[Merged] AT&T / USA iPhone upgrade eligibility questions

[jsneedles91]

Have you read the upgrade guide? (see my sig) If you see some Q/A missing, please let us know.

I read it, I just wasn't sure about my understanding and the process

The account holder or an authorized contact need to place the pre-order on the line that is eligible for upgrade.

The micro-sim arrives blank. Yes, just activate via iTunes.

This is the part I am still a little unsure about... I am an authorized contact but not eligible, but my father (whose upgrade I am taking) is eligible, so should it be billed/ shipped in his name? I do not understand how they know if I am eligible or unless it is tied in some way to the number which is eligible. Do they just make sure there is an eligible number on the account whose contract will be extended, and the phone is not really important. And since the sim card is blank, do i just activate it via itunes using my number or do i have to use his, since it is eligible and then go to ATT to get them switched?

Thanks again!


PS: as for the guide, I would just say a little expansion on the "using someone else's upgrade" section could use more explanation since many people are in a similar situation as mine.

 

[Geckotek]

This is the part I am still a little unsure about... I am an authorized contact but not eligible, but my father (whose upgrade I am taking) is eligible, so should it be billed/ shipped in his name? I do not understand how they know if I am eligible or unless it is tied in some way to the number which is eligible. Do they just make sure there is an eligible number on the account whose contract will be extended, and the phone is not really important. And since the sim card is blank, do i just activate it via itunes using my number or do i have to use his, since it is eligible and then go to ATT to get them switched?

Thanks again!


PS: as for the guide, I would just say a little expansion on the "using someone else's upgrade" section could use more explanation since many people are in a similar situation as mine.

That's because you are making it more complicated than it needs to be.

If you are an authorized contact, it is for the entire account. You have authority to make changes, order product, etc on the entire account.

When it comes time to order, you place the order for the upgrade on his line. It is the phone line that is eligible, not a person.

When the phone arrives, the sim is blank. Connect it to iTunes and activate it on your line.

Your father's line now has an extended contract and you have a new phone on your line.

 

[sniffies]

This thread should clarify all of your upgrade eligibility concerns! Check it out!

I was about to give up myself until I bumped into this article:

Answer these questions:

1. Is your upgrade eligibility anytime between TODAY and 12/31/2010?

If YES: you pay $199 for iPhone 4 on 6/24
If NO: answer question 2

2. Is your upgrade eligibility anytime between 1/1/2011 and BEYOND?

If YES: you pay $399 for iPhone 4 on 6/24
If NO: you are lost

If you do not want to commit to a new contract, you know what to do.

Pretty straightforward.

 

[Cash Regime]

It's not that simple because the confusing part is what determines your eligibility date. Some people are upset because they missed the cutoff by a few months. It depends on on what your voice plans are. For example, Im paying 39.99 for voice and 30 for data, but Im eligible in 02/2011. If I had the 59.99 plan I think I would be eligible, but 12 months of an additional 20 dollars would be more than 200.

 

[dmx]

Not correct.

My upgrade date is January 2011, but I am NOT eligible for early upgrade pricing. I don't know WHY - I did use an early upgrade when going from my 3G to 3GS, but I'm not entirely sure..

 

[CaCohen0509]

Alright here's my deal. I bought my iPhone 3GS before 12/31/2009. So my contract would end sometime in 2011, but! Because I'm the main line on my family plan. Plus I pay over $100 a month they would push my contract upgrade into 2010. Therefore putting me within range to upgrade full subsidy price of iPhone 4 that's my theory. Please correct me if I'm wrong on that

 

[sniffies]

Not correct.

My upgrade date is January 2011, but I am NOT eligible for early upgrade pricing. I don't know WHY - I did use an early upgrade when going from my 3G to 3GS, but I'm not entirely sure..

How do you know you're not eligible for early upgrade pricing?

I forgot to mention that neither your iPhone nor your account may say that you're eligible for early upgrade pricing. What you have to do is call CS or go in to an AT&T store and inquire.

 

[Maverick713]

How do you know you're not eligible for early upgrade pricing?

I forgot to mention that neither your iPhone nor your account may say that you're eligible for early upgrade pricing. What you have to do is call CS or go in to an AT&T store and inquire.

or go to apple.com and click on check eligibility.

 

[elephunkman]

One of my other lines are eligible for upgrade after 1/2011, but not eligible for early upgrade. It isn't that simple.

 

[saccento]

what if i dont currently use an iphone because i sold mine 2 weeks ago, but still have the iphone data plan on my account.. i have an upgrade coming on 7/14 and my contract expires in nov 2010.. i could immediately get it right?

 

[youngplaya0228]

That can't be right. I'm eligible for an upgrade 10/07/2010 (bought it May 09), and i still have to pay the subsidized pricing. Texted *639#, went online and checked it out, and went to the At&t store and all three said i'm paying $400 . And yes i guarantee that it's October this year. If anyone have any ideas on how i can get it switched please let me know. Btw had a 3G the whole time.

 

[miamialley]

or go to apple.com and click on check eligibility.

Can you post a link?

 

[miamialley]

Can you post a link?

Found it: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone
(link to check eligibility)

 

[dave006]

This page lower left: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone?

Click the "Check your eligibility" link.

Dave

 

[miamialley]

That can't be right. I'm eligible for an upgrade 10/07/2010 (bought it May 09), and i still have to pay the subsidized pricing. Texted *639#, went online and checked it out, and went to the At&t store and all three said i'm paying $400 . And yes i guarantee that it's October this year. If anyone have any ideas on how i can get it switched please let me know. Btw had a 3G the whole time.

Hmm...you bought after me and apparently I'm eligible for the lowest pricing. Did you also check the apple web site?

 

[saccento]

https://buyiphone.apple.com/WebObjects/IPACustomer.woa/wa/IPAToolAction/checkUpgradeEligibility

 

[Cash Regime]

Found it: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone
(link to check eligibility)

This link tells me when I can upgrade to the 3GS, which I already have..?

I got the 3GS on launch and it tells me I can buy my same phone for $549, which I would assume to mean I'm not eligible for the full subsidy price OR the early upgrade price. I don't want to rely on this link though since it seems it's not updated.

 

[saccento]

the only thing is that the apple site doesnt have the iphone 4 as a choice in the eligibility, and i don't think all systems are currently in sync. Maybe if/when they put the iPhone up, people who could get the early upgrade will see the new pricing.

 

[dmx]

How do you know you're not eligible for early upgrade pricing?

I forgot to mention that neither your iPhone nor your account may say that you're eligible for early upgrade pricing. What you have to do is call CS or go in to an AT&T store and inquire.

Heres what my account says online..

You can take advantage of our no commitment pricing. Additional discounts may be available on 01/16/2011
More Details

iPhone Upgrade
You can take advantage of our no commitment pricing at a participating retail sales location. You may qualify for a full discount on a standard iPhone upgrade on 01/16/2011


I'm pretty sure that if I was eligible for the early upgrade price it would say something like "As a valued AT&T customer, we can offer you a discounted iPhone upgrade....."

 

[zizo79]

Heres what my account says online..

You can take advantage of our no commitment pricing. Additional discounts may be available on 01/16/2011
More Details

iPhone Upgrade
You can take advantage of our no commitment pricing at a participating retail sales location. You may qualify for a full discount on a standard iPhone upgrade on 01/16/2011


I'm pretty sure that if I was eligible for the early upgrade price it would say something like "As a valued AT&T customer, we can offer you a discounted iPhone upgrade....."

The funny thing is that my wife's line says that she will upgrade eligible on 02/10/11 but when I checked the iPhone prices she has full discount so you may want to check your account...

 

[Eso]

Not correct.

My upgrade date is January 2011, but I am NOT eligible for early upgrade pricing. I don't know WHY - I did use an early upgrade when going from my 3G to 3GS, but I'm not entirely sure..

You bought the 3GS last ~July 16. At 1 year you will be eligible for early upgrade pricing ($200 more). Since you haven't been in your contract for a year yet, you are only offered the full retail, no-commitment price.

You are eligible for the fully subsidized price 18 months into your contract in January. Since that isn't anytime in 2010, you are not being offered immediate upgrade eligibility when the iPhone 4 is released.

If you want the iPhone 4, your best bet is to wait until after July 16 to get it for $399/$499. If you do that, however, once again you will not be eligible for the fully-subsidized price for the iPhone in 2011.

 

[youngplaya0228]

Hmm...you bought after me and apparently I'm eligible for the lowest pricing. Did you also check the apple web site?

Just did, says before October 7th, 2010 i pay $399 and $349 for the 3Gs and $299 for the 3G. Afterwards i get the discounts.

 

[melman101]

You bought the 3GS last ~July 16. At 1 year you will be eligible for early upgrade pricing ($200 more). Since you haven't been in your contract for a year yet, you are only offered the full retail, no-commitment price.

You are eligible for the fully subsidized price 18 months into your contract in January. Since that isn't anytime in 2010, you are not being offered immediate upgrade eligibility when the iPhone 4 is released.

If you want the iPhone 4, your best bet is to wait until after July 16 to get it for $399/$499. If you do that, however, once again you will not be eligible for the fully-subsidized price for the iPhone in 2011.

Cool, so hopefully I just have to wait till June 19th (I bought my 3GS on launch), to get the $399 pricing. Let's hope that works.

Right now they want to charge me $599 for the 3GS 32GB and $549 for the 3GS 16GB.

My date is 02/20/2011.

 

[CrAkD]

$39 voice $30 data $20 text and I'm upgrade eligible

 

[scarboni21]

My upgrade date is 10/10. (htc fuze). If i put my sim in one of my parents iphones and activate it will my date get moved up. On a buisness plan if that makes any difference.