At&T Says I need to update my voice plan?

[Fenir]

Hello all, can't wait for Friday...but there is one small problem.

I was into the At&t store today to cancel my media plan in preparation for the data plan. I'm thinking, great, cancel the $15 a month charge, replace it with a $20 data plan, that makes it a $5 increase.

However, while asking about this, the store rep said that the plan me and my family are on (which ended last month, so we are on a month-to-month basis now), was a plan they no longer offered. So, we would need to upgrade our plan to one of the new FamilyTalk plans.

So instead of facing a $5 increase, I am now looking at around a $30 a month increase. Can you help me out?

From at AT&T Faq:
Q. Do I need to switch to a different rate plan if I upgrade to iPhone?
A. If you’re an existing AT&T (formerly Cingular) wireless customer, you just need to add an iPhone Data Plan. (This may replace your current data plan. Your voice plan will stay the same) The iPhone Data Plan gives you Visual Voicemail, as well as Unlimited Data—includes both email and web—and texting, all for as little as $20. You'll add an iPhone Data Plan during the activation process.

So who is right? Can I keep my current plan, or will they make me upgrade? I'm going to go back in tomorrow and just hope that I got a misinformed employee.

Thank you so much,
Bryan T.

EDIT: For clarification purposes, my father told me that we are on a 1100 minute family talk plan, which the At&T person told me was outdated and that they no longer have that plan, hence the need to upgrade.

 

[EricNau]

I would trust the website.

On Friday, bring a printed copy of the faq, just in case.

 

[marksman]

I suspect you will have to pay more to do this.

With a new phone, they very well may use this to push you to a new plan. Since you are not under contract, and you will be under contract, it is unlikely they have the ability to put you under contract for a plan that does not exist any more.

 

[skubish]

The website makes in unclear.
I think it should be just $20/month to add the data plan.

 

[infiniteammo]

the store rep said that the plan me and my family are on [...] was a plan they no longer offered. So, we would need to upgrade our plan to one of the new FamilyTalk plans.

I'd bet you they're fibbing!

 

[Fenir]

thanks for the replies everyone!

But I fear Marksman may be right. I'm sure somewhere, buried in the ToS, it probably says that because I am not under contract now, the "new" contract must be one of the current plans regardless of what I have right now...

I could be very, very, SOL tomorrow.

 

[Fenir]

I'd bet you they're fibbing!

Are you suggesting that it's just a bluff to upgrade our contract hence make them some more $$$?

 

[cgingrich]

I have the same family plan (1100 minutes 79.99) and I was told the easiest thing to do is just add the $20 for the iPhone. The best part about the phone and plans is you can do it on iTunes so you won't have to worry about some salesman talking you into a higher priced plan. Buy the phone, and you should be ok just adding the $20 through iTunes.

 

[infiniteammo]

I've found family plans to complicate things from time to time, and the iphone is certainly a different story all together, but if I were you (or your father), I'd hold off on changing the rate plan until after you've got your iphone. Worst case scenario, the guy at AT&T was right. I've been with tmobile for years out-of-contract, just because I got a promotional 1500 minutes for 39$ plan way back when. Since then, out-of-contract, I've added and removed sidekick data plans, MDA data plans, etc. etc. with no problem at all.

 

[beate]

For clarification purposes, my father told me that we are on a 1100 minute family talk plan, which the At&T person told me was outdated and that they no longer have that plan, hence the need to upgrade.

My contract expired last April - I have the same 1100 min plan and they told me (via phone) that I just needed to add the data plan. Of course I believe nothing until it happens. I will be kicking and screaming if I need to get a new plan - means I'd loss 9000 rollover minutes. Not that I need them (chuckle) but they are MY minutes!

 

[Fenir]

My contract expired last April - I have the same 1100 min plan and they told me (via phone) that I just needed to add the data plan. Of course I believe nothing until it happens. I will be kicking and screaming if I need to get a new plan - means I'd loss 9000 rollover minutes. Not that I need them (chuckle) but they are MY minutes!

LOL same here, 5000+ rollover minutes and rolling.

Well, I am starting to breathe a little easier now. My father though, is a bit stubborn and thinks what the AT&T guys/gals say is absolutely correct, this being that the first time we went in there they told us the data plan would be $40 and I tried to tell him that they don't know that yet, and it probably would be a bit less.

I'll take the last couple posters adivce(s), and buy the phone, hope to just add the $20 through iTunes...if there is a big problem, I'll just have to return the phone.

Thanks so much again everyone!

 

[cgingrich]

Here's the email I received....

My initial email:

Currently I have a family plan (79.99 and 1100 minutes) with two
Motorola RAZRs (one is out of contract and eligible for an upgrade)

My question is on the iPhone plan pricing. I will be buying an Iphone
to replace my main line on the account. Now I could add the $20 data
onto my plan bringing the plan to (99.99) + the additional 9.95
additional line with 1100 minutes. I noticed the $100 iPhone plan
includes 1400 minutes. Would I be able to get the $100 iPhone family
plan with 1400 (instead of 1100) and add the 9.95 regular line thus
making it the same price as only adding data but I will have more
minutes?


Their response:

Thank you for taking the time to e-mail AT&T regarding your getting a
new iPhone and plan options. I am happy to help you with your inquiry
and I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

After reviewing your email, I have found that iPhone Family plans
additional line cost is $29.99. If you are lookinig for the lowest
price deal, your first choice of adding the $20.00 iPhone data phone to
your existing voice plan would be the lowest price choice. In addition,
it has not been made clear if a non iPhone can be added to an iPhone
plan. These details will be revealed on or around the day of the iPhone
launch on 06/29. I apologize that I do not have more information at
this time.



So I think the easiest thing is just put the data plan on, lowest amount of fuss, and you won't risk messing up your existing plan....I don't even need the extra minutes, I have over 5000 rollovers as well, unless you draw attention to the plan and risk having to upgrade your plan, I say just add the $20 and be done with it.

 

[cgingrich]

My contract expired last April - I have the same 1100 min plan and they told me (via phone) that I just needed to add the data plan. Of course I believe nothing until it happens. I will be kicking and screaming if I need to get a new plan - means I'd loss 9000 rollover minutes. Not that I need them (chuckle) but they are MY minutes!

by changing plans, upgrading or downgrading you won't lose your rollovers, only if you leave cingular/at&t. The rollovers are applied to the account and not a specific plan, rest easy.