How to Change My Eligibility Date With AT&T

It is possible to change the AT&T eligibility date.

For mobile phone and data service, AT&T allows its customers to upgrade to a new phone or device before the expiration of the service contract. The eligibility date is based on a number of factors, including length of contract, amount of service and cost of the device. Customers may convince AT&T to change the eligibility date to upgrade, in order to get a new phone earlier than the date listed in the account, without paying extra fees for an early upgrade.

Instructions

Changing upgrade eligibility

1. Increase service on the account. You can do this by calling AT&T or going on its website and logging into your personal account. Increasing the number of minutes and/or text per month can lead to the upgrade period on the phone starting sooner.

2. Call AT&T customer service to ask for the upgrade period to begin. AT&T does not want to lose subscribers and may make exceptions to the rules in order to keep the customer from leaving.

3. Wait for AT&T to change its plans. In June 2010, when the Apple iPhone 4 was introduced, AT&T changed upgrade periods for current iPhone subscribers in order to keep them from leaving.

Tips & Warnings

• AT&T does not have an official process to change an eligibility date. These are examples of scenarios that have worked in the past. All changes are at the discretion of AT&T.

References

• Everything iCafe: More Evidence That AT&T Is Bumping Forward Upgrade Dates
• AT&T: Answer Center