ATT Early Upgrade Discounting Policy

[Odid]

I stopped by an ATT core store today. I was told that as long as I have had my iPhone 3GS for at least 6 months, I will be able to take advantage of the early upgrade price. My full discount on the new iPhone 4 would not be available until February, 2011 (that is what my upgrade text message was saying) but I will be getting the $399/$499 price just like when I bought the 3GS a year ago.

This annoys me. Last year I paid the early update price of $499 and some people who got the full subsidy last year will get the full subsidy again this year. Even when their bill is less than $100. But I'd have to pay the early upgrade price again, no full subsidy.

I don't get how they let some upgrade and some don't when they pay the same.

So if I were to go in and say I want to add a line for my dad and switch lines to have my number... I could then call the next day and cancel my "dad's" line? If I were to open another line... would I have to pay another activation fee of $30 something? Wouldn't I also have to pay the first month's bill upfront? It seems like all the hassle wouldn't be worth it and I'd have to pitch out another $499(plus early upgrade fee and CA sales tax who taxes unsubsidized price of $699 )

 

[tekchic]

My husband and I bought iPhone 3G's in March 2009. I did the *639# on both our phones and it says we're eligible for the upgrade with an $18 fee. This sounds like we can do the $199/$299 deal and re-up our contract for another 2 yrs.

Do you have to do this directly at AT&T or can you preorder at somewhere like Best Buy (where we plan to trade in our old 8gb 3G iPhones)?

 

[truciet]

My husband and I bought iPhone 3G's in March 2009. I did the *639# on both our phones and it says we're eligible for the upgrade with an $18 fee. This sounds like we can do the $199/$299 deal and re-up our contract for another 2 yrs.

Do you have to do this directly at AT&T or can you preorder at somewhere like Best Buy (where we plan to trade in our old 8gb 3G iPhones)?

You're set! That's $199/$299 pricing and you can go anywhere to get the iPhones.

 

[JustSomeDude]

Anybody have any idea if I'd be able to get my full subsidize date adjusted? My full subsidization date is January 2, 2011. I have a family plan, with my wife also having an iPhone and my dad having a non iPhone. We started the plan new, we had been on Sprint before getting the iPhones. I get a company discount on the plan if that matters at all.

 

[corriewf]

I talked to 3 different reps at AT&T tonight and none of them agreed that this is their policy. You can do the early upgrade discount pricing 2 years in a row. I also spoke with two supervisors who also said the same thing.

With that said, one sup gave me a really good idea on a family plan. Once you upgrade one line to the iPhone 4, switch the secondary line to primary to speed up the upgrade.

 

[Applejuiced]

Anybody have any idea if I'd be able to get my full subsidize date adjusted? My full subsidization date is January 2, 2011. I have a family plan, with my wife also having an iPhone and my dad having a non iPhone. We started the plan new, we had been on Sprint before getting the iPhones. I get a company discount on the plan if that matters at all.

Most likelly not.
You should qualify for the early upgrade though.

 

[Cash Regime]

This annoys me. Last year I paid the early update price of $499 and some people who got the full subsidy last year will get the full subsidy again this year. Even when their bill is less than $100. But I'd have to pay the early upgrade price again, no full subsidy.

I don't get how they let some upgrade and some don't when they pay the same.

So if I were to go in and say I want to add a line for my dad and switch lines to have my number... I could then call the next day and cancel my "dad's" line? If I were to open another line... would I have to pay another activation fee of $30 something? Wouldn't I also have to pay the first month's bill upfront? It seems like all the hassle wouldn't be worth it and I'd have to pitch out another $499(plus early upgrade fee and CA sales tax who taxes unsubsidized price of $699 )

I really don't think going through all that is worth it. If somehow, they deny my early upgrade discount, which I'll try again tomorrow, then I'm just going to wait until I'm eligible for the standard.

I'll let you guys know if they tell me something different tomorrow.

 

[melman101]

I really don't think going through all that is worth it. If somehow, they deny my early upgrade discount, which I'll try again tomorrow, then I'm just going to wait until I'm eligible for the standard.

I'll let you guys know if they tell me something different tomorrow.

I'm reserving judgment till June 15th, 19th and 20th.

Right now they want to charge me $599. I'm not paying that. I will pay $399.

Some people say "You need to wait 12 months". I bought 3GS on launch, so June 19th will be 12 months for me. Ill give them till June 20th. After that, I guess I'll wait till next month and try again.

 

[rdstoll]

Quick question - how much is the AT&T contract break-up fee? I can upgrade to iPhone 4 now as long as I sign a new 2yr contract. I feel like I'm getting close to jumping ship one day to Android and don't want to get too tied down so just wondering how much it might be for me to break my contract in a year.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

I upgraded to 3GS (regrettably) also at launch using the early upgrade discount (399). I only have the 39.99 voice plan and $30 data plan so my eligible date for upgrade was 2/2011

Do you have text on your plan? Just curious b/c I upgraded from to the GS last year too from the original iPhone. I rec'd the full upgrade discount b/c my contract expired. According to ATT last week my upgrade eligibility was Oct '10. It was bumped to June the night before WWDC.

So we have similar circumstances yet your eligibility is further out than mine. I'm just wondering if my having text is the difference otherwise it's weird how ATT is so inconsistent here.

 

[MBHockey]

So if your upgrade date is not until 2/2011 (which mine is) and you decide to pay the "full retail" price for iPhone 4, does that mean your contract isn't extended another two years?

 

[Fuizer]

So if your upgrade date is not until 2/2011 (which mine is) and you decide to pay the "full retail" price for iPhone 4, does that mean your contract isn't extended another two years?

Yes, if you pay the 599 or 699 price you're contract will not be extended at all. Keep in mind that changing a data rate plan might however extend your contract 2 years with AT&T's new $15 and $25 data plan.

 

[jtp098]

hmm

I can upgrade. and I only had a bill without tax's for about 5-6 months then I changed it to below 100! But I have huge overage charges for international calling and other things cause of travel. so in 11 months I have a average of 175 a month. Guess that is why I am eligable.

ps. I got my phone last June

 

[Cash Regime]

Quick question - how much is the AT&T contract break-up fee? I can upgrade to iPhone 4 now as long as I sign a new 2yr contract. I feel like I'm getting close to jumping ship one day to Android and don't want to get too tied down so just wondering how much it might be for me to break my contract in a year.

I believe the termination fee is 325-10x, where x is the number of months of service if you sign a new contract with an iPhone after June, 2010. I posted a link about it somewhere earlier in this thread. So it's a pretty large fee compared to what it used to be (150-4x), according to the same site.

 

[MBHockey]

Yes, if you pay the 599 or 699 price you're contract will not be extended at all. Keep in mind that changing a data rate plan might however extend your contract 2 years with AT&T's new $15 and $25 data plan.

Interesting, thanks for the info. They sure are sneaky aren't they?

I was thinking about bumping down to the 2gb/month plan but not if it's going to extend my contract!

 

[Cash Regime]

Do you have text on your plan? Just curious b/c I upgraded from to the GS last year too from the original iPhone. I rec'd the full upgrade discount b/c my contract expired. According to ATT last week my upgrade eligibility was Oct '10. It was bumped to June the night before WWDC.

So we have similar circumstances yet your eligibility is further out than mine. I'm just wondering if my having text is the difference otherwise it's weird how ATT is so inconsistent here.

I only have the $5 text plan. Which do you have?

 

[jtp098]

Interesting, thanks for the info. They sure are sneaky aren't they?

I was thinking about bumping down to the 2gb/month plan but not if it's going to extend my contract!

They are but what about if facetime is allowed over 3g in the next year and live streaming from netflex and other things with a network overhaul. I bet they are doing the cap for that so people will then use more and have to pay extra! I will personally never go of my unlimited data plan. depends on the person I guess

 

[TroyBoy30]

pretty simple. if youre eligible for upgrade anytime in 2010 you are eligible for upgrade on launch day with the $18 upgrade fee.

 

[jtp098]

pretty simple. if youre eligible for upgrade anytime in 2010 you are eligible for upgrade on launch day with the $18 upgrade fee.

Never was . but if you have paid more you are also eligible I dunno why so many people are asking so much about this. it's simple call ATT or text *639# two ways.

@ Troy. Nothing against your post of course just they are related. hence the quote

 

[eVolcre]

Here's a new one. I've got 2 lines. Line 1 is eligible for a full upgrade (currently a 3GS I can get the iPhone 4 for 199).

Line 2 is a non iPhone and here's the upgrade notice on the website

iPhone Upgrade
As a valued AT&T customer, we can offer you a discounted iPhone upgrade at a higher price, along with a 2-year commitment and an $18 upgrade fee. Please proceed with the online upgrade process for pricing details. You may qualify for a full discount on a standard iPhone upgrade on 07/03/2010

I don't get the MAY part. Either you do or you don't!

eV

 

[scorpio1973]

I'm in the same situation, except that I didn't upgrade last year, the 3GS was my first AT&T phone. But I bought it launch day and am on the $40+$30+$5 plan and am eligible for a full upgrade according to AT&T.

I am in the same boat, too. I signed up with AT&T on 6/28/09 and it was a new contract with them. My original upgrade date was 11/10, but now it says I am fully eligible for an upgrade with the $18 fee.

Also, I am on the $39.99 talk plan with unlimited data and 1500 text messages.

 

[oldschooldude]

pretty simple. if youre eligible for upgrade anytime in 2010 you are eligible for upgrade on launch day with the $18 upgrade fee.

So to be even more clear, does that mean pricing at the $199/$299 level?

 

[Geckotek]

So to be even more clear, does that mean pricing at the $199/$299 level?

If it doesn't specifically mention a higher upgrade price, it means you get the fully subsidized price.

 

[jtp098]

So to be even more clear, does that mean pricing at the $199/$299 level?

Yep as long as it says you can upgrade and pay the 18 dollar fee

 

[jtp098]

Here's a new one. I've got 2 lines. Line 1 is eligible for a full upgrade (currently a 3GS I can get the iPhone 4 for 199).

Line 2 is a non iPhone and here's the upgrade notice on the website




I don't get the MAY part. Either you do or you don't!

eV

that is a new one haha. So I assume you willupgrade one then wait on the other no point paying 400 for the second when you can't wait till july right?


nvm omit that! read it wrong

it does make sense.. pay higher sign a new contract. new though att is going crazy haha