Upcoming Changes to our Old Rewards Program

[J_PM]

Hey Community,

We have an important announcement to share with our subscribers who are currently enrolled in our old Rewards program.

We’re making changes to our rewards program and are sharing how these changes impact some of our subscribers. Starting in May, we’ll be retiring our old Rewards program and moving all subscribers to our Public Points™ program. 

We launched the Public Points™ program in January 2022 to provide our subscribers with more ways to earn and spend rewards, with greater flexibility. As part of our commitment to continuously evolve our products and services, it's time to retire our old Rewards program and shift our focus on enhancing our Points program.

To show our appreciation for your continued loyalty, subscribers on our old Rewards program will receive a special thank you. We'll send you a text message when it has been added to your account by March 31st. 

We’re excited to continue providing you, our valued subscribers, more opportunities to earn and spend rewards with Public Points™ moving forward.

To learn more about your move to Public Points, check out our FAQ here.

The Public Mobile Team

[hTideGnow]

HI @golfball  yes, I have to agree the 0.75 points for $15 plan is not sufficient.  Just $0.5 saving per month.  Luckily there is the $10 anniversary rewards.  So, it is pretty much 1 month free for them.

Yes, I wish PM can really improve the point system, or at least up their migration offer.

[golfball]

I think even Koodo or Telus itself are worth a look for such customers. New rewards are not very relevant when you only get 0.75 of a point and need 15 points to redeem.

[hTideGnow]

hi @Public_Cust_17 

nah, it's not an "unsubstantiated claim".  I can understand you are upset I didn't share with you my technical review.  But I am Sorry about that, it is for a customer study and I cannot share it.  But as I said you can contact me and we can arrange a proper paid study with you

But if you want to save some money, you can check with Reddit or RFD on post about this network.  Many shared their experience, some are good , some are bad.  The good are mainly about the cost saving, but the bads are mainly about the network issue.  They are not as well-round study as mine, but you can see why some people find the network unreliable.  

Yes, I know some people pushing in this thread saying that network is so good, some of them are simply FM propaganda.  Couple of those people who tried to "help" other to move on to that network are simply arrogant and apparent to the point that it feels like they are restating the same opinions to people in order to reach the also big secret community rewards threshold.   But let's not suspect people are bad, you and I are both trying help.   You are "helping" others to move on while I have no stance but to help people understand the effect of this rewards change.

Yes, I am like you , we both don't like the Legacy rewards going away

[Chalupa_Batman]

Just wondering if anyone has heard back from the CCTS yet? I have but they want more information to assist. When replying to this message, please either click on the quotes or tag me with the @ symbol. Thank you.

[Public_Cust_17]

@hTideGnow  I notice you keep making an unsubstantiated claim that *that network is not as reliable* and when I called you on it, you gave me some b.s. super secret report answer as to how you came to that conclusion. If you're not willing to back up your words maybe just stop telling everyone your *opinion* because that's all it is!

I personally have not decided one way or the other which way I'll go and have been trying to research it using this community forum (not PM propaganda) as part of that decision. As for 10 members "helping" others to move on this is again your opinion and you have no idea what may happen in May when people get the increases in their bills.  Your bias is quite frankly arrogant and apparent to the point that it feels like you just keep restating the same opinions to people in order to reach the also big secret community rewards threshold where you'll be rewarded for commenting continuously.... yeah I looked into that too and it seems that you have to be on here and at some point the PM gods might benevolently grant a customer a reward... but NOBODY knows how they decide to or not! 

[hTideGnow]

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@Joe_Crushy wrote:

So how do you feel about losing your legacy rewards, I'm sure you're in the same situation as myself losing auto pay, anniversary rewards and referrals costing  $14 a month for myself. 

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HI @Joe_Crushy 

I guess no one likes this .  😞

but depends on the friend referrals people have, it might still be a good saving if you have enough referrals. 

Also, the 5% still can make a difference, especially for $15 or $25 plan which all carriers offer the same plan same price.  Yes, there is the one with an annual subscription, but some people might not like ot lock in for a full year on a network they have no experience with. 

[hTideGnow]

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@eyes wrote:

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Exactly ! ------ most are just venting by making idle threats of leaving --- but obviously ----PM knows that they will not leave -  because it makes sense that ---will not cut their noses to spite their faces . 

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HI @eyes 

that I have to agree.  Many of us will ended up finding the 5% is still better than no savings.  Especially those on $15 plan.  The $7 is a hugh jump, but they know there are no other plans cheaper.   Someone talked about the annual plan, but first, that network is not as reliable, second, they might not want to pay $100+ up front for a year and locked into a network the don't trust

I notice it is more around 10 members here keep "helping" others to move on.  They are more interested into moving on then the majority of posters here

[Robotron2084]

I did the math

i’m currently on a $40/month plan, 60Gb, North America data roaming, etc.  My monthly discounts add up to $8.  With tax, my net monthly bill is $36.80

Under the new points system, my monthly discounts will be $4.20

My net monthly bill will be $41.17

a difference of $4.37 / month or $52 per year

I’m not a huge data user or LD caller, so losing my bonus data and voice isn’t of any consequence to me.

PM is trying to paint their new loyalty plan as a value-add for long-term subscribers, when in fact it’s imply a rate increase. For some it’s a slap in the face.  I get that.  For new subs going forward the points system will just be a way to knock a couple bucks per month off their bill. And life goes on. 

But for me, a retaliatory subscription cancelation doesn’t make sense as the 5G + US data roaming baked-in plan features don’t exist with *any* other providers at the same price point - at least in Atlantic Canada. 

Im staying put - for now anyway. 

[hTideGnow]

HI @liuxinbing 

yes, that network is not as good as it sound.   

[public_999]

Just reread your message and realized you're not in Ajax anymore.  South of GTA is good too.  Having 5 members of my family on FM, they have never had a problem in any part of Ontario.  I regularly travel to London, Ont and no issues.  One of my kids regularly travels to Niagara, no problems either.  Roaming has become pretty seamless

[liuxinbing]

That’s great. I read through bell and Rogers wifi calling agreement and found that they are just useless. 

[public_999]

I live on the Pickering/Scarborough border so am in Ajax a lot (costco) lol.  You'll be good.  

[Public_Cust_17]

@public_999  Thanks! I'm more south of the GTA now (was Ajax) but solidly in their LTE coverage area which would be fine with me.  🙂

[public_999]

Your understanding of wifi calling with Freedom is correct.  All use while on wifi calling is treated as though you are on the Freedom network so whatever your plan includes while in Canada will be included when on wifi anywhere in the world.  Not all carriers that offer wifi calling operate like this btw

[kb_mv]

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@eyes wrote:

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@Handy1 wrote:

@eyes  I don’t speak for the oracles , but I think it’s safe to say . Not one of them like this change at all it affects them too . And of course they have job to do here so some things going to get deleted . 

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Do you realize that they are volunteers not paid other than to a maximum of $20/month in legacy rewards?

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@eyes You don't think that with over 14000 posts @Handy1  knows what's what and who's who?

[public_999]

Wifi calling with Freedom is free internationally.  You can be anywhere in the world.  It treats all of your calls and texts as though you were on the Freedom network so whatever your plan includes, will be free while on wifi.  Not all companies that offer wifi calling work like this.  And yes I have travelled internationally and it does work exactly as described.

[G_Pomzz]

The best thing to do is file a complaint with CCTS. It's easy with an online form to fill in and only takes a few minutes. I received a response right away acknowledging the CCTS has started the process. 

 

[liuxinbing]

“I can Travel anywhere and as long as I have internet I can text or call anyone here in Canada. Very helpful for my business.”

I don’t think you get the wifi calling right. It doesn’t work that way. 

the system will determine where you are by the wifi network, and apply long distance charges if you are not in your plan-specific area. If freedom/PM doesn’t roam in that country, you won’t be able to call Canada from there. 

[Joe_Crushy]

So how do you feel about losing your legacy rewards, I'm sure you're in the same situation as myself losing auto pay, anniversary rewards and referrals costing  $14 a month for myself. 

[Handy1]

@eyes  I don’t speak for the oracles , but I think it’s safe to say . Not one of them like this change at all it affects them too . And of course they have job to do here so some things going to get deleted . 

[public_999]

Yes I do, 4 post paid plans and 1 annual prepaid plan.  I live in the GTA.  I've been with them 10 plus years so clearly I am very happy with the service as are my 3 now adult children

[Joe_Crushy]

I understand where you're coming.

We all just want the best dollar/dollar plan that's available.

Cheers 🥂

[Public_Cust_17]

@public_999  Do you still have services with Freedom? I'm curious what your impressions of them are as they are one of the options I am considering.  Thanks 🙂

[RetiredGuy1]

It will be more telling come May when everyones bill actually increases. Also, if PM doesn’t announce any revisions to their plans (or at the very least explain what future “enhancements” they have in mind) it will settle the matter once and for all that they have no intention to continue on as an ethical business. We might see an exodus then.

[kb_mv]

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@eyes wrote:

a good PM feature to be considered is that one can let the payment lapse for up to 90 days and still retain the account. 
My wife is on the $15 legacy plan and has absolutely no idea that I only renew her account every 70 days or so because she texts , googles, shops all on Wifi.  That sort off begs the question if she actually needs a plan. 

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@eyes I can assure you that the day you cancel her plan is the day she will actually try to use it lol

[kb_mv]

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@Joe_Crushy wrote:

I guess the only way to save now is to stay active on this forum.

Correct, Also Freedom offers the same $34-50gb US/Can with just looking for couple minutes. 

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@Joe_Crushy I don't need to stay active on the forum. I am happy with the price I am paying for what I am getting. It was better with them giving me money every month but even without that money the plan I am on cannot be beat. Freedom is not a native provider to the maritimes so I cannot port to them. I respect the fact that you are willing to bundle or change what you are getting here to leave. You made an all encompassing statement about their plans affordability and rewards and that that was the only reason that legacy customers were still here. I simply offered my example of why that doesn't work for me. Best of luck, hope you land somewhere better.

[LeoV]

I used to pay $22 a month with PM cause of my rewards on the $29 a month plan 20gb. I am not one to use all this data. I need no more than 2gb a month. Looking around when this fiasco started I stumbled on the Freedom pre paid plan of $149 a year for 30gb per year and unlimited call and text. The beauty with this plan is the wifi calling that PM does not offer. I now have no more dropped calls in my house. I can Travel anywhere and as long as I have internet I can text or call anyone here in Canada. Very helpful for my business.

[Joe_Crushy]

I guess the only way to save now is to stay active on this forum.

Correct, Also Freedom offers the same $34-50gb US/Can with just looking for couple minutes. 

[kb_mv]

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@Joe_Crushy wrote:

There will be other plans to match just look around and bundle with other services. I will start looking.

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@Joe_Crushy I have looked around. I have no interest in bundles or post paid plans. If I did I would not have come to PM in the first place. We need to compare apples to apples. Prepaid to prepaid. That's why I am here. No one can yet match what I have let alone beat it.