One of the primary benefits of using pay-as-you-go cell phone plans is not having to commit to a cellular service agreement. The flexibility of paying in increments, based on your actual monthly use, appeals to many individuals that do not want to spend money on expensive voice and data plans. Verizon Wireless offers several pay-as-you-go options. However, before using any prepaid Verizon plan, you should make yourself aware of some potential hidden costs.
Verizon's Pay-as-You-Go Perks
There are several characteristics associated with Verizon prepaid plans beyond the absence of a contract. These plans allow you to prepay for additional minutes over the phone or online. This means you do not have to go in person to a Verizon store to purchase additional minutes. Verizon also offers various flat rates that do not require any type of qualification or credit check.
Paying to Use the Phone
The total costs of Verizon prepaid plans, however, may extend beyond the minutes that you use. Verizon charges a daily access fee to use its prepaid service. This means that you will pay a fee regardless of the minutes that you use. The daily access fee only applies to the days you actually use your prepaid Verizon phone. However, using only one minute or sending a single text message means you will have to pay the daily access fee. As of October 2011, the daily access fee charged by Verizon is either $0.99 or $1.99, depending on the plan you select when setting up your Verizon prepaid service
Cheaper Minutes Cost More to Use
This daily access cost, charged for days when you use the phone, increases as your phone usage increases. It may appear cheaper to select a higher-minute option because the cost of each minute dramatically decreases as you increase your prepaid use. However, Verizon also charges a higher daily access fee with prepaid bundles that include more minutes. As of 2011, Verizon charges $0.10 per minute if you choose to pay a $0.99 daily access fee, but offers an unlimited calling option for a $1.99 access fee.
The Hidden Cost of Texting
Another hidden cost of Verizon pay-as-you-go plans relates to text messaging. Verizon charges a fee per text message sent or received. This cost also fluctuates like the cost of voice minutes, according to the amount purchased. However, since you cannot control the number of text messages you receive, text messaging can become a hidden cost. As of October 2011, Verizon charges $0.10 per text message sent or received if you choose to pay a $0.99 daily access fee, but reduces this charge to $0.02 per text message if you pay a $1.99 access fee.
Tags: daily access, text message, Verizon charges, Verizon prepaid, 2011 Verizon