Virgin Mobile changing smartphone upgrade policy

According to a number of Howard Forums users, changes are coming to Virgin Mobile‘s smartphone upgrade and grandfather policy. When Virgin first overhauled its plans and introduced Beyond Talk, they featured one of the best deals in the industry: 250 minutes, plus unlimited data and messaging, for just $25 per month. Many people flocked to that plan, but it was short lived. Last year Virgin raised the price of the 300-minute Beyond Talk plan to $35. Yet they offered their loyal customers a grandfather clause. That is, they could continue paying the original $25 per month, so long as they kept their accounts active and in good standing, even when they upgraded smartphones. But that’s about to change.

According to the HoFo users, who received messages from Virgin, the upgrade policy will change starting May 27th. At that point anyone who upgrades to a new smartphone will need to purchase one of the current Beyond Talk plans. That is, users currently paying $25 per month with an Optimus V will have to start paying $35 if they want to upgrade to, say, the Motorola Triumph.

Of course, this is likely in conjunction with the new smarpthones that Virgin will soon be getting. We’ve recently learned that they will get the LG Optimus Elite the EVO 3D, and the HTC One V. Chances are Virgin releases these handsets after May 27th, which means upgrading customers will have to upgrade their plans as well.

We’ll cover this again when Virgin makes the official announcement.

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10 Responses

1. Boner Says
   

   This is crap… if they do this I will say goodbye to VM.

   
   Posted on April 25th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
2. Steve Says
   

   You’re almost right, VM is saying I can upgrade to any of their smartphones currently available. It’s just that as of May 27th I would have to pay the current rate, if I do it after. I have an Optimus V and could up to a Triumph or Venture or the Optimus Slider, while still having the $25 plan.

   
   Posted on April 25th, 2012 at 2:35 pm
3. Joe Says
   

   Yes yes. But after May 27th if you wanted to upgrade, you’d have to pay $35 per month. I’m sorry if that wasn’t clear in the article.

   
   Posted on April 25th, 2012 at 6:20 pm
4. Steve Says
   

   As long as its not a new smartphone released in May or after, you can swap all you want and keep the $25 plan. The increase is more for the newer smartphones coming out later this year.

   
   Posted on April 25th, 2012 at 7:25 pm
5. clocks Says
   

   I would guess 4G = higher monthly fee.

   
   Posted on April 25th, 2012 at 8:47 pm
6. GadgetmanNH Says
   

   Another example of extremely poor customer service from an American company. If existing customers are grandfathered to allow upgrading phones and keeping their existing plan price, but then VM decides to change this policy, it is not really grandfathered. A huge lie to their customers. If they do this, I will leave VM in a heartbeat when I decide to upgrade my phone.

   
   Posted on April 27th, 2012 at 4:56 am
7. jose Says
   

   this is clear and bull crap.. cuz i will also say good by 2 the virgin.. i usd 2 b with sprint fore yrs until cricket came along. then i left cricket for a bettr plan n fone prices. but now cricket offers a 300 min. unlimited data for 25 dllrs. check out crickets pay go plan…

   
   Posted on May 6th, 2012 at 6:05 pm
8. bk Says
   

   All us ‘grandfathers’ should have seen this coming when Virgin decided not to do an OTA upgrade of the Optimus V Android 2.2

   
   Posted on May 15th, 2012 at 11:41 am
9. sucks Says
   

   Man that’s not fair I wanted to switch my phone but now I can’t my dad won’t pay 30 or 35 dollars for a month!! That’s soo unfair they lied!!

   
   Posted on June 13th, 2012 at 9:56 pm
10. Adam San Says
    

    Even with the raise in price, it seems to be a pretty fair deal if you have decent coverage… I’ve been looking into this $35/mo deal, and haven’t found another service that is better for me, for cheap smartphones. I live near Indianapolis.

    
    Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 9:13 am

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