Goodbye exit fees: Optus offers $450 credit to entice new customers
Optus is offering more data and up to $450 credit to entice new customers to upgrade their smartphone on the Optus network, while existing customers are also being offered credit for a trade-in.
- Webby Award Winner (Best Video Host, 2021), Webby Nominee (Podcasts, 2021), Gold Telly (Documentary Series, 2021), Silver Telly (Video Writing, 2021), W3 Award (Best Host, 2020), Australian IT Journalism Awards (Best Journalist, Best News Journalist 2017)
In anticipation of Apple's upcoming iPhone launch and off the back of a raft of new smartphone releases at IFA last week, Optus is offering up to AU$450 in incentives for new customers to exit their old contract and upgrade to a new device on a 24-month Optus plan. The telco has also increased data inclusions on its $80 and $100 My Plan Plus plans.
Optus says it is "making it easy to switch" by offering up to AU$450 in credit for new customers to pay towards early exit fees and to trade in their old device when they move over to the telco.
In order to take advantage of the credit, Optus says new customers will need to follow a few steps:
Choose a brand new mobile, bring your number to Optus and connect to a 24 month My Plan Plus.
Claim $200 credit for your early exit fees within 21 days of joining us. Both consumers and SMBs can sign up and can switch up to five mobile services with $200 credit each.
Trade in your old mobile phone and get up to $250 credit, depending on model and condition.
Existing customers can also trade in their old device if they're within the last three months of their contract -- there's $250 credit up for grabs here too, and Optus will waive any early exit fees. There's also trade-in site to give customers a guide on how much their old device is worth.
As an additional lure to snag new customers, Optus has increased data allowances on its $80 and $100 My Plan Plus plans. Customers can now get 5GB of data a month on the $80 plan (previously 3GB) while customers on the $100 plan will get 8GB per month (previously 5GB).
"We know there are over 1.2 million Australians who are coming off their mobile phone contract in the next four months," said Vicki Brady, Managing Director, Customer, Optus. "We're fighting to give consumers a better deal by offering more choice in a market that has typically made it difficult for people to leave their mobile phone contracts early."
The switch offer is available from September 8 to November 2, 2014.
Update, 11:10 a.m. AEST: Optus has advised us that existing customers on My Plan Plus $80 and $100 plans will not automatically be switched over to the new data limits. However, customers can call Optus on 133 937 and request a Rate Plan Change to the same or higher plan to get the increased data cap for no extra fee.