Question about transferring an upgrade

[Travisimo]

My wife and I are currently under contract with Verizon until late 2012. We want to add a new line for our son, but we already have a phone to activate. So we won't need to sign a new contract for his line. So here's my question:

I know Verizon allows you to transfer your upgrade to another line. If we add a new line for our son without signing a contract (we would be activating my wife's previous basic feature phone to this line), will it be immediately available for an upgrade-priced phone, and could I instead transfer that upgrade to my line? I realize that his line would then be under contract for 2 years as well, but that's okay. I just didn't know if this was possible? Thanks!

 

[drkryn]

If you use the upgrade from your son's line, you would be extending that line for 2 years. You get the new phone but he gets the extended contract.

 

[Travisimo]

If you use the upgrade from your son's line, you would be extending that line for 2 years. You get the new phone but he gets the extended contract.

I realize that, I just didn't know if you could immediately transfer the upgrade right away. Thanks for the reply.

 

[drkryn]

I realize that, I just didn't know if you could immediately transfer the upgrade right away. Thanks for the reply.

Yes you can use his upgrade immediately.

 

[Travisimo]

Thanks for the advice. One followup question:

Is there a way to add a line to my Family plan on Verizon's website using my existing phone? I only see an option to buy a new device and add a line, not use current equipment. Since this new line is for my son, I just want to use our old feature phone. Do I have to go into the Verizon store for this, or is there a way to do this online? Thanks!

 

[txwolf1980]

I would go ahead and pick out the phone you want to end up with on your line. Add his line with that phone. Then, it's a simple matter (online or by calling customer service) deactivate your current phone, have that phone transferred to your line, activate your old feature phone on his line and cancel the data package that you will have to purchase for his line (assuming the phone you will be ending up with is a smart phone, you will have to purchase a data plan at the same time that you activate his line, before the swap.). The verizon customer service is pretty good at doing this stuff. I've done it a few times.

 

[Jman42028]

I would go ahead and pick out the phone you want to end up with on your line. Add his line with that phone. Then, it's a simple matter (online or by calling customer service) deactivate your current phone, have that phone transferred to your line, activate your old feature phone on his line and cancel the data package that you will have to purchase for his line (assuming the phone you will be ending up with is a smart phone, you will have to purchase a data plan at the same time that you activate his line, before the swap.). The verizon customer service is pretty good at doing this stuff. I've done it a few times.

I work for a vz retailer and we do this all the time. In fact, thats how I got my incredible, I added a line for my GF, gave her my basic phone and took the smp lol. they should be able to do it over the phone, I'm not sure about online, but you can go into any store and they can do that as well, however, they will be more willing to work with you if you get your phone from that store too, fyi...

 

[wtherrell]

I am eligible for an upgrade next May. My wife's phone is eligible now. If I transfer her upgrade to me now, will I still be eligible for an upgrade next May?

Edit: Looks like things have changed. No longer see an option to transfer upgrade. VZW is now offering me Droid Bionic ($299) at the same discounted price as my wife's phone upgrade. This has changed since last week. VZW now says I will be eligible for a New Every 2 additional discount on 5/11/2012. Maybe I'll just wait for the Prime or Vigor.

 

[Jman42028]

I am eligible for an upgrade next May. My wife's phone is eligible now. If I transfer her upgrade to me now, will I still be eligible for an upgrade next May?

Edit: Looks like things have changed. No longer see an option to transfer upgrade. VZW is now offering me Droid Bionic ($299) at the same discounted price as my wife's phone upgrade. This has changed since last week. VZW now says I will be eligible for a New Every 2 additional discount on 5/11/2012. Maybe I'll just wait for the Prime or Vigor.

well right now, through the 30th of september vzw is running a SMP promotion, which will let you upgrade from a basic phone to a smartphone early and send you a $100 gift card as well.

The transferring of upgrade or "alternate upgrade " is something that can be done at any time. However, the smartphone promotion should be over with soon (8 days as of right now). That is most likely why you would see that you can get the bionic at 299, is because you have a basic phone right now.....right?