what's up with T-mobile removing autopay discount for credit cards?

FYI:  Some banks allow you to create additional checking accounts for no fee.  Mine does.  I've had a separate one used for all direct deposits because I didn't want to give my primary checking to employers or others that do that.   To keep the T-Mobile discount I setup a 3rd checking account in which I only keep the amount of the monthly billing and gave T-Mobile ACH info for that 3rd account.

I setup the direct deposit account originally because most direct deposit forms provided by employers and others have no expiration date (even if you leave the employer).   They also allow for "corrections" which means they can take money back.    For that 2nd account I login to my bank's site and manually transfer deposits to my primary so the 2nd never has more than the most recent deposit.  

For both the 2nd and 3rd accounts I turned OFF automatic overdraft protection.   This means if anyone tries to take more than is there it will fail rather than getting it from my primary.  This helps against "accidental" additional debits, malicious "corrections" and, in the event of a data breach, hackers being able to get much, if anything.

P.S.  Interestingly a year later T-Mobile is raising plans by $5/month per line.   Apparently they didn't get enough suckers on their $5/month autopay scam.

T-mobile is still the best deal going for a full featured mobile phone company, with included taxes and all the other perks they offer, not to mention the plan itself is such a better value than Verizon or AT&T.  I have never given up my banking details to any company, but I forgo the $5 dollar discount and just pay manually from my bill pay app each month when T-mobile texts me that it’s due  It goes to them electronically and is easy as pie to do, with more security than giving up your banking details.  

AWAL wrote:

I have a theory that this move has more to do with a strategic attempt to manipulate customers into to purchasing T-Mobile cell phone insurance to be honest. I signed up for T-Mobile budgeting for what my services would cost based on the autopay ( not really a discount if you state your prices loud and clear with the discount already factored into the advertising of price by the way ). I signed up for and pay the fee on a specific credit card in order to pay my T-Mobile bill with it because one of the card benefits is insurance on my phone should it be lost, damaged or stolen. I also receive valuable reward points with every T-Mobile bill I pay on this card. This was a great system for me. Now I am forced to either 1. Pay $10 more to T-Mobile in order to use my own Credit Card phone insurance or 2. Pay T-Mobile for their phone insurance plan. T-Mobile gets paid either way now … if I pay them $10 for my credit card insurance it's especially beneficial to them because they don't even have to provide coverage. It's a win win for them no matter what and a lose lose for me. I personally will be going elsewhere. I don't like shell games, indian giving or overt manipulation to feed greed machines.

Wrong, Verizon is going to require a bank account for auto pay discount, no debit card for new users. Thanks for the conspiracy theory though.

https://www.droid-life.com/2024/02/14/verizons-10-auto-pay-discount-changes-to-bank-accounts-only/

I have a theory that this move has more to do with a strategic attempt to manipulate customers into to purchasing T-Mobile cell phone insurance to be honest. I signed up for T-Mobile budgeting for what my services would cost based on the autopay ( not really a discount if you state your prices loud and clear with the discount already factored into the advertising of price by the way ). I signed up for and pay the fee on a specific credit card in order to pay my T-Mobile bill with it because one of the card benefits is insurance on my phone should it be lost, damaged or stolen. I also receive valuable reward points with every T-Mobile bill I pay on this card. This was a great system for me. Now I am forced to either 1. Pay $10 more to T-Mobile in order to use my own Credit Card phone insurance or 2. Pay T-Mobile for their phone insurance plan. T-Mobile gets paid either way now … if I pay them $10 for my credit card insurance it's especially beneficial to them because they don't even have to provide coverage. It's a win win for them no matter what and a lose lose for me. I personally will be going elsewhere. I don't like shell games, indian giving or overt manipulation to feed greed machines.

chimichanga wrote:

Enraged666 wrote:

T-Mobile is going to lose a lot of customers they are now behaving like the other carriers with subpar service I call bs on the team of experts because when I call 611 my call gets routed overseas and I can hardly understand the rep on the phone not to mention the data breaches they have had I hope someone gets really smart and bring a class action against them because they are reckless with your info and it's just flat out wrong. They want your bank info so the next data breach all of your money will disappear 

What are some national carriers / plans where current T-Mobile customers can find a better price for the same or better quality of service?

🎯🎯🎯

MellyBee wrote:

In a chat conversation today with “Jivy”:

Me: Why is my credit card no longer eligible for the autopay discount?

Jivy: To be honest with you that one of the reason why the credit card is not eligible for a Autopay discount is because when you use the debit card it will make sure that you have funds on your account and will avoid any back out payment that might cause you a draft fees.

Me: Draft fees don't apply to credit cards, only debit cards.

Jivy: We get your point. Also we want to continue to provide customer with the best value in wireless through our Autopay Discount program and the best way to keep this program is to get you to use either a bank account or debit card for autopay. I understand that you may still prefer to use your Credit card as a payment method, and I can help you work through your options. However, I strongly recommend that we switch you over to an eligible payment method so you can keep the discount. Is this something you'd like me to help you with ?

Me: The best way for ME is to use my credit card, and especially since T-Mobile has suffered not one but MULTIPLE data breeches, two just this year! Tell me again why I should entrust my bank account information to T-Mobile?

Jivy: I totally understand you on that. And as part of T-Mobile my apology for this kind of inconvenience. Our systems and policies prevented the most sensitive types of customer information from being accessed, and as a result, customer accounts and finances should not be put at risk by this event. If you prefer, you can still use your credit card to pay your bill, however it won't be eligible for the AutoPay discount.

So basically, a fancy-worded “go f*** yourself” from T-Mobile.

They are really gonna lose alot more buisness not letting us use credit cards it also was helping me with experian boost now its like wow tmobile why they highly need to rethink what their doing i’ve been with them for 10 years so this is super upsetting i guess time to switch to verizon or we probably have to come in personally to pay with credit card!!

MagicalWingLT wrote:

My family will be switching to someone else. Not going to use my debit card or bank account info especially since a T Mobile employee had stolen my credit card number. I was able to get the money back since it was the credit company's money not my own... With a debit card it will be impossible to get the money back if the debit card number gets stolen since it doesn't have the same protection as a credit card... So since my info was already stolen once by these idiots we will be switching to another company now.. This is what happens when you screw over your customers.... It's insane... And T Mobile had 3 data breaches already... 

Sounds like you need a new bank. 

I just received the note that T-Mobile will eliminate the credit card discount. I spoke with customer service, initially they said they could reinstate the discount using credit card, but then they called me back saying that I would need to provide a credit card or my checking account number, which I will definitely not do. I did a company research and found out that a competitor to T-Mobile allows auto-pay on credit card, provided you use their credit card, which also provides money back. I will have to change several lines, but I am seriously considering this option, as I am not happy to pay an additional $30/mo to T-Mobile.

Moved from Verizon because of lousy local service to this bunch of ridiculousness from TM!

Bills higher than we were quoted, no credit for my wifes TRADE IN and now this credit card crap. Our local store manager basically told us to go ahead and sue TM since they will not do anything to help.

NEVER, EVER, EVER give anyone your banking info, particularly one that has a track record that, and I'm being kind, is less than reliable! Leaving this company as soon as phone is paid off.

Another joke of a Cell company.

This is so wrong. The company really hasn't thought this through. I argued with customer service about it and they said they would escalate this issue and ask if I could continue using my credit card with autopay. They were probably lying. Sales people do that. I was originally a Sprint customer, the service with T Mobile has not been good. Lost messages and late messages. Time to look at other carriers.