Expert: DebiN - 10/4/2010

Question
QUESTION: If I switch to a pay as you go plan and then find out it's not such a good deal for me, will I lose any chance of getting the plan I have now back from ATT?  (I think I have a pretty good plan, but lately, I just am not needing the cell phone so much.  I pay $40/month and I usually max out at about 700 minutes/month which leaves a lot of left over minutes.

ANSWER: If you need 700 minutes a month, then you definitely do not want to go with a Go Phone plan. AT&T's current $39.99 plan gives you 450 minutes, so if you use 700 minutes, then you would wind up paying much more with GoPhone. If the plan you have with AT&T that is $40.00 is a plan that is over 4 years old and gives you more than 450 minutes for $40.00, then definitely stay with it. Keep a couple of things in mind: 1. If you are on an old plan (that is no longer offered), if you change to a GoPhone plan, you cannot go back to your old (no longer offered) plan; 2. The only way to stay on your plan is with your current phone or with an unlocked phone. If you want to upgrade your phone, you will have to move to a current plan.

Honestly, it will cost you less to stay with what you have. AT&T has rollover minutes and there may be a time where you need more minutes for the month. The GoPhone plans don't rollover unused minutes.

Is your bill $40.00 after taxes? How many minutes does it include and when did you start the plan?

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QUESTION: It's about $41 after taxes, includes Rollover FM 450 (I don't even know what FM 450 means...maybe its' the 450 anytime minutes), 5000 nights and weekends, unlimited Expd M2M, 200 Bonus Minutes, nationwide LD, & roaming with USA.  I started it a long time ago.  At one point they started charging me $5 per month because I had a phone that wasn't compatible with their new system...so I got the new phone but I guess nothing changed since the original plan since that was their doing?

Answer
If it's $41 after taxes, your plan is likely $29.99 for the 450 minutes and you get an additional 200 minutes. Since you have rollover, you are on a Cingular or AT&T plan. Look at your bill and tell me what the base price of your 450 minute plan is. If it's $39.99 (which it couldn't be if the total bill is $41), then it's the current plan. If it's anything less, it's not the current plan. If you get a new phone, your price will go up and as I mentioned, a Go Phone plan will be a lot more expensive. If I were you, I would stick with what I have. It's better than what you will get. When you need a new phone again, you will have to go with a new plan ($39.99 for 450 minutes), but still even then, I would strongly recommend against a Go Phone plan for you. Go Phone is good if you use under 250 minutes a month, but definitely not for 700 minutes. Hope this helps.