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How to Upgrade to the Verizon iPhone 5 and Keep Unlimited Data

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When the iPhone 5 arrives on Verizon, many users will lose their unlimited data to preorder the iPhone 5 or purchase it at a subsidized price, likely $199.

Verizon isn’t canceling unlimited data plans for users who are grandfathered in, but the company is doing all it can to take away unlimited data plans when users upgrade.

Users are not required to switch to a new Share Everything plan on Verizon when upgrading to the iPhone 5, but users who plan to get the iPhone 5 at the discounted price will need to give up unlimited data on Verizon.

iPhone 5 off contract

The iPhone 5 is quite expensive off contract.

According to the Verizon Share Everything FAQ, the only way to keep unlimited data is to pay full price for a new phone. This applies even if your contract is up for renewal and a subsidized purchase is possible.

I have unlimited data on my account. Do I need to change to the Share Everything Plan if I want to get a new device?

You’re not required to switch to the Share Everything Plan, but if you do, you won’t be able to keep your unlimited data package. When you upgrade, you can choose from a voice plan with a standalone data package or the Share Everything Plan. If you want to keep unlimited data, you have the option to pay full retail price for a new phone.

iPhone 5 Off Contract Prices

Buying an iPhone off contract is expensive, but for users who can’t afford to go without unlimited data it’s the only option.

With the iPhone 5 prices on contract likely to stay the same, users that want to keep unlimited data for the iPhone 5 should expect to pay the following prices. These prices aren’t confirmed, but we don’t expect major changes.

  • iPhone 5 16GB – $649
  • iPhone 5 32GB – $749
  • iPhone 5 64GB – $849

These prices are higher because the carrier isn’t paying for part of the phone like they do with a subsidized phone.

iPhone 5 Preorder – Off Contract

Typically Apple does not offer the iPhone at off contract pricing as part of the iPhone preorder process. Apple normally waits until a month or so after the iPhone release date to start selling the off contract phone.

Users looking to buy the iPhone 5 off contract to keep unlimited data on Verizon will likely need to line up in store on the iPhone 5 release date or try to preorder from Verizon instead of Apple.

Verizon let me buy the Galaxy Nexus at full retail pricing on launch day in store, and it is likely that the carrier will let me do the same on the iPhone 5 release date.

[polldaddy poll=6524301]

Given the $450 premium for buying the iPhone 5 off contract, users should look into the amount of data they actually use to make sure they will save money by keeping unlimited data.

Image vie Martin uit Utrecht on Flickr

115 Comments

115 Comments

  1. TheTruthSquad

    09/10/2012 at 9:08 am

    I am single and if I go to the shared data plan, it will cost me an additional $20 per month. So, over the two year contract, I will save money paying the full price for the phone and save unlimited data. Verizon has to cancel unlimited data for everyone and I am sure that is what they will do eventually. By then, the other carriers will have full 4G coverage which is the only advantage Verizon has right now.

    • Tony Perez

      09/26/2012 at 9:00 am

      While I have a five line family plan, I have three handsets what use the 4G/LTE system. Two of them consistently use over 5GB of data (including mine which is usually over 8B). To provide the same amount of data on a share plan, I’d have to limit our group to a 10GB shared plan and pay over $50.00 a month more for it. That makes no sense in our case. I’m OK paying $90.00 for three unlimited data plans because, combined, it’s the lowest price based on our usage. I will still save in the long-term paying full-price for a new handset. I just won’t be as likely to get a new one every couple of years. We’re happy with our current LTE handsets anyway.

      • Ely

        11/13/2012 at 5:48 pm

        If Other two lines have upgrade u can get iphone for 199 and then activate on your line. This way u will keep your unlimited data that way. The line u upgrade will get new 2 year contract and that’s it. I did it it works

        • Dwhitmore

          11/15/2012 at 9:48 pm

          Thanks for the info. I’m going to go try it tomorrow.

      • specialeducationforall

        02/03/2013 at 2:56 am

        I am glad to be a visitant of this gross web blog ! , thankyou for this rare info ! .

    • Chris

      10/17/2012 at 4:26 pm

      I am in the exact same position and did the same math and got the same results. Here’s to keeping unlimited.

    • FactOverFiction

      04/01/2013 at 9:40 pm

      I’m in the same boat! I’m NOT paying it… I refuse I’ll let my contract lapse and have them panic THEN! I work for Comcast – we have an agreement to sell Verizon Wireless plans as part of product lineup… If they want me on their side (and, believe me, if they’re smart – they do) they need to stop being greedy and bullying their customers…

      • KaceyP

        04/13/2013 at 2:37 pm

        I love it when people think a company like Verizon really gives a shit if you sell their product or not! Hilarious

  2. Alex

    09/10/2012 at 9:37 am

    It’s a monopoly. Show them the money and they’ll get you the phone.

    • Robert

      10/01/2012 at 10:24 am

      @Alex meaning what?

  3. rkannese

    09/10/2012 at 10:18 am

    That’s not true. The iPhone 5 will be 4G LTE and with the new Verizon policies, if you upgrade or switch to any 4G device you have to give up unlimited data. There is no way around it, not even if you pay full price.

    • Drew

      09/10/2012 at 6:52 pm

      How is it not true? The statement comes directly from Verizon’s FAQ page. If you want to keep unlimited data, you have the option to pay full retail price for a new phone.

      • Ace

        10/16/2012 at 7:19 am

        Wrong, I have gone to 4 Verizon stores and they informed me they are being instructed not and can’t sell me an iPhone5 at full retail to preserve my unlimited data! Switched to Sprint…c ya Verizon! With Sprints recent merger announcement…way better network coming anyway.

        • lee

          11/27/2012 at 11:08 am

          Yep Ace you are wrong

    • Steve J.

      09/10/2012 at 8:22 pm

      Sorry, but you are the one that is wrong..
      I have gone to a 4g phone from a 3G device two weeks ago and I was able to keep my unlimited. You just cannot get the phone subsidized. If you do you need to give up unlimited.

    • Ana

      09/13/2012 at 10:37 am

      NO, I just spoke with a Verizon Representative about upgrading to an iPhone 5. I have the 4S right now and what she said is this: If i want to keep unlimited data I will have to pay full price for the iPhone 5. If not, I can get the phone for the discounted price and I have to change to the Share everything plan. SO, NO IPHONE 5 FOR ME. If i have to pay full price, i will also dump verizon, since i am a customer for over 15 years and go with a network that is cheaper. I have 4 phones on my account and two are iPhones and my bill runs on average of $255.00 per month and that is with unlimited data and texts.
      Too much money already.

      • Austin

        09/21/2012 at 7:13 am

        Me to bro I’m pissed I have saved a free phone upgrade for this and now they pull this bullshit I’m mad right now and will be losing $ anyway I try to maneuver around it

      • J

        10/08/2012 at 9:52 pm

        That is the cost for good service just because you buy McDonald’s every day it doesn’t mean that they will give you a free big Mac the same is with cell phone companies you can’t expect special attention from a company that has millions of costumers that pay expensive bills you’re just one in a bunch sorry hon

      • AConcerned Citizen

        10/26/2012 at 5:12 pm

        your getting ripped already then. i have been with alltel/verizon since 1998 and now have 7 lines, 6 are iphones and unlimited and the 7th is an android not unlimited and my bill is less than $230 a month after taxes

        • Alsoconcerned

          12/11/2012 at 4:16 pm

          You are a liar!!! I have 1on smart phone with unlimited data and 2 voice lines with the 1000 minute plan with text and I spend $175money a month.

        • Tony

          02/11/2013 at 11:19 am

          Sorry but this is bullshit! The tax alone on 7 phones on account would be 75.00 to 85.00 dollars .. Nice try

    • Chris

      09/13/2012 at 11:45 am

      False, and has already been stated multiple times as well as in the article itself. You keep your unlimited data when you upgrade or change phones, 3g/4g/ or a wifi only tablet.. it doesn’t matter. If you pay the full retail price you keep your unlimited data plan. If you choose instead to take the subsidized “cheap” price for the device, then you lose your unlimited data plan.

      So just don’t go in thinking, wow that’s a good price and then finding out they(verizon) screwed you out of your plan. You have to pay the real cost of the phone.

      I still think it’s a complete dick move by verizon, considering it has all this extra money laying around (magic?) to buy up more spectrum from other companies added to the fact that it’s cheaper to run data over 4g vs 3g that they are still trying to kill off unlimited data.

      I don’t think it will last that long though. It might work while they have basically a monopoly on 4g/LTE coverage and devices, but as other carriers catch up and offer their version of “4g”, I think unlimited plans will be coming back again. Tmobile has unlimited “4g” which is good if your phone has the dual band needed for the 42mb/s claims, but I’ve also read that you still get tiered data on their “unlimited” and your speed gets cut to 3g or less speeds after you pass your limit… perhaps that’s wrong, i don’t know.

      Regardless I think as verizon sees more and more customers leaving for other carriers offering unlimited or cheaper pricing they may change their attitude.

      As for the Iphone5 or whatever, I would not want one at any price… horrible screen.. wtf is up with the resolution? lol, and I think Samsung is looking forward to having a little “chat” with Apple over using LTE in their phone, which Samsung owns several patents for, so I’ve heard.

      by chat of course I mean huge f’ing lawsuit. mwhahhahaha

      *grabs popcorn*

      oh btw what the hell is up with the article. It really didn’t say what it was supposed based on the title… just pay full price. not really a suprise.. more of a DUH! thing.

      • Chris

        09/13/2012 at 11:47 am

        horrible comment system. I was replying to rkannese on losing data plan when getting any 4g device….

      • Jeffrey Zorn

        09/26/2012 at 11:11 pm

        I agree that we may see unlimited come back. Especialy seeing t-mobil now offers it and other mainly smaller cariers will begin to offer unlimited data. I think it will just be a matter of time before verizon and at&t bring it back and others start offering it. Verizon and at&t more or less took a few steps back in time by going to tiered data. Time Warner/Road Runner tried to go to tierd packages for internet but ended up not doing that due to so much customer complaints.

      • Robert

        10/01/2012 at 10:28 am

        @ Chris… anyway you want to slice it, it’s as the previous people said.
        It’s a ‘shell game’.. All directed to take your money. period.

      • Kelly

        10/11/2012 at 9:03 pm

        I agree with what you have said here, I just would have said it with a little more finesse. But, your points are well taken, I too had trouble with the article & I read it a couple of times to see if I missed the point. I thought the author was going to tell us how to get a new phone WITHOUT losing our unlimited data plan & not pay full price b/c we all know that is the other option.
        Then the author talks about APPLE in the middle of an article about VERIZON.

      • James E. Burkett

        10/21/2012 at 9:29 am

        Did you say it’s cheaper to run 4G data than it is 3G? Not while they are investing billions a year Building their 4G network… It’s like buying something that just came out versus something that’s been out for a while… You pay more now but it will get cheaper later.

    • vertiscope

      09/15/2012 at 8:34 am

      I will still be grandfathered in with unlimited data and now 4g LTE coverage confirmed by Verizon.

      • Luis

        09/25/2012 at 8:13 pm

        How?

      • Tara

        10/02/2012 at 11:39 am

        Wrong. Verizon told me that they do not have the grandfather clause anymore. You have to upgrade your plan when buying a discounted phone.

        • Natalie

          11/05/2012 at 3:49 pm

          please explain grandfaather clause?? this is the first time I’ve heard the term

    • Cury

      09/17/2012 at 11:12 am

      Wrong full price lets u keep ur plan

    • John

      09/19/2012 at 7:02 pm

      That’s not true. Even if you pay full price and have a 4G device, the unlimited WILL NOT get taken off a grandfathered plan. Try it! You’ll see.

    • athynz

      09/20/2012 at 8:02 am

      Wrong. I upgraded from a Galaxy S to an HTC Thunderbolt with 4G LTE and I’m still on my unlimited data plan… I did this AFTER VZW stopped offering the unlimited data plans.

      • Tony

        02/11/2013 at 11:27 am

        You can purchase an iPhone 5 and keep your unlimited data plan for now, the key word is now, but they can discontinue this offer at any time and will no doubt do it if enough people purchase an iPhone 5 or whatever smartphone they want. Verizon is a greedy company like most big companies and they are wanting to milk the cash cow as long as they can .. So, it’s just a matter of time before unlimited data is gone from Verizon, face the facts! And it would sure suck to buy a 600.00 phone only to find your data rate being pulled in a few months ..

    • just a worker bee listening in the dark corner

      09/21/2012 at 8:26 pm

      Ok ok ok….here is how u keep ur data plan unl and upgrade….1 full retail cost…2 use another lines upgrade (called alternate upgrade) then transfer device and this includes broad band air cards…..3 provide device urself with what ever creative way u obtained the device just make sure it’s not reported stolen ok my background u ask i’m a customer service manager for Verizon wireless for the last 3 years……..

      • asaffo

        09/26/2012 at 9:59 pm

        Don’t you have to sign up for data on the alternate line? How would that work when the phone was switched to the line with unlimited data?

      • Diane

        11/14/2012 at 4:49 pm

        Finally, a good answer! He’s right on point. I just it! Got me a new iPhone still with unlimited data!!! Go Verizon!!
        Ps
        LTE is Super fast!!!!!

      • Jeff202070

        12/07/2012 at 8:04 pm

        Alternative upgrade. Door #2 requires customer with two or more lines that is/are able to upgrade. But some customer only have one line. So your best choice are door #1 or #3.

      • Andyhat42

        01/19/2013 at 2:09 pm

        If you are a manager, then learn how to type! Looks like Verizon will just hire anyone off the street.

    • chuck p

      10/05/2012 at 5:39 pm

      not true girlfriend came from droid inc. 3g to galaxy s34g paid full retail and got to keep unlimited.

    • Ke1

      04/18/2013 at 6:34 pm

      B.S. I have an iPhone 5 on a single line unlimited data plan. It amazes me how stupid most Americans are. Seriously. I’m only going to tell you idiots how to do it once and will not repeat myself. so you have a single line and you are eligable for an upgrade and want to keep unlimited data. Step one: buy a cheap dumb phone for 20 bucks. Step two call Verizon 611 and add the phone to your plan(month to month no contract cause you bought the phone on your own and NOT from verizon) pick the nationwide familly 700 plan. Step 3, go to an otherized agent( kiosk at the mall) NOT a corporate store and tell them to do an alternate upgrade from the unlimited data line onto the dumb phone making sure the phone is activated on the dumb phone line. Step 4, take the smart phone off of the dumb phone line by doing a device switch only putting the original dumb phone back on the line. Step 5, do a device only switch on the unlimited data plan removing the old phone and putting the new phone on, step 6 last and final step call verizon a week later and cancel the month to month dumb phone line, no contract with it cause you went month to month. no contract means no early termination fee. Remember the alternate upgrade extends the contract on the unlimited line by 2 years but does not at all affect the month to month dumb phone meaning it will not have a contract on it at all when everything is said and done as long as you follow my instructions flawlessly. Don’t tell me it doesn’t work cause I did it and instructed dozens of friends on how to do it and guess what we all have unlimited data and it does not cost us any extra on our monthly bills.

      • Allen

        06/07/2013 at 9:10 am

        I’d like to give a try to follow your instructions flawlessly. I am curious to know if Verizon will let me cancel the dumb phone line (because it’s been used to get the upgrade) after everything is said and done. Also to point out that Verizon charges $35 for activation a new line on your own phone.

  4. MC

    09/11/2012 at 2:27 pm

    I just tried to buy a 4g phone online today, they said I still needed to give up unlimited data, even if paying full price. I didn’t submit the order.

  5. vujade

    09/11/2012 at 6:26 pm

    I work for Verizon..there are 3 ways to keep unlimited data….

    1. Pay full retail for device
    2. Upgrade a line that doesn’t have unlimited data, then switch new phone to line that has unlimited data. Do not do alternate upgrade..!
    3. Add a line to your account to get new phone and then switch new phone to line that has unlimited data.

    • sam

      09/11/2012 at 8:09 pm

      If I do option 3 does that mean I’ll be stuck paying for that unused line for 2 years?

    • Christy

      09/12/2012 at 11:16 am

      If you go with option 2, are you left paying for a data plan for the two years even if you don’t have a smartphone on that line? What is the early termination fee for a smartphone?

    • That Hmong Guy

      09/12/2012 at 11:54 am

      Hey Vujade, what do you mean in the number 2 option: “Do not do alternate upgrade”?

      Can you please elaborate this?
      Thank you

    • Marie

      09/13/2012 at 10:04 am

      What do you mean by “Do not do alternate upgrade”?

    • Ana

      09/13/2012 at 10:39 am

      Where do you work? I am coming to your store so you can do my upgrade. because here where i went, they did not give me option 2 or 3.

    • Brian

      09/13/2012 at 3:02 pm

      If i upgrade a line that doesnt have unlimited data how do i go about swapping the devices….online call cs?? Do i have to activate it on the other line first before swapping it to the unlimited?

    • tonyZ

      09/17/2012 at 7:36 pm

      Oh yaaaa sweet, my parents both have phones with no data so I could use their upgrades. Ha!

    • Maribel

      09/19/2012 at 5:54 pm

      option #2… you say upgrade a line that doesn’t have unlimited data, then switch new phone to line with unlimited data. BUT we must pay full price for phone, right?!

    • Eddie

      09/26/2012 at 10:57 am

      This is true folks. I just did it with option three and got my iPhone 5 the day after release. Not only did I get to keep unlimited after my upgrade, I upgrade 4 months early! Not only that, but I still am eligible for an upgrade in 4 months! (iPhone 5s next fall?). There is a 24 hr wait where the iPhone 5 is offline before it can be switched, but it was well worth it. Just talk to a customer rep on the phone. They told me about it otherwise I wouldn’t have done it.

      • Scott

        09/26/2012 at 1:36 pm

        Eddie, So what did you do with the line the iphone 5 was purchased on?

      • IAMSam

        10/13/2012 at 2:41 pm

        I know what you are talking about Eddie, I called c.s. and they told me that if I add a line I can get the iPhone5 at discounted price. $199. Then I can switch the phone to my unlimited line,but new line gets a 2year contract, then suspend the new line,pay $10 a month just to keep it open til contract expires. Also that new line needs a phone to be connected to. So you need a basic phone,one that doesnt need internet to work(flip phone) and just keep it in your drawer. So, is it worth it? $10 more a month to keep unlimited data? Plus upgrade fee,which I think its $30 or $40. Thats up to you.

    • IAMSam

      10/13/2012 at 11:10 am

      I found another way to keep unlimited data, I have 2 lines, both are eligible for upgrade,but I don’t want to loose my unlimited data,so I called VZW, I asked if I add 2 more lines and buy 2 iphones , then instead of putting those two new iphones to those 2 new lines,I’ll put them on the 2 current lines. Since i didnt upgrade the two current lines and i got the phones somewhere else,i get to keep my plan. What happens to the 2 new lines? They have a 2 year contracts, the current lines don’t. I don’t have to to add data,nor texts.all I pay is $10 a line a month. My 2current lines share minutes only,so the 2 new lines will share those minutes too,but I won’t even have phones for those lines anyway, just paying $20 a month for 2 years just to keep the lines open. That’s $480 for 2years to keep unlimted.data and getting 2new iphones. If you buy 2 iphones at full price ,thats. about $1200 for 2 phones.Versus $400 for 2 iphones + $480 to keep line open for two years.that’s $880. Now, the next step I’m not sure if it’ll work. Now you’ll have 4lines,2 with contract and 2 without. after its all done,you could switch lines and close 2 due to the fact that the current lines dont have a contract. If you only have one phone,well you can add a line for $10 a month,then instead of putting it on the new line,add it to the current open line,now you have a contract for that new line,but you are only paying $10 more for 2years,you were staying with VZW for 2more years if you bought the.new iphone.anyway.

  6. Kristin

    09/11/2012 at 8:26 pm

    Bye Verizon. The only reason I was staying was the unlimited data but if I’m going to be screwed over I’ll just switch over to US Cellular. They might not have an iPhone but I won’t be taken for a ride by them.

  7. Dawn

    09/12/2012 at 5:03 am

    I’ve been with Verizon since it was first Radiophone. When I got my Iphone 4S when it first came out they didn’t have me get rid of my unlimited date plan. They told me I could keep it because I’ve been a customer for so long I even added two more lines to my plan. I love Verizon they have the best plans at the best prices.

    • Khürt

      09/21/2012 at 6:09 am

      Verizon Communications Inc., based in New York City and incorporated in Delaware, was formed on June 30, 2000, with the merger of Bell Atlantic Corp. and GTE Corp.

      I think you are confused.

      https://www22.verizon.com/investor/corporatehistory.htm

    • KBH_BTH

      09/21/2012 at 10:30 pm

      Yea iPhone 4S is not a 4G phone. So u can keep the unlimited data when switching to any non-4G smartphone. The issue is apparently upgrading from a 3G phone to a 4G phone. They won’t let you keep unlimited data unless you buy the phone at full retail cost. Which is insane.

  8. Slofihac

    09/12/2012 at 12:49 pm

    Why can’t you add a new line get the iPhone 5 the switch the phone to your unlimited data line and the add a non smart phone to the new line so it will only cost $10 month and you have a iPhone 5 for $199

    • Khürt

      09/21/2012 at 6:11 am

      $10 over two years is $240. Add that to the cost of the iPhone and you get $439. Not much of a savings is it?

      • IAMSam

        10/13/2012 at 2:44 pm

        It’s a $200 saving.

  9. Pat

    09/12/2012 at 3:01 pm

    If you have multiple lines, you can upgrade the SECOND LINE, then do a swap to your line with the unlimited data. The old line will carry the contract, and as long as you have A DEVICE to put on it (the original phone), you can cancel the data plan.

  10. Will

    09/12/2012 at 6:34 pm

    If you have share plans just upgrade on a line that doesn’t have unlimited data and then switch it over to you unlimited line after activating it on the other line.

    • Brian

      09/13/2012 at 2:56 pm

      Do u switch it over on the internet? Do u have to activate it on the upgraded line first? Do u have to change sim cards?

  11. ellafino

    09/13/2012 at 2:18 am

    Does Verizon distinguish between 4G LTE and 3G data. In other words if I currently have an unlimited data plan on my iPhone 4 which only has 3G and I buy an iPhone 5 at full price to keep my plan, would I be limited to 3G on my new phone?

  12. John G

    09/13/2012 at 10:07 am

    Verizon gives a bonus to the salesman for every unlimited data plan that is switched to a limited plan. This is why some of you have been lied to pay your particular salesman. If you pay full price for the phone or buy one used and put it on your line you will not lose unlimited data. Just make sure the salesman do sent try to pull one over on you.

    • Jk

      09/15/2012 at 12:22 am

      Really? That makes me really mad because I haven’t seen one penny of this “bonus” money.

  13. never onhere (@notonhere)

    09/13/2012 at 10:48 am

    I planned this perfectly. I bought a subsidized thunderbolt on the last day Verizon offered 1 year contracts, then bought a galaxy s3 at the subsidized price when we were still able to keep unlimited data, then turned around and immediately sold it for $600, which I will apply to the $650 iPhone 5. So it is costing me an extra $50, but I’m keeping my unlimited data for another two years.

    • chrisyun

      09/14/2012 at 11:05 am

      cool story bro

  14. vertiscope

    09/15/2012 at 8:22 am

    This is what I will do. Pre order at bestbuy. Trade in my phone at best buy. Get 200 dollars. Purchase the retail with price match to remove the extra $50 bestbuy charges on their retail. I will spend total $550 for an iPhone I paid 300 dollars a year and 3 months ago, specifically the iPhone 4 from Verizon and get a 32 gig iPhone 5. I will also get rewards zone and 18 months 0% no interest with best buy. That is a bargain. I will still be grandfathered in with unlimited data and now 4g LTE coverage confirmed by Verizon. Sometimes it better to pay retail and no contract extensions.

  15. Murphy19

    09/16/2012 at 7:16 am

    I am going through this right now. I am being told I have to pay full price for a phone and I can keep my unlimited data at $30 a line and lose my $9.99 a month unlimited data plan for each line. This promotion was offered to me 1 1/2 years ago … A $20 discount per line, unlimited until 2038 as long as I didn’t change my calling or data plan.  Question I asked repeatedly when I accepted this unbelievable offer “I can upgrade phones and nothing will change.” I was told no problem.  Since having this promotion, I have used 2 upgrades, iPhones, with no problems.  Until, I went to pre-order the iPhone 5, I find out Verizon has changed the rules.  After speaking with 3 customer service reps and reading these blogs, it is quite apparent that Verizon customer service  doesn’t really know how to handle these complaints.  One rep told me as long as I keep my phone I can keep unlimited.  Who would agree to this until 2038…doesn’t make sense.  The rep told me you would be surprised how many customers keep their phones for 20 years…WHAT!?  I asked about the 2038 expiration date too.  I was told that was a mistake. They didn’t really mean you could have the promotion  until 2038.  

    I have always been a big fan of Verizon…but now I feel like Verizon doesn’t listen to their customers and could care less! 

  16. [email protected]

    09/16/2012 at 10:04 am

    I have 4 lines on my account but only want to upgrade 2 of those lines to the iPhone 5 how much will I have to pay for the other two lines that are not being upgraded if I get the share everything plan

  17. mikedede

    09/17/2012 at 11:16 pm

    This work only if u need another line. Paid the discount price to Open new line get iPhone 5 or razr maxx HD. I vote maxx anyway. When u have new service do a phone swap and put a dumb phone or XOOM or what ever that don’t require this stupid data plan on the new account. This is not tested since Verizon’s evolved into assholes with their share everything plan, but its common sense to me.

  18. Tom B.

    09/20/2012 at 5:10 am

    Call…call…call. Don’t try to order online, it will only frustrate you. If you call and don’t like the answer you get, call again.

  19. jwcmom

    09/21/2012 at 5:55 am

    Verizon told me that if you are grandfathered in and you decide to switch to the share everything plan you have 14 days to call verizon back to switch back to the unlimited plan.. So switch to the share everything the night before pay the 199$ or 299$ and like a week later call back and tell them your not happy and want to go back to unlimited. Hey its worth a shot right??

  20. Hoov

    09/21/2012 at 10:40 am

    By verizon stock to recoup ur losses of being jerked around for being loyal customers

  21. Casey Holloway

    09/22/2012 at 12:02 pm

    There is also another way around (A LOOP HOLE IF YOU WILL) from losing your Unlimited Data plan. I contacted Verizon by their chat system and I will past the chat log that I had with them on here for proof. But the other way around is if you have more than one line on your account, lets say you have 3 lines, and your phone is the only one with the unlimited data and only smart phone on ur account, but one of the other 2 lines is up-gradable, then all you have to do is use one of your other lines upgrades. DO NOT TRANSFER THE UPGRADE TO YOUR LINE, just upgrade the line that is eligible!! Once you receive the phone, call customer service, tell them that you want to put the iPhone 5 on your line, then they will just do an ESN (Electronic Serial Number) change, and you will have the iPhone 5 on ur line without losing your unlimited data, and you will not have to pay the retail price for it, you will be paying the upgrade price of $199. The only thing with going this route is the line that you used the upgrade on will lose their upgrade and have to keep the same phone! Sounds complicated but it truly isnt, the chat session explains it a little better LOL.

    Please hold for a Verizon Wireless sales representative to assist you with your order. Thank you for your patience.

    You are now chatting with ‘Arty’

    Arty: Good Evening! We’re having a great day at Verizon Wireless! My name is Arty. How can I assist you with your new line, upgrade or accessory purchase today?

    Billy Holloway: i have a few ?’s about an upgrade that I am thinking about doin

    Arty: I can definitely assist you with your upgrade today

    Billy Holloway: one of my lines is up for upgrade on the 7th of next month, I was going to use that upgrade to get the iPhone 5, and actually put the 5 on my 3589 number

    Billy Holloway: so the thing i am wanting to know is if I do that, will i loose my unlimited data considering it is only an ESN change?

    Arty: Ok so you want to transfer upgrade

    Billy Holloway: not transfer, because if I transfer the upgrade to my line then i know that i will loose my unlimited

    Billy Holloway: so I was just going to upgrade the 2621 to the 5, and when the phone arrives, put it on my 3589 line

    Arty: You will loose your unlimited data regardless of when you upgrade

    Arty: I understand as a consumer that this must be frustrating.

    Billy Holloway: i was told that if i bought like a phone outright that that would be the only way that i could keep my unlimited

    Arty: Oh definitely you can then

    Arty: I was under the impression you was trying to upgrade

    Billy Holloway: so if I upgrade one of my lines (2621), when the phone arrives i am going to be putting it on my 3589 number, so would that not just be an ESN change?

    Arty: Yes what we can do is get the phone today and when the device comes call customer care to activate it on that line
    Arty:

    Billy Holloway: and that will keep my unlimited correct?

    Arty: Yes then

    Billy Holloway: ok, the next ? i have is someone told me that since the 5 is 4G that that would affect my unlimited plan

    Arty: Complete rumor

    Billy Holloway: AWESOME. thank you so very much, I will DEFF be upgrading then on the 7th I believe it is when that line is up for upgrade!

    Arty: Are you looking to get the i5 at full price now?

    Billy Holloway: no, I will be upgrading one of my lines, the upgrade is for my 2621 number, when the phone arrives, I am NOT going to be putting it on that line but putting it on my 3589 number

    Arty: Ok ok I got you

    Arty: Is there anything else I can help you with today?

    Billy Holloway: and as I asked before that would be just an ESN change

    Billy Holloway: correct

    Arty: Yes

    Billy Holloway: awesome, thank you very much and have a great weekend!

    Arty: It has been my pleasure to chat with you today! Please feel free to re-open the chat session if you need further assistance . Thank you and have a great day!

    Thank you for chatting with us, visit ourOnline Workshops to learn more about your devices. Click “End Chat” to tell us how we did today via our survey.

    Hope this helps, I of course am going to have another chat session in just a min to back up this chat session, when I do, I will of course post that session as well so that everyone will see that it came from Verizon Wireless themselves! Again, hope this answers any questions you had!

  22. Casey Holloway

    09/22/2012 at 12:26 pm

    As promised, I just completed another Chat Session with Verizon Wireless about this “LOOP HOLE”, and it is correct, here is the chat session and it explains what I am talking about a little easier:

    Please hold for a Verizon Wireless sales representative to assist you with your order. Thank you for your patience.

    You are now chatting with ‘Nina’

    Nina: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. May I help you with your order today?

    Billy Holloway: I just had a couple of ?’s about upgrading to the new iPhone 5. I currently have 4 lines of service on my account, the main line, the 3589 number is the only smartphone on my account and it is grandfathered to the unlimited data. That line is NOT eligible for upgrade until 2013, HOWEVER, one of my lines, 2621, is eligible for upgrade on the 7th of next month (October) and it is not a smartphone line. So what I was going to do is upgrade the 2621 line to the i5, then when the phone arrives, I am NOT going to use the i5 on the 2621 line, but just do an ESN change on the 3589 line! So in other words, Im upgrading the 2621 line, ordering the i5, but when the phone comes it will be put on my 3589 line, and leave the phone that is on the 2621 line now alone. So I will be signing a new contract (2yr) for 2621, but using the phone (i5) on my 3589 line. So I just want to make sure that I DO NOT lose my Unlimited Data plan when I do this, because all that it will be is an ESN change! Would that be correct?

    Nina: Yes that would be correct.

    Billy Holloway: AWESOME, and I would NOT lose my Unlimited Data Correct?

    Nina: As long as you do not upgrade the line with the unlimited data, then you wil not lose the plan. Are you upgrading now?

    Billy Holloway: Next ?, I was told that since the new i5 was 4G LTE, that it would automatically change my plan because of it being 4G! Is this true?

    Billy Holloway: I will be upgrading the 7th of next month (October)

    Nina: A plan change is not needed for a 4G phone. 4G phones only provide better and faster Internet speeds.

    Billy Holloway: Just what I wanted to hear!!! LOL, Thank you very much, you have answered all my ?’s, I hope you have a great weekend!

    Nina: Thank you and you as well!! :)

    Nina: Thank you for visiting Verizon Wireless; it’s been a pleasure chatting with you. Have a great day!

    • Rich

      09/23/2012 at 11:40 pm

      Would this work if I currently have a plan with 4 phones but currently only mine is eligible for an upgrade and unlimited. Would I have to transfer the upgrade to another line. Purchase the iphone for that line and then do the ESN back to my original line and maintain the unlimited?

      • Joe

        09/24/2012 at 2:55 pm

        Yes that is exactly What to do. But keep in mind you will have to pay an additional $30 upgrade fee for transferring the upgrade to another device. But that’s a lot cheaper than losing unlimited data or buying a phone at full price. I called Verizon two separate times today and they verified that this could be done.

  23. Danny Lo

    09/25/2012 at 8:39 am

    • Roman W

      09/27/2012 at 7:20 am

      I don’t see why everybody gets so heated over this. Once you are out of contract you can choose to sign a new one or not. If you don’t like the terms of the new deal, don’t re-sign. nobody is making you buy a new phone. Simple as that. There are ways around it, but don’t ask the people who work at Verizon, it’s not their job to help you beat the system. Petitions and complaining won’t get you anywhere. The reason they have the most LTE and continue to buy spectrum is because they know people pay more for better service, and they constantly re-invest that into their network. Look at Verizon’s customer base vs T-Mobile’s. That says everything. T-Mobile practically gives their service away and still can’t compete with the big boys.

  24. Joe

    09/27/2012 at 8:35 am

    It’s the fact they are backing out on what was promised. I have had unlimited data for 5 years and once they got rid of this offer they said we could keep it until we changed ourselves. I upgraded from android to the iPhone 4S after they. Had taken away unlimited and I kept my plan. Now that I can upgrade again they are backing out on there promise and its going to cost me $20-$30 per month more for the same exact service.

  25. John

    09/27/2012 at 4:19 pm

    Apparently if you add a line to your unlimited contract they will let you get a subsidized phone for the added line and not make you change your contract. But you will have to pay the $10 extra per month for the added line. $120 per year is better than $450.

  26. Jim

    10/05/2012 at 5:05 pm

    $255 for sharing 4 phones is really a good deal. And that is what this article is about. If you pay full ride for your iPhone 5, over 2 years, that’s averages to about $27 a month more. If you allow Verizon to subsidize your phone cost, then you loose your unlimited plan. So the point is, it will be cheaper for you to pay full ride. The fact that your a long term customer? Verizon doesn’t care! They figure you’ll switch, be unhappy, and gladly return when your contract is up. There are only so many carriers, and none of them are going to care about loyalty these days.

  27. Michael

    10/07/2012 at 5:35 pm

    So, if I buy a phone unsubsidized, will my monthly bill go down?

  28. Plain Greed!!!!!!

    10/11/2012 at 1:29 pm

    I am with you, this is the thanks we get from Verizon for being long time loyal customers. I am also leaving as soon as my contracts are up. Corporate Greed, I guess that’s how Lowell McAdam justifies his 25+ million annual salary. Shame on them for being greedy, but more shame on us for continuing to give them our hard earned money.

  29. ben

    10/18/2012 at 5:30 am

    Smaller carriers can offer unlimited data because that’s ther selling point due to lack of coverage area. Sprint’s the exception only offers unlimited data in their service area, and can boot you out of your service if you average more than 800 mb on the extended network. T-Mobile will slow you way down if u use more than 2gb on their unlimited plans. Verizon will more than likely not bring back unlimited because A) it slows the speed of their network B) they don’t make money on unlimited data, and it costs them more money to maintain the network, and C) they can afford to, because they have the best coverage out there, and unlimited data will do u no good if you can’t use your phone. Am I upset about having to either give up unlimited data or pay the unsubsidized price of a phone to keep it? Sure I am, but I’m not gonna switch to an inferior carrier just to keep that one luxury. Gotta look at the bigger picture folks.

  30. steve

    10/18/2012 at 1:54 pm

    So what happens for those of us that already have a 4g phone and wish to upgrade? Do we still have to give up unlimited data?

    • Jeff202070

      11/22/2012 at 12:32 pm

      Yes.. any upgrade will have to switch to Share Plan…

  31. Robert Huey

    10/18/2012 at 2:07 pm

    RE: Casey’s Loop hole

    There’s a step missing in the ESN change plan. Here are the complete steps provided by a very nice Verizon CS gal (assuming you have two lines, one with unlimited plan and one without).

    For me, I will transfer my upgrade to the phone on the non-unlimited line (I’ll call it a flip phone).

    o Upgrade to a 4G phone on the flip phone line and activate it.
    o Switch the line back to the flip phone (an ESN change).
    o Leave the 4G phone off line for two days.
    o Activate the 4G phone on my unlimited line (an ESN change)

    Voila!

    GL – BobH

    • catherine desch

      10/20/2012 at 5:36 pm

      So when I try to order the iPhone 5 on my line with no data package which has an upgrade eligible it’s telling me I have to choose a limited data package?? What am I missing?

  32. MattS

    10/18/2012 at 10:50 pm

    Robert,

    What if the flip phone line uses its own upgrade to get the new 4g phone and then a month later uses the unused upgrade on the 4G line to get its own new phone? Will the 4G line lose the unlimited data?

    – Matt

  33. James E. Burkett

    10/21/2012 at 9:32 am

    This ad could have taken 10 seconds to write… “Buy the phone full price.” The End

  34. Mitchell

    10/27/2012 at 4:07 pm

    The only way to keep unlimited plan is to give up your upgrade to one of your lines, after that call Verizon that you want to switch phones. In this case you will be switching the iPhone 5. Get it? It’s easy and it works.

  35. Scott

    10/30/2012 at 7:31 pm

    Just talked to a verizon rep. I have 4 lines and I’m ordering 4 iphone 5s. 2 black and 2 white. she told me to order them opposite of what we want and then call in and they will switch them to the other lines without losing unlimited data. Supposedly called an alternate upgrade. I’m going to try it and hopefully it will work.

  36. Jr

    10/31/2012 at 6:34 am

    I have 4 lines, 2 with unlimited, 1 with 2gigs of data per month and 1 with no data plan. The phone with 2 gigs per month is up for an upgrade, so what im understanding is i can upgrade the phone with limited data to a 4g phone and then switch the new phone to one of my unlimited lines and still keep my unlimited data?

    • kjredsox

      11/02/2012 at 1:25 pm

      Jr. You are in a similar situation to me but I have 3 4G. phones. I just did an upgrade and kept unlimited. What you do is upgrade the 2GB line like normal but take the 4G. you want to upgrade to the store with you. Pick out which 4G phone you want to have for the 4G UNLIMITED and that is your 2GB UPGRADE PHONE. AFTER they finish the upgrade on the 2GB line tell them you want to swap the phones so XXX xxx XXXX gets the 4G NEW phone. If they look puzzled you stay looking confident ! I have been doing it for over 10 yrs! They will swap your new 4G PHONE for the old 2GB phone and you still have unlimited. Hope that helps. Let me know how it goes Jr. LEAVE A REPLY LEMME KNOW HOW IT GOES Jr

      • Jr

        11/06/2012 at 2:14 pm

        Well I bought the note 2 and I will be keeping my unlimited data without paying full retail. I did just what I asked in my previous post. I upgraded my 2gb/mo line, once I receive my new phone I have to activate it on that line for 24hrs. I can then switch it to my line and keep my unlimited data, this is coming from the verizon rep I spoke to.

  37. Cole

    11/02/2012 at 7:17 pm

    You can Add a line to your account get the Iphone 5 then cancel the account within 14 days.. That way you are not paying for an extra account

    • jeff202070

      11/22/2012 at 12:55 pm

      If you cancel the account within 14 days, you will have to return the phone + pay a restocking fee of $35 and $35 activation fee if any (if return after 3 days). I open the 2nd and got the iphone5. but after doing the math, you will only be saving less than $70 from a full retail price.

      Swap the device after the 24 hrs waiting period, do an ETF of $350 on the new 2nd line. This concept will only going to save me $70 compare to paying a full retail iphone5 price if there no activation fee plus prorate any data you use on the new 2nd line.

      After testing the iphone5, for 3 days, I decided to return the iphone and will wait for Galaxy Note 2. But the 4G LTE is super-super fast from my iphone4 3G speed.

  38. Joshua

    11/03/2012 at 3:22 pm

    I got a new iphone 5 with unlimited data by from my previous account. I just added my iPad to my account and it had a free upgrade. Totally worth it.

  39. Carol

    11/13/2012 at 7:45 am

    If you upgrade a line that has no data package they make you buy a data package for it. So when you switch the phone to the line with unlimited data you still have this data package on the other line to pay for. Am I missing something? How do you get out of the new limited data package you had to sign up for to get the phone??

  40. kitt5555

    11/22/2012 at 2:06 pm

    I love my individual Verizon Unlimited Data for $29.99. Of course, I have to pay $30 for smartphone device with 450 minutes voice and $10 for 1,000 texts. With my Unlimited Data and Jail broken iphone4, it become unlimited hotspot for my friends and unlimited Wi-Fi at home when the cable is down, without paying a penny more.
    How I limited the use of my phone minutes? I used Talkatone (VOIP) over 3G and Google Voice with Google phone #. Now I never go over 50% of my minutes. I’m using my Unlimited DATA like crazy, who care, and it’s UNLIMITED right? And I’m still paying less than Verizon Share Plan under $90 includes taxes.

    By the way, do people really call and say “what do want for dinner” or ask for direction any more? No, they text it now. And for $10 more, i can add unlimited text if I don’t use Google voice or Talkatone free text and call over 3G/4G data which still be under $100 per month.
    Verizon customer is upgrading and giving up their Unlimited Data. Did you know you can sell your Unlimited Data for up to $300 dollars? It call (AOL) transaction, Google it up. Verizon is okay with this transaction and they even have AOL department. Don’t just do an upgrade, instead open a new line (OAC), and get the phone you want at the upgrade price (by the way, regardless if you upgrade or open a new line, you still have to join the Share Plan and the phone is still the upgrade price). So, why not just sell your unlimited data on Ebay. There are many peoples out there that would love to have your Unlimited Grandfathered Verizon account and will pay for it. Soon when Verizon Unlimited Data start to disappear, your Grandfathered Verizon account will be like Gold…lol..
    Other carrier doesn’t come near and consistent coverage speed that Verizon is giving, that why they are the #1 carrier and get to do what ever they want…

    I’m still debating on selling my Unlimited Grandfathered Verizon to switch to T-Mobile and they running a special on Galaxy Note 2 for $199 online purchase good until 12/23/12, but T-Mobile signal speed suck…. I will need all the Unlimited Data they give me just to stream movies, download, turn by turn navigation and I don’t even know if it will cover in my area. I think T-Mobile is bought by MetroPC, there speed is still not as good as T-Mobile.

    • kitt555

      12/07/2012 at 8:41 pm

      Update. I decided to moved to t-mo & get the Galaxy Note 2 for $199 during cyber monday sale. Sold my grand unlimited data plan on ebay and save me the ETF.
      Love the galaxy note 2 over my ex-iphone.

  41. Spyro

    12/05/2012 at 6:06 am

    I have the same question as Carol above:

    If I use my mom’s upgrade (she currently has a flip phone) to get a 4G LTE phone (Droid DNA) at the discounted contract price, I would have to add a $30 a month for 2GB data package to her line.

    I will then transfer that phone to my existing line with the unlimited data on it and transfer her flip phone back to her line.

    Can I freely drop her 2GB of data off the account at that point?

  42. marisa55

    12/05/2012 at 2:39 pm

    Hi everyone, I’m going to upgrade my phone. I don’t have any extra line to swap. Is it possible to buy Verizon phone someplace else and activate account?

    • kitt555

      12/07/2012 at 8:13 pm

      3 words. Yes you can.

  43. Jason Wetterstrom

    12/07/2012 at 7:35 pm

    If you upgrade a line without unlimited data to get Iphone 5 and then do the ESN change, don’t you have to pay $30 a month for the Internet on the other line???

    • kitt555

      12/07/2012 at 8:31 pm

      I believe so.you can call customer service and ask they be happy to answer your question.

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