iPhone Plans With Regular Phone...So Much Confusion....

[poppe]

Is anyone else as confused as I am?

ATT is so confusing. I called ATT to see the process I would need to take to joining my mom's ATT account (She does not have an ATT Plan yet); we would want a family plan.

First ATT rep (in store/this is just funny and not so much confusing): Wait on the iPhone the second generation is coming out in December.

Second ATT rep (on the phone): iPhone's can only be on family plans with other iPhones. I will have to get two separate accounts and there is no other way. He explained. It is weird but what Apple requires, and that he has to tell a lot of people every single day because everyone else thinks different.

Third ATT rep (on the internet): Told me the second was wrong and that I can join ATT with my mom on a family plan. She said that we can not sign up together though that one of us must sign up first and then the other must join up after. I had another question for her: If we get a family plan and its just my mom and I then do still pay the 9.99 upon the $20 extra since family plans include two lines (my mom taking one)? She said she didn't know and had to go ask. She returned a while back (on the IM client thing), and said iPhone is different and even though family plans include two lines the iPhone still costs another 9.99.

Fourth ATT rep, store manager (told my mom): Could sign up for a family plan first -- 109.99 for 2100 anytime minutes, and then I could add my iPhone to her plan for $29.99 per month. He then explained to her that doing it this way she will still be able to get her mail in rebate free/cheap phone. He then told her that all family plans include unlimited text messaging. She asked "even if the iPhone is added to the plan?" They replied that even if we added the iPhone to the family plan, everyone including the iPhone would get unlimited text messaging at no extra charge.

Fifth ATT rep, (Best Buy ATT rep/In person): He confirms the text messaging thing. Also for a side note for everyone -- If you sign up for ATT at Best Buy you get a $50 gift card.

Man I am confused...

1) Can I join my mom's plan even though her phone is regular and my phone is an iPhone.

2) Do I have to pay the $9.99 even though family plans include two lines.

3) Do I really get unlimited text messaging for the whole family? Do I not have to pay for the 20 a month for unlimited text messaging on my iPhone line (my mom is not going to use text messaging).

I know I have more as this is so confusing since I have not gotten a consistent answer...

 

[janey]

1. Yes, I'm doing that right now with one regular phone and my iPhone. Existing AT&T family plan though.

2. I haven't gotten the bill yet and AT&T's website is being stupid, so I'm not entirely too sure about that. I believe you'd fall under an existing customer thing, so it would only be an additional $20 for the data, not $29.99 for the iPhone plan or whatever. Pricing on the apple website is for a family plan with all iPhones.

3. It's $20 for your iPhone's data plan that includes 200 text messages, ONLY for your phone and not your mom's.

 

[Offspring992]

Is anyone else as confused as I am?

ATT is so confusing. I called ATT to see the process I would need to take to joining my mom's ATT account (She does not have an ATT Plan yet); we would want a family plan.

First ATT rep (in store/this is just funny and not so much confusing): Wait on the iPhone the second generation is coming out in December.

Second ATT rep (on the phone): iPhone's can only be on family plans with other iPhones. I will have to get two separate accounts and there is no other way. He explained. It is weird but what Apple requires, and that he has to tell a lot of people every single day because everyone else thinks different.

Third ATT rep (on the internet): Told me the second was wrong and that I can join ATT with my mom on a family plan. She said that we can not sign up together though that one of us must sign up first and then the other must join up after. I had another question for her: If we get a family plan and its just my mom and I then do still pay the 9.99 upon the $20 extra since family plans include two lines (my mom taking one)? She said she didn't know and had to go ask. She returned a while back (on the IM client thing), and said iPhone is different and even though family plans include two lines the iPhone still costs another 9.99.

Fourth ATT rep, store manager (told my mom): Could sign up for a family plan first -- 109.99 for 2100 anytime minutes, and then I could add my iPhone to her plan for $29.99 per month. He then explained to her that doing it this way she will still be able to get her mail in rebate free/cheap phone. He then told her that all family plans include unlimited text messaging. She asked "even if the iPhone is added to the plan?" They replied that even if we added the iPhone to the family plan, everyone including the iPhone would get unlimited text messaging at no extra charge.

Fifth ATT rep, (Best Buy ATT rep/In person): He confirms the text messaging thing. Also for a side note for everyone -- If you sign up for ATT at Best Buy you get a $50 gift card.

Man I am confused...

1) Can I join my mom's plan even though her phone is regular and my phone is an iPhone.

2) Do I have to pay the $9.99 even though family plans include two lines.

3) Do I really get unlimited text messaging for the whole family? Do I not have to pay for the 20 a month for unlimited text messaging on my iPhone line (my mom is not going to use text messaging).

I know I have more as this is so confusing since I have not gotten a consistent answer...

1. You would think so, because all you would need to do is just add the iPhone data plan to the 109.99 since that price includes 2 lines. So the price for both would be 129.99 per month. (109.99 plus 19.99 for the iPhone data plan). I would imagine it wouldn't be that much different than getting a blackberry and adding the data plan

2. You shouldn't. Your mom would pay 109.99 and you would pay 19.99 for the data plan is that can be done.

3. You would not get unlimited text messaging for the entire family. Unlimited text messaging would be an extra 19.99 per line. I quick glanced at their website and no where did it mention unlimited texting was included in the plan, unless I missed it somewhere.

As far as #1 goes, in theory that should work, and when you go into iTunes to activate your iPhone, you would just select the option that you are a current at&t customer and just want to add a line. The only issue I would see with that is that they might see the iPhone as a 3rd-5th line and charge you 29.99 (19.99 for data and 9.99 for the 3rd line) instead of just the data plan. I am actually going to be going to the at&t store in my area and I will ask them about this too. I would think that it would work, but then again I don't work for at&t so I am still figuring out how their system works but I do work for Sprint currently so that's how I have a basic idea on how things work for cell phone companies.

Basically, what you would have to do is create the account in a store, and then add your iPhone through iTunes.

 

[janey]

1. You would think so, because all you would need to do is just add the iPhone data plan to the 109.99 since that price includes 2 lines. So the price for both would be 129.99 per month. (109.99 plus 19.99 for the iPhone data plan). I would imagine it wouldn't be that much different than getting a blackberry and adding the data plan

I don't think so. I'm fairly sure the only thing that needed to be added was $20 to my line for the data, and the cheapest family plan is $60...

The $110 price is for a family plan with two iPhones, not a family plan with one iPhone and one other phone.

 

[Offspring992]

I don't think so. I'm fairly sure the only thing that needed to be added was $20 to my line for the data, and the cheapest family plan is $60...

The $110 price is for a family plan with two iPhones, not a family plan with one iPhone and one other phone.

Yeah but what I'm referring to is the actual charges. The main line on the account would see a charge of 109.99 (not an iPhone) and the 2nd line would see a charge of 19.99 for the base charges

 

[janey]

Yeah but what I'm referring to is the actual charges. The main line on the account would see a charge of 109.99 (not an iPhone) and the 2nd line would see a charge of 19.99 for the base charges

Whoops, I didn't read the post carefully enough. Thought the $110 was pulled out of thin air. Sorry

 

[poppe]

1. Yes, I'm doing that right now with one regular phone and my iPhone. Existing AT&T family plan though.

2. I haven't gotten the bill yet and AT&T's website is being stupid, so I'm not entirely too sure about that. I believe you'd fall under an existing customer thing, so it would only be an additional $20 for the data, not $29.99 for the iPhone plan or whatever. Pricing on the apple website is for a family plan with all iPhones.

3. It's $20 for your iPhone's data plan that includes 200 text messages, ONLY for your phone and not your mom's.

About 3. I know the data is 20, but I have to have more than 200 text messages. I do that in a day if not more.

I am very curious to see if I get the unlimited text messaging for the whole family plan or not because that adds a whole lot of money to a plan just for text messaging...

I really doubt it that the family plans come with unlimited text messaging.

-----

OK another question for you all: How does ATT work with being in another state and making calls? With sprint I am able to live in California, even though I have a Dallas number, and do not get charged a single dime for living out here.

Will ATT be the same or are we going to get charged for that?

 

[Offspring992]

About 3. I know the data is 20, but I have to have more than 200 text messages. I do that in a day if not more.

I am very curious to see if I get the unlimited text messaging for the whole family plan or not because that adds a whole lot of money to a plan just for text messaging...

I really doubt it that the family plans come with unlimited text messaging.

-----

OK another question for you all: How does ATT work with being in another state and making calls? With sprint I am able to live in California, even though I have a Dallas number, and do not get charged a single dime for living out here.

Will ATT be the same or are we going to get charged for that?

Unlimited data/text is $40.00 a month. If you are keeping your same number it will work because all they have to do is port the number. If you are getting a new number and want a dallas area code that might complicate things since in iTunes the area code they give you is determined by the billing address I believe. But you won't get charged for having an area code different than the state you live in.

 

[poppe]

Unlimited data/text is $40.00 a month. If you are keeping your same number it will work because all they have to do is port the number. If you are getting a new number and want a dallas area code that might complicate things since in iTunes the area code they give you is determined by the billing address I believe. But you won't get charged for having an area code different than the state you live in.

OK cool. That's what I thought but since the store manager of ATT and the best buy ATT guys were saying that we had unlimited text I was very confused.

Am I able to cancel my cell phone contract I have now (sprint) and still keep my cell number over to ATT?

 

[janey]

Am I able to cancel my cell phone contract I have now (sprint) and still keep my cell number over to ATT?

yes, just follow the iTunes directions. you will probably have to deal with an early termination fee, among other things.

 

[n8236]

I read the whole thread, but I don't think I found what I was looking for. The case for me is similar, but not identical.

My folks (mom & pop) are w/ Verizon. I am w/ T-Mobile. All our contracts are up and free to change careers.

Today, I bought an iPhone and would like to start a family plan w/ my folks w/ AT&T. From what I understand, it would cost me $69.99 for the iPhone.

The question is:

(1) If my folks get standard free phones, will their cost in the plan be just an additional $10 each line?

(2) Is adding a regular phone to my iPhone family plan allowed?

 

[sJv]

I found it very easy to first setup a family plan with regular phones. I went into a local AT&T store for this. I set up a 3 line family plan:

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-ph...s/?q_sku=sku1020024&q_planCategory=cat1370013

This basic plan is $59.99 for 2 lines plus $9.99 for the third line. When I activated my iPhone, I replaced one of the phones with the iPhone using iTunes. It took, maybe 30 seconds to activate. The iPhone will be a $20 adder to the plan (for data), so total is $89.98

The advantage to doing it this way is that you can get a popular phone for heavily subsidized costs, then turn around and sell it on ebay, or keep it as a spare. I am keeping mine as a spare.

I would think AT&T would let you set up an individual plan, then later convert it to a family plan as they get more money that way. You will likely have to restart your 2 year commitment at that time. You may notice that the basic cheapest individual AT&T plan is $39.95 with 450 minutes. The basic cheapest family plan is $59.95 for two lines and 550 minutes. You can't add a phone to the individual plan - you'll have to replace it with a family plan.

-steve

I read the whole thread, but I don't think I found what I was looking for. The case for me is similar, but not identical.

My folks (mom & pop) are w/ Verizon. I am w/ T-Mobile. All our contracts are up and free to change careers.

Today, I bought an iPhone and would like to start a family plan w/ my folks w/ AT&T. From what I understand, it would cost me $69.99 for the iPhone.

The question is:

(1) If my folks get standard free phones, will their cost in the plan be just an additional $10 each line?

(2) Is adding a regular phone to my iPhone family plan allowed?

 

[n8236]

I found it very easy to first setup a family plan with regular phones. I went into a local AT&T store for this. I set up a 3 line family plan:

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-ph...s/?q_sku=sku1020024&q_planCategory=cat1370013

This basic plan is $59.99 for 2 lines plus $9.99 for the third line. When I activated my iPhone, I replaced one of the phones with the iPhone using iTunes. It took, maybe 30 seconds to activate. The iPhone will be a $20 adder to the plan (for data), so total is $89.98

The advantage to doing it this way is that you can get a popular phone for heavily subsidized costs, then turn around and sell it on ebay, or keep it as a spare. I am keeping mine as a spare.

I would think AT&T would let you set up an individual plan, then later convert it to a family plan as they get more money that way. You will likely have to restart your 2 year commitment at that time. You may notice that the basic cheapest individual AT&T plan is $39.95 with 450 minutes. The basic cheapest family plan is $59.95 for two lines and 550 minutes. You can't add a phone to the individual plan - you'll have to replace it with a family plan.

-steve

So, lemme get this straight.

Following that link, I open three lines with the phone of my choice ($59.99+$9.99=$69.99). Then I activate my iPhone choosing the option to replace an existing phone (which is the one of the three I opened) so the cost goes up to $79.99 due to iPhone plans.

So, in the end I receive an additional free phone as a spare, as you suggested?

Can you confirm we're on the same page? Because that sounds too good to be true to receive a free phone! lol

 

[Cleverboy]

So, lemme get this straight.

Following that link, I open three lines with the phone of my choice ($59.99+$9.99=$69.99). Then I activate my iPhone choosing the option to replace an existing phone (which is the one of the three I opened) so the cost goes up to $79.99 due to iPhone plans.

So, in the end I receive an additional free phone as a spare, as you suggested?

Can you confirm we're on the same page? Because that sounds too good to be true to receive a free phone! lol

Honestly, that's what I heard at least one rep who called into an iPhone podcast say. The logic is kind of solid. If you sign-up to a normal plan, get your free phone, then add a data plan afterwards, to support your iPhone... you get a free phone, and you can move your iPhone sim back and forth between your phones, in case you don't want to take your iPhone everywhere. From what I understand though, the steps themselves would need to be thought out. Asking a rep is a funny operation though... you can't just ASK them everything at once. You have to couch certain parts as hypotheticals... like "I'm thinking of getting an iPhone" and "If I buy into the normal plan today, and I get my free phone, I can add the iPhone data plan next week if I got one?" As long as they're confirming everything, you'll be fine. Don't ask them everything at once though, like... "I want to get a free phone and an iPhone, is that possible?" Trust me, I'm sure their head would explode unless you're talking to one of the few and the brave (that probably won't be there much longer, or will be a manager in no time and have other concerns).

~ CB

 

[diamond.g]

That is exactly what I did. Signed up for service. Got my two free phones and then later on replaced both phones with iPhones. But I still use one of the free phones due to it not having a camera. It was a real ingenious plan...

I got the phones for free after the whole 150 2yr agreement thing. So now I am waiting to see why my bill was like 250 dollars, I am hoping they didn't charge me for the phones anyways. That would be irritating. The only thing I could think of is overages for the 1 week I was prorated.

 

[sJv]

You almost have it correct. The family voice plan for any three phones is $69.98, but the iphone REQUIRES a $20 data plan (for each iPhone). With one iPhone on the plan, the cost is $89.98. Actually, I find AT%T's plans logical and consistent. Find the plan you like on AT&T's site, then add $20 for each iPhone. Keep in mind that the $20 unlimited data plan for the iPhone is a great deal. The cheapest unlimited plan I could find on the Samsung Blackjack (or similar phone) is $40/mo.

And yes, you get to keep your free phone (the one that the iPhone replaces) to re-sell it, or whatever. You can use the iPhone's SIM card in this phone at anytime if need be. What's not clear to me is if you bought something like a Blackjack, and put the iPhone's sim card in, will the data plan work on it, or is it locked only to the iPhone (since there is a price break for iPhones)? Anyone know?

-steve

So, lemme get this straight.

Following that link, I open three lines with the phone of my choice ($59.99+$9.99=$69.99). Then I activate my iPhone choosing the option to replace an existing phone (which is the one of the three I opened) so the cost goes up to $79.99 due to iPhone plans.

So, in the end I receive an additional free phone as a spare, as you suggested?

Can you confirm we're on the same page? Because that sounds too good to be true to receive a free phone! lol

 

[n8236]

I was roaming the Howard forums and it is indeed what a lot of people are doing.

I found the best deals on Wal-Mart. I have gotten my folks two free Motorolas. But because I want to sell my phone (the 3rd line), I want to get the best bang for the buck to sell on eBay. I found the BlackBerry Curve 8300 to have the best market price. But I am confused as to how it will affect my billing since the Curve requires a data plan.

Will the iPhone activation overwrite the Curve data plan?