O2 Merge duplicate accounts at renewal time - Quidco dillema

Bossworld

Hi,

Had a Simplicity (12 month contract) the last 2 years, at the end of the first year I had it renewed in store and had £100 credit applied as my work is a huge corporate customer for O2.

Tried to do the same this time, they've discontinued my tarriff, and the discount is down to £25.

So I've signed up online again, via quidco and should get £100 quidco, plus £50 M&S through O2 themself. Brings it down to about £9 a month which is fine

Problem is I want to keep my number from the old contract.

O2 CS reckon this is possible by contacting them and requesting an account merger. I'm concerned this will jeopardise the quidco, which they probably won't have any experience/knowledge of.

One other option I can think of is getting the number moved to either O2 PAYG or a different network and then transfering it back in, if this is possible or feasible.

Anyone been in a similar situation where they've wanted to renew using Quidco to get a better rate and if so how did it pan out? For the sake of missing out on £150 I dont mind losing my old number, but would rather keep it if possible.

Also one final Q. relating to another contract. Accidentally took out a 30 day one rather than a 12 month one a couple of years back. Cancelled within 14 days and destroyed the SIM without ever using it. Tried to create a new login today and found there was an outstanding debt of about £2 on this old account from 2009. I've settled it with O2 today (don't know if it'll have any effect on credit history, probably not), but just wondered if this 'pro rata' charge was normal or not considering it had never been used?

Thanks