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

[eyes]

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@RetiredGuy1 wrote:

Its reasonable to assume the majority of subscribers will continue to choose to reduce their bill with points rather than buy discounted add-ons or gamble with them. PM could create a toggle in the self-serve portal to allow subscribers to turn on the bill-reduction redemption option as a default. Once a balance of 15 points is achieved, the system would then apply them automatically. If the toggle is not turned on, then the points remain on account until a subscriber manually does something with them (as it is now).

Notwithstanding that, I agree the 15-point minimum balance stipulation is, as they say, “bogus, man”. The points are “earned” by the subscriber so they should be “redeemed” by the subscriber in any denomination as they see fit. 

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Yes what you suggest would be nice but converting 1 point at a time or 15 at a time yields the same dollar results -- I would like to see some sort of additional reward for auto pay.

[RetiredGuy1]

Its reasonable to assume the majority of subscribers will continue to choose to reduce their bill with points rather than buy discounted add-ons or gamble with them. PM could create a toggle in the self-serve portal to allow subscribers to turn on the bill-reduction redemption option as a default. Once a balance of 15 points is achieved, the system would then apply them automatically. If the toggle is not turned on, then the points remain on account until a subscriber manually does something with them (as it is now).

Notwithstanding that, I agree the 15-point minimum balance stipulation is, as they say, “bogus, man”. The points are “earned” by the subscriber so they should be “redeemed” by the subscriber in any denomination as they see fit. In that sense, the PARROT* could be programmed to apply the maximum amount available up to and including 15 points that is in a subscribers account upon plan renewal.

* Public’s Automatic Reward Redemption On Toggle (a RetiredGuy1 concept with trademark waived due to Community Forum T&C) 😄

[hTideGnow]

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@eyes wrote:

Somewhere I read - but who knows if it’s reliable— that if one switches to the points they will get the 5 point ($5) thank you. But  if PM switches account in may they will not be eligible for this $5 (5 point) gift. So since the switch is inevitable I didn’t want to take the gamble so I switched voluntarily. 

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HI @eyes 

as far as I know, that is untrue.  The point system will give you 5 points for introductory.  But you will need to login to the point portal once to get the 5 points.  Some people joined, never login the point portal and that is why the 5 points not added yet

[HALIMACS]

Remember @eyes , you can only convert once a minimum 15 points balance is achieved.

… a dumb policy they need to change, and while I do not agree it should be automatic, (as there may be some who want to gamble points for draws) they should be able to convert as little as one point to a dollar.

[eyes]

Somewhere I read - but who knows if it’s reliable— that if one switches to the points they will get the 5 point ($5) thank you. But  if PM switches account in may they will not be eligible for this $5 (5 point) gift. So since the switch is inevitable I didn’t want to take the gamble so I switched voluntarily. 

[G_Pomzz]

It appears there might be thousands of subscribers leaving PM due to the rewards debacle. Is there a chance that those of us who remain loyal might be thrown a little thank you gift? And I don't mean the expiring data bonus, which we have all made clear, is pretty much useless.

I'm talking a monetary gift like a loyalty reward for not jumping ship. PM was a cool and somewhat exclusive club to belong to before the Telus bean counters stepped in and ruined all the fun! 

[eyes]

I think that I explained this before but it’s obviously buried somewhere in the thread . And since you’re interested and find it hard to believe me , just for your curiosity, I will explain again. 
Months ago I got a good deal from Bell and activated a new number with them. I had time to update all my financial and selected friends to the new number . I didn’t port my PM number because it was getting and continues to get major spam. Had changed my pm  to $15 less rewards that resulted in insignificant cost each month and just using the PM for web purchases etc. 

PS Noticed that your community account is less then one month or so. I find it hard to believe that you are not Wolfcore - are you?

[SeniorCitizen]

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@eyes wrote:Plan to cash my points for dollars and renew only until my cash balance is depleted and then let my plan die after the 90 day period.

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I find that hard to believe that you would do that and lose your phone number. 

[eyes]

I switched over to the point system 2 days ago and it seems that all my reward dollars are gone and now I have a point balance of 0. Somewhere In read that after you switch it may take 4 days for the switch to be completed. Does this make sense?

UPDATE - Just checked my account again and it’s now switched to the point system. They gave me the 5 point welcome and also the gift data is still there. However in total I received less points than expected. Oh well since there is no benefit anymore for auto renewal I have disabled it. Plan to cash my points for dollars and renew only until my cash balance is depleted and then let my plan die after the 90 day period.

[jhhead]

WOW that was fast... within 30 minutes I got the good news:

"The CCTS is accepting your complaint about Public Mobile. "

[jhhead]

And for fun the CCTS complaint had an option for compensation with a maximum amount of $5000 so I put $5000 lol.

In reality over time if they remove these benefits I could be out that much 😉

[jhhead]

Wow this is brutal. Sent a message to PM and got a generic response that didn't acknowledge any of my concerns and just said they are switching etc. They ended the message with

"We could also help you by providing you a different plan for a lower price if you'd like. "

I then say sure because I'm already on the $15 plan and would love a lower price... 

Yeah then come back with a horrible reply:

"Yes, upon checking your account I can see you are already on the cheapest plan.

However with Public Points you could get this plan for free each month, since you can exchange 15 points for 15 dollars worth of bill credit. "

I then ask AGAIN to please read my messages to which they responded:

"We are aware of your initial message.

Rewards had to be eventually changed since Public Mobile had to continue evolving. After May 1st, rewards will no longer be available, only the new Public Points system. 

At the beginning, you woudl receive one dollar for each year you were with Public Mobile, now you will receive 10 points for each year you remain with Public Mobile. 

The reason why this change was made, was to have all customers under the same reward program, this will make it easier to launch in the market, new ways to earn points, new bill credit rewards, and make it easier and faster or customers to reach 15 points each month, meaning to have a 15 dollar bill credit each month.

You could have your current plan for free each month just by earning 15 points. You can earn them easily by referring friends, which would provide you a recurring credit for each referral every month."

Clearly they are just scripting crap now... 

CCTS complaint now officially submitted!!!

[Y4J259]

@ansontg  You can file a complaint with CCTS. When PM give you a gift, then remove it if you change plans, its extortion. CCTS are accepting these complaints.

[Y4J259]

@Cheefster CCTS objected to PM's objection. Now I'm waiting for CCTS to mediate (whatever that's going to look like)

[hTideGnow]

hi @dariovitale yes, life is a lot different these days.  As long as you have a solid internet, we can do everything with it.. TV, Phone, Security..

[dariovitale]

Yup and since I live in southern Quebec where there is no Telus tv I used to be with Bell Satellite. My channels were accessible on the fibe tv app therefore the rest of the family watched through the fibe tv app at their addresses and split the bill until we totally cut the tv cord and went using "other" services and "other" streaming android apps. 

[hTideGnow]

hi @dariovitale thanks for the tips.  

yes, Telus is pushing hard with its alarm system service, add that to the bundle and you will get surprises.  And yes, Telus family is not as bad as many though 🙂

[dariovitale]

NOTICE.............I have been under the Telus family umbrella including Koodo, PM and when the company was originally called CLEARNET. After almost 20yrs under Koodo and PM this past November '23 under the Telus name they offered a bundle price of $120 a month for home alarm coverage (free system and install) with 5 cell lines. Each cell line has CAN-U.S. Calling, text and 50gb data with roaming included on 5G network. That's $20 a line. How I did that you might ask. Well, I learned that calling Telus, Rogers and Bell directly during November Black Friday deals had a better deal compared to goin online or even at their stores / kiosks cause sometimes all 3 have different deals. How I did it, well at my home I have the alarm system and although my daughter and 3 other close family members live at different addresses their cell phones are registered to my family plan. How do they pay their share, its easy, Telus pulls out the total amount out of my bank monthly and on the same date the family automatically etransfers me their share. Another way they could make payments is by registering the family cell account number in their online bank accounts to pay their share automatically directly into the family cell account..................So that's just a heads up how one could possible get better pricing deals. Cheers. 

[RetiredGuy1]

https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/2024/04/23/quebecor-drops-manitoba-plans-blames-crtc/

Just the latest example of the power an oligopoly wields. And the beat goes on…and the beat goes on…

[RetiredGuy1]

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/bc/get-help/articles/public-points

The linked overview states you’ll receive 5 welcome points “up to 4 days since joining Public Points” and to earn them you “need to register for Public Points”. As this is a forced migration by PM, one could presume that PMs action (and the date they take it) will address these criteria.

[BainTrain55]

Thank you for the response, and yes I was wondering because my anniversary date is March so that would just give me even more of incentive to look elsewhere if I have to now wait that long.

[HALIMACS]

Supposed to get the 5 welcome points right away. (though I’ll believe it when I see it)

And the 10 loyalty points for anniversary should occur on your next anniversary, whenever that is.

what is less than clear is if Public Mobile will start everyone’s anniversary from the switchover date – which would be inherently unfair due to the variance of dates.

[BainTrain55]

When we get forced to switch to public points, do we get the 5 welcome points? Also do we get the 10 loyalty points right away or de we have to wait a full year?

[Wolfcore]

I never claimed you were giving an opinion, I was simply commenting on what you had said. Commenting my thoughts on this change PM made.

[kb_mv]

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@Wolfcore wrote:

Yeah, but it still lags in comparison to their competitors:


Freedom = $29/20GB + US Talk/Data/Text
Lucky = $29/35GB (dropped to 25Gb after 2 years)
Fizz = $29/40GB (or 20GB with US included)
PC Mobile = $29/20GB (25GB with autopay)
Chatr = $29/30GB (+500mb with autopay)
No Name Mobile = $29/25GB (30GB with autopay)

According to my calculations, PM is still dead last in terms of the budget brands:

Public Mobile = $29/20GB

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@Wolfcore I made no comment on how good it is compared to others nor did I insinuate it was a good plan at all. I just put it out there that they had changed it. I'll leave it to others to decide what works for them in their circumstances.

[Wolfcore]

Yeah, but it still lags in comparison to their competitors:


Freedom = $29/20GB + US Talk/Data/Text
Lucky = $29/35GB (dropped to 25Gb after 2 years)
Fizz = $29/40GB (or 20GB with US included)
PC Mobile = $29/20GB (25GB with autopay)
Chatr = $29/30GB (+500mb with autopay)
No Name Mobile = $29/25GB (30GB with autopay)

According to my calculations, PM is still dead last, in terms of these budget brands at least:

Public Mobile = $29/20GB

[hTideGnow]

thanks @kb_mv yes, great plan for $29, nice to see it back, and it is for everyone

[SeniorCitizen]

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@Wolfcore wrote:

You should look into Freedom's yearly plans. They have 3 of them, and they sound like they'd probably meet your needs:

1. $8.25/month - Unlimited talk/incoming text —- 99 year
2. $9.90/month - Unlimited talk/text + 1.25GB/month ——-119 year
3. $12.40/month - Unlimited talk/text + 2.50GB/Month —— 149 year

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Right now if these plans remain when I jump ship I would take 1 of #1 and 2 of #3. Or I may consider keeping 1 of our 3 PM plans. So for $33 at Freedom I save $12 vs the PM plans. But there is a loss as mentioned below. 

I have huge reservations about Freedoms coverage. It’s not a highly rated carrier. 

Secondly I do like the PM add ons for LD and their coverage. 

[kb_mv]

I see the $29 plan is back up to 20GB, 4G.