Since you are working with an agent / person, everything is YMMV. My $10 DCC was waived and the agent didn't care that I have 2+ free lines already. First step is to check your T-life app to see if you qualify.
Main thread on T-mobile subreddit. [reddit.com] Refer to it for more / current info. Some redditors have complained that some agents declined them because they had 2+ free lines already. Some redditors have success trying again on 833-579-2248, 611, chat, or T-Force. Since there is a bit of YMMV with the agent, be kind and nice, and try again somewhere else if you get rejected. Of course, some redditors are trying to get the free line even though their T-life doesn't show the offer (huge YMMV).
Yes, T-mobile did another round of price hikes today for existing plans. Check your text messages of your primary line to see if you will be affected starting April 2nd.
If you don't see the offer on your T-Life app homepage but you see offers like 25% off accessories, save $100 on Harman, SyncUp Drive, etc., try pulling down on the app to refresh the page / offers. If you have multiple lines, try looking on the other lines. The free line offer was only found on one of my lines (main line) T-Life app.
Even without the free line offer, you can still try your luck through 611, chat, or T-Force. Though you run the risk of the system not applying the free line promotion even if the agent agrees to add it.
-----------------------
If you tap the See Full Terms in the T-Life app, it clearly states " Free new line for qualifying existing accounts with 2+ voice lines on a family plan and a max of 2 current free lines"
With monthly bill credits. Subject to change.
Free new line for qualifying existing accounts with 2+ voice lines on a family plan and a max of 2 current free lines. Plus taxes & fees for accounts paying for a T-Mobile wireless line with additional taxes & fees; monthly Regulatory Programs (RPF) & Telco Recovery Fee (TRF) totaling $3.49 per voice line ($0.50 for RPF & $2.99 for TRF) applies; taxes/fees approx. 4-38% of bill. Qualifying credit and regular-rate, Unlimited, Unlimited Freedom, Magenta, Magenta Max, Magenta Amplified, Magenta Plus, One, Simple Choice, Everything, My Way, Sprint Max, One, or Sprint Unlimited plan required. If you have cancelled lines in past 90 days, you may need to reactivate them first. Credits may take up to 2 bill cycles; credits will stop if you cancel any lines or change plans. $10 device connection charge due at sale. Limit 1/account. Not combinable with some offers or discounts, including other service discounts, device offers, or Price Lock; choosing free line gives up access to Go5G Plus or Go5G Next device offer features for this line only. See rep for details.
-----------------------
Found some more info on promo ID250259 from my account data on T-mobile.com. There is more info available, but not really useful to anyone without T-mobile VPN access or code dictionary.
Name: Line Discount ID250259
Start Date: 2025-03-13
End Date: 2025-03-26 (Old)
End Date: 2025-03-31 (Old)
End Date: 2025-04-10 (New)
Initiation Date: 2025-03-17
So this promotion ends on the 26th (Now 10th). T-mobile also tracks the promotion initiation date, which was the 17th for me (date that the line was created, several days after I ordered the physical SIM).
If you are getting this promotion close to the end date 26th (Now 31st), order with ESIM activation. With physical SIM, you are risking your promotion initiation date starting after the promotion end date. Not sure if the system cares, but it tracks the dates so why risk it. You can always convert your ESIM to physical SIM later.
-----------------------
CoffeePleeze
I just wanted to pop in and give an update.
Magenta Max 2 paid, 1 free, 1 digits, Home Internet.
Tile for free line appeared in T-Life app.
Instead of calling or chatting, added new BYOD via T-Life, physical sim.
$0 out of pocket, SIM arrived today. Put it in a spare unlocked iPhone 6S Plus.
Viewing Account > Cost Summary on T-Mobile website via web browser I see "$30 Line Discount ID250259 (Additional Lines)" Nice!
Now I have Magenta Max 2 paid, 2 free, 1 digits, Home Internet.
Credit goes to the posters who mentioned T-Force Reps said to add the BYOD line in the app yourself which sidesteps fees and activation charges while triggering the discount automatically. It worked for me.
Hope this helps someone like me who doesn't care to call or chat with T-Mobile.
This post can be edited by most users to provide up-to-date information about developments of this thread based on user responses, and user findings. Feel free to add, change or remove information shown here as it becomes available. This includes new coupons, rebates, ideas, thread summary, and similar items.
Once a Thread Wiki is added to a thread, "Create Wiki" button will disappear. If you would like to learn more about Thread Wiki feature, click here.
expiredvtec26 posted Mar 13, 2025 06:17 PM
Item 1 of 2
Item 1 of 2
expiredvtec26 posted Mar 13, 2025 06:17 PM
YMMV - T-Mobile Free Line when you BYOD
T-Mobile
Visit T-MobileGood Deal
Bad Deal
Save
Share
Leave a Comment
833 Comments
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
Anyone find something specific to this???
This is a device trade-in where essentially T-Mo buys the device from the customer for $500, sells the new device to the customer for, say, $600+tax, and then pays the customer in 24 monthly installments for the $500 and charges for the difference plus the tax.
This is NOT the same as giving the customer a FREE new phone device for two years.
1. The free line is activated with the older phone device,
2. it immediately shows on the T-Mo account online as an upgrade eligible device with no limitations,
3. the customer calls and the $500 trade-in is entered into the system and the new phone is shipped and received by the customer,
4. then the trade-in of the old phone device is done at a T-Mo Corporate store and confirmed into the system,
5. so the process is done as intended with no obstacles along the entire way.
Then, a year or so later the T-Mo system essentially suddenly aborts this process???
That surely sounds as an illegal bait-and-switch issue that violates the Consumer Protection Laws of every State and City in the US and of the Federal Government.
Anyone find something specific to this???
This is a device trade-in where essentially T-Mo buys the device from the customer for $500, sells the new device to the customer for, say, $600+tax, and then pays the customer in 24 monthly installments for the $500 and charges for the difference plus the tax.
This is NOT the same as giving the customer a FREE new phone device for two years.
1. The free line is activated with the older phone device,
2. it immediately shows on the T-Mo account online as an upgrade eligible device with no limitations,
3. the customer calls and the $500 trade-in is entered into the system and the new phone is shipped and received by the customer,
4. then the trade-in of the old phone device is done at a T-Mo Corporate store and confirmed into the system,
5. so the process is done as intended with no obstacles along the entire way.
Then, a year or so later the T-Mo system essentially suddenly aborts this process???
That surely sounds as an illegal bait-and-switch issue that violates the Consumer Protection Laws of every State and City in the US and of the Federal Government.
Since you were the one posting in two different threads that the $500 trade in promo and this free line can be combined, why don't YOU show US something specific to that?
#s 1-5 above show the specifics.
IF there was an issue NOT allowed with the free line, it would have been VERY EASY for T-Mo NOT to show the free line device in the customer's account as UPGRADEABLE.
That gives the green light to the Customer Service Order processors to process the order.
It could have VERY easily been labeled as device NON-UPGRADEABLE or limited to certain types of upgrades.
Also, the Consumer Protection Laws in the US are very specific against such schemes.
Also, this is from the T-Mo terms for the $500 trade-in discount ID250221:
Apple Trade ID250221
Promo Code: R090
Start Date: February 27, 2025
Credit: up to $20.84/mo. for 24 months
With 24 monthly bill credits when you trade in an eligible device on Essentials, Magenta, or Go5G. For well-qualified customers; plus tax & $35 device connection charge.
Apple Trade ID250221
Promo Code: R090
Start Date: February 27, 2025
Credit: up to $20.84/mo. for 24 months
If you cancel entire account before receiving 24 bill credits, credits stop and balance on required finance agreement is due (e.g., $829.99 – iPhone 16 128GB). Bill credits end if you pay off device early. Tax on pre-credit price due at sale. Limited time; subject to change. Qualifying credit, service ($60+/mo. plan w/AutoPay) & trade-in (e.g., Save $500: iPhone 11 Pro / Save $250: iPhone 6) required. Trade-in terms and conditions apply. $35 device connection charge due at sale. Up to $500 via bill credits; line with promo must be active and in good standing to receive credits; allow 2 bill cycles. Max 4 discounted devices/account. May not be combinable with some offers, discounts or promotions.
Purchase an eligible Apple iPhone on a monthly payment plan, trade-in an eligible phone on most plans, and save up to $500 via one-time trade-in and monthly bill credits.
NOTE that:
"line with promo must be active and in good standing to receive credits"
which the free line is.
and:
"May not be combinable with some offers, discounts or promotions."
BUT, these combination limitations MUST BE DISCLOSED UP FRONT during the transactions by the merchant.
It's ILLEGAL to impose such conditions RETROACTIVELY.
IF the transactions are allowed to complete up front, there cannot be any retroactive changes later on, especially a year or more into the future.
Magenta Max 2 paid, 1 free, 1 digits, Home Internet.
Tile for free line appeared in T-Life app.
Instead of calling or chatting, added new BYOD via T-Life, physical sim.
$0 out of pocket, SIM arrived today. Put it in a spare unlocked iPhone 6S Plus.
Viewing Account > Cost Summary on T-Mobile website via web browser I see "$30 Line Discount ID250259 (Additional Lines)" Nice!
Now I have Magenta Max 2 paid, 2 free, 1 digits, Home Internet.
Credit goes to the posters who mentioned T-Force Reps said to add the BYOD line in the app yourself which sidesteps fees and activation charges while triggering the discount automatically. It worked for me.
Hope this helps someone like me who doesn't care to call or chat with T-Mobile.
No I don't see the promo in t-life
Magenta Max 2 paid, 1 free, 1 digits, Home Internet.
Tile for free line appeared in T-Life app.
Instead of calling or chatting, added new BYOD via T-Life, physical sim.
$0 out of pocket, SIM arrived today. Put it in a spare unlocked iPhone 6S Plus.
Viewing Account > Cost Summary on T-Mobile website via web browser I see "$30 Line Discount ID250259 (Additional Lines)" Nice!
Now I have Magenta Max 2 paid, 2 free, 1 digits, Home Internet.
Credit goes to the posters who mentioned T-Force Reps said to add the BYOD line in the app yourself which sidesteps fees and activation charges while triggering the discount automatically. It worked for me.
Hope this helps someone like me who doesn't care to call or chat with T-Mobile.
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
No I don't see the promo in t-life
Not sure of the exact requirements but it may be intended for certain long-term customers, maybe over 5 years.
It's not just for new customers, that rep was clueless.
Try again a few times.
T-Mo giving out free lines looks like inflating its subscriber line base to make it seem bigger than it may really be.
Also, it probably has a lot of bandwidth available, especially 5G, and it can afford to do this.
It may also be losing customers to Verizon and others as Verizon and its MVNOs have been very aggressive with pricing lately.
Also, it looks as if Apple is dumping inventory to the cell providers, and it has to go somewhere.
I guess that doesnt mean one account can get 2 more free lines with this deal or does it?
thanks
I guess that doesnt mean one account can get 2 more free lines with this deal or does it?
thanks
Anyone find something specific to this???
This is a device trade-in where essentially T-Mo buys the device from the customer for $500, sells the new device to the customer for, say, $600+tax, and then pays the customer in 24 monthly installments for the $500 and charges for the difference plus the tax.
This is NOT the same as giving the customer a FREE new phone device for two years.
1. The free line is activated with the older phone device,
2. it immediately shows on the T-Mo account online as an upgrade eligible device with no limitations,
3. the customer calls and the $500 trade-in is entered into the system and the new phone is shipped and received by the customer,
4. then the trade-in of the old phone device is done at a T-Mo Corporate store and confirmed into the system,
5. so the process is done as intended with no obstacles along the entire way.
Then, a year or so later the T-Mo system essentially suddenly aborts this process???
That surely sounds as an illegal bait-and-switch issue that violates the Consumer Protection Laws of every State and City in the US and of the Federal Government.
I'm copying what a redditor got from T-Force about ID250259. Read everything, but especially #4.
1) Eligibility: This offer is only available to a specific and limited group of existing customers for adding one new free voice line.
2) Recent Line Cancellations: If you have canceled a voice line within the past 90 days, you need to resume that line before you can add a new free voice line to qualify for this offer.
3) Family Plan Requirement: To qualify for this promotion, you must be on a family plan.
4) Bring Your Own Device: The offer requires you to bring your own device. Device financing will not be available for this new line.
5) Maintaining Lines for One Year: To keep receiving the free or discounted line credit for one year from the promo's date (March 24, 2025), you must maintain the same number of voice lines that were active on your account as of that date, in addition to the newly activated line, including the free or discounted line. For example, if you have 2 active paid voice lines on a family plan on March 24, 2025, you need to activate 1 new voice line to enroll in this promotion and maintain all 3 voice lines for the entire year following March 24, 2025.
6) Post-One Year Requirement: After one year, you must keep at least 2 paid voice lines and the new free or discounted line added under this promotion on a family plan to continue receiving the credit.
7) Credit Application: Credits should begin within your first bill cycle after activation. In some cases, it may take up to 2 bill cycles for the credits to start appearing on your bills. If you don't see a credit on your first bill, you'll see a double credit on your second bill.
8) Forfeiting Credits: If you cancel any voice lines on the account within one year, including the new free or discounted line, you will lose the free or discounted line credits. If you cancel a voice line or move off a family plan and lose your free/discounted line credits, you have 90 days to resume the canceled line or switch back to a family plan. Please note that you will not receive any credits that were missed during this time.
Anyone find something specific to this???
From my chat history-
"Here are all the important things to note. -As a bring your own device offer, the line is not eligible for device promotions. -Credit applies to the voice line charge only. Chargeable add-ons greater than $0 will be extra. -You will have a $10 device connection charge that you would pay for as you add the line with the steps below. -The free / discounted line bill credit starts within 2 bill cycles from activation. *Since it takes up to 2 billing cycles before it kicks in, the system will show the cost for the normal add a line as it is added which is normal."
Sign up for a Slickdeals account to remove this ad.
From my chat history-
"Here are all the important things to note. -As a bring your own device offer, the line is not eligible for device promotions. -Credit applies to the voice line charge only. Chargeable add-ons greater than $0 will be extra. -You will have a $10 device connection charge that you would pay for as you add the line with the steps below. -The free / discounted line bill credit starts within 2 bill cycles from activation. *Since it takes up to 2 billing cycles before it kicks in, the system will show the cost for the normal add a line as it is added which is normal."
Judging from my previous dealings with HunterOne, he probably wants something that reads "This free line is NOT EVER, EVER EVER, eligible for the $500 Apple trade in promo, not even at effing Costco". Until then, he will keep posting everywhere that you can absolutely positively do both promos on the same line because Costco waved its magic wand.
Leave a Comment