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frontpage Posted by bookapow • Sep 15, 2023
frontpage Posted by bookapow • Sep 15, 2023

Costco: New/Upgrade Lines w/ Trade-In at AT&T: iPhone 15/15 Pro + $100 GC

& More + Free Shipping

Free after 36-Monthly Bill Credits

Costco Wholesale
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Deal Details
Update: This deal is still available.

Costco Wholesale via AT&T has 128GB Apple iPhone 15/15 Pro (2023) for Free after 36 Monthly Bill Credits when activated on a New line or Upgrade an eligible existing line and trade-in a qualifying smartphone on eligible AT&T unlimited plans (see plan pricing). Shipping is free.

Additionally, Costco Wholesale offers Members a $100 Costco Shop Card + $50 Bill Credits for Upgrading OR a $100 Costco Shop Card + $100 Bill Credits for opening/adding a New Line when purchasing this offer Online or In-Store at any participating Costco location featuring AT&T wireless service kiosks [store locator; scroll down to "Shop AT&T at a participating Costco location near you"]. Activation/Upgrade Fee is waived.

Thanks to community member bookapow for finding this deal.

Offer Details:
  • Trade-In: Follow the instructions on the product page or provided by the Costco rep for details on how to fulfill the trade-in portion of your offer (trade-in device will be sent to AT&T).
  • Allow up to 3 bill cycles for credits to begin applying to your account.

Editor's Notes

Written by qwikwit | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • All Costco Shop Cards will be mailed within sixty (60) days of device purchase. All lines must be active and in good standing through Shop Card fulfillment.
    • $100 in credits with activation of new line ($2.78/mo. for 36 months)
    • $50 in credits with upgrade of an existing line ($5/mo. for 10 months)
  • Returns: Return within 90 days. Restocking fee up to $55 may apply.
  • Please refer to the Forum Thread for additional discussion regarding this deal.

Original Post

Written by bookapow
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Update: This deal is still available.

Costco Wholesale via AT&T has 128GB Apple iPhone 15/15 Pro (2023) for Free after 36 Monthly Bill Credits when activated on a New line or Upgrade an eligible existing line and trade-in a qualifying smartphone on eligible AT&T unlimited plans (see plan pricing). Shipping is free.

Additionally, Costco Wholesale offers Members a $100 Costco Shop Card + $50 Bill Credits for Upgrading OR a $100 Costco Shop Card + $100 Bill Credits for opening/adding a New Line when purchasing this offer Online or In-Store at any participating Costco location featuring AT&T wireless service kiosks [store locator; scroll down to "Shop AT&T at a participating Costco location near you"]. Activation/Upgrade Fee is waived.

Thanks to community member bookapow for finding this deal.

Offer Details:
  • Trade-In: Follow the instructions on the product page or provided by the Costco rep for details on how to fulfill the trade-in portion of your offer (trade-in device will be sent to AT&T).
  • Allow up to 3 bill cycles for credits to begin applying to your account.

Editor's Notes

Written by qwikwit | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • All Costco Shop Cards will be mailed within sixty (60) days of device purchase. All lines must be active and in good standing through Shop Card fulfillment.
    • $100 in credits with activation of new line ($2.78/mo. for 36 months)
    • $50 in credits with upgrade of an existing line ($5/mo. for 10 months)
  • Returns: Return within 90 days. Restocking fee up to $55 may apply.
  • Please refer to the Forum Thread for additional discussion regarding this deal.

Original Post

Written by bookapow

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Top Comments

The fine print says minimum qualified plan is 75/mo. That's where they get you with these "free deals" - locking you in at high monthly rate for 3 yrs.

Quick math assuming you are ok with Visible/Mint at $30/mo - overpaying by $45/mo for 36=$1620, that's what you are paying for the "free iphone".
If you live in an area which has good coverage then better buy an unlocked phone and get a carrier of your choice than getting robbed by these guys for 36 months.
I have an unlocked phone & pay $20 per month for service. Can't be happier.
What is activation fee anymore ,!! Just another fee from older times

1,074 Comments

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Sep 22, 2023
214 Posts
Joined May 2012
Sep 22, 2023
BelaS
Sep 22, 2023
214 Posts
Quote from lilbuddy :
I'd like to but I don't think the 15 is a huge upgrade from the 12. Makes me nervous that the 2 after this will be a big change and I regret getting the 15.
That's fair. I think the 12 will likely be the last tradeable phone for the full credit. So you should be good another year. I think that, like their laptops and iPads, we are moving away from huge changes year over year though.
Last edited by BelaS September 22, 2023 at 02:44 PM.
Sep 22, 2023
3,109 Posts
Joined Jul 2011
Sep 22, 2023
euuser1398928
Sep 22, 2023
3,109 Posts
Quote from emdude4 :
Not really a scam. You can pay retail for the phone n have it free n clear. If you want the incentive you have to stick around. Don't get me wrong I'd much rather have it as an instant credit but how does that benefit the carriers?
Yes it is a scam. Your savings would be significant if you just buy the phone outright and go with a mnvo at $25/mo. Versus the bill credits scam for 3 yrs and a plan that costs $70/mo and you still have to trade in a device.
3
Sep 22, 2023
214 Posts
Joined May 2012
Sep 22, 2023
BelaS
Sep 22, 2023
214 Posts
Quote from foxblur :
Yes it is a scam. Your savings would be significant if you just buy the phone outright and go with a mnvo at $25/mo. Versus the bill credits scam for 3 yrs and a plan that costs $70/mo and you still have to trade in a device.
It's important to realize that not everyone is paying for a single line. Many have family plans with multiple lines. As with all post paid, the more lines you add, the lower the average cost per line. Adding lines isn't a linear price increase.

We pay $120 for five lines at ATT. No MVNO is cheaper than that, working in the cost of new devices. Even with mint, at $15 a month per line, we'd still be paying and additional $111 a month over 36 months for five new devices. ATT actually comes out cheaper than buying outright even without discounts, but only slightly. And I haven't even worked in the $100 gift card per line.... (we didn't go with this because we opted for Best Buy's total tech, which we already had).
Last edited by BelaS September 22, 2023 at 02:59 PM.
Sep 22, 2023
509 Posts
Joined Sep 2007
Sep 22, 2023
ask_j
Sep 22, 2023
509 Posts
I have T-Mobile one plan and have 12 lines, few of these lines are free. My bill is $280. I called Costco as well as AT&t, the minimum plan they offered me is $53 per line. And the total bill $420 + taxes. She said that even if I change one phone or bring my own device the plan is same. That is a huge jump. As only few people out of 12 in my account are planning to get new iPhones. Rest want to bring their own device, but the monthly expense is increasing a lot.
Verizon plans under Boyd will be $324 + taxes. And if 4 of us want to get new iPhone, then we have to switch to $42 plan instead of $27. This will also come out to be a lot costlier. Because other people don't want to change the monthly payments.

T-Mobile does't allow mix and match in their plans. If I want iPhone 15 pro max for 4 lines then either we switch entire account to the go5g etc, and we will loose free lines etc.

Anyone in the similar situation?
Sep 22, 2023
3,109 Posts
Joined Jul 2011
Sep 22, 2023
euuser1398928
Sep 22, 2023
3,109 Posts
Quote from BelaS :
It's important to realize that not everyone is paying for a single line. Many have family plans with multiple lines. As with all post paid, the more lines you add, the lower the average cost per line. Adding lines isn't a linear price increase.

We pay $120 for five lines at ATT. No MVNO is cheaper than that, working in the cost of new devices. Even with mint, at $15 a month per line, we'd still be paying and additional $111 a month over 36 months for five new devices. ATT actually comes out cheaper than buying outright even without discounts, but only slightly. And I haven't even worked in the $100 gift card per line.... (we didn't go with this because we opted for Best Buy's total tech, which we already had).
US Mobile. 12GB shared = $25 and the 4 additional lines are $8each. <$50 inc all fees for unl talk/text and 5gUW.

I don't know how you got service that cheap even for postpaid. I was paying that much for 3 lines and I had max discounts from AT&T due to where I work. Anyways I think the gig is up for the big 3 and we will see a mass exodus as the economy become tighter and consumer look to save $.
Sep 22, 2023
8 Posts
Joined Oct 2019
Sep 22, 2023
Hnr01
Sep 22, 2023
8 Posts
Quote from namx :
Just to be complete, the Visible/Mint equation does not include the phone. The ATT $75/mo include the new Iphone. If buy the phone for $1200 direct from Apple, you would save $420 ($1620-1200). Probably less since Costco is giving you back $150 - $200.
No room for logic here. Stop that.

/s
Sep 22, 2023
214 Posts
Joined May 2012
Sep 22, 2023
BelaS
Sep 22, 2023
214 Posts
Quote from foxblur :
US Mobile. 12GB shared = $25 and the 4 additional lines are $8each.
My kids couldn't share that much data lol. They each use 15-20 a month streaming videos/movies. Even my mom (the fifth line) usually upwards of 5 a month doing god knows what 😆

We have the base unlimited plan with ATT. Even that is $150. My wife gets a discount throguh work bringing it down to $120. But even full price it's cheaper than anything we can get for truly unlimited. Of course, if you don't need the data, I can understand there being better deals.

Anyway, my aim was to explain why this isn't a "scam". There's a reason prepaid exists and if that works for the individual it can absolutely be a good deal. My friend swears by google fi, but he travels out of country for work monthly. For him, that makes the most sense.
Last edited by BelaS September 22, 2023 at 03:58 PM.

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Sep 22, 2023
3,109 Posts
Joined Jul 2011
Sep 22, 2023
euuser1398928
Sep 22, 2023
3,109 Posts
Quote from BelaS :
My kids couldn't share that much data lol. They each use 15-20 a month streaming videos/movies. Even my mom (the fifth line) usually upwards of 5 a month doing god knows what 😆

We have the base unlimited plan with ATT. Even that is $150. My wife gets a discount throguh work bringing it down to $120. But even full price it's cheaper than anything we can get for truly unlimited. Of course, if you don't need the data, I can understand there being better deals.

Anyway, my aim was to explain why this isn't a "scam". There's a reason prepaid exists and if that works for the individual it can absolutely be a good deal. My friend swears by google fi, but he travels out of country for work monthly. For him, that makes the most sense.
I checked out their website. So $150 for 5 lines(-work discounts) and they will give you new devices that will be free after 3 years?
Sep 22, 2023
272 Posts
Joined May 2008
Sep 22, 2023
emdude4
Sep 22, 2023
272 Posts
Quote from foxblur :
Yes it is a scam. Your savings would be significant if you just buy the phone outright and go with a mnvo at $25/mo. Versus the bill credits scam for 3 yrs and a plan that costs $70/mo and you still have to trade in a device.
I'm still trying to find out where the scam is. You're not being forced to get the phone with ATT you can buy the phone outright n go to your mvno.

You want them to give you $1000 off without a guarantee that you'll stay with them, just because? I'm all about finding crazy deals and will jump on one when I see one but we gotta be realistic.
Sep 22, 2023
214 Posts
Joined May 2012
Sep 22, 2023
BelaS
Sep 22, 2023
214 Posts
Quote from foxblur :
I checked out their website. So $150 for 5 lines(-work discounts) and they will give you new devices that will be free after 3 years?
Yes. They said it's their cheapest plan* they'll allow it on. I sat on hold for 45 minutes on preorder day to confirm. We do need to trade in our old (iPhone 11) phones.

*Afaik they only offer three family plans. Ours is the lowest third of the three.

We ordered through Best Buy because we have total tech which adds Apple Card to each device. Best Buy had a $35 activation per line (now that I would agree is a scam). I'll try and get on ATT chat and see if they'll waive it. We won't pick up the phones until tomorrow morning.
Last edited by BelaS September 22, 2023 at 04:23 PM.
Sep 22, 2023
1,209 Posts
Joined Dec 2004
Sep 22, 2023
SleepingDragon
Sep 22, 2023
1,209 Posts
Quote from BelaS :
They do, but you have to be on their most expensive plan. That translates to laying much more over the two years. My T-Mobile bill would be $200 versus ATT $130 for five lines (discounts included on both). We were fully expecting to move to T-Mobile this year because I didn't think ATT would do trades on an 11. Saving $80 translates to almost $2000 over that two year span. Huge.
I wouldn't rush to move over to TMobile unless they have better coverage for where you'll be using them. I saw my sis in law's magenta plan. OMG! She has to pay something like $40 extra per month for 24 months just for 1 phone trade in upgrade. They obviously given her the max discount of $350 on that $1200 phone. So just for upgrading 2 phones on that 6 lines Magenta plan, her $120 Magenta plan will now be $200 per month for the next 24 months. Imagine 6 phones being upgraded... that's literally $360 per month and that's not even the top tier plan. I think AT&T and Verizon is significantly cheaper even though it's 36 months.
Sep 22, 2023
214 Posts
Joined May 2012
Sep 22, 2023
BelaS
Sep 22, 2023
214 Posts
Quote from SleepingDragon :
I wouldn't rush to move over to TMobile unless they have better coverage for where you'll be using them. I saw my sis in law's magenta plan. OMG! She has to pay something like $40 extra per month for 24 months just for 1 phone trade in upgrade. They obviously given her the max discount of $350 on that $1200 phone. So just for upgrading 2 phones on that 6 lines Magenta plan, her $120 Magenta plan will now be $200 per month for the next 24 months. Imagine 6 phones being upgraded... that's literally $360 per month and that's not even the top tier plan. I think AT&T and Verizon is significantly cheaper even though it's 36 months.
The reason we were initially going to move was because my wife was able to get an employee plan which would've brought that down to $70. Their business has since broken ties with T-Mobile and as it turns out they didn't offer any discounts/promos on hardware. With the five devices, our ATT plan was still cheaper than T-Mobile, which is amazing to me.

We had T-Mobile before ATT (which we moved to for the discount). Neither is completely solid here in New England, but it is what it is. 95% of the time we are fine with it. Only carrier we haven't used I.ln This area is Verizon. Their pricing isn't competitive enough for me to want to switch, even if they filled that missing 5%.
Sep 23, 2023
76 Posts
Joined May 2017
Sep 23, 2023
tcglow
Sep 23, 2023
76 Posts
I placed an order last Monday for upgrades on 3 lines. My bill posted today, activation charge on each line. One line actually had 2 activation charges but one reversal. Spent over an hour with customer service to get the 3x $35 fees removed. What a hassle, they fought really hard to try to not waive the fees
Sep 23, 2023
1,064 Posts
Joined May 2017
Sep 23, 2023
qning
Sep 23, 2023
1,064 Posts
I got this deal at Target yesterday. $100/mo for three lines plus an apple watch. Three new iPhones 15. sending back two 11s and a 12.

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Sep 23, 2023
1,064 Posts
Joined May 2017
Sep 23, 2023
qning
Sep 23, 2023
1,064 Posts
Quote from BelaS :
They do, but you have to be on their most expensive plan. That translates to laying much more over the two years. My T-Mobile bill would be $200 versus ATT $130 for five lines (discounts included on both). We were fully expecting to move to T-Mobile this year because I didn't think ATT would do trades on an 11. Saving $80 translates to almost $2000 over that two year span. Huge.
Really close to my situation. Traded in same phones. Cut my bill in half. I was also planning on switching.

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