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

[ShawnC13]

@Public_Cust_17 if that plan works for you great!!  ALways follow the wallet.  I have had no issues with my service over the last many years and when I did need an issue resolved it was always dealt with in a timely manner.  I am actually trying to think if any of my referrals or even referral/referrals have needed assistance as I would here as I am still their point of contact.  For us this service just works without issue.  When that changes or it is no longer financially beneficial to the plans my family requires is when I will look for something else.

[JDBlue1966]

Thank you for that info. Looks like I will be looking else were for a plan. Even if it costs a bit more. 

[ShawnC13]

@edeepm it has always been known that you could easily collect recyclable cans for return and make more than you do with PM Community rewards if you wanted to.

[Public_Cust_17]

@Wolfcore 100% agree as someone on the lowest cost plan because that makes the most sense for my usage history.  Referrals are a wash with the new *cough cough* rewards *just threw up in my mouth a little bit* plan!  LOL  Keep giving it to them!!

[JDBlue1966]

I have one question. Is there difference in the monthly payment that I make now? I would assume its wont change.

[ShawnC13]

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@Wolfcore wrote:

It's called having integrity, and standing up for what's right. You shouldn't let people (or companies), mistreat you like this, walk all over you, and then continue to support them. You'd only be doing a disservice to yourself and others. This goes for everything in life. It's a lack of self-respect really. 

Even if it costs a couple dollars more, it's worth it. Not everything is about money. This isn't even about the money to me. The extra $5 or whatever it is, isn't going to kill me, but it's about the principle. You shouldn't promise people something and then take it away, and that's why I'm here voicing my opinion. There needs to be consequences for actions like this, or they'll continue to abuse people in the future.

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@Wolfcore this lack of self respect comment has crossed a line.  Basically by me saying that this is still the best place financially for me and my family you just said I have a lack of self respect and should be willing to pay more elsewhere because of this PM decision.  That is a very offensive comment not only to me or to anyone who continues with PM.  You are saying everyone that stays with PM lacks self respect?

I am still following my wallet of where best financially suits my family needs, I don't agree with the decision and have said that all along but I am not willing to financially hurt my family just so PM/Telus loses my business and the opening would be filled by someone in seconds anyway.  PM is still attracting new customers.

[Wolfcore]

So, with the:

- old system, you were saving $84 per year
- new system, you will be saving $42.40 per year

But with the new system, you need to collect 15 points before you can turn them in and save a single cent off your bill. In your case, it'll take you 6 months before you can convert those points into savings. At 6 months, you'll have 16.2 points, which you can use to pay your bill, and save $16.20.

[JDBlue1966]

So much for loyalty. Bet new customers get a better deal. 

[golfball]

Also, just because someone is paying more doesn't mean it's for the same service. For example, I can get 25GB for $24 elsewhere whereas on PM I would only get 1GB 3G which to me isn't worth it over the $15 plan I'm currently on. I was willing to switch to the $34 plan and have an upgrade scheduled but won't be keeping it since they're getting rid of rewards.

[Public_Cust_17]

@ShawnC13 you know what makes no sense to me... staying in an abusive relationship. The PM support sucks, the website sucks and now the rewards program sucks while I personally will be losing $7/mth.  Why in gods name would people put up with all of this when for a couple of extra bucks you can be done with it?  Personally I'm thinking a yearly plan on a competitor for $119 with unlimited talk/text and 15gb of data instead of the $15/mth for a measly 100 incoming talk minutes and 250mb makes a hell of a lot more sense.  I know I sure as heck wouldn't refer a friend to PM so I'll never get any rewards for that as I actually like my friends!!   

[Alveeto]

I don't think this is legal. The advertise for my plan clearly stated that the plan would not change in the future. If Public Mobile insists on this change, then they would be in breach of contract.

[StrongRad]

Out of touch millionaires.. It's like the Kellog CEO telling people who can't afford groceries to eat cereal for dinner.

[JDBlue1966]

I pay $34 for 40GB.

[Wolfcore]

Actually, depending what plan you're on, it's far worse. 

For example, if you're on a really cheap plan, your 5% bonus will only be earning you 0.75 points per month. Which is 9 points per year. After you hit month 12, you will receive 10 points, which brings you above the threshold of 15 points needed to cash in, and brings you to a total of 19 points.

With the old system, assuming you were at the $5 loyalty mark, you'd be earning $60 per year + $2 autopay per month ($24 per year). For a grand total of $84 saved per year.

Old system = $84 per year
New system = $19 per year

84 is a 342% increase of 19, or 77% decrease, however you want to look at it.

This is all assuming you don't have referrals of course, so this is just the base. 

[jimbobs2023]

It will cost you more. Essentially, it is a price increase of at least, from my simple calculations, 15%

[StrongRad]

I am most definitely none too pleased about this treachery. 

Should I be surprised at this point? No. Ever since Telus acquired PM, I've been inundated with offers to move to Koodo or Telus away from PM. It honestly seemed from the get-go that Telus just wanted the additional PM users to jump ship and then shutter the discount brand.

I get $9 off a month under my current legacy rewards and want nothing to do with the new system.

The legacy rewards should be grandfathered in, and all new accounts should be made to use their new system if that is the direction they want to go in.  Or if/when someone changes their service plan, they get bumped off the legacy rewards and moved to the new system. 

That at least seems fair to me.

It's bad enough that legacy loyalty rewards are capped at $5 regardless of how many more years than that you've been a customer.. but for my bill to go up $7 a month for a shoddy new rewards program is heinous.

[Wolfcore]

There are actually a bunch of different companies that offer rewards as well. Fizz for example, feels like the old PM, so many awesome (and ongoing) rewards. All of their plans are also offered to everybody; no exclusives for new-customers-only, for example.

PC Mobile is another one. They have some great plans right now, and also offer cashback in the form of PC Optimum points from each bill.

Lucky has a great referral program, which gives you a ton of savings back as well. It's only a one-time bonus, but lasts 10 months for each referral, so you'll really notice it.

Besides these though, there are also a bunch of companies that offer better savings period, even after rewards. Just gotta look into them. Fonus is one that's pretty great for example, and almost nobody knows about them. All depends what kind of plan you need.

[AngTsang]

Reached out to a CS Agent & was told this was mandatory with no exceptions, so I tried to resolve it with my provider with unsuccess. Filed a complaint with CCTS. 

[Public_Cust_17]

@JDBlue1966  It's a bad thing! Period, end of sentence if you have accumulated 5 years/$5 of loyalty plus the $2 auto-pay unless you're on a very expensive plan.

[ikristina]

Oh, absolutely. But it's not cheaper than other carriers now, from which, with a good promo, you can get a phone and pay the same price monthly. Loyalty is not rewarded anymore, which is fine. But I'm still disappointed.

[Tk111]

Once my current billing cycle is up, I’m switching over to the CHEAPEST plan until my “gifted” data is up. Then I’m jumping ship. 

[Handy1]

@Wolfcore  If the community here can only have one voice for this fight to present the sentiments of the legacy account holders . I vote @Wolfcore  you’re great with your words and articulating what we are all  feeling . Keep up the great work sir 

[Wolfcore]

It's called having integrity, and standing up for what's right. You shouldn't let people (or companies), mistreat you like this, walk all over you, and then continue to support them. You'd only be doing a disservice to yourself and others. This goes for everything in life. It's a lack of self-respect really. 

Even if it costs a couple dollars more, it's worth it. Not everything is about money. This isn't even about the money to me. The extra $5 or whatever it is, isn't going to kill me, but it's about the principle. You shouldn't promise people something and then take it away, and that's why I'm here voicing my opinion. There needs to be consequences for actions like this, or they'll continue to abuse people in the future.

[Lonetreejim]

‘I am willing to bet that their new signups will not stay long…”

You couldn’t be more right.  Legacy customers are willing to put up with crappy, impersonal customer service because they get a discount on their monthly service cost.

When new customers, who come from carriers that have “real” customer service, start to wade through the mire that is Public Mobile’s idea of customer service they will soon change their minds.  Especially when all of the flanker brands offer the same basic plans.  With a working customer service.

You see it all the time in the forums.  SIM won’t work, can’t change credit card, can’t receive calls after porting and on and on.  Their only resolution… send a text to a faceless rep and hope for a response in and hour, or two, or 12.

Just look at how many ask how can I cancel and get their money back? (btw, text a faceless rep to ask that too)

I’m not waiting until May.  I’m out of here on Saturday.

[Wolfcore]

It's objectively worse. You'll definitely be losing money. How much does your current plan cost, before rewards?
How much money are you saving in loyalty rewards? $5? Do you have any referrals? I'll tell you exactly what the difference between the old system and new system is, if you tell me this information.

[Soon-ex-PM-user]

lol he may has nil referral left by May. Also if his referrals are from recent year, they are most likely not loyal PM customers. Don't expect that new signups to stay long.

Both scenarios could mean nil referral for him at the end. 

[ShawnC13]

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@Wolfcore wrote:

Incorrect. It's definitely being affected, as you're no longer receiving $1 off your monthly bill for each referral. Instead, you're receiving one point ($1) per month for each referral, but you can't use these points until you reach a threshold of 15 points. You also have to manually redeem these points. I think these are important distinctions.

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Ok so you are still receiving the same value for your referrals, you will need to put in more effort to process that into $$ once you have 15 points from referrals.

[ShawnC13]

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@Pearl2024 wrote:

I'll pay more elsewhere, easy as that.

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This makes no sense to me?!?!?!  You are willing to pay more somewhere else?  So you feel better being financially worse off with another provider than to have a cheaper plan at Public Mobile?

[JDBlue1966]

Can someone tell me if this is a good thing. I have built up rewards on the old program. Would not want it to cost more with the new program. That to me, wouldn’t be fair. 

[Wolfcore]

Incorrect. It's definitely being affected, as you're no longer receiving $1 off your monthly bill for each referral. Instead, you're receiving one point ($1) per month for each referral, but you can't use these points until you reach a threshold of 15 points. You also have to manually redeem these points. I think these are important distinctions.