Add data before the data plan expires?

**zrzhu** · 12-30-2011, 10:12 AM

My 500mb data will be expired on 1/23/12. If I add $5 data on 1/20/12, will the new data expiration date be 2/20/12 or 2/23/12? Thanks.

**efparri** · 12-30-2011, 10:43 AM

The remaining data rolls over with the new expiration date thirty days from the addition date. You also have to keep in mind the expiration date of your account balance. If your account balance expires, any data balance is lost.

Feature Packages
Feature packages are good for 30 days as long as your account balance is not expired. Standard rates apply if feature package is not renewed after 30 days. Also, feature package balance rolls over if renewed before expiration date.

Unlimited features such as the $19.99 Messaging package do not roll over.

**zrzhu** · 12-30-2011, 10:42 PM

My 500mb data will be expired on 1/23/12. so I have to add data on 22 or 23?

**efparri** · 12-31-2011, 07:34 AM

According to the Terms and Conditions, feature packages expire as shown in the boldface quoted excerpt:

Feature Packages: Packages are available for 30 days, as long as your account balance is not expired. Balance expiration is determined by date associated with your refill denomination. If your account balance expires before the 30th day of the feature package, the package cannot be used (and the remaining time on the package will continue to run) unless you refill your account during the remaining days of the package period. The day you add the package is counted as a full day and counts towards the 30 days. Package expires at 12 am Central Time on day 30. After 30-day package expires or package is depleted, usage will be charged according to your underlying rate plan.

It is pennywise and pound foolish to take it down to the wire to save a day. If there is a problem with the transaction, you could lose your potential rollover balance.

**zrzhu** · 12-31-2011, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by efparri

According to the Terms and Conditions, feature packages expire as shown in the boldface quoted excerpt:

It is pennywise and pound foolish to take it down to the wire to save a day. If there is a problem with the transaction, you could lose your potential rollover balance.

I know only ONE day difference, but there'll be about 11 days in one year. lol Hopefully someone can clarify it from their experience. Thanks.

**efparri** · 12-31-2011, 10:04 AM

You cannot avoid the loss of one day. The day you add the refill counts as day one. So day one is moving back one day each time you refill. You have to fill before the equivalent time on day 29 unless you are in the Eastern Time Zone. That zone gives you until 1:00 AM Eastern Time on day 30.

**ryan s** · 12-31-2011, 11:15 AM

That's one thing I can't stand about GoPhone--the shifting renewal dates (and I'm not trolling, I generally like the service). I love the mid-month billing cycle and specifically started back with ATT in the middle of the month to retain that date. Now I went from the 16th to the 12th after a couple months.

And the text bucket date is one day off from the data bucket date somehow...

**zrzhu** · 12-31-2011, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by efparri

You cannot avoid the loss of one day. The day you add the refill counts as day one. So day one is moving back one day each time you refill. You have to fill before the equivalent time on day 29 unless you are in the Eastern Time Zone. That zone gives you until 1:00 AM Eastern Time on day 30.

Ok, I got it. I guess I have to refill one day before the expiration day then. Thanks.

**su_A_ve** · 01-05-2012, 11:02 PM

Wait - there's an option to automatically renew data at the end of the expiration. And you can decide on just a $5.

For example, I added a 500mb package on 12/12/11. Then I enabled automatic renewal of data package, so on 01/11/12 a 10mb ($5) package will be added to my account.

Look for Automatic Package Renewal option on the left hand side once you log in to your account online.

Now, not sure what would happen if you run out of data. It could automatically renew data for you at 10mb or nothing at all (would be ideal - as it would let me just purchase a new 500mb package)

**dmarkson** · 01-06-2012, 08:28 AM

Automatic renewal does give you the one extra day ... when it works. You need to make sure it renews the day after expiration. In November it was two days after and I lost my balance. It took me a week of talking to CS to get it fixed. So I suggest checking each month.

Supposedly there is no pay-per-use data on a smartphone so data would stop. I have always had a data balance on my Atrix so I'm not sure it would. If not then you get slammed with the 1c/5kb rate until you add another data pack.