Verizon Changes New Every 2 Policy!!

I just logged onto MY account on Verizon. I went to the section about upgrading phones every 2 years. There is now this posting:

New Every Two® Program*
If you enrolled in the program prior to February 5, 2006 and continued to meet the requirements of the program, you will be eligible for a free phone up to $100, or a credit of up to $100 toward a more expensive phone, when you become eligible for your next New Every Two upgrade (after which time you will be enrolled in the $50/$100 New Every Two program described below).

If you enrolled in the program on February 5, 2006 or after you will qualify for a free phone up to a $50 or $100 value, depending on the monthly access of your plan. If your calling plan monthly access is $79.99 or higher for the entire three months prior to completing your New Every Two phone upgrade, you will get up to $100.00 toward the purchase of a new phone. If your calling plan monthly access was between $34.99 and $79.98 at any time during the three months prior to completing your New Every Two phone upgrade, you will get up to $50.00 toward the purchase of a new phone.
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This stinks! I am due for my new every 2 next month. This is saying I WILL get the $100 credit THIS time. But then in the future, I'll only get $50 towards it because I am not on a $79.99 or higher plan! What are they trying to do? I thought that was such a great perk. Now they are taking that away also? I was always a big fan of verizons. Have been w/them forever. But this just makes me mad.

The truth is, very few customers actually take advantage of the full $100.00 NE2 discount. Most average between $19.99 and $49.99 at time of upgrade. Extensive research has shown that the average customer who does take advantage of the full $100.00 is on a higher rate plan (which will still be eligible for the full $100.00 discount). Seriously, look at the phones you have bought with your NE2 discount, I will bet that you didn't get the full discount amount.

Just something to think about.

Actually... I do try to get as close to the $100 as I can. I definately go over the $50. I know it's not the end of the world, but it just irks me that they take something like that away just because a person doesn't have the right monthly fee.

Does the $79.99 take into account your entire plan, say a family share plan, or just the primary line?

that is an excellent question. My husband brought that up earlier. After looking at my bill though I see my charges are listed as "$60 montly access charge plus $9.99 per line x2 totaling $79.98 per month." so irregardless of which it is (at least for me) I still don't reach the $79.99 a month (unless they include taxes which I doubt). I miss it by one cent if you can believe that. I'm guessing it's the total monthly access, which again, still leaves me short.

hmm, that is an interesting change, and I'm not sure why they care about $50 if you are giving them at least $840 over the two years, who knows.

I'd also be interested in whether it is $79.99 per line or account, as we have four phones on my account.

Primary line only, because secondary lines do not qualify (and they never have) for the NE2 discount.

Damn this sucks. My plan is 70 a month I think and I always take advantage of the credit they give me towards a new phone. But 50 bucks isn't sht towards good phones nowdays.