T-Mobile’s AutoPay Credit Card Discount Is Ending in May

T-Mobile updated its auto-pay (or AutoPay) rules, including removing the ability for credit card users to get AutoPay discounts on its plans. The operator confirmed to CNET on Thursday that starting “early May” it will limit these discounts to those who pay with a debit card or bank account.

The move marks a change from the carrier’s current policy, which allows anyone to get a discount on wireless or home internet service if they set up automatic payments, regardless of the method they use to pay their bill. If you still want to pay your T-Mobile bill by credit card, you can, but without this discount.

A T-Mobile spokesperson said the switch was made to “continue to provide customers with the best value on wireless,” noting that “the majority of our customers use their bank account or debit card for AutoPay and will continue to get discounts on top of their already good rate plans.” .”

T-Mobile says that debit cards will still be accepted even after the change. No exact date was given for when the switch would take place or when customers might be notified.

AutoPay discounts are regular incentives offered by wireless providers to encourage users to set up direct billing for services. Without an AutoPay setup, carriers typically charge a few dollars more per month, per line, or per service. For T-Mobile Home Internet, for example, the price with AutoPay is $50 per month, while the cost without setup is $55 per month.

The operator offers a similar discount of $5 for each line in accounts with the Magenta Max, Magenta (up to 8 lines each) or Essentials (up to 6 lines) plans.

T-Mobile isn’t the first carrier to switch from credit cards to automatic payments. Verizon has long limited AutoPay discounts to users who pay with a debit card or checking account, expanding in 2020 to only allow credit card payments if you use the carrier’s branded Verizon Visa card. AT&T, meanwhile, still allows credit card payments (even without using its own branded cards), in addition to debit cards and bank accounts.

First published on February 16, 2023 at 14:43 PT.