I take it the iPhone 5 will replace the 4S. If so, you activate the iPhone 5 on the lowest available plan (300 MB) and when you go to the at&t store to do the device swap, they'll move your $15 200 MB plan to the iPhone 5 and you can then cancel the 300 MB plan and put the dumbphone with no data back on the line.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Before you pay for an "early upgrade" on an ATT family plan.....(Dont do it).
- Thread starter SeanZy
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I take it the iPhone 5 will replace the 4S. If so, you activate the iPhone 5 on the lowest available plan (300 MB) and when you go to the at&t store to do the device swap, they'll move your $15 200 MB plan to the iPhone 5 and you can then cancel the 300 MB plan and put the dumbphone with no data back on the line.
Let you all know what I did. I had 4 lines on my family plan. My oldest daughter is spending a year abroad for college and her line was not under contract. I have another daughter that is in the family plan and her line is also out of contract. My line and my wife's line are under contract due for upgrades May 2013 I got a 4s on launch day and she got a 4 a week later.
So I called the cancellation line at AT&T to cancel my college bound daughters line she has an unlocked 3GS and is getting a pay as you go sim over in europe. I told the cancellation department that I was cancelling the line and asked what they could do to get my wife and I into Iphone 5's since I am thinking of cancelling everything and paying the ETF of 215 dollars since it was cheaper than the 250 dollar early upgrade fee then looking for the best deal out there.
I told the cancellation rep that I would give them a shot to keep me as a customer and asked them what they could do for me. She offered me the free messaging for 6 month deal that saves 30 dollars a month for a total of 180 dollars Then I could upgrade my wifes line with my other daughters eligibility and all would be well. I told her that I would be good with that if she also threw in a 70 dollar credit so the total savings and credits would be 250 dollars.
Well, the rep talked to the supervisor and came back and offered me an early upgrade on my line just straight up but I would have to order the phone through them on launch day the 21st. I asked if I could still have the free mesaging for 6 months and she said of course! So I said GO FOR IT and she noted it in my account and asked me if I still wanted to cancel my daughters line. I said yes which she did. Called back today and had to once again go through the cancellation dept they honored the promise in the notes and bump up my eligibility date on my line and I ordered an iphone 5. None of which effected any other line on my family plan! So if you have an extra line to cancel try this it just might work for you too!
So I called the cancellation line at AT&T to cancel my college bound daughters line she has an unlocked 3GS and is getting a pay as you go sim over in europe. I told the cancellation department that I was cancelling the line and asked what they could do to get my wife and I into Iphone 5's since I am thinking of cancelling everything and paying the ETF of 215 dollars since it was cheaper than the 250 dollar early upgrade fee then looking for the best deal out there.
I told the cancellation rep that I would give them a shot to keep me as a customer and asked them what they could do for me. She offered me the free messaging for 6 month deal that saves 30 dollars a month for a total of 180 dollars Then I could upgrade my wifes line with my other daughters eligibility and all would be well. I told her that I would be good with that if she also threw in a 70 dollar credit so the total savings and credits would be 250 dollars.
Well, the rep talked to the supervisor and came back and offered me an early upgrade on my line just straight up but I would have to order the phone through them on launch day the 21st. I asked if I could still have the free mesaging for 6 months and she said of course! So I said GO FOR IT and she noted it in my account and asked me if I still wanted to cancel my daughters line. I said yes which she did. Called back today and had to once again go through the cancellation dept they honored the promise in the notes and bump up my eligibility date on my line and I ordered an iphone 5. None of which effected any other line on my family plan! So if you have an extra line to cancel try this it just might work for you too!
AT&T just messed up my account.
I've added the line with iphone5, I activated my new phone on my main line.
I've tried to add dummy phone for the new line, they couldn't do it on the phone. I was asked to an AT&T store, and did that.
I brought my dummy phone with me, they gave me a new simcard, and I was told everything fine.
Today I checked my account at myatt.com and even though there are 3 active lines on my account in "my orders" page it shows 5 lines. More importantly I don't see my FAN account, they simply removed that.
I've added the line with iphone5, I activated my new phone on my main line.
I've tried to add dummy phone for the new line, they couldn't do it on the phone. I was asked to an AT&T store, and did that.
I brought my dummy phone with me, they gave me a new simcard, and I was told everything fine.
Today I checked my account at myatt.com and even though there are 3 active lines on my account in "my orders" page it shows 5 lines. More importantly I don't see my FAN account, they simply removed that.
Our third phone finally got shipped by ATT yesterday and I should have it tonight. Before I proceed can someone please comment on whether they were able to cancel the data plan on the new line (dummy phone)?
I plan to buy a GoPhone to use as a dummy phone and give it to my Grandma just in case but I want to know about the data. I'm assuming this will all have to be done in store (no problem for me) but just want to make sure. THANKS !
I plan to buy a GoPhone to use as a dummy phone and give it to my Grandma just in case but I want to know about the data. I'm assuming this will all have to be done in store (no problem for me) but just want to make sure. THANKS !
I just read this whole thread and it seems like a whole lot of work and hassle to avoid paying an extra $250. I'm not trying to incite a riot or anything, but is it worth any of this?
I just paid the price, and then sold my 4S (with some damage on the side, no less) and accessories (some cheap bumpers and a screen protector) for $350 on eBay, which means my total cost was somewhere around $100... $125 if you count eBay fees and whatnot. Way easier than stretching out payments on a line I don't need.
I just paid the price, and then sold my 4S (with some damage on the side, no less) and accessories (some cheap bumpers and a screen protector) for $350 on eBay, which means my total cost was somewhere around $100... $125 if you count eBay fees and whatnot. Way easier than stretching out payments on a line I don't need.
I agree. I'd rather not have the hassle. I went for the full price phone, which is unlocked, and will have the fully discounted upgrade next year (or option to jump to verizon). But to each his own. Nice to have options.
I was always going to get a new line but with a non-smartphone. I used this method to still get the new line but also to be able to get an IP5. I just don't want the new line to have data. Seriously my grandma only makes phone calls
buy and cancel
another option is to add a line. purchase the iphone 5 (now at 100 dollars), and cancel the line all together after 14 days 375.00 early termination fee 100.00 purchase and 39 dollar activation fee. Apple wants over 700.00 amazon is over 500.00 this way I get guaranteed new with a factory warranty.
another option is to add a line. purchase the iphone 5 (now at 100 dollars), and cancel the line all together after 14 days 375.00 early termination fee 100.00 purchase and 39 dollar activation fee. Apple wants over 700.00 amazon is over 500.00 this way I get guaranteed new with a factory warranty.
Not sure where you are, but here the AT&T ETF is $325 and the activation fee is $36.
Does this still work?
I guess you add the line when buying the new iPhone, then switch it to your old number, and cancel the data. Do you have to get a data less dumb phone or can you just have no phone active on the $10 line.
I figure I will sell my existing iPhone making the new one less than $100.
I guess you add the line when buying the new iPhone, then switch it to your old number, and cancel the data. Do you have to get a data less dumb phone or can you just have no phone active on the $10 line.
I figure I will sell my existing iPhone making the new one less than $100.
It still works. I do it all the time. You have to have a dumb phone. Once you get the upgrade, call them and let them remove data and switch service to the dumbo phone.
Ya but honestly there is no reason to do this unless you are actually using the 2nd line.
The iPhone 5 is currently selling for about the same price as a an early upgrade phone.
What if I don't have a phone now to use as a dumb phone. Not sure that I do. I used to have a Nokia 8801, but I'm not sure if I can find it or get it to power up.
AFAIK my 64GB iPhone 5 would sell for about $400-500. And I would have to pay $650 plus activation fee and tax for a new 64GB 5s.
If I added a line and got a 64GB 5s for $400 + activation and tax, I could sell the 5 still and get $400-500 on it, covering most if not all of the new phone. Sure the $10 a month on the "new line" is $120 a year or $240 over 2 years, but doesn't seem so bad. I'm sure it is pretty much a wash as well as saves the pain of the line adding, etc. But doesn't it make yearly upgrades easier as each of the two lines becomes eligible on a rotation basis.
so 750 for phone tax and activation fee. - 500 = 250 out of pocket for an upgrade. Even if you have another line that was eligible for a full subsidized price you would still have to pay 500 (399 + 100 tax and activation) for an upgrade.
Yes you have to have a phone first. Get one on eBay for like 10$. When you get it, call them and tell them you want to transfer service to the dumb phone all you're all good.
You can also buy one of those AT&T GoPhones at Target and just replace the SIM card. I got one for like $10-15. This is what I did last year. I only had to call CS to remove the data.