@themindfulgirlwrote:
Sorry, another fundamental question but I noticed that my account now has a line that lists deactivation date. Does this mean that my account will expire on March 24, 2018?
Here is an example of what I see when I log into my account (the line in question is highlighted in red):
Amount due to top-up your previous plan $XX.XX
Plan Expiry Date: Dec 23, 2017
Account Deactivation Date: Mar 24, 2018
Current Balance: $XX.XX
"Deactivation" in this context means "suspended". No service (except emergency calling) provided by the carrier. The account remains suspended until available funds are paid up enough to cover the price of your Plan (base price, before Rewards/etc are applied), at which time the plan automatically renews. You don't get billed for the suspended period, billing resumes from the new (re)activation date onwards.
The account remains suspended for 90 days. After which it is "terminated" (permanently shut down), the linked SIM card is permanently deactivated, the linked phone number is lost.
I've personally resumed service (same account, SIM card, phone number) on plan which had been terminated slightly longer than 90 days. But maybe it was a system glitch, maybe I got lucky, or maybe I'm just senile, whatever the case I don't recommend planning around exploiting this apparent loophole.
I'd also recommend always having the necessary funds on your account balance a couple days before payment is actually due (aside from situations like yours where you deliberately choose to suspend the account, lol). It just lubricates the automagical billing machinery and keeps phone billing problems away.
