Verizon Customers Face Higher Bills as Company Ends Legacy Discounts

Millions of Verizon customers are bracing for higher wireless bills this fall. The company will eliminate legacy loyalty discounts starting September 1, 2025, leaving long-standing subscribers facing increased monthly costs.

Along with the end of these discounts, Verizon is also hiking a range of service fees, affecting nearly every customer on older plans.

Company Pulls the Plug on Loyalty Savings

For years, Verizon offered $10-$25 monthly loyalty discounts to reward customer retention. This move helped keep many from switching to other carriers, but that incentive is now disappearing.

Emails sent to affected users confirm the discount will “be removed no sooner than September 1,” making the change immediate for millions. Some customers could see their annual bills climb by $240-$1,000 or more, depending on how many discounted lines are on their plan.

Did you know?
Verizon introduced its first loyalty discount programs more than a decade ago to keep long-term customers from switching carriers.

Fee Increases Add to Monthly Sticker Shock

The pain doesn’t stop at lost discounts. Verizon’s Administrative and Telco Recovery Charges will jump from $3.50 to $3.78 per voice line and skyrocket from $1.60 to $3.97 per data-only line. The regulatory charge on voice lines rises slightly from $0.19 to $0.21.

Tablet and multi-device data plans aren’t being spared, with typical hikes of $5-$10 monthly. Altogether, the changes could mean a significant cost surge, particularly for families or anyone with multiple devices.

ALSO READ | Can T-Mobile’s Abandonment of DEI Secure FCC Approval for Its $10 Billion Mergers?

Verizon’s Strategy: Move Customers to New "myPlan"

Verizon is steering affected users toward its newer “myPlan” unlimited offerings, rolled out in 2024. These plans offer a three-year price lock on core plan rates, but crucially, taxes and added fees, now on the rise, are not covered by the guarantee.

While myPlan allows users to customize perks for $10-$15 monthly, it doesn't carry over many previous discounts, resulting in a mixed bag of savings.

Customer Backlash and the Competitive Landscape

The response from Verizon users has been overwhelmingly negative. Many say the loyalty discount was their only reason for staying with Verizon when rivals like T-Mobile and AT&T offer more aggressive deals to lure long-term subscribers.

Posts from frustrated customers flood Reddit and consumer forums, with some openly declaring their intentions to switch providers or port out their numbers.

What Should Affected Customers Do?

Recipients of Verizon’s update face an important decision. With discounts and fees changing, now is the time to compare current myPlan options or investigate rival carriers and MVNOs that might undercut Verizon’s new pricing.

For those on tight budgets, the sudden jump in monthly expenses could force them to make a move sooner rather than later.

The wireless market is evolving rapidly, and Verizon’s latest changes underscore a shifting landscape for mobile pricing. As the clock ticks toward September’s deadline, many customers may soon be dialing up alternatives.