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I guess this is for previous Iphone users only. Anyone think that I could call 611 and get the $199 pricing even though I'm not upgrade eligible for any phone till 9/6/09? I'm more curious because Apple's website tells me I qualify for the $399/499 pricing yet when I log into OLAM and go to the premier site it only lists the Iphone 2G and 3G with the only one I can buy is the 8gig 3G.
 
Here's the deal....

AT&T told me they just got a memo at 5pm (whatever their time is)....

All 3g people are eligible for Friday upgrade if their LINE is $99 or more. Period.

If you are the account holder and are at $95, you are screwed but call now and add some text messages to pull up the bill to $99.
If you are under a family plan paying $9.99+30data - temporarily go to an individual plan to get to $99.

I'm the acct. holder at $95. Husband is under me on Family at $45 (9.99+ 30data + 5 sms). I morphed our lines to individual $59.99 phone + 30 data + 15 sms plan. Each one is now at $104. I expect the site to show eligible tomorrow morning. After I get my phone - I will revert back to my Family plan and drop the extra texts.

I confirmed this twice with AT&T as being a good way to deal with this.

OK I have held my tongue long enough.

I really feel for some of the people posting in this thread. They have legitimate reasons to be angry at AT&T. They followed the rules and should be able to upgrade and the fact that they can not get the phone sucks!!! But I do see some misinformation being spread and I have to say REALLY!!

Meagain come on. You told everyone that you switched out of the family plan to the two individual plans over $100 each two days ago. You are not eligible!! You tried your best, but do not post like you have had 2 individual lines the entire year and you still aren't eligible. All it does is confuse the people that have legitimate concerns. You tried and it didn't work. Let the people that qualify figure out what to do next.

There I will everyone alone. I also had a hard time upgrading even though I met the stupid requirements. So I know it sucks.
 
Thanks for updating us. I was also told the "it should upgrade online date within 72 hours" but that was 72 hours ago. Screen won't change and apparently, it's all about the screen date no matter if Jesus himself said eligible now.

I'm better off cancelling the contract for $125 a line and starting from scratch than paying the extra $200. Does anyone know if one does pay the extra $200 ($400/$500) "early upgrade" price - if they have to sign another contract? Or if paying the $200 might allow a subsidy next year?

I suspect I'd have the same results at AT&T as you did. Since I can't get answers on them for even the 'early upgrade' info and my standing if I pay the extra $200..... I believe I just might shed a tear and crawl back into bed and watch CNN. Then get busy with Jailbreaking my 2g & 3g on 3.0.
I iz depressed.
 
i actually was at an ATT Premier store as i have a premier account and i was told the same 3 criteria.
now i have the original Iphone with NO current contract and they still told me the same story !!! so i assume the redskinsf guy works for ATT !!!

I do not work for AT&T nor Apple.


DESCRIBE how you asked and what you said.

what is your bill per month

I have 2 phones on my plan.
$50.00 Family Talk 550 minute plan.
$9.99 for the additional line.
$30 iPhone Data & $20 iPhone Unlimited text
TOTAL MONTHLY PRE TAX: $109.99 for both lines. (Just 1 iPhone)

I bought my iPhone 3G on July 11, 2009 with the 2 year contract. My eligibility online and on AT&Ts computers showed December 12, 2009 as my upgrade eligibility date... but, the store I went into said because I bought my 3G within the July/August/September 2008 window, that I should be eligible and the AT&T store manager had to manually override my eligibility date on the computer. Therefore, I received the $199 price for the 16GB iPhone 3G.
 
Thanks for updating us. I was also told the "it should upgrade online date within 72 hours" but that was 72 hours ago. Screen won't change and apparently, it's all about the screen date no matter if Jesus himself said eligible now.

I'm better off cancelling the contract for $125 a line and starting from scratch than paying the extra $200. Does anyone know if one does pay the extra $200 ($400/$500) "early upgrade" price - if they have to sign another contract? Or if paying the $200 might allow a subsidy next year?

I suspect I'd have the same results at AT&T as you did. Since I can't get answers on them for even the 'early upgrade' info and my standing if I pay the extra $200..... I believe I just might shed a tear and crawl back into bed and watch CNN. Then get busy with Jailbreaking my 2g & 3g on 3.0.
I iz depressed.

If you pay the extra $200 ($399/$499 pricing) it is considered an 'early upgrade' rather than the $199/$299 'normal upgrade pricing' and YES, they will start you a new 2 year contract.
 
OK I have held my tongue long enough.

I really feel for some of the people posting in this thread. They have legitimate reasons to be angry at AT&T. They followed the rules and should be able to upgrade and the fact that they can not get the phone sucks!!! But I do see some misinformation being spread and I have to say REALLY!!

Meagain come on. You told everyone that you switched out of the family plan to the two individual plans over $100 each two days ago. You are not eligible!! You tried your best, but do not post like you have had 2 individual lines the entire year and you still aren't eligible. All it does is confuse the people that have legitimate concerns. You tried and it didn't work. Let the people that qualify figure out what to do next.

There I will everyone alone. I also had a hard time upgrading even though I met the stupid requirements. So I know it sucks.

OH WTF is your problem already?!? My bills for each line are OVER $119 a month. They tell me (over & over & over & over again by multiple reps) I qualify for the $99+ rule. Period.
You stated at least twice you will go away. It's none of your business what we're doing here. Mr. Judgemental High & Mighty Upgrade Police! You probably narc'd out all your high school schoolmates too I bet. Please go away and play with your Palm Pre.
 
Redskinsf - Well seriously! Congratulations on that score. Shiner won't approve though so be careful. He might track you down and tell AT&T you got too lucky!

Well, if I have to pay $200 AND re-sign for a 2-year contract. I'll just cancel for the $125 and re-sign. Pending approval from the Upgrade Police here.
 
OH WTF is your problem already?!? My bills for each line are OVER $119 a month. They tell me (over & over & over & over again by multiple reps) I qualify for the $99+ rule. Period.
You stated at least twice you will go away. It's none of your business what we're doing here. Mr. Judgemental High & Mighty Upgrade Police! You probably narc'd out all your high school schoolmates too I bet. Please go away and play with your Palm Pre.

Sounds about what I was thinking the retort would be.
 
*639#

Well, I am officially royally confused.

I received my pre-ordered (via Apple online) iphone 3GS about two hours ago(I have the bevel misalignment issue, btw - but that's another post). I activated the phone, and backed up from my old iPhone (RIP on eBay).

I dial *639# and I get a message back:

You may select equipment at our *Full Retail Pricing*. An upgrade may be available on 02/20/2011.

When I pre-ordered on the Apple website, I payed the early upgrade cost of $399 for the 16GB and was told that I wasn't eligible for an upgrade until 01/09/2010.

If my eligibility for an upgrade at the discounted $199 was valid, I would have expected to get the 02/20/2011 date - but it wasn't. I paid $399. So does this mean, I *might* get a refund of that $200 and now they consider me to not be eligible for an upgrade until 2011 because I got the full upgrade cost this time?

This has turned out to be such a complete *cluster f__k* for AT&T and everyone else involved.
 
redskinsf,

Are you in DC by the way or in the area? Hello neighbor.

Anyway, thanks for definitively clearing the issue up with the family plan because I am in the same boat. The AT&T rep was getting confused reading their own internal memo (and what was written on the website) because in one place it says "combined monthly rates including service and features" and then it says in another place "per line."

I was worried that the *official* qualification (whatever that even means) is that if you had a family talk plan with two lines - *each* line had to spend $99 and that seemed absurd to me. The rep agreed that needing to have a $200 phone bill seemed unfathomable.

I am in your exact situation, but I pre-ordered from AT&T. The premiere service rep told me that I *should* qualify, but that Apple will issue the credit. Apple tells me that AT&T will contact them over the next 48 hours and indicate which contracts are eligible with the change in policy and which are not.

At time of purchase at Apple.com I was told I was not eligible until 1/09/2010 even though I bought the 3Gs on July 10th. Now, after activating my 3GS it says I'm not eligible until 2/20/2011. I have no idea whats going on, but I have a feeling that for those of us who ordered onlilne at Apple - because we don't have an AT&T store manager to override the system, AT&T will just report to Apple we aren't eligible when we are just as eligible as you are.

Ugh...!

I do not work for AT&T nor Apple.




I have 2 phones on my plan.
$50.00 Family Talk 550 minute plan.
$9.99 for the additional line.
$30 iPhone Data & $20 iPhone Unlimited text
TOTAL MONTHLY PRE TAX: $109.99 for both lines. (Just 1 iPhone)

I bought my iPhone 3G on July 11, 2009 with the 2 year contract. My eligibility online and on AT&Ts computers showed December 12, 2009 as my upgrade eligibility date... but, the store I went into said because I bought my 3G within the July/August/September 2008 window, that I should be eligible and the AT&T store manager had to manually override my eligibility date on the computer. Therefore, I received the $199 price for the 16GB iPhone 3G.
 
Redskinsf - Well seriously! Congratulations on that score. Shiner won't approve though so be careful. He might track you down and tell AT&T you got too lucky!

Well, if I have to pay $200 AND re-sign for a 2-year contract. I'll just cancel for the $125 and re-sign. Pending approval from the Upgrade Police here.

Cancelling and paying the ETF and rejoining just to get the discount will actually cost you more money in the end because you have to pay the $36 activation fee and will also have to pay an extra month in advance on your first bill (YES, AT&T bills 2 months service on your first statement).. it's NOT worth it.. plus you'd lose your phone number. Just pay the extra $200 if you really want the 3G.. I had to pay full price to upgrade my partners phone. ($399, they wouldn't upgrade his cause he bought it in October last year)
 
Straight from ATT

http://www.facebook.com/ATT?v=app_7146470109

Q: "Does this change only apply to iPhone 3G customers who spend $99 per line or more per month?

A: In most cases, yes. iPhone customers who spend more than $99 a month per line with us generally are eligible for an upgrade between 12 and 18 months. In general, the more a customer spends with us, the less time they have to wait to get another new device. "

Q: What about customers who bought in July, August or September 2008 but don’t spend over $99 a month per line?

A: We value the business of all our customers. The majority of iPhone 3G customers received a significant discount on their device in return for a two-year service commitment during which time we recoup the device subsidy. Getting a new subsidized device is based on several factors including monthly recurring charges and having an account in good financial standing. In general, the more you spend with us, the less time you have to wait to get another device. This is a very fair system. That said, we do offer early upgrade pricing only for iPhone for those customers who don’t want to wait.


In most cases? What are some cases where it would not apply? I hope the press jumps all over them for this. They release this nonsensical upgrade option and can't give a straight answer to their customer base. This whole thing was pure fluff in an attempt to get some positive press for once. I hope it blows up in their face.
 
redskinsf,

Are you in DC by the way or in the area? Hello neighbor.

Anyway, thanks for definitively clearing the issue up with the family plan because I am in the same boat. The AT&T rep was getting confused reading their own internal memo (and what was written on the website) because in one place it says "combined monthly rates including service and features" and then it says in another place "per line."

I was worried that the *official* qualification (whatever that even means) is that if you had a family talk plan with two lines - *each* line had to spend $99 and that seemed absurd to me. The rep agreed that needing to have a $200 phone bill seemed unfathomable.

I am in your exact situation, but I pre-ordered from AT&T. The premiere service rep told me that I *should* qualify, but that Apple will issue the credit. Apple tells me that AT&T will contact them over the next 48 hours and indicate which contracts are eligible with the change in policy and which are not.

At time of purchase at Apple.com I was told I was not eligible until 1/09/2010 even though I bought the 3Gs on July 10th. Now, after activating my 3GS it says I'm not eligible until 2/20/2011. I have no idea whats going on, but I have a feeling that for those of us who ordered onlilne at Apple - because we don't have an AT&T store manager to override the system, AT&T will just report to Apple we aren't eligible when we are just as eligible as you are.

Ugh...!

Nope, not DC.. I live in San Francisco.
 
Wow, the irony...I live in the DC area and I am a Niners Fan. I *love* san francisco and will be there next month.

Nice to meet ya, and thanks again for the post. We'll see how far I get shoved between AT&T, Apple and a hard place...

Nope, not DC.. I live in San Francisco.
 
What is infuriating about this post is how vague they are trying to be explicitly clear about their own policy. Look at all the *qualifiers* in the statement below.

"In most cases"
"generally are eligible"
"between 12 and 18 months"
"In general, the more a..."
"...the less time they have to wait"

All they have done, is raise MORE questions about what the eligibility requirements are.

1.) What does in "most cases" mean? What are the exceptions?

2.) What does "generally are eligible mean?" What are the exclusions?

3.) Is it 12 months or 18 months, or does it matter? I am on an 18 month cycle spending $106 a month on our family plan. From the description it suggests that if you are within the 12-18 month cycle, you meet that criteria, but that wasn't the case for me as I have been told I am not eligible.

4.) What does less time mean? How about specific numbers here based on criteria (i.e. spend <99 wait X months; spend >99 wait X months) and so forth.

Two words: Cluster F__K
Straight from ATT

http://www.facebook.com/ATT?v=app_7146470109

Q: "Does this change only apply to iPhone 3G customers who spend $99 per line or more per month?

A: In most cases, yes. iPhone customers who spend more than $99 a month per line with us generally are eligible for an upgrade between 12 and 18 months. In general, the more a customer spends with us, the less time they have to wait to get another new device. "

Q: What about customers who bought in July, August or September 2008 but don’t spend over $99 a month per line?

A: We value the business of all our customers. The majority of iPhone 3G customers received a significant discount on their device in return for a two-year service commitment during which time we recoup the device subsidy. Getting a new subsidized device is based on several factors including monthly recurring charges and having an account in good financial standing. In general, the more you spend with us, the less time you have to wait to get another device. This is a very fair system. That said, we do offer early upgrade pricing only for iPhone for those customers who don’t want to wait.


In most cases? What are some cases where it would not apply? I hope the press jumps all over them for this. They release this nonsensical upgrade option and can't give a straight answer to their customer base. This whole thing was pure fluff in an attempt to get some positive press for once. I hope it blows up in their face.
 
OH WTF is your problem already?!? My bills for each line are OVER $119 a month. They tell me (over & over & over & over again by multiple reps) I qualify for the $99+ rule. Period.
You stated at least twice you will go away. It's none of your business what we're doing here. Mr. Judgemental High & Mighty Upgrade Police! You probably narc'd out all your high school schoolmates too I bet. Please go away and play with your Palm Pre.

The reason that people who have phone plans over $99 qualify for earlier upgrades than most is because they signed a contract that gives AT&T more money every month, thus paying off their subsidy more quickly. Temporarily changing your phone bill to meet the $99+ requirement puts no extra money into AT&T's pocket for the your past months of service. So AT&T has no reason to give you an early upgrade and when push comes to shove probably won't.

I personally don't give a s**t what people do to get a new phone, just don't cry when whatever angle you are working doesn't pan out.

(And really, I don't understand how a stupid phone is worth all this time, effort, and frustration.)
 
I was told by FOUR ATT people that I WAS eligible and one of them was even a guy at the store where I was going to go. I called a rep after being turned down at the store and she did a lot of research ans talked to her supervisor 3 times during the call.. and even though my COMBINED total bill (2 lines) was $275 that my line wasn't primary.. basically any family features you add is only added to the primary line instead of across the board.. I complained about FALSE advertising because I was told FOUR DIFFERENT times I was eligible.. she said shed make note of that.. I hope something changes soon with this.. I bought my 3G at 8:49:39 AM on July 11, 2008..
 
The reason that people who have phone plans over $99 qualify for earlier upgrades than most is because they signed a contract that gives AT&T more money every month, thus paying off their subsidy more quickly. Temporarily changing your phone bill to meet the $99+ requirement puts no extra money into AT&T's pocket for the your past months of service. So AT&T has no reason to give you an early upgrade and when push comes to shove probably won't.

I personally don't give a s**t what people do to get a new phone, just don't cry when whatever angle you are working doesn't pan out.

(And really, I don't understand how a stupid phone is worth all this time, effort, and frustration.)

In the last 12 months, I've paid $2,857.91 for 2 lines. Works out to over $119 per line. Just sayin'.
 
In the last 12 months, I've paid $2,857.91 for 2 lines. Works out to over $119 per line. Just sayin'.

Well i spent 1800 over the last 11 month and bought my 3G in July but i am not eligible and no one at At&t can tell me why, go figure ....
For now i don't have any other choice than to pay for the 200$ Early Upgrade Fee if i want the 3GS
 
In the last 12 months, I've paid $2,857.91 for 2 lines. Works out to over $119 per line. Just sayin'.

I totally understand that. And I'm not saying you haven't paid more than $99 a month. But eligibility seems to require a contracted price of $99+, not a final, with overages, price of $99+.
 
In the last 12 months, I've paid $2,857.91 for 2 lines. Works out to over $119 per line. Just sayin'.

What are you saying???
Dude you are on a family plan and you didn't pay over $99 for the entire year on one line. Get over it. Many people had family plans and are not eligible move on.
 
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