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Just tried first time via chat. The lady wouldn't budge. Their responses:

The upgrade fee can only be waived if it was billed in error, or, you have a employee discount that applies the credit.

The upgrade fee can only be waived if it was billed in error, or, you have a employee discount that applies the credit.

I see you do have an employee discount, you can call Premier and see if your discounts allows for a waived upgrade fee. Their number is 866-499-8008. Hours of Operation (times are ET) Mon - Fri 8 am - 10 pm

Just say it was billed in error. "You didn't provide me with any kind of 'upgrade service', so I shouldn't have to pay an upgrade fee."
 
I updated my OP with it:

"Good morning. I recently signed a 2 year contract extension and upgraded to a new iPhone. I was hoping I could have my upgrade fee waived or credited to my account."

Did this what you say and got credit, thanks for this suggestion!!! :)
 
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I was able to get my upgrade fee credited this morning.

First chat the representative asked me why I thought I was entitled to have it waived. I said that I had been a customer for many years, had fulfilled my last contract and could have switched to verizon but chose to stay with AT&T. Chat froze (I waited and waited and he never responded) so I closed the chat window and tried again.

Second representative, apologized for me getting disconnected the first time, and immediately waived the fee - no questions asked. :)
 
I used the OP's suggested wording. The guy I chatted with said he'd be happy to do a one time credit for $36 and informed it would not appear on my next statement. What's odd is, I just logged into my account and the balance shows $0. Shouldn't it show -$36 + tax? Should I chat back?
 
I used the OP's suggested wording. The guy I chatted with said he'd be happy to do a one time credit for $36 and informed it would not appear on my next statement. What's odd is, I just logged into my account and the balance shows $0. Shouldn't it show -$36 + tax? Should I chat back?

Had the upgrade fee already shown up on your account? I waited until I got a bill that showed the charge. When I asked, they issued a -39.65 credit, maybe if the charge isn't there yet they just waive it (rather than issuing a credit)
 
Had the upgrade fee already shown up on your account? I waited until I got a bill that showed the charge. When I asked, they issued a -39.65 credit, maybe if the charge isn't there yet they just waive it (rather than issuing a credit)

No, my billing cycle isn't for another 10 days. I could have sworn though others said they chatted the day of getting their phones and saw the credit instantly applied. I could be wrong though
 
Success

Tina xxx: We don't normally credit these fees. The upgrade fee is to allow us to assist customers with recommending new equipment, offering special offers and discounts, providing assistance with the upgrade process if needed, and supporting the returns process within 30 days. These specialized processes help us to ensure you are satisfied with your new equipment, and are ready to use it the day you receive it. The upgrade fee allows us to defray some of these additional service costs.
Me: understand
Tina xxx: I will however as a one time courtesy credit for one today.
Me: I am a loyal customer and saying with AT&T instead of witching to verizon
Tina xxx: I have only as a one time courtesy waived both of the fees.
Me: how much credit did you waive?
Tina xxx: Both of the $36 upgrade fees.
Me: so it is $72 credit total?
Tina xxx: Well there will not be a credit of that amount on the next bill,instead there will just not be any upgrade fees.
Tina xxx: They are now waived.
Me: thanks
 
I did a chat with at&t and they said the credit is pending as it hasn't been billed yet but, on my next bill I'd see the $36 upgrade fee and a $36 credit to offset it.

I sure hope their right. Now, all I gotta do is wait and see.
 
Just did this and got $81.84 credited to my account. It should post within 48-72hrs! Had the chat e-mailed to me in case I need it later on. Thanks!
 
I sent an email about this upgrade fee to AT&T and the next day received a nice reply saying it would be credited.

I sent the exact same email to a friend so he could use it to avoid the upgrade fee. Well they denied him. I got his information and sent another email fighting the upgrade fee. Well after sending it, I just got mad.

I called AT&T and acted as though I was him and bluntly said I had a problem and we could deal with it the nice way or the mean way and it was up to them to decide which way to go. I explained the situation and they immediately removed the $36 upgrade fee.

I mean really? She said the $36 was a way to offset the cost of the $600 phone for being sold for $199. That is between Apple and AT&T and they are not going to back door me into making up "losses." As far as I am concerned they will make up their losses when I pay my bill each month for the next two years.

This economy stinks for everyone and everything is going up in price except for my paycheck. The $36 is hard to come by. I had a HARD time getting money to buy my iPhone. I had been saving up for months.

Sorry but just had to vent.
 
i must not be seeing it, ill try again later

When I clicked to Chat, I was repeatedly redirected to My ATT Accounts management page where Chat is not an option. They may have removed the ability to chat at this time. :mad: I'm looking for a workaround because my bill came yesterday & the fee is on it for $39 + tax. If I can't find a way around via internet, I'll call someone on Monday. *sigh*

BTW, my account says "Valued customer since: 01/01/1960". It's actually since 1957 (bought the family home & kept the childhood phone number.) They should really love me! :D
 
When I clicked to Chat, I was repeatedly redirected to My ATT Accounts management page where Chat is not an option. They may have removed the ability to chat at this time. :mad: I'm looking for a workaround because my bill came yesterday & the fee is on it for $39 + tax. If I can't find a way around via internet, I'll call someone on Monday. *sigh*

BTW, my account says "Valued customer since: 01/01/1960". It's actually since 1957 (bought the family home & kept the childhood phone number.) They should really love me! :D

Try a different web browser. Safari wouldn't do it for me, but Firefox worked.
 
Worked for me, but the feeling I got was that they're pushing-back a little more. Here's my transcript:

Maenelyn Alvaro: Hi Mr. XXXXX, thank you for chatting with AT&T. I can help you with your bill inquiry.

Maenelyn Alvaro: Let me pull up and review your account. Thank you.

XXXXX: OK

Maenelyn Alvaro: Do you have the bill in question in front of you and for which billing period?

XXXXX: Oct 04 to Nov 03...I've noticed that there are 2 "Upgrade Fees" of $36.00 listed on both of my numbers (XXX-XXX-XXXX & XXX-XXX-XXXX). I just bought iPhone 5's for both numbers and agreed to 2, two-year extensions on my wireless contracts. Is there any way to get those fees waived?

Maenelyn Alvaro: You are correct, I am seeing standard fees for upgrading your devices for $36 each.

Maenelyn Alvaro: I can explain this fee to you. The upgrade fee is to allow us to assist customers with recommending new equipment, offering special offers and discounts, providing assistance with the upgrade process if needed, and supporting the returns process within 30 days.

Maenelyn Alvaro: These specialized processes help us to ensure you are satisfied with your new equipment, and are ready to use it the day you receive it. The upgrade fee allows us to defray some of these additional service costs.

Maenelyn Alvaro: Just want to know if you are aware or informed about upgrade fees and you signed for another 2 year contract Mr. XXXXX?

XXXXX: While I understand that AT&T may have additional costs associated with, as you put it, "assist(ing) customers with recommending new equipment, offering special offers and discounts, providing assistance with the upgrade process if needed, and supporting the returns process within 30 days" none of those costs have ever come from me or my wife. I've been a loyal AT&T customer since 2007 with the original iPhone, have never missed a payment, and have never required assistance.

Maenelyn Alvaro: Don't worry, I see you are a valued customer of At&t since 2007, I will go ahead and adjust those charges for you, but please remember that everytime that you will doing an upgrade there will be $36 standard fee. Stay in this chat while I apply those adjustments for you. Thank you.

XXXXX: OK

Maenelyn Alvaro: Thank you for waiting.

Maenelyn Alvaro: Now that I have applied adjustments for the two $36 upgrade fee, would you say that I have resolved all of your concerns today?

XXXXX: Yes I would say that. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding.

Maenelyn Alvaro: Thank you so much! I appreciate that one. Is there anything else I can help you with?

XXXXX: No, have a nice rest of your day!

Maenelyn Alvaro: Have a wonderful night!

The chat log showed about 15 minutes from start to finish...not bad. I "made" $72 for 15 minutes of work -- if you can call typing on my MacBook Air while jamming to Spotify work!!! :)
 
I did a chat with at&t and they said the credit is pending as it hasn't been billed yet but, on my next bill I'd see the $36 upgrade fee and a $36 credit to offset it.

I sure hope their right. Now, all I gotta do is wait and see.

How is everyone getting instant credits when I couldn't?
 
How is everyone getting instant credits when I couldn't?

It's also advisable to wait until you actually have the bill with the charge in front of you, otherwise you are asking for a hypothetical credit on a hypothetical charge. Two years ago when I did this for the iPhone 4.....they said they couldn't help me until I had the actual bill. They said wait and call back, then we can take care of it.
 
How is everyone getting instant credits when I couldn't?

AT&T rewards their high paying long term customers with things like quicker upgrades, easier credit backs when requested and shorter hold times. Back in the day when I hadn't had been paying them an outrageous amount of money every month for years and years I learned that when I would call and put my Mom or Dad's cellphone number who had been high paying customers for decades instead of mine an agent would immediately pick up the call instead of me being on hold forever.
 
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