Upgrade to Verizon Wireless iPhone 5 for $199 + Retain Unlimited Data Plan

So my iPhone 4 with unlimited data is finally eligible for upgrade today. I currently have on my account:

Line 1 (mine): iPhone 4 unlimited plan - eligible for upgrade
Line 2 (wife): iPhone 4 with 2Gb data plan - not eligible for upgrade

I've basically seen in this thread two possibilities:

1. Add a 3rd line to the account - upgrade to iPhone 5 - activate the phone on the first line, then drop the data plan from the 3rd line. ($9.99 a month). I assume I need to track down a dumb phone to attach to the account? Or can the account be set up without a phone listed?

2. Transfer my upgrade to my wife's account, upgrade to iPhone 5, activate iPhone 5 on my account instead of hers. Will this work? Will she lose her future upgrade?

Thanks.

Quote from jaboki : then you just buy the phone straight up.

For people already with a secondary line, it was a nice option to save a bit, but you are right.

Quote from avinyc : A friend went today to a verizon store to do the dumb phone line swap for an iphone 5. Everything went smoothly and he still has the unlimited plan with no contract on his main line. As a side note, the rep said that verizon is going to end this ability in 2 days to force people to give up the unlimited data. Not sure if it's true (as reps like to make incorrect comments all the time) but I thought it was worth sharing if they do in fact close this loophole.

Not sure if they ended it or the reps were lying to me, but they told me the loophole doesn't work anymore when I tried on 11/19/2012. I was looking to upgrade to a Galaxy Note 2. Unless someone knows a way around it or is more informed about this, I would still like to upgrade somehow and keep my unlimited.

I have a 1400 minute Family plan with 2 unlimited data smart phones and 1 regular phone.
1) Unlimited data (eligible upgrade now)
2) Unlimited data (eligible upgrade in Feb 2013)
3) Regular Phone (eligible upgrade in Feb 2013)

Thanks for any help.

Was just reading this whole thread, and got to the last page, all excited because this would work for us, and now I see it just ended (( Anyone know if this still works???

Happy thanksgiving everyone! First post on SD, just wanted to share my experience. I have a Nationwide family plan with 1 dumbphone line and 1 smartphone line (with unlimited data). The dumbphone line was eligible for upgrade, so I went into a Verizon store yesterday to upgrade the dumbphone to iPhone 5. I told the rep that I wanted to switch the iPhone to my smartphone so I can keep unlimited data. He told me the loophole wouldn't work, but I wanted to try anyways. So, he upgraded the dumbphone, activated the iPhone on the dumbphone line, and then promptly deactivated the iPhone and reactivated the old dumbphone. He told me I needed to wait 24 hours for the SIM to be released. So, today I activated the iPhone 5 on the smartphone line through the Verizon website. I still have unlimited data on my smartphone line according to my account info, and the iPhone is working. So, it seems like the loophole still works. Hope this helps!

I just bought a new Galaxy S3 on dumb phone line with available upgrade. Activated it at the store. Then called and switched it to my unlimited data line. Kept unlimited data for S3, and data plan on dumb line automatically dropped off. Only hitch, like previous poster said, is that it takes a while for the SIM card to switch over.

I am getting a Note 2 (I have 2 smartphones with one unlimited and 2 dumphones eligible for upgrade) and spoke to the rep and also chatted and it is still on. I don't think it's a loophole, I think it's a PR issue not allowing people to swap numbers on phones without huge penalties, shoot I think there even may be a law against it. anyway. Here's my chat with the Verizon rep. Cheers. Can't wait for the Note!

Nicky: Hello there. It is very nice to meet you. How can I assist you with an order today?
Scott: yes, I am trying to order a Note 2 and it is asking me "Are you purchasing a 4G SIM?"
Scott: I'm not sure what to answer
Nicky: Yes you would want one because it is a new 4G LTE device that requires a new type of Sim card so please say yes to that.
Nicky: Also, can you please do me a favor and keep this chat open, and send me the Confirmation Number you get at the end of your order, so I can verify your order please?
Scott: ok
Nicky: Awesome. After that page, you will continue to the next step of your order.
Nicky: Since you have been so great today, I would love to offer you a great deal. During your order, feel free to look through our great accessories which have a 20% off discount for 3 accessories and then a 30% discount for 5 accessories!
Nicky: Please view some of our great cases and car charges that we offer for all devices! Those are great ones!
Scott: I have 4 lines
Nicky: Ok great!
Nicky: I thank you for being a fantastic Family Plan Cusotmer with Verizon!
Scott: 2 smartphones and 2 regular phones. Can you confirm I can upgrade my regular phone and then add my sim card from my existing smartphone to the new one?
Scott: I do not want to loose my unlimited data
Nicky: You will lose your unlimited data if you upgrade your smarpthone line but if you upgrade your basic phone and then transfer it, it will not effect your unlimited data and you will be able to use the SIM. It will still work.
Scott: that's what I thought
Nicky: So you are doing it just fine how you are ordering now.
Scott: ok, i am going through the screens now
Nicky: Awesome! Please remember to keep this chat open as you go through that process and let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. Plus, do not forget about the great deal you are eligible for on accessories.

Here's my situation:

- Family Share plan with unlimited data on smartphone. One dumbphone (secondary line), one smartphone (primary line). Dumbphone currently due for an upgrade. Smartphone not due until February 2013.

In order to get this to work, I need to:

- Go to Verizon Wireless store and get dumbphone upgraded with an iPhone5/GSIII or whatever, and have them activate it.

- After it's activated, immediately call customer service and have them switch the newly activated phone to the unlimited data phone number.

- My question is this: How will that affect the current dumbphone and its user? How do I get the dumbphone reactivated in order for the user to utilize it? Also, won't upgrading that line automatically kick me into the "Share Everything" plan? What will happen when it comes time to upgrade the dumb phone?

i got a pretty sweet deal on the droid razr maxx hd through amazon wireless 190 out the door..
bought it on one line in the family's america choice plan. for whatever reason it lists the iphone not compatibility with it.

anyway, phone delivered. activated it under line i used the upgrade for. took out the old sim card, went to vzw for a new one. they swapped the phones and i have this beautiful new 4g lte phone with my unlimited data still in tact. happy holidays, folks!

Quote from dkeymaker : Not sure if they ended it or the reps were lying to me, but they told me the loophole doesn't work anymore when I tried on 11/19/2012. I was looking to upgrade to a Galaxy Note 2. Unless someone knows a way around it or is more informed about this, I would still like to upgrade somehow and keep my unlimited. I have a 1400 minute Family plan with 2 unlimited data smart phones and 1 regular phone. 1) Unlimited data (eligible upgrade now) 2) Unlimited data (eligible upgrade in Feb 2013) 3) Regular Phone (eligible upgrade in Feb 2013) Thanks for any help.

You can only upgrade/add a dumb phone line.
Your 1) line is going to sit there un-upgradeable forever
Same with 2) line
Your 3) line isn't eligible for upgrade yet
The only choice is to start a new 4) dumbphone line, and i guess cancel line 3) next year

Hi All,
I just want to confirm I got my Note 2 and the switch workd. Unlimited data! YAAAA! Dumb phone is still dumphone!

Quote from fozzir : I am getting a Note 2 (I have 2 smartphones with one unlimited and 2 dumphones eligible for upgrade) and spoke to the rep and also chatted and it is still on. I don't think it's a loophole, I think it's a PR issue not allowing people to swap numbers on phones without huge penalties, shoot I think there even may be a law against it. anyway. Here's my chat with the Verizon rep. Cheers. Can't wait for the Note! Nicky: Hello there. It is very nice to meet you. How can I assist you with an order today? Scott: yes, I am trying to order a Note 2 and it is asking me "Are you purchasing a 4G SIM?" Scott: I'm not sure what to answer Nicky: Yes you would want one because it is a new 4G LTE device that requires a new type of Sim card so please say yes to that. Nicky: Also, can you please do me a favor and keep this chat open, and send me the Confirmation Number you get at the end of your order, so I can verify your order please? Scott: ok Nicky: Awesome. After that page, you will continue to the next step of your order. Nicky: Since you have been so great today, I would love to offer you a great deal. During your order, feel free to look through our great accessories which have a 20% off discount for 3 accessories and then a 30% discount for 5 accessories! Nicky: Please view some of our great cases and car charges that we offer for all devices! Those are great ones! Scott: I have 4 lines Nicky: Ok great! Nicky: I thank you for being a fantastic Family Plan Cusotmer with Verizon! Scott: 2 smartphones and 2 regular phones. Can you confirm I can upgrade my regular phone and then add my sim card from my existing smartphone to the new one? Scott: I do not want to loose my unlimited data Nicky: You will lose your unlimited data if you upgrade your smarpthone line but if you upgrade your basic phone and then transfer it, it will not effect your unlimited data and you will be able to use the SIM. It will still work. Scott: that's what I thought Nicky: So you are doing it just fine how you are ordering now. Scott: ok, i am going through the screens now Nicky: Awesome! Please remember to keep this chat open as you go through that process and let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. Plus, do not forget about the great deal you are eligible for on accessories.

Just letting everyone know that you should still be able to do this. Added a 3rd line, and moved the iPhone 5 to my primary line with unlimited. Verizon rep in the store knew exactly what I was talking about and did it without issue.

I did go to Best Buy first to do this as I had reward zone certificates. They absolutely refused. So YMMV outside of a Verizon store.

Admitedly a cell phone dummy. I read the first 1/3 of the post and still in the dark. I am probably the only one without a cell, but my wife and daughter both have seperate plans we had back when we got in on the Home Depot 25% off employee discount and both plans are up for renewal. Daughter has unlimited data plan on a dumb phone. Wife has dumb phone and uses no data. To upgrade to an Iphone for daughter will of course cost $30 more per month. My question is, First can I do this deal without adding a line to daughter's plan? if I add a line to daughter's plan with a dumb phone for myself, would it work and if so what are the steps? Thanks in advance.

Quote from jimbeau : Admitedly a cell phone dummy. I read the first 1/3 of the post and still in the dark. I am probably the only one without a cell, but my wife and daughter both have seperate plans we had back when we got in on the Home Depot 25% off employee discount and both plans are up for renewal. Daughter has unlimited data plan on a dumb phone. Wife has dumb phone and uses no data. To upgrade to an Iphone for daughter will of course cost $30 more per month. My question is, First can I do this deal without adding a line to daughter's plan? if I add a line to daughter's plan with a dumb phone for myself, would it work and if so what are the steps? Thanks in advance.

This deal is only for people on unlimited data plans with smartphones. By your post it looks like you don't have a smartphone yet.