Verizon Ending Free Apple Arcade Access and Loyalty Discounts

[B4U]

Got an email from Verizon a few days ago.
It reads as follows.

We're raising the bar.
Across the industry, customer service hasn’t evolved the way it should.
That’s why at Verizon, we’ve taken a different path — one built entirely around you.
We’re creating an experience to deliver something better: support that’s faster, easier, smarter.
Here’s what that looks like, and we’re the only ones doing it:

• New 24/7 access to the industry's top reps.
• New seamless digital onboarding from day one.
• A new, industry-leading app designed just for you.
• A new next-gen AI assistant for instant, accurate answers.
• New Customer Champions who stick with your issue until it's resolved‌—‌only from us.
• And now, America's largest retail network, so we're always close.

It’s not just better service — we are setting a new standard, beginning today.
You’re not a customer number or a case file.
You’re the reason we’re here.
And we’re building an experience that will earn your trust, every single day.
If we ever fall short — I want to hear about it, so we can get better.
Email me directly at s‌.sampath‌@‌ve‌rizon‌.‌c‌om.

Sowmyanarayan Sampath
Chief Executive Officer, Verizon Consumer

 

[MacAle2]

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

Excellent! You can choose between Dark Star (ATT), Light Speed (TMo) or Warp (VZ). Some plans allow you to have more than one on the same plan. Switching between them is easy as well, especially when using e-sim.

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

I’m hoping AT&T does not pull that stunt. I like my hbo max and that’s the only reason why I’m keeping my unlimited plan.

Oh you better believe they will. Especially since Verizon is doing it. It’s 100% guarenteed.

 

[BriceApp]

I’m not surprised that carriers would start ending these types of perks. I get HBO Max free through my legacy AT&T account, but I’ve been waiting for them to eventually shut it off and force me to another plan.

You do realize they have increased the price of the Elite plan by $7.50 over the years. We are basically getting HBO standard plan, or whatever they call it, for half price.

 

[IIGS User]

Sig Sauer:

No one could be more tone deaf to our loyal customers who believe we have a premium product and pay extra for it.

Verizon:

Hold my latte.

Really bad, Verizon. Really bad. I stuck with my watch plan when the cost doubled because, well I DO use it as I’m separated from my phone from time to time and it’s been super convenient. How convenient remains to be seen.

Truth be told though, I will stick with Verizon. They have the best coverage in my area and I get a half decent discount through my employer. Plus I bundle Fios and I really like my Fios service.

A friend at work switched to First net with AT&T and he was disappointed with the service. I can sign up for it as well but decided to pass.

I’m on a “legacy” plan and these efforts to push me into a “new” plan just cheeses me off. It’ll either make me stay with the plan I have or start looking at other carriers. Especially when the “switch and we will pay off your phone” deals come along.

If you’re not familiar with the Sig Sauer thing just google P320 and look at the news stories. Thing has a mind of its own. The company’s reaction to the issues is a master class in bad customer service and accountability. Reminds me of the Ford Pinto fiasco except some people are working under conditions where they HAVE to use this equipment in a condition that IMHO is unsafe and ultimately deadly. Myself being one of them.

While no one is dying from losing Apple Arcade and paying extra for wireless, it’s classic “bad form” on VZW’s part all the way around. They have a rep for bad CS and shady practices. This just makes it worse.

 

[morphineseason]

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.

I was on the old Visible+ Legacy plan with the $10 discount and found out yesterday I could upgrade to the Visible+ Pro plan AND keep my $10 discount ($35 a month). Such a good deal! Might have to consider the Apple Watch w/cellular next upgrade cycle, since I have that with my plan now.

 

[FattiesGoneWild]

Been a Verizon Wireless customer for over 15 years.

On a family plan with 5 people. With a company discount - I'm within $10-15/mo of something like Visible. Verizon just hopped on the "locking in your price for 3 years" bandwagon and made a big deal about that. Combined with a Verizon Wireless credit card giving me crazy rewards on groceries (4%) - I'm covering my Verizon Wireless bill (my portion) with points. Been pretty happy with it.

Recently changed to the Unlimited Ultimate for the unlimited mobile hotspot data.

Quite a few members of my family plan enjoy the cheaper Disney+, iCloud Music, Hulu add-ons. It's a little bit cheaper than signing up for the service directly.

If I didn't have this family plan with an employer discount, I'd be on Visible or Mint.

They just gave me a $10/mo loyalty discount for a year.... wonder how that's going to impact me...

You are the minority and NOT the majority. Dismissed.

 

[BigMcGuire]

You are the minority and NOT the majority. Dismissed.

I definitely agree with that. I appreciate the permission to be dismissed.

For most people Mint and Visible are the best bet. Or similar services. Can get a massive savings vs a single Verizon line service.

I’ll uh see myself out.

 

[newyorksole]

it honestly stresses me out trying to think/map out what would make more sense for me lol. do I stay in the legacy plan with the Disney+ bundle and Apple Music Family or switch out.

I think I get about $45/month in discounts on top of that so I’ll prob just stay.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The carrier perks are not free even though the carriers like to make people think they are. You pay for the perks with the monthly price.

edited to add: I am with US Mobile and I can use the Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T networks anytime I want and not pay the high price that those who are direct subscribers pay. Think about that while you justify the 'not so free perks.'

 

[Apple_Robert]

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

US Mobile charges a flat $6.50 / month for watch service which can be independent of the phone or tied to it.

 

[litmag01]

From a birds-eye view Verizon and T-Mobile are the absolute worst for Apple mobile device connectivity - late to the Apple game because they couldn't cut a deal with Steve Jobs, and quick to dump incentives once the upwards line in user acquisition levels stops its logarithmic rise.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

From a birds-eye view Verizon and T-Mobile are the absolute worst for Apple mobile device connectivity - late to the Apple game because they couldn't cut a deal with Steve Jobs, and quick to dump incentives once the upwards line in user acquisition levels stops its logarithmic rise.

I'd like to blame that, but I think it is much simpler than that. The CEO that Verizon has had in place for a few years now only cares about maximizing profits at the cost of everything else. My iPhone works just fine, but tech support and customer support is gone.

I literally went into a nearby corporate Verizon store with a problem and asked them up front if they could fix it. They said that everyone in the entire store lacked the authority to fix my problem.

T-Mobile, on the other hand, was great to work with...they just didn't have signal at my house. I cancelled the same weekend. I got billed for a month. I called, and the person said that even though policy was to charge for a month, he could see we didn't use the service for longer than 24 hours, so he was able to override their policy and refund all my money. He had the power to do that - the lowest level customer support rep.

 

[Biro]

I'd like to blame that, but I think it is much simpler than that. The CEO that Verizon has had in place for a few years now only cares about maximizing profits at the cost of everything else. My iPhone works just fine, but tech support and customer support is gone.

I literally went into a nearby corporate Verizon store with a problem and asked them up front if they could fix it. They said that everyone in the entire store lacked the authority to fix my problem.

T-Mobile, on the other hand, was great to work with...they just didn't have signal at my house. I cancelled the same weekend. I got billed for a month. I called, and the person said that even though policy was to charge for a month, he could see we didn't use the service for longer than 24 hours, so he was able to override their policy and refund all my money. He had the power to do that - the lowest level customer support rep.

I’ve been with T-Mobile for about 15 years. Despite some well-publicized issues over the past few years, they are definitely easier to deal with and offer more value than the other two major U.S. carriers. They also have the best 5G network compared with the other two. And yet, like you, there is still the issue of no signal in a number of locations near me. Like inside hospitals and doctors offices, where other people are happily using their phones. And in rural areas on secondary roads. The signal situation has improved over the past decade but there are still patches of no-service zones in suburban areas where that should not be the case. Still, while annoying, it hasn’t been bad enough to force me to change carriers. But, if I ever did, I wouldn’t go with Verizon or AT&T. I tried US Mobile with an Android phone recently and that’s where I think I would go.

 

[Rainfall]

There are still several really good game son Apple Arcade. Personally it seems pretty reasonable for the price

 

[zarmanto]

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

If by that you mean, can you migrate your game saves from the Balatro+ app to the Balatro non-plus app... I'm reasonably confident that the answer is a resounding no, even though I've never played that game. For the games I have played: I can say with certainty that the various things I earned in Galaga Wars+, Bloons TD 6+ and Osmos+ are entirely distinct from those earned in the regular versions of each respective game; all progress is completely distinct between the two. The two versions of each app are treated as entirely separate entities by the App Store and by the device.

It is my belief that this is not only intentional, but likely even written into Apple's contract with the developers who provide "plus" games; Apple doesn't want you taking your progress with you when you cancel your Apple Arcade subscription.

 

[maxoakland]

I can't believe Verizon is so expensive. Starting at $75/month is wild

 

[mrv9292]

If by that you mean, can you migrate your game saves from the Balatro+ app to the Balatro non-plus app... I'm reasonably confident that the answer is a resounding no, even though I've never played that game. For the games I have played: I can say with certainty that the various things I earned in Galaga Wars+, Bloons TD 6+ and Osmos+ are entirely distinct from those earned in the regular versions of each respective game; all progress is completely distinct between the two. The two versions of each app are treated as entirely separate entities by the App Store and by the device.

It is my belief that this is not only intentional, but likely even written into Apple's contract with the developers who provide "plus" games; Apple doesn't want you taking your progress with you when you cancel your Apple Arcade subscription.

That sounds an absolutely diabolical practice. Luckily, I found a thread that shares otherwise, for balatro+/balatro at least. Worked for me too.

 

[zarmanto]

Luckily, I found a thread that shares otherwise, for balatro+/balatro at least. Worked for me too.

This honestly surprises me.

 

[Olde Dave]

You do realize they have increased the price of the Elite plan by $7.50 over the years. We are basically getting HBO standard plan, or whatever they call it, for half price.

Yeah, I guess I should have said I get Max at a discount through my AT&T plan instead of free. Honestly, I've wondered if I were to go up to the AT&T store and shop new plans if I could find one cheaper that would offset the cost of getting Max seperately.

I have also thought about looking into switching to another carrier, but T-Mobile's coverage in my area is horrendous and Verizon hasn't started offering home 5G internet here yet. I get a discount on using AT&T home 5G since I have our phones through them. It's hard to find the time, or the patience to go shopping around to see if I can piece together everything I need at a lower price.

 

[nrvna76]

Excellent! You can choose between Dark Star (ATT), Light Speed (TMo) or Warp (VZ). Some plans allow you to have more than one on the same plan. Switching between them is easy as well, especially when using e-sim.

US Mobile looks great because they are one of the few that offer standalone watch plans (we use for our kids).. however, since we need new phones and postpaid typically offers $1k off the price of a new phone it seems like it costs the same no matter what once you add device costs. How are you managing your device costs?

 

[BigMcGuire]

They just gave me a $10/mo loyalty discount for a year.... wonder how that's going to impact me...

Thank you Verizon... Gave me 12 months of $10/mo off for "loyalty discount" - being a customer for 15+ years and ... less than a month take it away.

That makes me feel amazing.

 

[Momof2.1107]

Received an email from Verizon regarding Apple Arcade. Apparently they’re going to extend it for an additional 6 months. Yayyy 🙄