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

[pm-smayer97]

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@fixin wrote:

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@pm-smayer97 wrote:

SO unhappy about this! I have 5 plans for our family and so will be losing over $25/mon overall! The old rewards program is the ONE thing that has kept us here all these years!

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Public Mobile is the only one with a well built rewards system like this.

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"was" the only one....

[Stelawrat]

I'm not that tech savvy, but it seems to me like this is a lot of extra coding, extra file maintenance for PM than under the old system. I guess it's more cost effective, but still seems so convoluted.

I imagine they're guessing a lot of people will just go along with it, won't bother redeeming points for useless features & won't have the patience to wait months on end to redeem them towards a plan payment. 

When the big companies swallow up the little guys, there's not a lot that consumers can do. Lobby our governments to tighten the rules I guess; a super slow process...

[dabr]

PM has always sold itself as the self serve provider with an online self serve model which allowed them to pass on the "savings" from hiring real time phone support vs the ticketing process (which can be time consuming depending upon the day, plus the need to login to respond).  

With this announcement putting the final nail in the coffin with the elimination of all the features, over the last couple of years, that once made it attractive to stay and willing to put up with the online support  (community/agents which was mostly good most days), there really is little reason for customers to stay now.   Of course, for some it might take a few months or more in order to use up as much of their account credits and/or their purchased/gifted data and mins as possible (myself included), especially for those on the lower tier plans.

Looking at alternatives, it seems I could be saving (once these changes are completed) at least $60/year by going with a competitor's annual plan that offers unlimited nationwide calling/texting plus 4GB data.  Multiply that by two lines currently active, then the savings double.  This competitor also offers an annual $25 referral bonus for both parties each year, although I haven't read enough to know if this only for the first year or not. 

I expect to port out one line by autumn as it only has some purchased/gifted US/international minutes left on it.  The so called bonus data is not enough to offset the savings and the annual data allotment available from the competitor is also a better fit since PM has eliminated roll over data and purchasing more at current prices/time limit is not suitable for us either.

However, I think PM's recent offerings of data packed plans at $35+ range are very competitive and don't see as much of an exodus from those customers except, perhaps, for those who upgraded thinking they were going to paying much less than will once legacy rewards are removed.

Oh well, all good things come to an end I suppose..

[Korth_]

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@EdN wrote:

When I log into a provided link it advises me that I will receive one point for every month that I've been up Public Mobile customer when I switch to the point system.

Is this correct or is it another public mobile f-up?

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It was correct.

Until last Sunday night. They changed it just before making this "exciting" announcement.

If you switch now then all you'll get is the 5 points welcome gift. Your previous months or years of loyalty mean nothing.

[EdN]

When I log into a provided link it advises me that I will receive one point for every month that I've been up Public Mobile customer when I switch to the point system.

Is this correct or is it another public mobile f-up?

 

[Stelawrat]

I'm in the same boat, losing $5.00 per month bonuses.

I doubt that I'll find anything useful to redeem for the 1.5 points I'll earn by the 5% back on my $30.00 monthly spend.

It didn't occur to me to downgrade my plan, so thanks a lot for that idea. If PM has a plan comparable to mine now, then this makes perfect sense. 

[pm-smayer97]

"...it’s time we focus on enhancing our points program further for our subscribers" and  "...the exciting features of the Public Points™ program". 

"...this move will offer you more flexibility and new ways to earn and use your points, bringing a more rewarding experience to our subscribers".

The only thing that is true is that these are "new ways to earn and use", as in, less reward, and more effort to use, which DOES NOT translate into more rewarding...

There is NO enhancement. This is gaslighting...plain and simple.

[MiZ_C]

I found out about this big change today when my phone told me I was getting 240g free as promised.  - I thought it was a scam, as I was never promised that.  So I logged into my account instead of clicking the link it the text. 

I saw the 240g that expires in 150 days and came to the forum to find out more. Then I saw the big post.

I have read through maybe replies and these are my thoughts.

~ This sucks, I was saving 8 dollars a month due to loyalty, telling friends, and autopay.  That was lovely! 

~When I saw the new points system I knew that things would change - so not surprised.

~I do feel that the 240 gigs of data was a nice gesture but WHY does it expire?!  Leave that on our accounts to pick at as we need - if it is a gift or a sorry - then don't put that limit on it

~Giving a few extra Thank You "points" to those of us who have been faithful and are now forced to change to the new rewards system would maybe make this sting a bit less.

~Thank you for finally giving better data options with North American calling!!  This I fully approve of, this is a step in a better direction! 

Oh and why did the community make me choose a new nic name - there was no way to sign in - I am so Not "New in Town" LOL

[powerserge]

To be honest, the only comparable is Freedom. Only PM and Freedom have this plan. Virgin and Koodo matched but it was at 4G speed and no us roaming (not sure about calling). PC mobile has a similar plan but no referrals and while there is US calling, no roaming at all. Lucky has a $20 3G plan and more data plans but no US roaming at all. Hope this helps.

[Wolfcore]

My referrals have received texts giving them 240gb of free data for 150 days, but that's it so far. None of them need this data of course (and PM knows this). They just hope that the large number of 240gb will calm some people down when they eventually hear about the switch. I think they're going to get a reality check though.

[Wolfcore]

There are definitely a bunch of similarly priced competitors (some require you to give them a call, or use their support chats), but ultimately, as a result of all this backlash with PM, you should expect to see another company try and take advantage of all these disgruntled customers very soon. So keep an eye on Redflagdeals for example, I'm sure you'll be seeing something shortly.

[Jb456]

Wow PM 400 posts on this thread with multiple LOYAL users having multiple lines and been referring multiple people to PM and many now leaving lol good business decision you made 

[kistarla]

So my plan will essentially be increasing $7/month with the switch to points. I’ve been pretty happy with PM despite some annoyances here and there (EverSafe, certain plans only being available to new activations, etc.), but BECAUSE of the rewards, I was happily locked in. Now I’ll definitely not hesitate to switch should a better option open up elsewhere.

In general I hate and avoid point systems and if it’s true you need to accrue 15 points before you can redeem a bill credit, it’s even more useless to me.

Is there anyone else who still hasn’t received a text or email about this yet? Aside from the occasional text about CRTC complaints, and 2FA codes, I never hear a peep from PM and always have to come to the forums to read about any changes.

[kb_mv]

As I mentioned earlier in this topic, I will be shopping my plan (coming up $34/50GB US-CAN) to other carriers to see if there are any better offers for me. I see a lot of posts saying "I'm outta here" or "I will be leaving immediately if they don't reverse this". I am genuinely curious what plan you have and where is it better. I have looked around today for a comparable prepaid US-Can plan similar to mine (see above) and can't seem to find anything prepaid that gives me the same or better than what I have even without rewards. Feel free to PM me rather than post competitor's info here.

[Stelawrat]

"If you remove the auto-pay credit, why would I bother to keep auto-paying?"

I feel the same way, except it's really convenient for me to pay this way. If I decide to stay with PM, then once this change takes effect, I'm considering doing this instead.

I'll log into my account once per month to redeem the 5% points & when I see that I've accumulated enough to pay for one month including taxes, I'll opt out of auto pay & pay off that month with my points.

After the payment by points is confirmed, then I'll opt back into auto pay, rinse, repeat. 

That way I won't have to worry about payments being received on time & I can log in whenever I want to during the intervening months. Does that make sense? 

[Wolfcore]

Just wait until they eventually raise the prices of all these new plans that they've been bringing in thousands of customers with. It's only a matter of time. Competitors have already raised some of their black friday plans by $5. It's all about luring the customers in, screwing them over on the backend, and just hope that they are willing to accept the slap to the face, and stick around.

[hTideGnow]

HI @Soon-ex-PM-user 

not funny, not sure why people who always thinking community members work for PM

and Mayor title are those who have been here long enough and reply enough pos

Oracle are customers too, but they are small group of 5 to 8 (forgot how many) to monitor and maintain the board, they kind of know more than majority of us

[Boooo]

Completed my forum profile just to add my booooooo.  Knew it would happen eventually, hate the sugar coating

[maurelle]

So, new question...

Do accounts with "unlimited" data plans actually get the bonus data?  We have several accounts that have a scheduled plan change at next renewal to the $34 US plan pending. Right now they are $34/40 unlimited. Are we being punished for that?

[KK8888]

Very disappointing!  I could have my plan switched to Shaw (now Rogers) a couple years back when they offer free cell phone plan $0 with for home internet subscription.  I've been with PM for so long that I don't even remember how long.  I faithfully stayed just for their reward program.  When I first joined, there was no limit to the years that you've joined.  You earned $1 extra per month per year.  If you were to stay long enough, monthly plan could go down to $0.  But things have been changed and they capped the limit to up to 5 years (I just found out that no wonder why my bill hasn't come down any lower for the past few years.  But I'm still happy for paying only $8 for a $15 plan.) 
When they first launched this new points program, they let us choose not to switch.  But I had a feeling that one day they're going to move everybody to the new system.  And this day has finally come.  Although I'm kind of knowing it's happening one day, I am still very disappointed!
I guess I have nowhere to go and have to accept it.  I'm on the lowest $15 plan.  Although many other providers offer similar plan for $15, if I switch I'll need to buy a new sim and I will be paying $15+taxes with no loyalty program.  Any better plans out there?  I would definitely switch if I can find anything lower. 

[Slick66]

Has it already started?  I received just 1 refer-a-friend buck, rather than the $81 I am owed.

This is soooo upsetting!

[Wolfcore]

It's really the only way. Just like almost every other company out there, these guys always reward new customers better than old ones. Just look at the last few months, where current customers had to fight with agents on here just to get the same plans that new customers (with no proven loyalty), were being offered. New customers are always offered the best deals.

So you gotta speak with your wallet. Leave and take your referrals with you if possible (not like there's a shortage of similarly-priced competitors out there), and who knows, maybe within a year or two, PM will try and entice you back with something greater. If not, oh well, their loss.

[ShawnC13]

@Soon-ex-PM-user  I don't think I have been promoting this as a good thing and pointed out other downfalls of rewards they took away. There is a separate section for Oracles and I can tell you we are amplifying the concerns here and very vocal of the unhappiness of the community.  As well or discussion there is much more direct and we can really consolidate the concerns and just keep pointing them out

[terrywkw]

I second this opinion. As a long time subscriber (5+ years) I will be taking my business elsewhere in May.

Vote with your wallets 🙂 

[Stelawrat]

"I found a link to a points catalog but the link is dead. Can you get any good add ons and how much do they cost?"

I wondered about this as well & the link is also dead, I'm guessing for everyone except for those already on the points system.  

[ShawnC13]

@HOTO , that is your personal amount.  I thought it was limited as well but my number matches my referrals

[Frank_M]

OK, I just switched 3 plans from the $40 plan to the $34 plan and one from the $24 plan to the $15 plan.

I now have zero loyalty to public, like they have for me.

I will of course stay as long as this is the best deal I can get.

If I find a deal somewhere else I will now port in and out as needed. I never did that before because the loyalty points kept me here. If public has no loyalty then I won't either, it goes both ways.

For now the money they will make on me with this boneheaded move is ZERO and now they have real competition which they never had before when I was LOYAL.

PS. Each account is at least 5-7 years old.

[Dunkman]

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@HOTO wrote:

Looks like it might be even worse.

https://myrewards.publicmobile.ca/en/on/opt-in

The wording here implies that max points for referrals is 2 points per month:

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@HOTO 

What is showing is for your account at the present time.  You have 2 friend referrals, so you will receive 2 points/30 days.  You can sign up more friends if you can and get more points per 30 days.  

Another customers opt in page will show different referral points depending on how many friend referrals that that customer has at the present time. 

[MyNameIsMrBurns]

So if I follow the math correctly ... on a $40 month plan with $2 auto, $5 loyalty, I'm getting $2 worth of points every month (2 pts), 10 points every year for loyalty. So end of the year I can save $30 (34 pts) versus the old system of $84. Yay...

[Soon-ex-PM-user]

funny eh?  The people that are shilling for Public Mobile or defending them are mostly people with 'Mayor' or 'Oracle' status (in Public Mobile forum). I am wondering if some of them are working for Public Mobile 🤔