[All iPads] Is A 2-Year AT&T Contract Worth A $100 Discount?… With Grandfathered Unlimited Data?

christof · Nov 9, 2012, 02:52 AM

First: with a 2-year commitment, AT&T now offers a $100 discount on LTE tablet devices, including iPad. I assume this also includes iPad mini. Is the $100 new equipment discount worth a 2-year contract?

Second: assuming AT&T would allow for it, is a $100 discount worth even more if you can make the 2-year commitment with a grandfathered $30 monthly unlimited iPad data plan?

siurpeeman · Nov 9, 2012, 03:00 AM

it's worth it if you were gonna pay for all 24 months anyway.

HowardSmith · Nov 9, 2012, 03:28 AM

I kept the unlimited iPad account going for about 6 months but found it was cheaper to only buy service when I needed it. I travel or need cellular use in "spurts" and it was simply a matter of math. WiFi is almost everywhere I go and is MUCH faster than cellular service.

I think many are holding on to the "unlimited" iPad thing out of fear of losing it. I do for my iPhone. Just do the math and be practical. I have not used it in over 6 months, that is a lot of money saved.

aka777 · Nov 9, 2012, 09:26 AM

If this was offered by Verizon or Sprint, I'd jump on it.

sealos · Nov 9, 2012, 09:45 AM

AT&T would probably tell you that the Unlimited plan is not covered and to get the $100, you would have to switch to a newer plan.

Remember, AT&T hates that you have that unlimited plan and will do everything they can to get you to drop it.

So I would say the $100 is not worth it if you want to keep the unlimited plan.

KeepCalmPeople · Nov 9, 2012, 10:04 AM

If you are on unlimited data, then it's a more difficult decision. As the previous poster says (and I think you know), I'd be surprised if AT&T let you continue with your unlimited data plan. Is losing unlimited data worth $100 for you?

If you already have the mobile share plan, it's a simple question of whether you expect to use the cellular capability for more than 14 out of the 24 months (at $10 a month).

The other consideration is resale - you'd want to check that if you sell your iPad before 24 months, can you fulfill the remainder of the 24 month contract using another off-contract tablet.

mrcalabash · Nov 9, 2012, 11:46 AM

The AT&T announcement says the discount is at AT&T stores and selected retailers. Will Apple stores be one of those selected retailers?

Awakener · Nov 9, 2012, 11:57 AM

Since AT&T now throttles grandfathered unlimited data users at 3gb does "unlimited data" even matter?

ucfgrad93 · Nov 9, 2012, 12:01 PM

I don't want another cellular contract regardless of the device or carrier.

gnasher729 · Nov 9, 2012, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christof

First: with a 2-year commitment, AT&T now offers a $100 discount on LTE tablet devices, including iPad. I assume this also includes iPad mini. Is the $100 new equipment discount worth a 2-year contract?

Second: assuming AT&T would allow for it, is a $100 discount worth even more if you can make the 2-year commitment with a grandfathered $30 monthly unlimited iPad data plan?

Do the sums. For (iPad price - $100) + 24 * (monthly charge) you get an iPad, plus 24 months worth of whatever that contract gives you. Do you need what that contract gives you? Is it worth it? Are there any PAYG deals, and what do they cost? Do you get similar contracts cheaper elsewhere? For example, iPad WiFi is obviously less practical, but an awful lot cheaper.

jsw · Nov 9, 2012, 12:16 PM

I don't think it's worth it. As others have said, unless you're going to require that access nearly every month for the entire two years (note: two years ago, the original iPad on 3G was state of the art, so don't plan on your new tablet keeping its appeal), you'll save money by not getting the contract. No matter what, you'll avoid being in a two year contract, which I think is easily worth the $4 a month you're saving.

Awakener · Nov 9, 2012, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ucfgrad93

I don't want another cellular contract regardless of the device or carrier.

No contract is great if it saves. But if you're going to have the service for at least 24 months why not get the device discount?

Ladybug · Nov 9, 2012, 12:49 PM

I don't think it's worth it. Get a tablet with a pay as you go type plan because in one year there will be another tablet. Cellular contracts should only be yearly in my opinion.

KdParker · Nov 9, 2012, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ucfgrad93

I don't want another cellular contract regardless of the device or carrier.

Plus, you could just use the hotspot on your cell to connect iPad when needed. Not worth another data plan.

designs216 · Nov 9, 2012, 01:05 PM

No way. I'll buy the phone outright and still come out $1800 ahead after 2 years.

aka777 · Nov 9, 2012, 02:17 PM

The only thing that is contracted is the service. After a year, you are still free to take out the sim, then buy another ipad and use the service there too.

For those of us who have a continuous data plan, it's worth it. With the $100 discount, I am now able to purchase the LTE version for only $30 more.

jrlepage · Nov 9, 2012, 09:52 PM

Is there any way to pre-order an LTE Mini through AT&T with the discount? Or do we have to wait until Friday and hope they have some in-stock in stores or online?

christof · Nov 10, 2012, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrlepage

Is there any way to pre-order an LTE Mini through AT&T with the discount? Or do we have to wait until Friday and hope they have some in-stock in stores or online?

I went to an AT&T corporate store today to ask if my grandfathered unlimited session based data would qualify for the two-year contract $100 discount. The small business sales representative said yes. As of today, no preorders are being taken for iPad mini.

The representative expects that iPad mini will be released at the AT&T corporate store the same day Apple releases it. I'm not sure if any iPad mini pre-orders will be taken.

SqB · 07:11 AM

The ETF for this deal is $150 with $4/month prorating. So basically you'd have to keep the contract for 13 months just to avoid owing them more than they "loaned" you in the first place.

Really bold on their part. No thank you.

http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/ar...-term-fees.jsp

bbeagle · Nov 10, 2012, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SqB

The ETF for this deal is $150 with $4/month prorating. So basically you'd have to keep the contract for 13 months just to avoid owing them more than they "loaned" you in the first place.

Really bold on their part. No thank you.

http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/ar...-term-fees.jsp

For me, it's a good deal.

We already have a family data plan. Tablets are $10/month. This now, in effect, makes the iPad $6/month. 40% savings. Well worth it.

vegastime · Nov 10, 2012, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Awakener

Since AT&T now throttles grandfathered unlimited data users at 3gb does "unlimited data" even matter?

Pretty sure this has been shown to be not true for the iPad, and that the throttling only applies to phones.

Awakener · Nov 10, 2012, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegastime

Pretty sure this has been shown to be not true for the iPad, and that the throttling only applies to phones.

You just might be right about that, my bad.

tbayrgs · Nov 10, 2012, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christof

I went to an AT&T corporate store today to ask if my grandfathered unlimited session based data would qualify for the two-year contract $100 discount. The small business sales representative said yes. As of today, no preorders are being taken for iPad mini.

The representative expects that iPad mini will be released at the AT&T corporate store the same day Apple releases it. I'm not sure if any iPad mini pre-orders will be taken.

I wouldn't count on it, especially considering the AT&T employees I've spoken to in the past haven't always been very well informed. According to this article on TUAW, this discount only will apply to iPads added to existing mobile share plans or tiered data plans. I hope the rep you spoke to is correct as I also have an existing standalone unlimited data plan for my iPad and was planning on switching to a Mini.

christof · Nov 11, 2012, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbayrgs

I wouldn't count on it, especially considering the AT&T employees I've spoken to in the past haven't always been very well informed. According to this article on TUAW, this discount only will apply to iPads added to existing mobile share plans or tiered data plans. I hope the rep you spoke to is correct as I also have an existing standalone unlimited data plan for my iPad and was planning on switching to a Mini.

When you say tiered, I assume you mean the new capped/metered data plans. If you hear otherwise, or have success, let me know. I'll do the same.

christof · Nov 28, 2012, 07:34 PM

I visited AT&T Corporate Stores, called Telephone Sales and Customer Service, and tweeted AT&T Twitter Customer Care.

In order to achieve $100 savings, the customer must sign a two-year agreement. Two-year agreements may be made on post-paid accounts.

Grandfathered $30 iPad unlimited session based tablet data is a pre-paid product. AT&T cannot convert pre-paid accounts to post-paid accounts AND retain unlimited tablet data because unlimited tablet data is not offered to post-paid accounts.

The policy document AT&T Twitter Customer Care pointed me to is: http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB117070

If anyone is successful, please share your experience. Thanks!

View Poll Results: Is.a 2-year AT&T commitment worth a $100 discount on a new tablet?
Yes… I've paid this long… I have unlimited data—why not… etc.	12	42.86%
No… I hate contracts… I hate AT&T… I want more money… etc.	16	57.14%
Voters: 28. You may not vote on this poll

Nov 9, 2012, 02:52 AM	#1
christof macrumors regular Join Date: May 2002 Location: SFO, JFK	Is A 2-Year AT&T Contract Worth A $100 Discount?… With Grandfathered Unlimited Data? First: with a 2-year commitment, AT&T now offers a $100 discount on LTE tablet devices, including iPad. I assume this also includes iPad mini. Is the $100 new equipment discount worth a 2-year contract? Second: assuming AT&T would allow for it, is a $100 discount worth even more if you can make the 2-year commitment with a grandfathered $30 monthly unlimited iPad data plan?
	0

Nov 9, 2012, 03:00 AM	#2
siurpeeman macrumors 603 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: the OC	it's worth it if you were gonna pay for all 24 months anyway. __________________ grr...argh...
	1

Nov 9, 2012, 09:45 AM	#5
sealos macrumors member Join Date: May 2008	AT&T would probably tell you that the Unlimited plan is not covered and to get the $100, you would have to switch to a newer plan. Remember, AT&T hates that you have that unlimited plan and will do everything they can to get you to drop it. So I would say the $100 is not worth it if you want to keep the unlimited plan. __________________ Current:: Retina Macbook Pro 15" \| iPhone 5 \| iPad mini & Gen 3 \| Apple \| TV Silver & Black Past:: Macbook Pro 13" \| iPhone 4S \| iPhone 4 \| iPad 2 \| iPad (original) \| various Mac laptops since 2002.
	1

Nov 9, 2012, 12:16 PM	#11
jsw Demi-God (Moderator emeritus) Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Andover, MA	I don't think it's worth it. As others have said, unless you're going to require that access nearly every month for the entire two years (note: two years ago, the original iPad on 3G was state of the art, so don't plan on your new tablet keeping its appeal), you'll save money by not getting the contract. No matter what, you'll avoid being in a two year contract, which I think is easily worth the $4 a month you're saving. __________________ You'll be the one moaning for me to give you some. - THC(taken out of context)
	0

Nov 9, 2012, 03:28 AM	#3
HowardSmith Banned Join Date: Sep 2012	I kept the unlimited iPad account going for about 6 months but found it was cheaper to only buy service when I needed it. I travel or need cellular use in "spurts" and it was simply a matter of math. WiFi is almost everywhere I go and is MUCH faster than cellular service. I think many are holding on to the "unlimited" iPad thing out of fear of losing it. I do for my iPhone. Just do the math and be practical. I have not used it in over 6 months, that is a lot of money saved.
	0

Nov 9, 2012, 09:26 AM	#4
aka777 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2012	If this was offered by Verizon or Sprint, I'd jump on it.
	0

Nov 9, 2012, 10:04 AM	#6
KeepCalmPeople macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2012	If you are on unlimited data, then it's a more difficult decision. As the previous poster says (and I think you know), I'd be surprised if AT&T let you continue with your unlimited data plan. Is losing unlimited data worth $100 for you? If you already have the mobile share plan, it's a simple question of whether you expect to use the cellular capability for more than 14 out of the 24 months (at $10 a month). The other consideration is resale - you'd want to check that if you sell your iPad before 24 months, can you fulfill the remainder of the 24 month contract using another off-contract tablet.
	0

Nov 9, 2012, 11:46 AM	#7
mrcalabash macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2011	The AT&T announcement says the discount is at AT&T stores and selected retailers. Will Apple stores be one of those selected retailers?
	0

Nov 9, 2012, 11:57 AM	#8
Awakener macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2011	Since AT&T now throttles grandfathered unlimited data users at 3gb does "unlimited data" even matter?
	0

Nov 9, 2012, 12:01 PM	#9
ucfgrad93 macrumors G4 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Colorado	I don't want another cellular contract regardless of the device or carrier.
	0

Nov 9, 2012, 12:49 PM	#13
Ladybug macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2006	I don't think it's worth it. Get a tablet with a pay as you go type plan because in one year there will be another tablet. Cellular contracts should only be yearly in my opinion.
	0

Nov 9, 2012, 01:05 PM	#15
designs216 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: On the way to M-83	No way. I'll buy the phone outright and still come out $1800 ahead after 2 years.
	0

Nov 9, 2012, 02:17 PM	#16
aka777 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2012	The only thing that is contracted is the service. After a year, you are still free to take out the sim, then buy another ipad and use the service there too. For those of us who have a continuous data plan, it's worth it. With the $100 discount, I am now able to purchase the LTE version for only $30 more.
	0

Nov 9, 2012, 09:52 PM	#17
jrlepage macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Southeast USA	Is there any way to pre-order an LTE Mini through AT&T with the discount? Or do we have to wait until Friday and hope they have some in-stock in stores or online?
	0

Nov 10, 2012, 07:11 AM	#19
SqB macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Northern Colorado	ETF is the deal breaker The ETF for this deal is $150 with $4/month prorating. So basically you'd have to keep the contract for 13 months just to avoid owing them more than they "loaned" you in the first place. Really bold on their part. No thank you. http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/ar...-term-fees.jsp __________________ ...Steve would never have allowed this... Last edited by SqB; Nov 10, 2012 at 07:11 AM. Reason: Added source
	0

Nov 28, 2012, 07:34 PM	#25
christof Thread Starter macrumors regular Join Date: May 2002 Location: SFO, JFK	I visited AT&T Corporate Stores, called Telephone Sales and Customer Service, and tweeted AT&T Twitter Customer Care. In order to achieve $100 savings, the customer must sign a two-year agreement. Two-year agreements may be made on post-paid accounts. Grandfathered $30 iPad unlimited session based tablet data is a pre-paid product. AT&T cannot convert pre-paid accounts to post-paid accounts AND retain unlimited tablet data because unlimited tablet data is not offered to post-paid accounts. The policy document AT&T Twitter Customer Care pointed me to is: http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB117070 If anyone is successful, please share your experience. Thanks!
	0

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