Verizon Simplicity, Verizon Shine, and Verizon Dollars: What you need to know

I was Verizon customer ever since T-Mobile and Sprint It’s built in, and I’ve always had good luck getting solid service, even in crowded environments and inclement weather. This year, I moved states and added Verizon Home Internet, which has also been a positive and cost-effective experience since I put it together. I actually have the most expensive service plan from Verizon. I also bought a new device, added a cellular plan to my Apple Watch, got YouTube Premium as well as Hulu and Spotify… There’s a good chance I’m paying my energy bill through Verizon and haven’t realized it yet. (The last part is a joke.)

Verizon just announced what’s new Verizon simplicity plan It aims to reward loyal customers like me and make all these bits and pieces a little less confusing. At $45, it’s priced as an entry-level plan but offers top-tier network service, plus access to perks typically reserved for premium plans, like airfare and discounted bundled streaming services. There’s also a new rewards program with cash back and free gifts on Mondays. The new Simplicity plan launched today, so I checked it out. Spoiler alert: I ended up deciding to switch my service plan as a result.

Simplicity Verizon

Verizon Simplicity is a phone plan that costs $45 per month per line (or $30 per month for eligible new Verizon customers). This base price gets you 5G phone service with unlimited data, talk, and text; International roaming and satellite texting; 10GB of mobile hotspot data; Plus Verizon Dollars, call filtering, and Verizon Family (a parental control app). You may be able to bring your own phone, too. If you sign up for Verizon Loyalty, you won’t have to deal with any activation or upgrade fees either.

After you define this baseline, you can also add packages to your pipeline. For example, the Movie Lovers package adds Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ (with ads), Netflix, and HBO Max (with ads) for $23 per month. These services will cost $40 per month purchased separately. Families may want to look into packages that come with Apple Music or YouTube Premium, plus Verizon Family Plus, for an extra $20 per month instead of $31. Another package gives you Google AI Pro, a 100GB mobile hotspot, and a second phone number for $30 per month instead of $75.

These packages are especially attractive if you’re going to pay for these services separately anyway. (I really wish there was a way to get streaming services without ads, but I haven’t figured it out yet.) Especially when phone bills get so complicated, I love how simple this option is, and I’ll be switching as soon as I’m done writing this story. There is also a new Home Internet package, Verizon Onewhich combines cell phone service and home Internet for $70 per month. Unfortunately, I’m not a new customer, so I can’t participate. It still seems like an excellent deal if you pay for these services separately and bring your own device.

Verizon Dollar and Verizon Shine

Verizon dollar It’s basically the 3% cash back you’ll get when you pay your bill, including the cost of perks and other add-ons, not just phone service. Dollars can be redeemed for gift cards, device purchases, products from the Verizon Store, and other third-party offers. This program starts in July. So far, examples of stores where you can redeem Verizon Dollars include Wayfair, Target, and Starbucks.

There too Verizon Shinewhich has different contests you can participate in every Monday as well as “Daily Contests” and access to special seating and tickets to live events. This is very similar to T-Mobile’s popular Tuesday in-app promotions, which sometimes feature great giveaways that lead to… Wingstop smuggling. Longtime Verizon customers like me will remember that the company had a rewards program where you could get gift cards for cafes and other similar items, so I’m glad to see something similar generating revenue. In the past, these items have been claimed very quickly, so I’m curious to see how quickly the sales will go this week: free $5 Starbucks gift cards, FIFA wine glasses and water bottles, and other merchandise. For now, the winner of Verizon Shine’s Epic Win Monday competition will be able to attend the FIFA World Cup Final with David Beckham. Not too shabby.

Verizon says Future rewards will include items and/or gift cards from Amazon, Ulta, Dunkin’ Donuts, TopGolf and more. I wouldn’t say checking my phone service app has been a top priority for me so far in my life, but I love free things, so I’ll obviously be sitting on the Verizon app on Mondays from now on.

Overall, I think these offers are worth checking out if you’re an existing Verizon customer or a potential new customer. Any opportunity to save money is a win in my book. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a free gift card to claim.