Will this scheme work to upgrade before contract is up?

My wife and I are on Verizon. Her renewal I'd in December, but mine with my 5s isn't until September 2015. I would mostly like to get us on the same renewal schedule, and getting the next phone would be nice too. This is my scheme.

First I would cancel my line and pay the ETA: about $200 after 15 months of contract. I would port my number to another service to preserve it. Then I would sell my 5S and hopefully get about $400 for it (hopefully). Then I would add back a line to my wife's plan with my original number and a subsidized new phone.

Seems reasonable, but a bit too easy that there may be some rules against it. Otherwise I would imagine people would do it often.

Did you talk to Verizon? You might be able to get what you want without all the "port to another service to preserve number" step. It will cost you, I am sure, but you already know you are going to have to pay. They might be able to come up with a better idea even - especially since you plan to get a new phone and combine your service.

Just a thought.

Lisa

I may just go in and ask if they'll do anything for me, but in all my experience with telecoms, they don't do any favors for anyone.

At this point I'm actually looking to go with T-Mobile anyway and keep our current phones. Even if we upgrade with T-Mobile I worked out the math and T-Mobile would actually cost less. It would be about the same monthly cost with phone upgrades, but the upfront phone cost is about half Verizon's. For example, I can get a 64GB 5S for $200 down versus $400 with Verizon and the same monthly plan cost.

I'm on T-Mobile with my 5c and when comparing my plan (myself and wife) I'm saving around $30 to $40 per month if I had taken the same plan with AT&T. And that's with a work related discount I can get from AT&T. I believe when I compared Verizon for the same plan it was in the same neighborhood as AT&T but the usage was better. Plus T-Mobile plans come with no contract and the phone is unlocked.

I am sure if you asked they will comply, if threatened with losing both customers eventually. Pretty competitive market place out there.