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

[joe77]

Absolutely agree with you.

I'm strictly downgrading for now up until May.  Freedom is definitely my plan as they offer WiFi calling as well... and that definitely will be a better option when traveling abroad.

[RetiredGuy1]

I think its a strategic move alright but not necessarily tied to the bonus points. Many have stated they have more data than they use so the bonus points aren’t that valuable. I think, ideally, PM wants all customers on the 5G plans given the investments made in infrastructure along with the corresponding higher-priced plans. This may be a strategy to get a sense of what the retention rates on the 5G plans will be once the loyalty discounts disappear by seeing how high the uptake is on the $29 plan over the next 5 weeks or so.

[G_Pomzz]

Joe77  said:  Just noticed that we now have access to the 20 GB, $29 plan.

That's great, and 20 GB is more than enough data for the majority of users. But for $5 more you can get the 50 GB Canada - USA plan. If you make a couple of trips to the USA per year, than this is a really great plan. 

[HALIMACS]

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@Wolfcore wrote:

Yeah, give or take. But if you're starting fresh, my math would be correct. Regardless, still $27.40 year (except for the first year I guess, depending how PM handles the anniversary date)

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I may be wrong @Wolfcore , however I gather they will give the full 10 points on the legacy customer's next anniversary, even should that date fall one day after the account's change to Public Points.   

I suppose one might wonder if they'll nickel and dime us further and prorate the 10 points somehow based on the number of days between the change and the subsequent anniversary date. (i.e. if it's 6 months later, only give 5 points...), or worse yet, await the NEXT full 12-month period before deciding to award the 10 points.

I'd submit they should be giving the full 10 points, and not prorate NOR await a subsequent full 12 months of service.

[HALIMACS]

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@joe77 wrote:

Just noticed that we now have access to the 20GB, $29 plan.

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This is seemingly a strategic move on PM's part to which the benefit may be questionable.

I may be incorrect, however, if legacy folks on higher priced plans choose this plan after having had their 'bonus' data applied to their accounts, I'm guessing they'll LOSE their data bonus.

Anyone suppose this offering is yet another way to essentially giveth and taketh away the data bonus? 

[Wolfcore]

It's actually a pretty terrible plan when you compare it to what PC Mobile has to offer for the same price:

- 25gb data with autopay (PM is only 20gb)
- 5G speed (PM is only 4G)
- includes US calling (PM's doesn't)
- get 5% back in pc optimum points, or 10% if you use one of their credit cards (PM is only 5% back, period)
- 20k free optimum points after 2 months ($20)

So objectively, you'd be getting far more value with PC Mobile. 

Freedom Mobile also has their $29/20GB plan, except theirs includes US roaming for Data and talk. So even Freedom would be better for a lot of people (those who travel once or twice a year).

Even Lucky is technically better (at least for the first year). If you have referrals, it wouldn't even be a question. Lucky is $29/25GB, but they give you 1 month free, which is more rewarding than PM's 5% + $10 anniversary bonus. If you even have a single referral, Lucky pays you $50 (and your referral). With PM, a single referral would take over 4 years to give you that $50

Needless to say, opening up this plan to all customers isn't some generous act in my opinion. They're just finally starting to realize that they aren't all that competitive anymore, without the old rewards program.

[RetiredGuy1]

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@Alveeto wrote:

I received an e-mail from Michael (Escalations Public Mobile) but he addressed the e-mail to CCTS. And says at the end, "Public Mobile awaits the CCTS’ decision in regards to the objection of this matter."
Does he think I'm CCTS? Can I tell him to reverse their decision or I will hand down heavy penalties and fines? haha.

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Tell him a mob of upset PM legacy reward customers will soon descend upon his office and give him purple herbies and a pink belly until he cries “Uncle”

[RetiredGuy1]

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@mikasik2 wrote:

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@joe77 wrote:

Just noticed that we now have access to the 20GB, $29 plan.

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Winback?

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Or a litmus test to gauge 5G plans popularity without loyalty discounts?

[ily]

You mind sharing which provider that is?

[joe77]

No, just an available option for all of us. I was actually about to downgrade to the $25 plan when I saw it listed as well.

[mikasik2]

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@joe77 wrote:

Just noticed that we now have access to the 20GB, $29 plan.

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Winback?

[ily]

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@unloyalpmuser wrote:

These changes suck. you just lost my loyalty of several years. Ironic, cuz what pissed me off the most about all of this is how PM wants to spin this in a positive light as if my bill isn't going to increase by several dollars. Well, they are right, it's actually gonna decrease because I just downgraded my plan to the lowest possible ($15) to partner with the free data... fair to say, I will spend the next 5 months looking for a new provider.

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I got bad news for you 😞 If by free data you mean the expiring gift, you lose it when you downgrade your plan unfortunately. On the bright side, you won't have to wait 5 months to switch to a better provider after all.

[fixin]

@joe77 - I just looked on iPhone in Canada and it shows that... they didn't announce the $34 50GB Canada - US plan being available to all also. Even hiding the expiry dates & new plans with no announcement.

[joe77]

Yes, so strange that they didn't even announce it.

[fixin]

@joe77 - WHAT???? That may save 100X of peoples lives with THIS announcement!

[fixin]

@Alveeto - He is probably just saying that he is awaiting the CCTS's response and will go back to respond to you.

Also CCTS email addresses are @ccts-cprst.ca domains.

[joe77]

Just noticed that we now have access to the 20GB, $29 plan.

[Calder]

The current loyalty/reward program is the only thing that sets Public mobile apart from all the other flanker/discount brands. Even the flagship brands like Bell are putting out offers that compete with Public anymore. I will be gone with my 3 phones when these changes come through. Please don't do this Public Mobile. Squeezing people when they are already hurting like this makes you evil. I'm not cool with that, and clearly by reading the several thousand comments in this thread I'm not alone in that. Oh well. Corporate greed wins again. Add Telus to my list of companies I won't deal with. 

[Alveeto]

I received an e-mail from Michael (Escalations Public Mobile) but he addressed the e-mail to CCTS. And says at the end, "Public Mobile awaits the CCTS’ decision in regards to the objection of this matter."
Does he think I'm CCTS? Can I tell him to reverse their decision or I will hand down heavy penalties and fines? haha.

[colleeno]

Just be aware that your recent Bonus data gift will be removed if you downgrade your plan.

[unloyalpmuser]

These changes suck. you just lost my loyalty of several years. Ironic, cuz what pissed me off the most about all of this is how PM wants to spin this in a positive light as if my bill isn't going to increase by several dollars. Well, they are right, it's actually gonna decrease because I just downgraded my plan to the lowest possible ($15) to partner with the free data... fair to say, I will spend the next 5 months looking for a new provider.

[computergeek541]

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@eyes wrote:

Maybe a positive to the point system is that reward points are accumulated giving us the option to cash them as we see fit at a later date.

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I don't see that as a benefit. There is no interest given on points balance, nor has Public Mobilie ever had any type of bonus points upon redemption events that the points would need to be saved up for. I know that that are add-ons that could purchased using points (at a discount), but if generally if a customer is on a plan that fits usage patterns, add-ons are often of very little use.

[RetiredGuy1]

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@Korth_ wrote:

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@ShawnC13 wrote:

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You better take a lap and start treating people with some respect.

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I do agree.

But I'm sure you recognize that people are going to naturally view "Public Mobile Community Oracles" with some suspicion when Public Mobile is unpopular. Everything you say (or don't say) will be carefully scrutinized for vulnerabilities.

Especially when emotions are running high. There is a lot of anger directed against Public Mobile (and Telus) right now.

(And especially when there is also a lack of intelligence, restraint, or respect.)

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Hi @Korth_  - it was this post I assumed triggered him and, just to be clear, I’m not defending his posts whatsoever

* edited post to also make clear this was not directed at @ShawnC13 as he was responding to the poster in question and Korth was responding to Shawn

[RetiredGuy1]

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@Yatti4201 wrote:

• PAP $6 (Im currently on quarterly) 
• $9.00 Loyalty 
  No referral. 
• I thought my loyalty was due to increase or was a little higher. 

102 cost. 

87 was indicated amount. 

Moving to the same data/speed now $29 per month from the $34 on my may renewal date. 

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It appears you are a 3+ year subscriber with PM to be receiving $6 auto-pay and $9 loyalty rewards on a quarterly plan. So, a total discount of $60 per year. As @Wolfcore pointed out, the $29 plan will provide $27.40 each and every year as there is no longer any incremental increase for remaining loyal. Your idea that “your loyalty was due to increase or was a little higher” was true under the old program (ie annual discount increased to $72 on your 4th anniversary and then $84 on your fifth). But now, they’re moving us to the new program “in order to offer us greater value” That’s PM’s logic at work.

[Korth_]

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@RetiredGuy1 wrote:

I believe he is referring to @Korth_ who, of course, is not a mod (or a mood either😂 - sorry @ShawnC13 I couldn’t resist poking fun at your typo). Just to be clear, I’m not wading into the debate but just pointing out where it likely originated

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lol, I'm not sure how my name got dropped into the conversation.

But tracing back through the path of replies shows me an angry, ranting customer lashing out at anyone who bothers to get close.

I do indeed have opinions about how that kind of behaviour reflects on intelligence. But I haven't stated them here.

[Wolfcore]

It's exactly what it is, yeah. That's why there are so many disgruntled customers. What's even worse, is that PM is telling us that they're moving us to this new system in order to offer us greater value. They're blatantly lying to us over and over again, they're shameless.

[Yatti4201]

Its' even worse then I thought if that is truly what the reward threshold is. I'll be gone by June.

[Yatti4201]

They are likely extremely oversuscribed and this spreads out people to Koodo and Telus which I am sure are about to launch the best deals around. Then people who truly leave will lessen the network load etc.

[ashishg1]

This decision by PM has been an amazing marketing for all providers other than PM. Way to go from one of the best providers to the worst. Almost seems like its done on purpose to get rid of subscribers and then close off PM

[Public_Cust_17]

@Grinch   here's an independent review I found regarding them. It's comparing 5G but should give you an idea about the company.. https://mobilesyrup.com/2023/10/26/testing-freedom-mobile-5g-network-canada/