Cheapest Cell Phone Plans of 2023: $4-$50 Per Month

How to Get Out of a Cell Phone Contract without Paying an Early Termination Fee (ETF)

So, you’ve found a new plan that will cut your monthly cell phone bill in half. Only problem is you’ve still got eight months left on your current contract.

Your carrier doesn’t want to see you go, and they won’t let you walk away even if you ask politely. However, there are a few ways to part with your carrier early, without paying an ETF. Here are some suggestions:

Transfer to a Carrier that Will Pay Your ETF

The competition amongst the big carriers for your cell phone service is tight. That’s why they’re often willing to offer absurd deals. Some will go as far as paying your ETF. These offers are usually limited time only.

Sounds nice, right? The obvious pitfall here is you’ll be freeing yourself of one contract to be locked into another.

Still, if your current carrier has poor service in your area or your rates are just too high, a fresh contract with a new carrier is worth considering.

Transfer Your Contract to Someone Else

Most contracts allow you to transfer your service to someone else. This is similar to transferring a car lease. Find someone willing to take on the service and fill out a transfer service application. Just remember the new owner will need to pass a credit check. Keep your bill current, as you will be responsible for all payments until the application is finalized.

Look for a Loophole in Your Contract

You’ll need to rummage through the fine print in your bills to look for any modifications you don’t recall agreeing to. If this sounds meticulous that’s because it is. But If your carrier has made changes to your contract after you signed it, you may have a legitimate claim to cancel your service without paying the ETF.

However, many cell phone contracts state they can change the terms whenever they wish. You have to prove the changes are “materially adverse” in order to legally opt out. An example of a materially adverse change would be if your carrier agreed to charge you $90 a month for service, then out of nowhere upped it $110 a month. This is uncommon.

When deciding on a cell phone plan, remember to ask yourself what features are invaluable to you. Some of us can get away with using wi-fi at home or at the office, we only need 1GB of wiggle room for our daily commute. Others will struggle with their limits if their plan provides anything under 20GB for watching Netflix.

Whatever your circumstances, there are plenty of high-quality and affordable options with MVNOs that will allow you to save your money and stay out of debt.