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AT&T Autopay Discount?

L

Longkeg

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 18, 2014
565
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The Nation’s (US) Oldest City
I just ditched my grandfathered data plan and moved to the new Unlimited Plus. I noticed this disclaimer buried at the bottom of "Introducing New Plans" page:

"AutoPay & Paperless Billing discount: $5 (off single line) or $10 (off multiline) per month discount off your plan charge requires being active and enrolled in paperless billing and AutoPay (excludes credits cards). Discount will start within 2 bill cycles."

That "excludes credit cards" leads me to believe they won't give you the discount if your auto pay is tied to a credit card. I've talked to AT&T 3 times today and have gotten three different answers: Chat- No you have to use bank account or debit card.... Girl on phone- Yeah, credit cards are fine.... Guy at the store- Huh?

I have an AT&T GoPhone which is getting the discount with autopay linked to a credit card but I wonder if they've made up different rules for the new unlimited plans. Can anyone shed some light on this?
 
Lobwedgephil said:
It is exactly what it says, it excludes credit cards.
Click to expand...

I don't doubt it! But doesn't AT&T train its people when they roll out new products? I shouldn't have to go to a Tech Forum for clarification because 2 out of 3 supposedly "highly trained" support people can't get their act together... There, here endeth the RANT. I feel better now.
 
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Longkeg said:
I just ditched my grandfathered data plan and moved to the new Unlimited Plus. I noticed this disclaimer buried at the bottom of "Introducing New Plans" page:

"AutoPay & Paperless Billing discount: $5 (off single line) or $10 (off multiline) per month discount off your plan charge requires being active and enrolled in paperless billing and AutoPay (excludes credits cards). Discount will start within 2 bill cycles."
Click to expand...

For those wondering, Verizon has similar language buried in the fine print.
 
Longkeg said:
I don't doubt it! But doesn't AT&T train its people when they roll out new products? I shouldn't have to go to a Tech Forum for clarification because 2 out of 3 supposedly "highly trained" support people can't get their act together... There, here endeth the RANT. I feel better now.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately that kind of thing has been present in all kinds of industries for ages at this point.
 
Lobwedgephil said:
It is exactly what it says, it excludes credit cards.
Click to expand...

Yesterday I changed our plan from the previous unlimited plan to the new unlimited plus plan. Signed up for the auto pay discount, they took my credit card info, and everything is set. I just checked my account online, and the credit info is all in order.
 
wmdunn said:
Yesterday I changed our plan from the previous unlimited plan to the new unlimited plus plan. Signed up for the auto pay discount, they took my credit card info, and everything is set. I just checked my account online, and the credit info is all in order.
Click to expand...
And you are definitely getting the auto-pay discount (as in that is being reflected somewhere)?
 
wmdunn said:
Yesterday I changed our plan from the previous unlimited plan to the new unlimited plus plan. Signed up for the auto pay discount, they took my credit card info, and everything is set. I just checked my account online, and the credit info is all in order.
Click to expand...

As I said elsewhere, they will happily accept credit cards for autopay. They want to be paid just like every other business. However, a credit card doesn't meet their criteria for receiving the $10 discount, so don't be surprised when you don't receive it.
 
They'll take their money from your credit card each month but That doesn't necessarily mean they'll give you the discount. Also stated in the fine print is that the discount doesn't kick in until after the "2 to 3 billing cycles?" The cynic in me thinks they are banking on people not paying attention. So several month from now when you realize you haven't been getting the discount you'll call 611 and after you've waited forever on hold to talk to a rep, they'll tell you that you used a credit card and you don't qualify for the discount. I will definitely be checking my bills each month.

I separated my wife's dumb phone from our shared plan so I could just get the single unlimited plus line for my iPhone. Set the dumb phone up as a stand alone pre-pay go phone. When I log in to it it clearly states on the splash page "Congratulations! You're getting the $5 AutoPay Discount!" Nothing like that when I log in to the iPhone.
 
Att told me that they would rather me give them direct access to my checking account as it cost them money to use my credit card each month. They got neither!

Seems like everyone is wanting access to you bank these days to guarantee them their payments. Not one who believes this is good and I refuse.
 
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I switched to unlimited yesterday at the AT&T Store. They were able to back date the the place from the 8th back to the 2nd. They set up my debit card for the auto pay. If you make the payment with whatever payment (i.e. credit card, for rewards) before the scheduled auto pay is to come out, then they will not pull auto pay. I always pay my bill early. I split my bill between my paycheck, so I pay it in two payments. I will get the discount because I am signed up for it, but it will never have to pull. Best of both worlds!
 
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eldervovichka said:
I switched to unlimited yesterday at the AT&T Store. They were able to back date the the place from the 8th back to the 2nd. They set up my debit card for the auto pay. If you make the payment with whatever payment (i.e. credit card, for rewards) before the scheduled auto pay is to come out, then they will not pull auto pay. I always pay my bill early. I split my bill between my paycheck, so I pay it in two payments. I will get the discount because I am signed up for it, but it will never have to pull. Best of both worlds!
Click to expand...

Are you sure it works that way? I would like to know because I was told by the billing department that they apply the discount after the approved payment method goes through. So, if you pay with credit card, they'll identify it and won't give you the discount. If you play early with a debit card, they'll see it as a debit and give you the discount.

I was told Verizon works the same way.

Can anyone confirm?
 
HPLouis said:
Are you sure it works that way? I would like to know because I was told by the billing department that they apply the discount after the approved payment method goes through. So, if you pay with credit card, they'll identify it and won't give you the discount. If you play early with a debit card, they'll see it as a debit and give you the discount.

I was told Verizon works the same way.

Can anyone confirm?
Click to expand...

Then I am not sure. That is what the AT&T rep told me last night while I was there. I will not know until 4/2. I will keep you posted.
 
I have a question about Autopay. I was on the original grandfather unlimited and I got a 18% FAN discount. I then switched to the 1st unlimited plan they offered a few weeks ago for $140. When I log onto my account it still shows my FAN discount. Here are my questions.... Does anyone know if I can get an autopay discount with the 1st new unlimited plan? The current new unlimited plan for 2 phones is $5 more ($145). Yes, I know it comes with tethering. For me it is not worth the extra $5 a month. My other question is, if i was to change to the new unlimited, would I still get my FAN discount? I thought i read (between the time they announced the plan and the time it took effect) that they were not going to allow a FAN discount. Is that true?
 
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jwlbel said:
I have a question about Autopay. I was on the original grandfather unlimited and I got a 18% FAN discount. I then switched to the 1st unlimited plan they offered a few weeks ago for $140. When I log onto my account it still shows my FAN discount. Here are my questions.... Does anyone know if I can get an autopay discount with the 1st new unlimited plan? The current new unlimited plan for 2 phones is $5 more ($145). Yes, I know it comes with tethering. For me it is not worth the extra $5 a month. My other question is, if i was to change to the new unlimited, would I still get my FAN discount? I thought i read (between the time they announced the plan and the time it took effect) that they were not going to allow a FAN discount. Is that true?
Click to expand...

No fan discount on new plan.
 
Hmmm, this thing with autopay is so confusing. I also added the debit card for autopay to get the discount, but I am hoping that if I pay with a credit card before the due date that I would get the discount? I think this might not work because the credit is applied later, so they would know if I used a credit card or debit card to make the payment...
 
thecore762 said:
Hmmm, this thing with autopay is so confusing. I also added the debit card for autopay to get the discount, but I am hoping that if I pay with a credit card before the due date that I would get the discount? I think this might not work because the credit is applied later, so they would know if I used a credit card or debit card to make the payment...
Click to expand...
It should work the way you are describing, but I guess to know for sure someone would have to try and report back.
 
eldervovichka said:
Then I am not sure. That is what the AT&T rep told me last night while I was there. I will not know until 4/2. I will keep you posted.
Click to expand...
Did you ever find out if registering for autopay with a debit card or checking account and then paying early with a credit card still gets you the discount?

Also wondering if I pay with a credit card or Plenti card/gift card once in a while would disqualify me for the discount just for that month or if I would lose the credit for good?
 
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