Staring at increased fee and no loyality discounts, Verizon users considering switching to T-Mobile and US Mobile

Verizon’s latest move has a lot of subscribers upset, and for good reason. If you’ve been following the news or you’re one of the many who got the email, you’re probably aware that starting September 1 this year, the carrier is eliminating loyalty discounts for long-time subscribers. The discounts, which typically ranged from $10 to $25 per month, were given to customers as a reward for their long-term loyalty.

It’s left a lot of people staring at higher bills and wondering if it’s time to jump ship to competitors like T-Mobile or the popular MVNO, US Mobile. Over on Reddit, threads are popping up left and right from frustrated Verizon users who’ve been with the company for a decade or more. One post in the Verizon subreddit details how a customer of 17 years is now eyeing alternatives after losing their discount, with commenters suggesting everything from AT&T to budget-friendly options on Verizon’s own network.

Another thread warns of a potential “influx” of switchers to US Mobile, with people sharing stories of slashing their bills by half or more while keeping similar service.

It’s not just talk either. Some are already pulling the trigger. A user who ported out to US Mobile laughed off Verizon’s last-ditch “bribe” offer of a measly discount to come back.

Verizon has been tweaking its pricing structure for a while now, pushing everyone toward its newer myPlan setups that bundle perks like streaming services but often come at a premium. Loyalty discounts were a holdover from older plans, meant to reward folks who’d been paying faithfully for years. But this latest announcement means that the good times are coming to an end.

For some, that means an extra $20 or $30 tacked on monthly, plus taxes. Add in the recent admin fee increases, and it’s easy to see why loyalty feels one-sided. In a statement, highlighted by Android Authority, Verizon says, “These adjustments are in line with market rates and allow us to continue to provide top-tier products and services with the vast majority of consumer customers seeing an increase of less than 30 cents.” But as you can tell, most subscribers aren’t buying this.

That’s where T-Mobile and US Mobile enter the picture as tempting alternatives. T-Mobile, for one, has been on a roll lately. Not only do they offer aggressive switcher deals, like covering your remaining device payments or throwing in free lines, but they’ve just sweetened their home internet plans without jacking up prices. New customers get extras like 24/7 smart-home tech support and advanced cybersecurity, all on top of unlimited data and a five-year price lock.

US Mobile, meanwhile, is gaining traction as a no-frills option that runs on Verizon’s network (or others, if you prefer). It’s an MVNO, meaning they piggyback on the big carriers but charge way less, something around $25 to $44 per line for unlimited plans with priority data and hotspots. Reddit users switching over are raving about the savings, you can visit this thread for all the details.

Sure, there might be a few hiccups with porting numbers or setting up features like Apple Watch support, but the flexibility to hop between networks like Verizon’s Warp or T-Mobile’s Light Speed makes it appealing for those in spotty coverage areas. One commenter mentioned that after 15 years with Verizon, they cut their bill in half and haven’t looked back.

Of course, not everyone’s ready to bail just yet. Some are gaming the system by starting a port-out request to trigger retention offers from Verizon, like temporary $10-per-line discounts for a year. But with the carrier seemingly facing its own financial pressures, as we’re seeing reports of debt and cost-cutting, those Band-Aids might not last. So at the end of the day, you’ll just have to weigh your options and check your coverage map to figure out what would work best for you. Loyalty only goes so far when the savings are calling from elsewhere.