FlexPay, Pay Off and Airtime - Yearly Upgrade Possible?

[t4run]

So, I’m quite confused about this. I’ve called in and received different answers.

I’ve always had the Anytime upgrade, but this year, I had to switch to the new Flex Pay plan, which I believe is terrible.

According to my order confirmation for the iPhone 16 Pro, it’s a 36-month device plan with a 1-month full Works Airtime.

My understanding is that I can pay off the device in 12 months and then upgrade to a new phone. I was informed by an advisor that this is possible.

I spoke to an advisor about a new line and asked if I could get a Pixel 9 Pro. If I pay off the device in 12 months, I still have to pay the remaining 12 months of airtime because all the available airtime is 24 months and not rolling over.

Is this correct?

Essentially, this means there’s no practical way to upgrade annually, even by selling the phone, paying off the device, and then upgrading.

If so, why has EE regressed when all other networks offer this feature, while EE had a system that worked with Anytime upgrades?

Please help me understand this! 

[Peter_W · Accepted solution]

Good morning @t4run.

Welcome to the EE Community, and thanks for reaching out to us about this too 😊

I've had a double check, and with FlexPay you can upgrade to a new contract at any time, provided the airtime plan is paid off in full and you're sticking with us for the new contract.

You would still see an early cancellation fee on the airtime plan if you were to pay this off and leave outright though.

Peter

[t4run]

Hi! So that makes a bit of sense but also is a bit confusing. Does that mean if I was to get a new contract now (all are 24 months), I need to pay all the remainder months? However, since my current contract (screenshot) is a 1month contract I just have to pay for the next month?

[Peter_W]

Cheers @t4run, when looking at our current plans, it looks like all of these are 24 month options, but we don't have access to your account via this forum so can't see the exact terms of the plan you're on right now. 

From what I understand though, if you're on a 24 month option you can leave this early provided you're paying off your phone and entering into a new agreement with us. 

The fee would apply if you were leaving EE altogether before a 24 month airtime contract was up.

Peter

[Matt_124]

I am assuming you have New EE Broadband? If you are on New EE Broadband you can get those 1 month rolling airtime plans with a £20 discount, whereas a non-broadband customer only gets the choice of a 24 month minimum term on their Flex Pay airtime. You have more flexibility than most with the plan you have.

You would have to pay off the device plan in full, which can be done whenever you'd like after 15 days. Then once there is no Device cost left to pay you'll be free to upgrade however you choose after you are outside of your 1-month minimum term.

I believe on Flex Pay with a 24 month minimum term airtime, customers can still upgrade within those 24 months if they pay off the device cost but would have to maintain the same or take a higher monthly airtime cost (can't downgrade before the 24m has passed).