Verizon Ending Free Apple Arcade Access and Loyalty Discounts

[MallardDuck]

Makes me even more glad I switched to T-Mobile last year.

 

[lovehateapple]

This is a great example of inflation that isn't captured by the CPI. It allows the government to understate the real rate of inflation to make it appear like the currency isn't being debased as much as it actually is.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Just got another email letting me know that the tablet plans are increasing by $5 a month starting September as well.

They recently upped the cost of Apple Watch too, was not happy about that.

 

[Gengar]

Worst network (most congested, smallest 5G footprint) on average and they have the audacity to be the most overpriced 😂

And they wonder why AT&T and T-Mobile keep adding hundreds of thousands of customers every quarter…

 

[gleepskip]

This is a great example of inflation that isn't captured by the CPI. It allows the government to understate the real rate of inflation to make it appear like the currency isn't being debased as much as it actually is.

I don't doubt your premise, but this is a case of many people opting to pay more when they could be paying far less.

 

[mtnr]

I was already switching from Verizon to ATT, this is delightful confirmation bias.

 

[xxray]

How about providers just lower their prices instead of adding in a bunch of perks to try and artificially offset their cost to customers?

I switched to PureTalk a while back and love it! Solid American company without all the frills that I don't want/need.

Agreed. And for customers like me who are willing to pay for no ads on my streaming platforms, it just adds costs for me if I’m paying for a more expensive phone plan that has “free” Netflix with ads when I don’t want it because I pay for an ad-free plan separately.

 

[Xaositek]

They bumped Tablet costs today - here's the email:

We are writing to let you know that you will see an increase on tablet data plan prices, with changes taking effect no sooner than Se‌‌p‌te‌m‌ber 1‌‌‌st, 2‌‌‌025. Please note that since you are on an eligible phone plan, you will continue to receive a 50% discount on your eligible tablet lines. It is important to us to be upfront and transparent when changes are made to your account.​

Tablet line ending in XXXX: Will increase by $2.50/mo Tablet line ending in XXXX: Will increase by $2.50/mo We want to ensure you get the best value and experience from Verizon and encourage you to check out our myPlan options for the plan that works best for you. Click here to find out more. We continue to invest in offering the very best experience and most value for your money in the industry.​ For more information about this change, including how it affects you and frequently asked questions, please visit: go.vzw.com/tabletchanges.​ Sincerely,​ Your Verizon Team​

 

[MadeByApple]

I bet Apple has some big updates planned for Apple Arcade and will increase pricing. Therefore Verizon is getting ahead of and removing the benefit. September timeframe maybe we'll hear something during iPhone event in september? Maybe we'll see apple arcade come to Apple Vision Pro?

 

[BigMcGuire]

I know on our family plan we cancelled 3 Apple Watch cellular plans because of their Watch increases earlier this year. Wonder how many Tablet plans they'll see removed because of this. (Probably less than the increase in revenue).

 

[k1121j]

I left Verizon with the first iPhone have not looked back. Happy with ATT.

 

[elemenohme]

It’s all just a shell game with their pricing. Sad that they’re sticking it to long time customers by killing off loyalty discounts. No real reason to stay with VZ if there are better options.

 

[flexwithmarius]

“It is important to us to be upfront and transparent when changes are made to your account.“

Gotta love when corporate makes these ridiculously obvious and patronizing statements.

 

[Unity451]

Because customers like the perks, which for the vast majority are things they would buy anyway, but obtaining separately would be higher cost. The bundle brings significant discounts from the perk providers, as a result of both volume and reduced cost of customer acquisition. Almost always makes sense for the consumer.

Sounds like it makes sense for you. The problem is that unless ALL of the perks are something that you would be paying for separately, there is no savings. By these providers creating these bundle plans, you're paying for the perk whether you use it or not. So for instance, if you prefer hulu but the plan only offers free netflix, you either pay for both, one directly and one indirectly, or you don't get the one that you'd prefer to have because you want to benefit from the perk that's bundled with your higher priced plan. I prefer just having an affordable cell phone plan and then purchase any extras I deem necessary separately.

 

[Premium1]

Verizon Exec 1- Not sure why we continue to lose customers left and right what can we do to change this?

Exec 2- Send an email from the CEO while simultaneously removing perks and discounts that our loyal customers have on their lines. That will definitely get them to upgrade to our new MyPlans...

Verizon if your MyPlans weren't ASS, people would upgrade but clearly they are worse than the old plans, even as you continue to neuter them.

 

[mrv9292]

I guess it's time to finally actually buy Balatro before I lose access to Apple Arcade. My game save should be safe right?

 

[turbineseaplane]

US Mobile offers perks, also. The main perk that I like is getting four lines for a grand total of $40.

Agree.
US Mobile is excellent.

Very flexible on plan design and can use any of the networks .. all with great low pricing.

It's the way to go.

 

[coolkid93]

What a joke, this is purely a profit decision on their part over customers. This did not hurt them in the slightest but I wonder if people abused it in them getting rid of it. Even on legacy plans ….

 

[Biro]

Does T-Mobile still offer perks? I recall when I had T-Mobile the perks were great. I switched from T-Mobile to Verizon and now I’m on Spectrum. The first year my phone bill is only $10 a month unlimited using the Verizon towers

Yes. T-Mobile still offers perks.

 

[jlc1978]

Does T-Mobile still offer perks?

Not sure what they offer now, but only on their newer higher price plans.

 

[Dark_Omen]

So Verizon has lead the industry in mobile phone port outs….

So naturally, the executives decide to raise prices, cut perks, and cut loyalty discounts.

Makes total sense.

 

[qnssekr]

My wife and I left Verizon last summer after ten years for US Mobile since we tend just to buy our phones outright. I got tired of feeling like Verizon was always changing up the playing field so to speak. We have saved a lot of money over the past year and no regrets leaving Verizon.

I’m thinking about doing the same. How have your service been since the switch?

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Visible is a great prepaid option if you're looking to switch. It's basically same as Verizon (and owned by them), uses the same towers, etc. $25-45 a month depending on the plan/features you want, and they're offering $6 discount on all plans for your first year currently.

The only real catch is that their support is entirely chat-based on their app, which is fine because I rarely have issues (only instances I can think of is when Verizon had outages, ironically). I remember paying like $80-90...maybe more through Verizon for an individual plan, same exact service. Can't imagine ever going back to that.

Switched myself and my family to Visible. Went from $220 on Verizon to $110 (I have the higher end plan for $35 instead of $45). I know just pay directly for the freebies I care about. Apple Music is about it. Netflix with Ads when we want to, then cancel again, etc.,

Pretty nice deal.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

This is a great example of inflation that isn't captured by the CPI. It allows the government to understate the real rate of inflation to make it appear like the currency isn't being debased as much as it actually is.

They should already be able to deal with that when they cut all their American tech and customer support. Plus all the crappy AI automated services they added. No, I don't think this was necessary at all. Then again it is Verizon.

 

[FatLouie]

Hmmm...I am guessing the churn at Verizon has gotten to be a bit too much. So, in typical Verizon manner, they cut customer benefits and charge more. Probably not the best way to handle churn. I dropped Verizon about 8 years ago, went to StraightTalk until Verizon bought them, dropped ST and went to Cricket. Got more from Cricket for about the same price. No complaints, but with Cricket being a part of ATT, I know the day is coming I will be looking at T-Mobile or someone else. I have zero loyalty to any cellular provider.