Phone plans - Vodafone or Virgin

[AnnaB]

I have been with Optus for a few years now, but considering what I was getting with my plan I was considering changing as my plan is now running out.
I will probably opt for either Vodafone or Virgin, Telstra is out of the question as it does not work at work.

Vodafone has free international minutes that would come handy, but Virgin has free streaming Spotify.

I also get a bonus 8000 Qantas points with Vodafone, but Virgin is connected to Flybuys and Velocity points.
I just cant make up my mind and I have to sign up no later then tomorrow to get the bonuses.

Anyone that can give me some input? Who are you with, the good and the bad?

 

[serfty]

I am with Virgin but do use virgin points.

If you can use Velocity then I suggest that - they use the same network as Optus.

There was a signup bonus, but cannot see one currently.

You can get 30 day international data packs from $25 for 300 MB. With this I use Messenger/Skype to make calls.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I have had Telstra, Optus, Vigin and Vodafone - IMHO Vodafone is streets ahead of the others. The free inter mins a huge bonus but the real winner is the $5 / day all you can eat International Roaming - now available in 55 countries - OT but Optus also have similar plan at $10 / day in 80 odd countries. So if you doing much inter travel this might be a deal clincher.

 

[AnnaB]

I have had Telstra, Optus, Vigin and Vodafone - IMHO Vodafone is streets ahead of the others. The free inter mins a huge bonus but the real winner is the $5 / day all you can eat International Roaming - now available in 55 countries - OT but Optus also have similar plan at $10 / day in 80 odd countries. So if you doing much inter travel this might be a deal clincher.

That was what I was looking at. I can call my family that is overseas like grandma and grandpa that still cant figure out Skype Free sms overseas and those $5 per day to use my phone like I do at home, that is just fantastic.
Looks like Optus just lost a customer

Also like the fact that I can upgrade my handset after a year for $149. Tried that with Optus when my phone dropped and broke, but they wanted over $800

Thanks for the help

 

[Warks]

While we're on the topic: what's a good pre-paid plan for a teenager's phone? Data and texts seem to be more important. Don't want to pay a fortune so Telstra is out. Really $20 a month is enough at this stage.

Side issue: I always shake my head when I see Year 4 kiddies with newish iphones - wonder what they cost a month.

 

[Hvr]

While we're on the topic: what's a good pre-paid plan for a teenager's phone? Data and texts seem to be more important. Don't want to pay a fortune so Telstra is out. Really $20 a month is enough at this stage.

Side issue: I always shake my head when I see Year 4 kiddies with newish iphones - wonder what they cost a month.

The Aldi M plan for $20 per month offers 750 minutes of calls, free SMS and 1.5 Gb of data.
https://www.aldimobile.com.au/plans/mvaluepack/

It uses the Telstra 4G network.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Also like the fact that I can upgrade my handset after a year for $149. Tried that with Optus when my phone dropped and broke, but they wanted over $800

My current VF plan has iPhone6S+ @ $19/mth over 24 mths included in contract - you can upgrade again after 22mths I think - my contract expires mid June but I will wait and upgrade to a new 8 when released.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Have been Virgin for about 8 years but about to change - their customer service is useless. My phone wifi and gps won't work, phone is less than a year old. Sent it in to get fixed, they sent it back and said it is fixed and nothing has changed! Couple that with a data bonus that i signed up for that they never credit each month and i am moving on...

 

[RooFlyer]

I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm with Telstra and I'm happy :shock:.

Traditionally had to be Telstra as all the others had very very limited coverage in Tasmania. Still well short of Telstra coverage now (I guess there are Telstra resellers out there).

currently happy with my $70/mo post paid "all you can eat" business mobile plan - unlimited free calls, texts etc; 12 GB/mo data ( I share this with my laptop so aren't tied to wifi) and free, unlimited calls to mobile or landlines in 10 overseas countries: UK, USA, China, India, Turkey, S Korea, Malaysia, HKG, Canada, NZ.

if they added Chile I could just about do away with Skype!

Yes their phone service still sucks but business service is a LOT better than it used to be with Call back links by SMS etc. And if they waste too much if my time, then I have the "TIO" threat down pat to either get someone who makes sense, or $150 or so credit.

 

[AnnaB]

Ended up signing on with Vodafone. Seems to be the best alternative at the moment and one that suits my needs. Should get my starter pack this week.

Telstra might be good but we cant get reception at work, its the only network that doesnt work.

 

[Warks]

The Aldi M plan for $20 per month offers 750 minutes of calls, free SMS and 1.5 Gb of data.
https://www.aldimobile.com.au/plans/mvaluepack/

It uses the Telstra 4G network.

Thanks for this. They had a special offer for a while which we missed out on. I'll have another look.

 

[clazman]

Cancelled my Virgin accounts after 3 months, due to no customer service, web traffic was slow, constant no service in Perth metro, worst move away from Vodafone

 

[serfty]

... Sent it in to get fixed, they sent it back and said it is fixed and nothing has changed! ...

DId you send it to the manufacturer or to Virgin.

Three times over about 8 years with four phones on the account I have had to send to the manufacturer to get a phone repaired under warranty and three times they have been properly fixed with about a 5 business day turnaround - all at no cost to me.

 

[Boris spatsky]

DId you send it to the manufacturer or to Virgin.

Three times over about 8 years with four phones on the account I have had to send to the manufacturer to get a phone repaired under warranty and three times they have been properly fixed with about a 5 business day turnaround - all at no cost to me.

Virgin as they said i would have to pay the bill if i sent it to apple.

 

[serfty]

Virgin as they said i would have to pay the bill if i sent it to apple.

Very strange ... although the devices were Samsung galaxies, I just went via manufacturers warranty direct , keeping Virgin right out of the picture.

 

[Boris spatsky]

Very strange ... although the devices were Samsung galaxies, I just went via manufacturers warranty direct , keeping Virgin right out of the picture.

That will be my next move...

 

[AIRwin]

I'm currently with Virgin Mobile and think it's time to switch to Vodafone for QF points after receiving an email and SMS this morning that "Optus has made the decision to phase out the Virgin Mobile brand over the next 2 years":
https://www.virginmobile.com.au/findoutmore/?i_cid=hm_plump1_FindOutMore

According to the announcement, Virgin Mobile will stop selling new services on 15 June 2018, and all Virgin Mobile retail stores will be closed by the end of June 2018.

For those of us on Virgin Mobile, it looks like we can still earn 2 Velocity Points for each $1 spent on our Virgin Mobile Postpaid service until 31 October 2019.