Downgrading rate plan = contract extension?

[Myveggies]

I have two questions, but both dealing with the same topic of contract extension.

I've always been told that unlike other carriers, TMO allows upgrading/downgrading plans without contract extention. But today a rep told me otherwise.

I originally had the 1500 minute family plan with the third line at $5 per month. Last month, knowing the two other users on the line would be out of the country, I switched to the 750 minute family plan to save some money while they are away. At the time of change, the rep tells me no contracts will be extended. I got my bill this week and noticed my third line went from $5 to $10 last month. I called in to customer care and the rep told me I can go back to the $5 add-a-line if I extend my contract for two years. She told me this is due to the fact that I downgraded my rate plan from 1500 to 750 and that I don't get to keep "promotions" once I downgrade.

I was never told of this when I switched from individual plan to family plan back in May, nor was I told of it a month ago when I switched rate plan. Is this a new policy that just kicked in?

Also, I saw on the TMO website that 200MB web is at $10 instead of the $15 that I am currently paying for. I asked her to switch me to the new price and she tells me I would need a contract extension on that as well if I go to $10 web instead of the $15 web. I said to her that data service is considered as an add-on (like text messaging), and that changes to add-ons should require no contract extension. She tells me after 11/14, all 200MB data is offered at $10 and requires a two year extension, $15 web service is not even available after 11/14. At that point I just had to hang up because I switched from unlimited data to 200MB data on 11/26 (after 11/14) and I currently pay $15.

Can someone in the know verfiy if either of two situations requires a contract extension? If so, is this a new thing with TMO?


Thanks

[NorrisCell]

Back in the day, there was no contract extension if you went to a non-promotional rate plan. Unfortunately, the $29.99 Basic Plus was the last non-promo plan, and it died when EM/EM+ launched on Oct 09. Now, there's a 12 month extension for all standard plans, with the exception being promo plans like the $5 add-on plan. In your situation (More than a year left on your contract) going to a $10 add-on plan requires no extension, while a $5 add-on resets the contract for 2 years from the date of the rate plan change. It's been this way for some time, but it may not have been explained to you.

With the data, do you have a required data feature? As in, one that you got when you upgraded? If so, you should be able to switch to the $10 rate without issue. If you don't have a required feature, the rate is $15. Once again, probably not explained very well.

[Myveggies]

Thanks Josh for your response.

So you are saying that I can upgrade/downgrade plans without a contract extension as long as I keep the third line at $10 a month?

As with the web, I do have it required in my account due to buying the phone originally at a discount instead of full retail. I bought the 9700 last December under and started an individual plan and migrated to a family plan in May of this year. I am supposed to have the required data service for two years until December of next year. Under this setup, I should be able to get the 200Mb data for $10 without contract extension correct?

Thanks