Prospective New Customer - How does Changing Subscriptions work?

[schullucas]

Hello PM Community!

I have recently been jostled around by sneaky Koodo price hikes, and am now seriously considering the switch to PM. I have lived in Europe for long lengths before, and am flabbergasted that there are not more options similar to PM in Canada that work on more of a subscription-type model like many providers do there.

If I sign onto PM, I would like to take the $23/mo 6GB Data plan, which is definitely adequate for my current usage habits. I have family who live in the US, and I go for a few weeks here and there over the course of a typical year. The way I understand this whole subscription model is that I would be able to "change" my subscription for a billing cycle, and then change again if I want to later on, even after only one month.

Since these are prepaid plans, I recognize that I would have to pay for a full billing cycle every time if I were to hypothetically do this, but I just want to confirm whether I'm understanding everything correctly and that this is actually how it works?

e.g. I sign up for the $23/mo PM plan tomorrow. My billing cycle is now the 20th of every month. I am planning to go to the US next on Boxing Day. Can I change my subscription to the $39/mo international plan PRIOR to Dec 20 in order to have that new subscription activated for the time period of Dec 20 to Jan 20? Then, prior to Jan 20, if I want to go back to my $23/mo plan (or whichever one is available at that time that would better suit my needs), I can simply change my subscription again? This of course assumes that I get to just take my phone number with me every time I switch, which I'm hoping to be true?

Thanks so much in advance for the clarification!

[hTideGnow]

yes @schullucas , you can suspend the account , but you won't get money back if it is middle of the cycle.  It would only save money if you stop autopay and account won't renewal and you make a manual renewal after the trip, if the days line up perfectly

[schullucas]

This is a clever plan, but would essentially defeat the purpose since I would have to double pay for a plan on that 30 day cycle. I don't hate the idea of getting a new one-time eSIM for the trip, but is there an option at all to "suspend" the $23 plan for a single 30 day cycle?

[hTideGnow]

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@schullucas wrote:

Part of why I was considering this as an option as well is to share that data with my girlfriend via tethering. Do you know whether this something I can do with these PM Canada/US plans?

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Hi @schullucas 

since you have eSIM compatible phone, if you really like the $39 Canada-US plan for a one time use, just setup a new account and use it for that trip (don't touch your main $23 plan -- assuming you joined by then).  If you go with that 2nd account for a one time Canada-US plan, make sure you disable Autopay so it wont renew

or travel esim like Airalo might give you more data for cheaper

[hTideGnow]

HI @schullucas 

PM now offering different plans for different subscribers.  But if you moved to $39 plan and above, you will for sure lose the $23 plans, likely they will only offer you plans $35 and above.  Yes,  you won't have many choices to change back to plans cheaper than your existing. 

[schullucas]

I see what you're saying, though if I was going to do the $30 roaming for only 3GB, I would sooner just get an traveling eSIM because that is much better bang for the buck in my eyes.

Part of why I was considering this as an option as well is to share that data with my girlfriend via tethering. Do you know whether this something I can do with these PM Canada/US plans?

[schullucas]

Appreciate this insight! I noticed the new activation part, as a non-customer at the moment is there anywhere where I can see what would be available to current customers at the moment? Or is that only something I would be able to see once signing on as a paying customer?

[hTideGnow]

hi @schullucas 

unlike most other carriers, PM cycle is 30 days, not monthly.  So, the renewal date will move

you can change your plan after you joined, but likely you won't get back the $23 plan as it is new activation plan only.

But if it is a one time US trip, it is better to buy the $30 US roaming for 3GB for 15 days

[Phil_Adelphus]

@schullucas   Yes it's easy to change subscription, you just log in and pick the one you want to change to, then select "change now" or "change on renewal".  It's usually best to select "change on renewal" so as not to lose what you already paid for on the old plan.  You would not be able to switch back to the $23 plan because it is for new activations only, you would have to take whatever is available when you select the next change.  If you do a "change now" you are charged immediately for the new plan and forfeit what's left of the old one.  You might be better to get a US roaming add-on which lasts 15 days.  The renewal date would not be the 20th of each month because PM is on a 30 day cycle so it will change by a few days each year.

[DennyCrane]

You're correct, but please note that your old plan may no longer be available when you want to switch back (YMMV). Also note that many plans are for new customers only, so once you switch off of it you wouldn't be able to switch back, even if it was still available. That is the case with the $23 plan you referenced.