AT&T is one of the top three cell phone carriers in the U.S. But just because it’s a major carrier doesn’t mean you should have to accept paying high prices for cell phone service. The following tips can help lower your AT&T phone bill and add extra breathing room to your budget.
Here are seven ways to lower your AT&T cell phone bill.
Table of Contents
1. Check to See if You’re Eligible for Discounts
Cell phone providers like AT&T offer preferred pricing to various groups. Here’s a list of places to look for discounts:
- If you’re a member of AARP (50+), you may qualify for a monthly discount.
- AT&T provides discounts for active military members, veterans, and first responders.
- Check to see if your company partners with AT&T to offer employer discounts.
- If you have AT&T internet service, you might qualify for discounts through its Access program, which provides affordable internet services for people receiving government SNAP benefits.
- Find out if you can get a discount for adding bundled services.
2. Sign Up for A Bill Management Service
Bill management services such as OneMain Trim and Billshark can help negotiate a lower price on your AT&T bill, along with other bill payments.
For example, when you install the OneMain Trim app on your phone and link your accounts, Trim works quietly in the background, searching your bank account for subscriptions.
It will ask you if you want to continue paying for the subscriptions it funds. If you do, it moves on. If not, OneMain Trim will arrange to cancel the subscription for you.
OneMain Trim also provides negotiation services on the subscriptions you want to keep, including AT&T.
3. Avoid Data Overages
Cell phone companies charge big bucks for data overages. It’s not uncommon to pay $15 for each GB of data you use over the allotted amount for your plan.
If you regularly use a lot of data, it can add up to quite a bit of extra money leaving your pocket each month.
To avoid data overages, ensure you’re using wifi whenever available. Signing in when you’re out and about can be a hassle, but the reduction in data overages will be worth it. You can also check to make sure you’re on the right data plan for your usage. You may save money by moving to a higher plan if it means eliminating overages.
4. Check Your Hotspot Usage
Hotspot use is often included with your cell phone plan. However, excessive use of hotspots – especially mobile hotspots – can eat up a lot of data.
Check your monthly bill to see how your hotspot data usage is set up and how you’re charged for it. If necessary, make adjustments to avoid this potential data-sucking feature.
Turn the hotspot off on your phone, use it only when necessary, or switch plans to accommodate your needs.
5. Sign Up for Autopay
Signing up for autopay for your cell phone bill can save you 10%, 15%, or more on your monthly bill. Additionally, Autopay means you don’t have to worry about late fees because you forgot to pay the bill.
In addition to AT&T, reach out to other bill providers to see if they’ll also give you a discount for autopay.
6. Talk With a Representative
Sometimes, you can save money by talking with an AT&T customer service representative. Call a live person on AT&T’s customer service center line. Tell them you’re looking for ways to lower your bill and ask them to help.
You can always let them know you’re considering switching to another company with cheaper rates. Most customer service centers view this as a “high alert” call that allows the reps to offer a lower rate for a limited time.
For more information, check out our article on how to save $10 per line a month on Verizon services.
7. Choose a Cheaper Plan
If all else fails, you can always choose a cheaper plan. Check the AT&T website for information on plans to see if a more affordable one will fit your needs.
If not, consider switching to a different cell phone provider that offers cheaper plans. While moving might seem like a pain, you can often keep your phone number and have the new company do most of the work for you.
Extra Tip: Review your bill and see if you’re paying for add-ons you don’t need, such as cell phone insurance. Also, ensure you’re registered for paperless billing instead of a monthly statement.
AT&T Cell Phone Alternatives
The following cell phone providers offer many of the same cell phone plan features as AT&T but at a discounted price. Could one of them work better for you?
Tello
Tello is an independent discount cell phone carrier service running off the T-Mobile network. It’s a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), meaning it doesn’t own the wireless network its phones run on. Instead, it leases network access from another provider at a reduced rate (T-Mobile in this case).
Tello offers custom talk, text, and data plans for as little as $5 per month. For example, you can get unlimited talk, text, and 5GB of data for just $14 monthly plus taxes and fees.
You can also get unlimited talk, text, and data for just $25 monthly. Tello has been in business since 2016.
Mint Mobile
Like Tello, Mint Mobile was launched in 2016. T-Mobile acquired it in 2023 but continues to operate as a separate business line. As with Tello, Mint Mobile is an MVNO, offering unlimited talk, text, and 5GB of data for $15 per month.
Unlimited data, talk, and text are priced at $30 per month, and you can get additional discounts when you sign up for a family plan.
All Mint Mobile plans include unlimited hotspots. Additionally, Mint Mobile often promotes special offers that include a new phone and several months of free cellular service. See the Mint Mobile website for more details on special offers.
Check out our full Mint Mobile review for more.
Twigby
Twigby is an independent MNVO that operates on the Verizon network. Apparently, 2016 was the year for MVNO startups because Twigby also launched that year.
Twigby prices its services slightly higher than the other discount carriers mentioned here. You’ll pay $20 monthly for unlimited talk, text, and 5GB of data. Unlimited talk, text, and 20GB of data costs $35 per month, although you may be able to get special discounts if you ask.
Twigby does not offer a plan that includes unlimited high-speed data as of February 2024.
Visible
Visible is a discount cell phone carrier owned by Verizon. Not surprisingly, it operates on the Verizon network. Verizon launched the service in 2018, and today it offers two simple plans:
- Visible, with unlimited talk, text, and 5G/$G LTE data for $25 per month
- Visible+ with unlimited talk, text, and premium 5G data for $45 per month
Visible+ offers more international calling features. Check the Visible website for details on offers for new customers. See our Visible review to learn more.
Final Thoughts
As you can see from our list above, there are many things you can try to lower your AT&T cell phone bill.
Go through the list and see which options might work for you. Can you switch to a cheaper plan that offers less data? Do you have an employer or other connection that may qualify you for a monthly partnership discount?
Or is it time to switch to a discount carrier that charges less?
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About Laurie Blank
Laurie Blank is a blogger, freelance writer, and mother of four. She’s psyched about teaching others how to manage their money in a way that aligns with their values and has been quoted in Bankrate.
She’s a licensed Realtor with Edina Realty in Minneapolis, Minnesota (also licensed in Wisconsin too) and has been freelance writing for over six years.
She shares powerful insights on her blog, Great Passive Income Ideas, that will show you how you can create passive income sources of your own.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank or financial institution. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
