Joe Maring / Android Authority
It’s no secret that loyalty has never been particularly important to the big mobile carriers, but there was certainly a time when customer contracts and other incentives created the illusion of fostering loyalty. Because customers were locked to a contract, big discounts and free phone promotions were even more common in the earlier days of the smartphone era as a way to keep people renewing.
These days are long past us, but over the last half year or so, I’ve seen hints that the carriers may finally be taking customer loyalty a bit more seriously. Well, at least customer retention.
Does this mean there’s finally a reason to stick to your postpaid plan, even if you’re on a newer plan with potentially lower value than you’d get in the prepaid world? I wouldn’t go that far, but it is clear the mobile landscape is shifting, and changes are in the air.
Are postpaid carriers finally offering incentives that interest you? 6 votes Yes, I've decided to stick around largely due to recent promotions. 17 % No, I've jumped over to prepaid long ago. 33 % No, there's too many catches involved with these 'extras'. 17 % Unsure / Other (Let us know in the comments.) 33 %
The big three have ramped up customer incentives
Joe Maring / Android Authority
Over the last few months, Verizon has offered more customer incentives and loyalty perks than it has in arguably a decade or more. New promotions that offer free lines to existing customers, steeper loyalty discounts, and other similar shifts have at least made sticking with the carrier a bit more bearable for some users (myself included).
Likewise, T-Mobile has recently added three plans that reward loyalty. Two of these plans are aimed at specific customers only, typically accounts that are more likely to bolt for another provider. There’s also the Better Value Plan, which offers improved pricing for long-term customers. This particular plan is also open to new customers, but they have to go through a few more hoops to qualify.
AT&T hasn’t been as bold as Verizon or T-Mobile when it comes to offering new promotions and incentives, though it has promoted discounted internet service for its existing customers and has gotten more aggressive with its marketing at least.
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