Cheapest way to switch contracts with same provider

don9999

Am currently with Three.


Want to take out new contract with Three (but via a Cashback site).
Three will NOT match the offer directly.


Hence, I need to port out to another provider's PAYG, get a PAC code and port back in to the new Three contract.


What is the cheapest way?
I know I can get free SIMs (I think) from various providers, but don't you have to pay £10 up front before you can use it (or even request a PAC code).


Or are there any providers that don't require this?
Or do it cheaper than £10?
Or is there another way?

alfie1950

Hi, Three don't seem to shout about it but once you've taken out your new contract ( and assuming your out of the minimum term of your existing contract ) they will let you give them one month's notice to convert your existing phone number to pay as you go.
When it does switch to pay as you go ( about 30 days later ) you ring them up and they will switch the now pay as you go number to your new contract.
Hope that makes sense. I know of three people who have done this so far and am in the process of doing it myself.

grumbler

alfie1950 wrote: »

Hi, Three don't seem to shout about it but once you've taken out your new contract ( and assuming your out of the minimum term of your existing contract ) they will let you give them one month's notice to convert your existing phone number to pay as you go.
When it does switch to pay as you go ( about 30 days later ) you ring them up and they will switch the now pay as you go number to your new contract.
Hope that makes sense. I know of three people who have done this so far and am in the process of doing it myself.

There is no need to wait until the minimum term ends. Just give a notice 30 days before the end and at the same time ask for the contract to be switched to PAYG as soon as the minimum term ends.

d123

alfie1950 wrote: »

Hi, Three don't seem to shout about it but once you've taken out your new contract ( and assuming your out of the minimum term of your existing contract ) they will let you give them one month's notice to convert your existing phone number to pay as you go.
When it does switch to pay as you go ( about 30 days later ) you ring them up and they will switch the now pay as you go number to your new contract.
Hope that makes sense. I know of three people who have done this so far and am in the process of doing it myself.

They might not shout about it, but it’s on their website.

The explanatory page:
https://www.three.co.uk/Support/Pay_As_You_Go/Moving_to_a_contract

Direct link to the form you need to fill out is at:
https://www.three.co.uk/Support/Pay_As_You_Go/Moving_to_a_contract#transfer

don9999

Hmmmm...thanks for the advice. I wish I knew earlier...lol...


I already gave my 30-days notice and requested a PAC code, some time ago.
If I ask them to change it to PAYG, they will take 'another' 30-days notice.


So I'm stuck with switching to another company, and switching back.

grumbler

don9999 wrote: »

If I ask them to change it to PAYG, they will take 'another' 30-days notice.

Why?
This makes no sense, although you can expect everything from a stupid computer.

mobilejunkie

don9999 wrote: »

Hmmmm...thanks for the advice. I wish I knew earlier...lol...


I already gave my 30-days notice and requested a PAC code, some time ago.
If I ask them to change it to PAYG, they will take 'another' 30-days notice.


So I'm stuck with switching to another company, and switching back.

The 30 days' notice has gone; it was cancelled as soon as you requested a PAC. If you don't exercise the PAC within 30 days that will also go and the contract will rumble on.

alfie1950

don999
Exactly 30 days after asking to switch my current ( old ) contract to PAYG I received a text telling me it had switched. Two hours later the number was transferred across to my new contract....
Much easier and straightforward than transferring out to another network on PAYG then transferring back in.
Three certainly seem to be a much improved company than they used to be in days of old.