Outsmarted Myself With Verizon (Again)

[Jeff]

In preparation to leave for Canada next week I stopped in a corporate Verizon store this morning in Burlington VT to consider options on Canadian service without losing my unlimited data plan.


I was shown how to switch to North American voice only without affecting the data plan BUT during the conversation was told that as of 6/28/2012 we will lose unlimited data when we upgrade our phones. I was eligible for a New Every Two upgrade in April but decided to wait for the new I-Phone due this fall instead of of the current 3G version. 

[Ned]

You can keep your unlimited data but will have to pay full price for a new phone.  You just can't take advantage of the subsidized prices or you will have to change to one of the new, limited plans.  But you don't have to buy your next phone from VZW, you can buy it anywhere and just activate it.  You also don't need a new 2 year contract in that case.

[Jeff]

I guess I need to keep track of Russ and keep Frank and Barb away from Happy Trails.

[Marsha/CA]

We had an issue with Verizon on this trip.  I had added the Canada plan to our existing 450 minutes of voice right before we crossed into Canada.  We don't use our Verizon phone very often, thus the small amount of minutes.  So, right before our next billing cycle in early July, we got online to increase our minutes as we were using them up pretty quickly talking to the kids and other stuff.  When we did that online, it invalidated our Canada coverage and they billed all of our calls made in Canada with roaming and long distance to a total of $389.00 +/-   

Since the Verizon phone is in my name, I got to deal with them.  It took about 10 or so days but they reversed the excess calls and cleared all Canadian charges except the $20.00/month fee.

So, advice to those coming into Canada, call Verizon if you want to change anything rather than using the online method.

Marsha~

[FrankW]

I guess I need to keep track of Russ and keep Frank and Barb away from Happy Trails.

Jeff,
Russ and I have AT&T...no help there
Frank

[SargeW]

That is why I didn't change my calling plan when coming to Alaska. If I would have switched to the Canadian calling plan I would have lost my current data plan. I have the 4gig plan for the 2gig price on my smart phone, but I have unlimited 3g data on my air card, and I'm not giving that up till I have to.

[Jeff]

According to Verizon's store here I can switch calling only plans without affecting the data plans but I am leaning towards your Telus solution anyway.

[SeilerBird]

Another option might be to pick up a Tracfone pay as you go phone. They are dirt cheap and they work in Canada. This would leave your present plan untouched.

[SargeW]

The Telus solution has worked out really well for us.  I really like having my own internet and not sharing with 50 other people in a RV park.

[Jeff]

Marty:


I like Telus also but Sue is telling me we are going to spend about three weeks in Canada and then start heading west so I'm not sure I am ready to drop $250-300 for three weeks of internet.

[SargeW]

Well, how soon until you start to head up into Canada?

[Jeff]

3 days.

[SargeW]

Oops, can't help ya. I was going to lend you my Telus card! But we still in Alaska working our way back towards Canada. 

[Jeff]

Talked to Verizon today:

1. Changed voice plan to North American (Canada) plan for $20.00/mo without affecting my unlimited data plan. Bought an add-on data plan for 25.00 for each 100mb of data. I will try that for email and try to find WIFI for the rest. I know that for 2-3 weeks I can get by for $100.00 which is better than any other options I've found.

Found out that IF I upgrade a phone I can change data plan by the month. I can get by with 2 gig a month while in Surprise for the winter with DSL and can run the useage up to 4 gig for $50/mo. Will have until it is time for a new phone to decide that.