Data add-on question - what gets used first

[smp999]

I have a question that was prompted by the new data add-ons that now expire after 30 days

Scenario: I run out of data on day 25 and then purchase a data add-on to get me to the end of the of the month. When my plan renews 5 days later, I want to still use the data from the data add-on because it is going to expire but I'm guessing it will use the plan data instead. The remaining data in the data add-on is wasted and I cannot even access it anymore. It will expire as I use the plan data. 

So the question is:
Do data add-ons take priority over plan data now that add-ons have an expiry?

[dwh1]

Another option, if your phone supports it, might be to buy a third party data esim  to tide you over.  The benefit is that or could then tell your phone to use that esim until it is used up or expires, and then you could remove it and go back to your PM data.  In other words, you could use the phone’s esim settings to control which data gets used first.

I’ve not tried this myself but I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t work.

[maximum_gato]

@smp999 

Unless pm changed the coding then usage will revert back to plan data after renewal. They had a workaround fix for @mellondon and his $60 Canada/US Roaming plan with this issue but then they stopped the fix and refused to honour it. I have also asked for clarification on this issue.

[hTideGnow · Accepted solution]

HI @smp999   I raised the same question twice.  I dont get an answer.

But I truely think when new cycle comes, you will be using the regular bucket first.  So, the extra is a waste. And even it is not a waste, you really used up your bucket on day 20 of the new cycle, but the addon only last for you from day 20 to day 25 on the new cycle.  So,  you still out of data on day 25+ on that new cycle..

[esjliv]

If you end up finding (either in a Get Help articles or in terms and conditions, or through a ticket with CSA...I take this 3rd option with a grain of salt though...much better when posted online somewhere) how this is allocated @smp999 , let us know. Inquiring minds want to know! 🙂

[HALIMACS]

Good question, @smp999 

My guess is that plan data ALWAYS get's used first, before any added or gifted or bonus data.

So, this is a major issue with the 30 day add-on expiry for data purchases.  People would have to strategically purchase them depending on how many days until their renewal.

Another reason they need to remove this limitation, or at LEAST give them a 90-120 day expiry.

ADDING:   though, if they were smart about this, one would hope they would put the use priority on the data bucket which EXPIRES FIRST, and then move onto plan data.   You can easily test this by looking to see where your data is being consumed from after renewal. (if you are in this situation)

Let us know, @smp999  😉