Sprint tweaking Premier program April 1st; making early upgrades more elusive [Updated]

By on Jan 20, 2011 at 2:44 PM
Exclusive January 20, 2011

You know that saying, “give and take?” Someone should tell U.S. wireless carriers that ignoring 50% of that adage sort of makes you look greedy. BGR has learned that beginning on April 1st, U.S. wireless carrier Sprint will increase the requirements customers must meet to qualify for early hardware upgrades via the Premier program. This news comes just days after the company announced a new $10 “premium data fee” for all smartphone customers — set to take effect on January 30th. Hit the break for all the details.

Currently, customers who have an individual line costing more than $69.99 per month, or a family plan line costing more than $99.99 per month (before any applied discounts), are eligible for Sprint’s Premier member program. One of the largest benefits to program members is the ability to upgrade a handset, at the fully subsidized price, after just 12 months of service (customers who have been with Sprint for over 10 years automatically qualify for these benefits). But that all will be changing on April 1st. While the Premier program and its associated benefits will still exist — Sprint isn’t going Verizon-style and axing them completely – the requirements to qualify for the rewards are getting a little more stringent.

On April Fools’ Day, the Premier program will be divided in to two levels: gold and silver. Users will automatically qualify for Premier’s gold level if they have been a wireless customer with Sprint for over 10 years or have an individual monthly plan that retails for $89.99 or more before any applied discounts — $169.99 before discounts for family lines. All other Sprint customers will be given silver level Premier status.

Gold members will get all the benefits current Premier members receive: 25% off the purchase of 2 or more accessories, customer news letters, “just because” perks, first to buy offers, and the ability to upgrade a device after 12 months of service. Silver members will enjoy all the same benefits… with the exception of the early upgrade option — they will have to wait the full 22 months to upgrade. Furthermore, we’re being told that those currently enrolled in Premier will not be grandfathered-in to Premier’s gold level program once the changes are implemented in April. Ouch.

Give less, expect more. That seems to be the new mantra for U.S. wireless providers. Sound off in the comments and let us know what you think.

Thanks, Ninja #5!

Correction: We originally reported that the monthly plan requirement for Gold Premier status on family plans was going from $99.99 to $139.99. It is actually going all the way up to $169.99.

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  • Cequal

    This is very depressing. I only joined sprint because of the cheaper plans and the ability to qualify for a discount in 12 months. Both of these have been taken away in less than a week. They are trying really hard to keep on loosing money :(

  • Guest

    I use about 20 minutes a month, and am on Sprint because I used to have an employee plan and went to the Evo on launch day.
    Good bye Sprint. I’ll buy a GSM/LTE phone and a pre-paid plan if I cant get the early upgrade. I was already thinking about it, and with LTE going up on other carriers I’ll find another company to give my money to.

  • fs

    its bull, they increase the single plan by 20 bucks, and the family plan by 70, god for bid if the 129.99 plan qualifies, m0t43r fuck3r5.

  • sunk

    I jave figured out sprints plan, they bs us along for 3 years, oh come to sprint, were just as good as verizon, but cheaper with more to offer, everyone jumps on ship, and bang 3 years later everything skyrockets, they do the oppisite of verizon, instead of nickel and dimeing you every month, and that money pays for the brainwashing ads, sprint attacks slowly, oh heres a phone, heres credit, heres great customer service, heres a network witn no issues at a reasonable cost, everyone boards ship, and boom, they f you straight in the behind, prices go up, benefits get cut, and your stuck, mad and confused. keep it up sprint, and sooner or later your bad reputation will reapear, oh wait, ITS STILL AROUND.

  • Spifidave

    Sounds lie everyone needs to go to US Cellular if there in your area. With there new belief plans can upgrade at 11 months on there highest plan but even lower plans get earlier upgrades. Also they don’t even have contracts anymore. Not all cell phone companies are the same.

  • Lanceshivers

    Sprint did it again. Customer service is bad and they don’t care. They give you less and charge you more. Sprint Suxs. Long time customer and ready to change.. 

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