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

[EdN]

Good news everyone!  My messages with CS Agent regarding CCTS complaint are now being replied to by escalation team.  I'm hoping they have more information, broader perspective and leeway than the the usual CS Agent.

[Wolfcore]

Trust me, if they were planning making the points program better (enhancing them), they would have included those details within this announcement, in order to quell all this outrage. They've already lost a ton of customers within just a few days, and it's only going to get worse. If some announcements do come, it'll only be because the reaction was worse than they expected.

[danielj]

Public Mobile communication is terrible over the loyalty program changes. Very bottom of the barrel that they did at least come out a head to "start" announcing the changes.

Email and/or text none existing for high percentage of the customers. And in batches is BS as it would creates bias intentionally or not. One of the last email/text set was the 50G roaming promotion. With that text reaching 1 out of 4 family members with Public Mobile.

@Dunkman

Incompatible plan definition is overall very unclear.

• "5G Speed up to 250mbps and unlimited data at reduced speed"
• Unlimited data is "plan data"
• "What constitutes an incompatible plan?
• At Public Mobile, you have the option between fixed data plans and unlimited data plans. Switching from one type of data plan to the other will cause your special bonus data to be incompatible and removed from your account."
• It is implied that Incompatible plans included unlimited data plans.
• Especially since most people's history would be the removal of incompatible data add-ons
• Further without most people getting the relevant text and/or email.
• Most "unlimited data" plans base full speed data alone is a not usually a small amount. Most are what 50 to 100Gs. To go over the full speed amount enough in 150 days to use what ever actual amount of data that are giving. 

Overall it is inconvenient that "Incompatible," data add-ons, purchased or "gifted"/promotional are removed and not left rolling over if customers do ever switch accounts to plans that are compatible with that add-on. Or that the add-on can not be upgraded or down graded to match your existing plan with the balance hitting the customer balance account or charge card.

The whole data add on changes is a whole other topic that has how many changes that are getting on customer nerves. Changes to them being Incompatible and removed being one of them. Makes the promotional 5G plans with throttled unlimited internet, basically a sneaky way to remove customer data addon from not being able to be used/roll-over as previously discussed. Just gone, no more rollover, no actual usage and no upgrade or downgrade option. Just PM cleaning up there unearned revenue account. And basically any NEW data add on, including promotional/"gifted" data add-ons expire now and don't rollover any more.

I don't watch community or data add-ons that much but seems like those changes should of been a bigger deal.

Seems like Public Mobile is making every subtle and possibly even perceived as sneaky changes to assist with profitability.

3G technology was retired, even prematurely to make room for the 5G data technology to have room to installed. Overall was making existing 3G plans connections extremely week and slow, even to the point of possibly not even useable. With 3G connections weaking, with out Public Mobile at the time having the 5G data plans being offered waiting for the 5G technology roll out.

150 days is under 5 months And they are planning to added it towards the end of March and not May when the loyalty program is changing. So the 150 days would not include the fall when people might be waiting for in order for the new phone releases to upgrade to even fully utilize the 5G speeds with a compatible devices.

More of the new promotional plans open to existing customers ... data add-ons expires.

[ily]

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@danielj wrote:

They also mentioned "enhancing our Points program." Without any details on those enhancements. When ever I ever I looked into the current Point Program would not be as valuable as the Old loyalty program that is being retired.

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I think they meant enhancing the Points program for them. The Points Program is more valuable to them. They just couldn't care less about their loyal customers.

[hTideGnow]

HI @ily 

no surprise, come May , there is no such thing for legacy rewards.

for those who don't want to be on any rewards program, they can ask to opt out the points program.  Yes, some people will do that for religion reason or so.

[Michael6666]

Also wanted to add that on my login, they still advertise 1$ off per month.. No asterix, no nothing. 

[ily]

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@ily wrote:

Here are the steps I'm taking in response to this horrific announcement:

1. Contact customer service expressing my deep dissatisfaction and asking to opt out of this forced migration. This is basically my attempt to resolve the issue with the provider, as per CCTS guidelines.
2. Mark March 18th on my calendar: if the issue isn't resolved by then, I will file a CCTS complaint.
3. Mark May 1st on my calendar: if I'm forced to the new points system, I will immediately port out!

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Update: CS Agent got back to me saying that there's no way to stay on the legacy rewards program; no surprises there. In other words, the provider wasn't able to resolve the issue. Moving on to step 2. I'll keep y'all posted.

[Michael6666]

PSA, plans are 30 days instead of monthly at public mobile.

So the 5% back in points is partially offset by a 1.44% loss yearly (5.25/365.25). 3.56% back in points is even less worthwhile than other providers.

[ridgeline]

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@hTideGnow wrote:

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@ridgeline wrote:

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@mikasik2 wrote:

I love how we will soon have to pay tax on the equivalent of our lost rewards

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That's a very good point.  I logged in to my account to confirm and the GST was being calculated against the discounted price and not the full price of the plan.  Now we will be paying more in GST each month as well.

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HI @ridgeline 

on the other hand, on the month you redeem for $15 bill credit, you will pay  less tax on that $15

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Yes, however it will be several months later when you have enough points to redeem.  The additional GST must now be paid upfront each month.

[public_999]

Yep problems can happen with ANY service provider and that's why wifi calling is so important.  Freedom has had free wifi calling for years.  Did you not have a compatible phone?  In my house, I only get Public Mobile's signal in parts of my home.  With Freedom, I get it everywhere.  In one part of my basement however I  turn on wifi calling.

[MajorTalent]

GENIUS IDEA: They should have done something similar to the old Solo under Bell (for those of us who are old enough to have been a customer or knew someone who was)... refuse new PM customers to legacy rewards but also keep it going in a way where it works for both legacy customers and PM. This would mean introduce better plans/ prices OR premium options/ perks to switch to points OR a combination of both. Not to rehash the obvious about why we had rewards for our loyalty and help with their growth (also savings from lack of physical stores, live phone reps and the like being able to be passed down to us for the inconvenience)

Solo is still around for their legacy customers only, so they have surely figured it out. Why has Telus' Public Mobile been screwing these things up so much since taking over?

[ninjastar]

I had Freedom for 3 months before switching to PM. It started off well. Then they made some tower tweaks where I couldn't receive a call inside my own home. They couldn't fix it so I walked away. 

[Dunkman]

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@edeepm wrote:

Are you happy with the new (worse) rewards?

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@edeepm 

Definitely not happy with the forced migration to rewards.  I have four accounts (family members) with Public mobile, so I will paying about $200 per year more than right now. 

From a business perspective, I understand why Public mobile is implementing these changes.  Bottom line is to increase profits.  

As a customer, besides moving to another mobile company, there is really nothing that we can do.  I will wait until May and then decide if that makes the most financial sense.  Hopefully, in the meantime, Public mobile will offer other perks for legacy customers to stay. 

[ShawnC13]

@edeepm I don't see how anyone (customer) can be happy about this change.

[ninjastar]

 Try again

 

[mikasik2]

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@ninjastar wrote:

How do I down vote this one? 🤣

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Hit bravo sarcastically 

[ninjastar]

How do I down vote this one? 🤣

[ninjastar]

I never mentioned anything about current subscribers who grabbed the roaming plan a week ago losing roaming... I said new potential subscribers are under the impression that it's still there and justify they would get a better deal than anywhere else based on roaming that's not available anymore on the $34 package. 

[fixin]

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@ninjastar wrote:

You're not understanding at all. 

Im not stupid. Thanks. They had the roaming promo at $34, word got out, they signed up new customers and  now they removed roaming on the same $34 package. People on Reddit are still under the assumption roaming is still included... 

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Just people who chose the plan now don't get US roaming. If you got the $34 plan before March 5th you will get and keep US roaming. Now the new plan is Canada only. The change on renewal Canada US plan will stay.

[MrToad]

Losing $84/year doesn't enhance anything and provides $0 value.

Why am I being moved to Public Points™?

To enhance our rewards offering and ensure we’re providing the best possible value to our subscribers

[ninjastar]

Take a look at PC Mobile. Same deals and you can collect PC points. They also have a customer service number. They also give you 20000 pc points ($20) after two months and you have the option to pay out of your bank account directly. 

[public_999]

I replied to you earlier and my response was shockingly removed.  I hope you got a chance to review it before it was deleted.  I assume it was censored because I praised a competitor and Public appears to only let posts that trash competitors stay up.

[hTideGnow]

HI @ninjastar 

they didn't remove it.  The Canada-US part is still on the same $34 plan.

[ninjastar]

You're not understanding at all. 

Im not stupid. Thanks. They had the roaming promo at $34, word got out, they signed up new customers and  now they removed roaming on the same $34 package. People on Reddit are still under the assumption roaming is still included... 

[Wolfcore]

I wouldn't say they've acknowledged that at all. Their FAQ (which is linked in their announcement), says this as their second question:

Why am I being moved to Public Points™?

To enhance our rewards offering and ensure we’re providing the best possible value to our subscribers

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All throughout this article, you will find mentions about how this new system is better. Clearly we're not getting the "best possible value" from this change, but it doesn't stop them from saying that.

[ComicCuriosity]

As a long-term Public Mobile user, and echoing the sentiments of many others, I’m extremely disappointed by this decision. This marks my fifth year utilizing your service. Public's primary allure was its credits, but now that they won't be offered anymore, nothing is differentiating Public from other providers with better plans available.

It’s time to start exploring alternatives. I might finally give Freedom a try, as they offer $19 for 1 GB and $24 for 4 GB on 4G.

I've heard their coverage has improved significantly, especially in the GTA. How is their reception in high-rise condos? Has anyone used them recently?

[Grinch]

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@ninjastar wrote:

But many are signing up based on the previously advertised $34 package. It's a bait and switch deal. I don't know anyone who needs 75gb unless you live in your car. 

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Oh. So 75gb is way to charge more for something that won’t be fully used? Geee that’s like buying 1gb speed internet from Telus when 75 speed works just fine. Hmmmmmm similar method of getting less value  by paying more and not be able to use it to its potential. Like buying a 4 litre jug of milk and throwing it out when 1 litre would have done the job. 

[Kevlar44]

Are you people ever going to inform your customers about the scam you're pulling? I only know about this because of reddit and I can only imagine there are thousands of people who will be pissed that dont know yet. I hope you all come to your senses because after May, and maybe June so i can use my now meager amount of points up, i will be gone if this decision stays the same.

I also can't believe despite the punch in the gut they wont even credit loyalty with a bonus of 1 point per month like they were before. What really pisses me off os loyalty is capped at 5 dollars and was a major selling point for signing up. I could deal with it if they got rid of autopay, though it would suck, or capped loyalty to whatever people have now but the loyalty bonus being stolen from us full on is just so unethical. They told us we didnt have to worry when they brought in points but yet here we are. The loyalty pays is a longterm commitment given it takes literally years to accumulate, thats why advertising it as a longterm benefit and taking it away is so scummy. 

Oligopolies are ruining this country and this is just another example of how powerless consumers are because of it. No real competition means we get lied to and gouged. I will unfortunately be forced to exercise the little power i have and boycott Telus.

[kyle12]

Does anyone have the original text of the announcement? I notice they took out the part about this change being beneficial to customers. At least they acknowledge it's detrimental to the loyal customers

[hTideGnow]

yeah @hkjhkj if I predict correctly, you will get $1 or even $2 for your great participation on this thread.  Still in time before Legacy rewards change over to Points.   Enjoy.