Verizon Adds New Simplicity Plan and New Loyalty Program

Verizon has rolled out a new smartphone plan called the Simplicity Plan, which offers a simple base plan with the option to add different features a la carte, depending on which features are important to you.

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The Simplicity Plan

Verizon's new plan is called The Simplicity Plan, which is rather bare bones with limited data and features. But as with Verizon's previous myPlan lineup, there are many add-ons that you can purchase, either individually or as bundles, which include things like hotspot data, premium streaming, international passes, and streaming services. 

One notable change with this plan from Verizon's previous offerings - and plans with other major carriers - is that Simplicity does not come with unlimited high-speed on-device data. Instead, it comes with 500 GB of data, which is still a relatively usable amount of data for most customers. After 500 GB is used, speeds slow to 4 Mbps.

Simplicity's other standard plan features are also somewhat lacking. It only comes with a measly 10 GB of hotspot data, after which speeds are slowed to 1 Mbps. Streaming is capped at 720p, and international data includes only 2GB/day in Canada and Mexico.

However, there are options to beef up the plan by purchasing monthly add-ons, such as:

• 100GB high-speed hotspot data for $10/month (3 Mbps speeds after cap)
• 200GB high-speed hotspot data for $20/month (4 Mbps speeds after cap)
• 4K UHD streaming for $10/month
• 3 International TravelPass Days for $10/month
• Many other options, including streaming services, cloud storage, and security features

Verizon is advertising the plan at $30/month, but that price reflects a limited-time "Switcher" discount. For customers who sign up and either port their phone number from another carrier, or provide a copy of a recent monthly bill from another carrier, there is a $15/month discount that will remain in place for 36 months. There is also a $10/month discount if you sign up for autopay and paperless billing.

So, while the price is $30 when you sign up, it will increase to $45/month once the 36-month $15 discount expires. Also, if you are a current Verizon customer and want to switch to this plan - you are not eligible for the Switcher discount.

There are no multi-line discounts with Simplicity - the rate per line is the same, no matter how many lines are on your account.

If you like to frequently upgrade your phone, there are two other addons available - Simplicity Plus and Simplicity Pro - that include different options for device upgrades. They also include free Premium Visual Voicemail, TravelPass, Global Choice, and monthly bill credits that cover device installment payments. Simplicity Plus is an extra $5/month and Simplicity Pro is an extra $20/month.

myPlan

If you are a current Verizon customer on one of the previous myPlan plans, including our previous Top Pick Unlimited Ultimate, you can still remain on your plan. However, it appears that the previous plans may not be available for new sign-ups, although at press time we could still sign up for the old plans via the myPlan page, or by calling Verizon directly.

There is some conflicting information about this on Verizon's site. One FAQ indicates myPlan options are still available, but another page explicitly states that myPlan is only available to existing customers.

So if by chance you do want to sign up for Unlimited Ultimate, go ahead and do so if you have the option, as this may disappear soon. We will continue to monitor Verizon's site for further clarification.

Plan Comparison

To realistically compare Simplicity to Unlimited Ultimate, we're going to include a couple of the available Simplicity add-ons to make the plans more comparable.

While the base price of Simplicity is significantly lower than that of Unlimited Ultimate, Simplicity does not come with any of the high-end perks that Unlimited Ultimate does. But if you include the 200GB hotspot add-on and the 4K UHD streaming add-on, the plans then do have some of the features that our audience of nomads finds important.

Unlimited Ultimate is $95/month and includes unlimited on-device data, 200 GB of mobile hotspot data, and 4K UHD streaming.

Simplicity will be $70/month (with the 200GB hotspot and premium streaming add-ons) and includes 500 GB of on-device data, 210 GB of mobile hotspot data, and 4K UHD streaming. (And you could lower it even further to $60/month if 720p streaming works for you.)

However, that $70/month price does include the $15/month promotional discount for switching from another carrier. After 36 months, the rate would be $95/month. 

One other difference between the plans is international data. Both plans come with 2GB/day in Canada and Mexico. But Unlimited Ultimate also comes with 15GB/month in 210+ countries included. You can add access to those additional 210+ countries to Simplicity, but you would need to buy TravelPasses, which include 5GB of data per day. TravelPasses are normally $12/day for 210+ countries, but you can also add a bundle of 3 for only $10 to Simplicity.

If you are already on Unlimited Ultimate and are deciding whether to switch to Simplicity, it comes down to which features are most important to you. If you are a heavy on-device data user, the unlimited data with Unlimited Ultimate may be worth holding on to. Or if you frequently travel internationally, Unlimited Ultimate also has the advantage.

But if you're more focused on savings and don't need all of the bells and whistles, Simplicity may be a better value for you.

New Loyalty Program

Verizon has also introduced a new loyalty program. Anyone is eligible, but you must opt in. Once you are signed up, all activation and upgrade fees are waived, which can be a substantial savings when activating or upgrading multiple devices.

The loyalty program also gives you access to Verizon Shine, which is their new rewards program, similar to T-Mobile Tuesdays. It offers free gift cards, merchandise, and giveaways on a daily and weekly basis.

Verizon also offers Verizon Dollars, which gives you 3% cash back on what you spend every month with Verizon. You can use Verizon Dollars to shop with Verizon, buy gift cards from other retailers, or redeem them for travel rewards.

Summary

This new plan is a definite departure from previous Verizon plans. It's nice to have a more affordable plan from Verizon, and the ability to make a truly custom plan is attractive, but it comes at the cost of some perks and benefits available on previous plans. If you're not a heavy data user or streaming or international data isn't crucial for you, this plan might work well for you.

But for people who rely on a lot of data for their phone plans, the Unlimited Ultimate or Unlimited Plus will likely be better options - if you already have them or can still get them.

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