. The guy told me that the only catch is it has to stay on the dumb line for 24 hours before they will let me switch it over to my main line.

 

[AntimonyER]

I did the same a few hours ago None of the verizon stores had any in stock by me, so I just ordered one to a dumb line. The guy told me that the only catch is it has to stay on the dumb line for 24 hours before they will let me switch it over to my main line.

I switched mine over immediately (Did this exact thing today), so not sure why he would say that. It's not required.

 

[sandoichi]

I switched mine over immediately (Did this exact thing today), so not sure why he would say that. It's not required.

Really? Hmm, I dunno then. Maybe whenever I go down to pick it up next week, I will just ask them to put my sim in it and activate it instead of wasting my time.

 

[jreed2560]

After you upgrade the phone on one of your dumbphone lines, reactivate the dumbphone on the line. That will allow you to remove that $30 data fee. Then just add the DNA to your line with the Thunderbolt. I have done this in the store, and the CSRs knew what to do. But it only works through Verizon stores, as 3rd party retailers charge you an ETF if you drop the data charge. Verizon doesn't.

Not all third party retailers do. I work for Cellular Sales and as long as the phone stays on the account for 181 days it doesn't matter which line the phone is moved to.

 

[Bob Cat]

After you upgrade the phone on one of your dumbphone lines, reactivate the dumbphone on the line. That will allow you to remove that $30 data fee. Then just add the DNA to your line with the Thunderbolt. I have done this in the store, and the CSRs knew what to do. But it only works through Verizon stores, as 3rd party retailers charge you an ETF if you drop the data charge. Verizon doesn't.

That's how I've been doing it. I have six line's tho so I generally have upgrades. Or just buy the phone outright. I do that sometimes too.

BC

 

[TrueMetalGeek]

I pre ordered my DNA on my daughter's line. It is a data line too but I used to get me new smart phones on their non data line renewals before they got data phones as they got older.

Anyway. I received the phone shopped to my home and went down there.
The lady was confused for a second but simply activated it on my line as I wanted and everything went ok. Daughter still has her thunderbolt and I still have unlimited on my DNA.

Since I have two teen daughters I have two sacrificial lines for upgrades.
I can get one new phone every year at the good price and kids can't complain because they get my hand me down which is always going to be an upgrade to them.

My oldest daughter was stuck with my old Imagio phone until she got my rezound which is still like new. Talk about an upgrade for her!!! The Imagio was the slowest phone I had ever had. (Not enough power for the features from the get go).

 

[vjetti]

They were able to do the switch immediately for me. In fact, the whole transaction only disconnected my mom's dumb phone line for 2 minutes.

Also, you do not have to go to an official Verizon store to do this. I used an authorized retailer, Diamond, who suggested the procedure to me and didn't charge any extra fee. I also think you can get better deals on insurance, etc through an authorized retailer rather than Verizon. Good luck!

 

[jreed2560]

Hehe