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As Wireless Competition Heats up, AT&T Offers Unlimited Data Option for All Customers

Feb. 17, 2017
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2 min read
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As Wireless Competition Heats up, AT&T Offers Unlimited Data Option for All Customers
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Update 2/27/17 9:00am ET: AT&T has expanded its unlimited options to include two new, lower-cost plans. Its new single line plan, Unlimited Plus, will now cost $90 per month, a $10 decrease from the original announcement of $100. If you're an AT&T video subscriber, you also qualify for a $25 credit on your DirecTV or U-Verse bill each month. There's also the option for the AT&T Unlimited Choice plan, which will cost $60 per month for a single line. But the catch is that there's a max speed of 3Mbps — paying less for slower speeds.

Earlier this week, Verizon announced that it was the latest carrier to add an unlimited data option. At the time of the announcement, all of the other major US carriers offered a competitive unlimited plan as well — except AT&T, which limited who could take advantage of its unlimited data. But, as of today, the carrier is allowing all customers to sign up for an unlimited plan.

AT&T, the country's second-largest mobile provider, previously offered customers an unlimited plan, but they were required to have a TV subscription — DirecTV or U-verse — in order to take advantage. The new unlimited plan, available today, costs $100 per month for one line ($20 more than Verizon's latest offering) or $180 for four lines (the same as Verizon).

Just like with Verizon's plan, AT&T will slow the speed of coverage down when customers are in "congested" areas if they've already used more than 22GB of data in a month. Unlike Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint's unlimited plans, however, AT&T's doesn't allow customers to use their phones as a hotspot.

As competition in the wireless sector heats up, it's vital that the carriers stay up to date with their technology and offerings. This latest move by AT&T comes just days after Verizon's announcement and following changes to both Sprint and T-Mobile's unlimited plans. Sprint announced yesterday that it would begin charging $90 for five lines of unlimited data, and T-Mobile announced Monday that it was adding HD video streaming and 10GB of hot spot usage to its unlimited plans.

This week has been proof that competition in the wireless market is here — and it's generally good news for consumers.

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H/T: USA Today

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  • Annual Fee

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.