Can I Merge Two Individual Plans into One Family Plan?

[The 9/12 Project 9.12.01]

Hello, I hope you are well. For the last two weeks, I have been trying to figure this out myself, but have run into so many obstacles and challenges. I've spent countless hours attempting to make this work, but now I'm turning to the pros.

(The following is written in short sentences in hopes of minimizing confusion.)

I am currently on an AT&T individual plan, and my sister is on her own AT&T individual plan. Both of our plans expired recently. We would like to join together and be on a family plan together, as well as have two more lines for my mother and brother (a total of four lines). My mother and brother do not currently have cell phones, and my own cell phone is almost broken, so we need a total of three new good cell phones (preferably touchscreen ones like LG Vu offered for free for new plans through sites like Amazon.com and Wirefly.com). Also, my sister and I would like to keep our numbers.

Would it be possible to accomplish this?

Here's quick list of information:
1) Two individual plans to merge into a family plan with a total of four lines
2) Would like to keep the two phone numbers
3) Would like at least three good phones

Where and how can I go about doing this? Thank you,
Victor

P.S. If it matters, we live in San Francisco, California, and our zip code is 94133.

 

[Shorty G]

Okay, the first thing you need to do is get both your line and your sister's line under the same name. So pick between the two of you which one will get it, let's just say you want it under yours. Here's what you need to do:

1)Your sister calls AT&T customer care and tells them she wants to transfer her service to you. She will need to verify her account with the last four of her ssn, or her password if she has one, just like she normally would and provide them with your cell number and full name. They will make a note on the account that you can do that.
2)You can be standing by when she does this and they will then transfer you over to to the transfer of service team, who will then speak with you.
3)They read you the terms and conditions of the transfer. There is an $18 transfer of service fee and you will have a new 11 month contract under that line. Whatever contract was previously there will go away at no penalty to her and it will start over with that new one under your name.
4)After you accept the terms and conditions and they initiate the process of moving the line to your name, let them know you'd like to switch to a family plan. They can go over details of the plans with you and help you pick one that you like.
5)Once you have both lines under your name and set up on a family plan, you need to request to be transfered to the sales department, as they are the ones that add new lines. OR you can go to your local AT&T store to pick out phones and add lines OR you can go online to your MyWireless account and add lines and pick phones that way (online always has the best deals)
6)As for wanting 3 new phones total instead of just two, if your line is about out of contract you should be able to upgrade and get a discount on a new phone, but that will require a new 2 year contract if you get a discounted phone.

It's easier than it sounds, and if it is going to go under your sister's name, just reverse the first directions.

 

[14T]

Thank you very much for the quick and very informative reply, alana0j!

Most of that sounds good, but I have a few more things. By the way, let me point out that both of our individual contracts (they were 2-year contracts) have expired already. Also, we have no problem whatsoever with signing up for a new 2-year service plan to get the best free phone possible.

Regarding the statement you made above: "There is an $18 transfer of service fee and you will have a new 11 month contract under that line." Does this mean that if we sign up for a 2-year plan after, the contract will last for 2 years and 11 months? How does the "11 month contract" thing factor into the new contract?

I think my only problem left here is that there doesn't seem to be any really good phones if I do this whole thing through AT&T, as opposed to a third-party retailer. For example, Amazon.com is offering three new LG Vu CU920 phones if I open a family plan, and Wirefly.com is offering the Samsung Eternity. Is there a way that I can accomplish what I stated above while getting a good free phone?

Thank you so, so much!
Victor

 

[pinspeed1]

If you want to upgrade first I'd do that. Upgrade your sister's line and then move it over. The new 2 year contract will be cancelled (no penalty) and it will be set up on a new 11 month contract on your name. The only thing here is you get double hit with fees, you will have the $18 upgrade fee when you upgrade your phone and you will still have an $18 transfer of service fee. That may be worth it though to get a new phone on that line at the discounted price. As for your line, you can upgrade it as well if you want, it's staying put under your name.

As for going through Amazon to get a family plan...honestly I've never used Amazon for cell phone service so I'm not for sure on details. Check back with an Amazon rep, let them know you have two existing lines under your name with AT&T (because you will by that time) and let them know you want to add two more and have them on the SAME family plan. Make sure they know that, otherwise they may try and set you up two new lines either on their own individual plans or just put them on a separate family plan.

 

[ferrarilover63]

Thanks again, alana0j. I just gave a call to Amazon.com's Cell Phone Service customer service line (1-866-423-5351) and the representative told me that there's no way I can accomplish this on Amazon.com because I wouldn't qualify for the free phones as they are only for new AT&T members (or people who haven't had AT&T for at least 90 days). Looks like Amazon.com is a dead end.

When you said that we could upgrade our lines, what does that mean? What do I get out of upgrading my sister's line or mine? Thanks!

 

[Denni]

Upgrading a line means you get to pick out a new phone at the two year discounted price, but it does entail an $18 upgrade fee and a new two year contract. The advantage to upgrading is that you do not have to pay full retail price for a phone. Go to att.com/wireless and sign into your account, or create an online account if you haven't yet (it's free)

Once you are on your home page, go to the right hand side under where it says Phone/Device and there should be a link under it that says Check Upgrade Options. Click that link and it will take you to a page that shows a picture of your current device and tells you whether or not you are eligible to upgrade with the discount. If you aren't, it will tell you the date that you will be. If you are you can click a link to upgrade and it takes you to the page where you select your phone, it will show you the price you get with your discount. You can also call customer service to check upgrade eligibility and get pricing or go to an AT&T store, but online by far has the best selection of phones and the best prices.