Upgraded and Kept my Unlimited Plan

[lloydstrans]

Well I thought I had it figured out, until this post. I have three lines, only my line has a data plan. Are you saying in order for this technique to work one of my other two lines needs to have a (limited usage) data plan on it? Both of these other two lines are currently on a basic pay-as-you-go data plan at $1.99/MB.

Tis explained this a couple post up, yes you will have to upgrade that line to a tiered data plan.

[TisMyDroid]

Well I thought I had it figured out, until this post. I have three lines, only my line has a data plan. Are you saying in order for this technique to work one of my other two lines needs to have a (limited usage) data plan on it? Both of these other two lines are currently on a basic pay-as-you-go data plan at $1.99/MB.

If you put a smart phone on one of the pay-as-you-go lines, then you will have to choose a tiered data plan (I think at least 2 gb for $30). But, if you take the smart phone off that line, you can cancel the tiered data.

[lloydstrans]

Thanks for picking up my slack, "queen of the five lines"

Just put the dumb phone back on that line.

[drzcharlie]

The only way, so far, is if you have to have more than one line and an eligible upgrade that can be used on a tiered line.
*Place the eligible upgrade on the limited tiered line,
*get the new subsidized phone on that limited tiered line's upgrade,
*very important-activate the new phone on the limited tiered line to update the contract for that line (because it is a tiered line, the upgrade does not cause you to choose a tiered package for that line).
*once the contract is updated on the tiered line, you can put the new phone on any line you want, including your unlimited lines.

This is exactly what I just did. Kept my unlimited too!

[ralbertina]

I would be interested in your thoughts on the following scenario:

We have 3 smart phones on a family plan with unlimited data with one phone out of contract and eligible for upgrade. the phones are:

Line #1: My phone: Razr Maxx (still under contract and fine as is)
Line #2; Wife's phone: Razr Maxx (still under contrcat and fine as is)
Line #3: Daughter's Phone: Droid 2 Global (out of contract, eligible for upgrade)


What I've been told by VZ reps from 3 different stores is there is no way to upgrade Line # 3 without moving that line to a tiered data plan, other than paying full retail for the phone. I've been told several reasons for this including were moving a phone from the 3g to 4LTE network.

What we would like to ultimately accomplish if possible, is to obtan a new phone for our daughter that utilizes her existing number while keeping it on our unlimted data family plan. Any thoughts on scenarios that would accomplish this?

[TisMyDroid]

Because you have all three lines in unlimited, there are only three ways to get something fairly close to keeping your unlimited data. Either...

1. one of those lines would have to become a tiered line. If there is any one of you that uses minimal data, then move the upgrade to that line, activate the new phone on that line and choose a tiered data plan for that line. Then once the new phone is activated on that line and the contract updated, you can switch the new phone to any line you want.

2. Add a fourth line, buy the new phone fit that fourth line, choose a tiered plan for that fourth line. Once activated, you can switch the new phone to any line, put a dumb phone on that line and cancel the tiered data but would still cost an extra 9.99 for the next two years for the fourth line.

3. Buy a phone full retail, used or eBay, swappa, etc and can put that phone on any line.

[ralbertina]

Because you have all three lines in unlimited, there are only three ways to get something fairly close to keeping your unlimited data. Either...

1. one of those lines would have to become a tiered line. If there is any one of you that uses minimal data, then move the upgrade to that line, activate the new phone on that line and choose a tiered data plan for that line. Then once the new phone is activated on that line and the contract updated, you can switch the new phone to any line you want.

2. Add a fourth line, buy the new phone fit that fourth line, choose a tiered plan for that fourth line. Once activated, you can switch the new phone to any line, put a dumb phone on that line and cancel the tiered data but would still cost an extra 9.99 for the next two years for the fourth line.

3. Buy a phone full retail, used or eBay, swappa, etc and can put that phone on any line.

Unfortunately, it looks like we'll be selecting Option #3. The issue with option #2 is the when you add, the monthly surcharges, taxes etc to the $9.99/mo line, your actual out-of-pocket cost is $16/mo. $16 x 24 mos= $384. The $384 roughly becomes the difffernial cost between purchasing a phone outright vs. purchasing a subsidized phone under a 2 year contract committment. I rather just buy the phone outright and not be tied to a 2-year committment.

[TisMyDroid]

Yes, I totally agree with you. I would do the same.

[mmaxx]

I purchased a Maxx HD through Amazon for another number under my family plan that was eligible for upgrade a discounted price. As soon as the phone came in, instead of activating it on the number it was supposed to be activated on, I took it to Verizon and they complied the terms of service for amazon, and without activating it on the other line first, put it straight on my line that I have unlimited data grandfathered in on. No extra fees from Amazon or Verizon. Only fees I have occurred total is the 199.99 from Amazon for the phone and 30.00 for upgrading the other line with Verizon. The activated the SIM Card straight to my number instead of to the other number so it tied the Amazon terms of service to my line with unlimited data. I have no idea how the lady at Verizon did it, but she is a Godsend. So to sum it up, Maxx HD, discounted price, unlimited data, no extra fees.

Has anyone else done this with Amazon? I'm in this same situation...multiple lines on family plan. 2 unlimited, 2 tiered. Want to transfer unlimited upgrade to a tiered line, buy $199 Maxx HD from Amazon and then transfer phone back to my unlimited line. Totally get I could do this through Verizon, but looking to save the $100 and buy phone through Amazon. And clearly need to avoid Amazon's ETFs. Based on the post above I order phone under tiered number, but actually activate it on my unlimited line when I receive it...anyone else confirm this works? THANKS

[lloydstrans]

Several people here on the forums claim to have done this, I was going to recommend it but I do not have first hand experience. But it seems to be working for them.

Good luck. (Not being facetious)