How/When do I correctly Cancel an O2 Airtime contract in last month of contract with PAC code?

HaroldWhistler

Currently have a few O2 contracts that are an Airtime plan and Device plan. For each - the Airtime plan is a 24 month contract and Device plan is a 36 months contract (at the time, we did not have the funds to buy a phone outright, it was our first upgrade in 7 years and it was interest free)

I myself am on Lebara right now and would like to bring over the numbers from O2 over to Lebara as the price is better, it's 30 day rolling and no price rises. It would be nice to end the O2 contract without going into the next month. It's a bit annoying that I have to ring O2 to get PAC codes - when there is more than 1 number on the account, you cannot use the "Text PAC" method. I've also found it's better to get a PAC code (or STAC code if you aren't transferring the number) and then just use it with the new network than giving "30 days notice" to O2 since their Customer service can be so incompetent at times resulting in not ending a contract properly on the agreed date, having to seek refunds etc. 

The contract for each phone started at the end of June 2022.

1. Thus with June 2024 coming up, am I correct in saying that I can get a PAC code for each number, then use the PAC code for each number to transfer each number to Lebara? And that the Device plan just carries on for the remaining year?

2. If I get a PAC code and activate it before the end of June, e.g. 8th June, will I just be paying the exact amount for the contract term on my O2 monthly bill? They won't start trying to charge the whole remaining Device plan as well?
 I.e. the remainder of the contract which would be less than 30 days 

Or do I have to wait until July 2024 to be able to transfer the numbers somewhere else?

3. There is one number I need to keep on the O2 network. At the moment the phone has O2 Insurance as well. That will be going into monthly rolling. Has anyone seen any O2 Airtime deals (it needs Unlimited Mins, Texts and Data and preferably included minutes for the US) on the shortest possible contract? I'm not particular keen on putting that onto a new Airtime contract and wonder if it's just better to keep it rolling. Either way, O2 raises prices in or out of contract in April. 

Many thanks

savergrant

Hi, as far as I know your device plan should just carry on regardless of whether you have an active sim. If you request a pac now you will face a small early termination charge, which is likely to be the same as how much it would cost to run the service until your minimum term ends. So there is little point leaving more than a week or so before your anniversary date. If they quote you a fee bear in mind that is based on your service transferring immediately (which it won't) so you can request a pac now so long as you give it to lebara within 30 days. If your port is delayed or you are charged early for your new month you should receive a part refund for any advance charges you have paid (though not if you are buying bundles like with lebara.) Your account should update automatically. It is best not to cancel any payment methods for a couple of months.

HaroldWhistler

savergrant said:

Hi, as far as I know your device plan should just carry on regardless of whether you have an active sim. If you request a pac now you will face a small early termination charge, which is likely to be the same as how much it would cost to run the service until your minimum term ends. So there is little point leaving more than a week or so before your anniversary date. If they quote you a fee bear in mind that is based on your service transferring immediately (which it won't) so you can request a pac now so long as you give it to lebara within 30 days. If your port is delayed or you are charged early for your new month you should receive a part refund for any advance charges you have paid (though not if you are buying bundles like with lebara.) Your account should update automatically. It is best not to cancel any payment methods for a couple of months.

Hi thanks. It's highly confusing and O2 representatives couldn't be any less clear at times. 

I also was under the impression that since the Airtime and Device plan gets unlinked after exactly 24 months, you can effectively arrange to switch your Airtime plan within O2 from after that day, or switch to another network after that day. And make arrangements to do so prior to the exact day by getting a PAC code and activating it, thereby paying off the remainder of the 24 months. I have less than 30 days to go on the plan.

However, upon deep diving into their complicated FAQs, I saw this part which suggests that unless you wait until AFTER the exact day that completes 24 months, then they will charge you the full amount remaining on the Device plan as well. I've screenshot the relevant section from their website below:




So it looks like you have to wait till at least 1 day after the 24 month period and get a PAC code and then use THAT particular PAC code from a time period post the exact day it ends. There doesn't appear to be a way to avoid paying O2 beyond the 24 month Airtime contract. Though I suppose one could technically leave the day after. Their systems sometimes take time to refresh as well and Customer service can be completely disorganised and mess things up. I think it best to wait 48 hours and then get a PAC code and switch then. 

Apparently by texting "INFO" to a set number on any network gives you information on what a PAC code will mean in terms of exit charges. There doesn't appear to be a way to get a PAC code in the last month itself and arrange to switch on the day, or pay off the remaining days of Airtime. Otherwise they whack someone for the entirety of the remaining Device plan.

I definitely agree with migrating a number via a PAC with O2 though than trying to give 30 days notice or cancelling over the phone as if someone messes it up on their end, it is a real hassle to fix and get refunded. Whereas the PAC method gets the computer system to automatically get the end date correct and issue the correct bill/refund by next bill. 

savergrant

True, if your device plan and airtime deal are still linked you would have to pay off both to leave. However a pac is valid for 30 days but the info supplied with it relates to 'if you leave today' so you should be able to request a pac before and then give it to your new provider the day your minimum term ends. But I understand your caution and would probably also wait until the day after your 24 months is up before requesting a pac.

HaroldWhistler

savergrant said:

True, if your device plan and airtime deal are still linked you would have to pay off both to leave. However a pac is valid for 30 days but the info supplied with it relates to 'if you leave today' so you should be able to request a pac before and then give it to your new provider the day your minimum term ends. But I understand your caution and would probably also wait until the day after your 24 months is up before requesting a pac.

Yes, I agree. I'll request the PAC the day after and then make the switch to another network. Of course with O2, you have to ring customer services to get a PAC when there is more than one number on the account, so that's going to be some time on the phone itself! But looking forward to moving to a 30 day rolling SIM only at a better price. Thanks!