Telstra Ending Google PlayStore Carrier Billing for ALL Prepaid Plans (Inc. Long Life, Simplicity)?

netsurfer on 11/09/2017 - 17:49
Last edited 13/09/2017 - 19:58

Received an SMS from Telstra basically saying they are ending the ability to use Telstra credit for Google Play purchases for my Telstra Prepaid (currently on Long Life plan). Just wondering whether anyone else received the same SMS from Telstra.

The SMS indicates I won't be able to use my recharge credit for any Google Play purchase starting 13/09/2017. Essentially, I have about 1 day remaining to use the feature.

Had a quick chat with the 24x7 chat support. The support person told me it is not an official Telstra SMS, even though it looks like an official SMS from Telstra.

Also, only the SIM with active Google Play to Telstra carrier billing received this SMS so far.

Telstra have now revised the terms and conditions of their prepaid plans. It simply states unless stated otherwise in the offer, your inclusions can’t be used for Google Play purchases, rather than mentioning it for Prepaid Extra (the new plan name for Prepaid Plus) and Day2Day.

Some people on the really old Prepaid Freedom Plus plan have not yet received the SMS, but some have. The old prepaid freedom plus plan (no longer available) allows you to keep your credits and still have the bonuses if you recharge every month.

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Comments

  • CyberMurning on 12/09/2017 - 16:41
    -1

    chat transcript:

    Previously when you would recharge as per the plan you would get the same amount on main credit and with that you used to purchase the apps as well.
    Shital at 16:39, Sep 12:
    However from now if you want want to make any purchases you'll need to add your credit card details to your Google account.
    Shital at 16:40, Sep 12:
    That means you can make payments from your credit card as well to make purchases from Google Play.

    seems like, previously we dont have to enter credit card details but just use the credit to buy stuffs on play store.
    from tomorrow, we need to put our credit card in, but we still can use the credit as usual.

    • Ufens on 12/09/2017 - 16:47
      +1

      I think they're just phrasing it poorly possibly due to English as a second language.

      from now if you want want to make any purchases you'll need to add your credit card details to your Google account.

      That's pretty straightforward. Bill to my Telstra account is being discontinued. If you want to make purchases from the Play store, you'll need to add another non-Telstra payment method.

      That means you can make payments from your credit card as well to make purchases from Google Play.

      Take out the "as well" from this sentence and it confirms what Telstra are saying rather than just what Shital is saying.

      Customer service staff rarely know anything about anything anyway, so I wouldn't put any stock in what they're saying above what Telstra's communicating directly. Not unless tomorrow comes and they haven't turned off carrier billing anyhow :P

      • CyberMurning on 12/09/2017 - 16:51

        gee yes they from india but i guess this kind of decision should come from head office, Australia, and the sms should be read and read and read by few people before goes into system to send to make sure no mistakes?

        and whats so difficult to pass on this information down the line? cant believe this.

  • CharcoalChicken on 12/09/2017 - 17:16

    I'm on freedom plus plan. I just checked my Google Music subscription from Google play account and noticed that bill to Telstra credit has become 'not eligible'.

    It may not have impact to the customer which is already using Telstra credit to pay for the subscription but who's know what will happen…

    Guys, better to check it.

    • fozzie on 12/09/2017 - 17:41
      +2

      Omg you are right! I did however just upgraded to family and it looks like it's gone through. I don't know obviously if it will still be valid in the future. I would recommend you activate monthly subscriptions now, before is too late! If Telstra take it off no point staying on Telstra freedom plus.

    • selphie on 12/09/2017 - 18:39

      Same here, I got the gmail notification for subscription billing just a few days back but who knows next month…

    • redhaze1 on 12/09/2017 - 18:47

      Same for me in the Play Store app and web, but only if I select to update them. I'm hoping that leaving as is will work! It doesn't seem likely, though.

    • khing on 13/09/2017 - 12:09

      I'm on Freedom too, had just spent all my credits on Google Play last night because I'm not sure if Telstra just stop carrier billing today without notifying old plan users.

  • moo on 12/09/2017 - 17:44
    +5

    Cap Encore FTW! :)

    • Axelstrife on 12/09/2017 - 17:50

      If it affects freedom plus the one after yours (i think) no doubt yours would go too.

      no sms yet though so idk.

    • nismo on 13/09/2017 - 12:47
      +2

      Cap Encore here too, hoping they don't touch us!

      • lostn on 13/09/2017 - 23:24

        What's the inclusions of this Cap Encore?

        • nismo on 14/09/2017 - 11:54

          It's an old plan no longer available, details in the link below. The 2 important things to me are 30 day validity on recharge (28 for the newer plans) and Carrier Billing in Google Play store), which includes In App Purchases and is basically spending telstra credit that isn't really out of your own pocket…

          https://crowdsupport.telstra.com.au/t5/Telstra-Product-Exits…

        • lostn on 14/09/2017 - 17:49

          @nismo: This plan is crap. Freedom was better. $30 here gets you 400MB and $220 in call credit compared to $700 and 3GB.

          I don't know why you kept it all this time.

        • alwaysupforabargain on 14/09/2017 - 18:44

          @lostn: My main reason for sticking with Encore - 30 days expiry vs 28 days for Freedom. So Freedom will require 13 recharges in a year.

        • lostn on 14/09/2017 - 19:30

          @alwaysupforabargain: You only use it for Google play and not calls or data?

        • nismo on 14/09/2017 - 20:16
          +2

          @lostn:
          Crap for you, but you aren't the use case for everyone…. I don't need 3gb of data mate, I use it to buy all sorts of things in the store. And as both of us have already stated the 30 days

        • alwaysupforabargain on 14/09/2017 - 21:09

          @lostn: Similar to nismo, I don't need the data - I limit my usage when not on wifi. And I get enough credit for calls considering 6pm to 6am is free local calls.

        • lostn on 15/09/2017 - 08:36

          @nismo:

          Crap for you, but you aren't the use case for everyone…. I don't need 3gb of data mate, I use it to buy all sorts of things in the store. And as both of us have already stated the 30 days

          Do tell me what I'm missing here. In order to preserve your grandfathered plan, you had to pay $30 a month in cash, right? How is that cheaper than just paying $30 on Google play if you don't use the data or calls.

          Or are you somehow recharging at a discount? If so, how?

          Was the Freedom plan 28 days or 30? If the 2 days makes a difference, then you are never allowing your account to lapse, which means you are spending $360 a year to get $360 in Google credit. Unless you're getting it at a discount. If you actually use your phone plan, you're saving yourself one payment of $30 a year over the Freedom plan but get a lot less for it in usage all year.

        • illumination on 15/09/2017 - 11:11
          +1

          @lostn:

          How is that cheaper than just paying $30 on Google play if you don't use the data or calls.

          It certainly sounds like he is using the calls and data but is simply a very light user of both.

          It sounds like it's a way for him to maintain his number which both fulfils his data and call needs, plus gives him bonus credit to buy things off Play Store.

          The question now becomes - would it be cheaper to go for something like Kogan mobile for ~$11/month (which gives him more data/calls), save the $19 and then purchase Play Credit separately? I don't think Play Credit is often that heavily discounted. I can only recall seeing 20% off or so. You also have to consider that the additional $19 you're spending for Play Credit is potentially "unnecessary cash" giving you access to buy things that you may not otherwise need… but you can also consider that you can "cash out" of it, making your effectively monthly cost ~$13.50.

          There are quite a number of ways to look at it.

        • nismo on 15/09/2017 - 19:04

          @lostn:
          Yes, I use it! Bingo!

          I pay $30 per month for my phone plan, which gives me enough credits for calls, text & the data I need for the 30 days ($220 & 400mb resp.)

          I have endless wifi at home, work and also in the cbd, for free…

          other plans are 28 days

        • RohBoat on 15/09/2017 - 21:04
          +3

          @nismo:

          other plans are 28 days

          Not if you set up monthly recharge, then you get 31 days every month.
          If you play it right you can get 7 days free a year (change recharge date after a shirt month).

        • alwaysupforabargain on 17/09/2017 - 08:40

          @RohBoat: Oh yeah I remember reading about that somewhere. But in my case, I can survive a couple days without any credit/data so I don't always recharge right after my credit has expired. Plus I don't recharge if I'm going on holiday. Either way, this is all down to personal preference!

    • Pantagonist on 13/09/2017 - 13:59
      +1

      Cap Encore here and no SMS as yet. I'll bail to a reseller like Boost or Telechoice if they decide to withdraw carrier billing.

  • fozzie on 12/09/2017 - 17:45

    Following cliff515 comment I went in google play and noticed that it says payment is ineligible. I did however just pay for play music family and a newspaper subscription. I don't know if they are taking off the payment facility obviously, but if you have a subscription you would like I would reccomend getting it now before it might be too late….

    • Axelstrife on 12/09/2017 - 17:51
      +1

      I have two "bill my telstra account" one ticked and another that says not eligible.

      • fozzie on 12/09/2017 - 18:03

        How weird. When I want to do in app it just shows bill my Telstra billing. We will have to wait and see, luckily I have always spent the money for Netflix and play music, so I don't have a lot of credit. It will be a shame if scrapped as they will loose many customers. However if they are making no profit off us it would make sense to them.

        • Axelstrife on 12/09/2017 - 18:05

          Click on "bill my telstra account and then click payment methods thats where it shows them.

        • fozzie on 12/09/2017 - 18:15

          @Axelstrife:
          For me is shows ineligible on the subscription page if I click update payment.

    • tryagain on 12/09/2017 - 18:32

      NOOOOO was just having a look and accidentally changed it to my credit card and now can change it back.

      • fozzie on 12/09/2017 - 18:41

        For what?

        • tryagain on 12/09/2017 - 18:56

          Google music family plan

        • fozzie on 12/09/2017 - 19:39

          @tryagain: that's unlucky

        • tryagain on 12/09/2017 - 19:47

          @fozzie: Time will tell whether it has just hastened the inevitable or was a major stuff up. I realised as soon as touched the card as the payment option and was still processing the change so closed the app but then it finished processing it when I opened it again.

        • fozzie on 12/09/2017 - 19:50

          @tryagain: you are right we just need to wait and see. I am still secretely hoping….

      • zixtee on 12/09/2017 - 19:16
        +1

        I guess you mean "can't change it back"

        • tryagain on 12/09/2017 - 19:29

          correct

  • Marrk on 12/09/2017 - 19:21

    My Google Play Music payment declined the other week (despite having credit), then went through the following day. With Telstra getting rid of premium SMS services, I have been expecting an announcement like this.

    • fozzie on 12/09/2017 - 19:43
      +1

      Sad day, also I bought 6 months worth (I have a total of 8 months Telstra recharges). No much I can do, if they get rid of it I will use up and then go Kogan or similar. It was too good to be true, I only used it for about 1 year. I am still hoping they will allow grandfathered Telstra freedom plus to keep the google store facility, but I doubt it. If they are not making any money on us they will get rid of it.

    • tryagain on 12/09/2017 - 21:25

      What plan are you on?

      • fozzie on 12/09/2017 - 21:35

        The old freedom plus.

  • finbar on 12/09/2017 - 19:53

    Time will tell what is happening to all the plans but I suspect Telstra will end Carrier billing for all prepaid at some stage (possibly very soon).

  • belongsinforums on 12/09/2017 - 20:52

    People said I was crazy for predicting this in my last forum post. It begins.

    • CyberMurning on 12/09/2017 - 21:05

      and now people think i am crazy of believing this whole thing is just some kind of misunderstanding due to poorly written sms…

      • Ufens on 12/09/2017 - 21:09
        +1

        The SMS was perfectly clear. You're, understandably, hoping that what the customer service rep told you, which was a bit poorly written, will be correct instead. We think it's a bit crazy to believe a customer service rep rather than an SMS that Telstra deliberately sent to thousands of customers.

        But you might be right, who knows? Funnier things have happened. I just wouldn't bank on it.

      • tryagain on 12/09/2017 - 22:02

        I just spent too long on 24x7 chat and most of the responses were poorly written (putting it nicely) and most of the advice I got was blatantly wrong, I wouldn't be putting too much stock in what they said.

        • netsurfer on 12/09/2017 - 23:50
          +1

          I am noticing the 24x7 chat staff nowadays are inferior. They have difficulty understanding what I am asking, requesting. I told the staff Telstra sent me an SMS. He kept going on about the message was an e-mail spam and it is not an official Telstra e-mail (I mentioned nothing about e-mail).

          Also, tried to port an Optus number to a Telstra SIM via 24x7. The guy got totally confused.

  • tkboi on 12/09/2017 - 23:47

    just my 2c, i am with telstra pre paid freedom plus and i just redeemed my "$1.50 rental movie" and used Telstra billing and it worked fine. However, i have noticed there are two options for billing my telstra account. one doesnt work and the other one works. This has been like this for awhile but its never caused a problem with my subscriptions.

    • netsurfer on 12/09/2017 - 23:52
      +1

      It just means you previously attempted to either link another Telstra SIM to the same Google account or there was an outdated link. All these "everything still works" comments are not relevant until 13/9 - which is basically a few minutes from now.

    • INFIDEL on 13/09/2017 - 06:23

      Yes, as netsurfer said.
      Every time you purchase with a different SIM, Telstra carrier billing needs to be set up as old agreement is not valid on that SIM. Same might happen if haven't used Telstra Billing in a long time.

      I've got 8 ineligible Telstra Billing on Google account associated with this phone (on a $1 Kogan SIM). I did purchases to use up $30 credit on a new Telstra Starter Pack each month for over 2 years, so previous billing became ineligible. Even PayPal is ineligible, probably as has not been used in years with all the Telstra credit.

      So don't worry about those -that's normal.

      • tomclancy on 13/09/2017 - 10:17
        +3

        I've got 8 ineligible Telstra Billing on Google account…

        You can clear these in the Google Payments Centre, on the left click 'Payment Methods' and then remove them in there. I like to keep things clean :)

        • CyberMurning on 13/09/2017 - 10:34
          +1

          first time to know this. good stuff Tom thanks

  • netsurfer on 13/09/2017 - 00:04
    +1

    It's now 13/09/2017 and just made another Google Play purchase with Telstra prepaid credit.

    • tryagain on 13/09/2017 - 00:34

      I didn't get the SMS (freedom plus) but just purchased some wisdom for the first time with my Telstra credit, my subscriptions no longer have the option for Telstra billing though.

    • INFIDEL on 13/09/2017 - 06:32
      +1

      Even for Telstra this will be a big change. Have found in a previous change, it didn't come into effect until start of normal business hours.

      I've used up all but 2c Credit. So that's my 2c worth😀

  • EVA-01 on 13/09/2017 - 00:05

    Can't believe I just spent the last $25 of mine on Cooking Mama… 😫

    • fozzie on 13/09/2017 - 07:15

      Ahaha

  • INFIDEL on 13/09/2017 - 06:46

    🕜Waiting for the big shutdown like a tin-hat wearing believer who has sold all their belongings - as the end is nigh😵😱😭😥

    Life goes on🌈
    The sun came up🌅
    It's a beautiful day🌞

    • 17833 on 13/09/2017 - 06:49

      Except in Melbourne, cold and wet every day for weeks. :(

      • INFIDEL on 13/09/2017 - 06:50

        I thought Melbourne people liked it like that😀
        Another hot one here🌞

  • INFIDEL on 13/09/2017 - 08:15

    Telstra Billing for Play still shows as available (on Simplicity). Didn't make a purchase (stopped at confirm) as spent all but last 2c.

    Maybe I shouldn't have drunk the Kool-Aid? 🙍

  • Grish on 13/09/2017 - 09:23

    Anyone know if cap encore (great, great grandfathered?) Is impacted by this?

    • tryagain on 13/09/2017 - 11:00

      Try and set up a subscription using Telstra billing and find out.

    • butwhy on 13/09/2017 - 11:05

      I'm on the old encore cap plan. My Google play subscription says "not eligible". However I can still purchase apps I the play store…

      • nismo on 13/09/2017 - 12:58

        I just checked mine and I "can" sign up to Google Music using Telstra Carrier Billing - on Cap Encore.

        What exactly is your "google play subscription" ? Music or something else?

        • fozzie on 13/09/2017 - 18:13
          -2

          Yes unlimited music and YouTube red

        • nismo on 13/09/2017 - 19:46
          -1

          @fozzie:
          Do you know the user 'butwhy'?

          Not sure why you are answering for them

        • fozzie on 13/09/2017 - 21:32
          -2

          @nismo:

          Was trying to be helpful, next time won't waste my time.

        • nismo on 13/09/2017 - 21:58
          -1

          @fozzie:
          That's ok but, I was asking them a question, not a general question to 'the internet', not sure how you can provide their answer (meaning you can't).

      • butwhy on 13/09/2017 - 20:53
        +1

        so despite my Google play music saying "not eligible" if I try to change my payment methods, the payment from my Telstra prepaid went through today. got an email receipt from Google and the next payment is due a month away.

        • nismo on 13/09/2017 - 21:10

          Good result 👍

        • butwhy on 13/09/2017 - 21:27

          Oh and I do have the option to bill Telstra via Google play for drop box

  • tryagain on 13/09/2017 - 13:26
    +1

    Has anyone hit Telstra up on their FB page, might be able to get some clarification on what is actually happening.

    • tryagain on 13/09/2017 - 14:58

      After a few messages back and forwards the latest comments are

      So it looks like Google Play billing to accounts is only now available for Telstra post paid services.

      said I still have access to the "bill to my Telstra account" for general purposes just not subscriptions but am on the grandfathered "freedom plus" plan to which they responded.

      Unfortunately it seems the subscription option is no longer offered, I apologise.

      It's obviously outside this persons scope of what they normally deal with but are being quite helpful.

  • [Deactivated] on 13/09/2017 - 14:27
    +1

    not working for me with Simplicity anymore

  • j4ck on 13/09/2017 - 14:28
    +1

    I haven't received any texts about this, and I can still purchase things using my credit on the Play store (Freedom Plus).

    • Nikopol on 13/09/2017 - 14:49
      +1

      Same

      • fozzie on 13/09/2017 - 16:35
        +1

        Same here but last purchase was done yesterday. If payment completely goes it will be time to move.

        • j4ck on 13/09/2017 - 16:54

          What would you switch to?

        • fozzie on 13/09/2017 - 18:15

          @j4ck:
          Lebara or Kogan, Lebara have a bit of credit towards international and also allow roaming. They both put lots of offers.

  • netsurfer on 13/09/2017 - 15:50
    +1

    For me, the Bill to Telstra option is now gone (well, it says not eligible - establishing new link doesn't appear possible - getting an error). I did receive the SMS (though I was still able to make a purchase really early in the morning, but now it looks like it has ended). Should have used up all the credits this morning…. oh well…

    People who haven't received the SMS appear to be able to still use it.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/09/2017 - 16:13

      which plan did you try on?

      • netsurfer on 13/09/2017 - 16:36

        Long Life. I did receive the SMS from Tel$tra two days ago.

  • Axelstrife on 13/09/2017 - 16:48

    mines still working
    Freedom plus

    • netsurfer on 13/09/2017 - 17:07

      You didn't get an SMS from Telstra. So it looks like if you did not receive an SMS from Telstra, you can still use it.

      • Axelstrife on 13/09/2017 - 17:20
        +1

        But for how long is the question now.

      • CyberMurning on 13/09/2017 - 17:24
        +1

        Topic should be amended [targeted]

        • netsurfer on 13/09/2017 - 18:07
          +1

          All current prepaid plans are affected. Some of the really old plans seem to be the only prepaid ones still allowed. I have my long life plan for years and I have recharged a few times.

          Essentially, discounted Telstra starter packs are no longer attractive.

        • [Deactivated] on 13/09/2017 - 18:58

          @netsurfer: on that note I now have 10x unactivated $30 Starter Kits which I stocked up when they were $5.

          I am thinking of trying the port in/out thing but most of them expire 2 November so that brings me down to at least 8x to try offloading.

        • netsurfer on 13/09/2017 - 19:43

          @The Land of Smeg: The Telstra prepaid credits still have value to people on long life or simplicity plans. Dunno whether there is a good way to sell credit me 2 u recharge credits. They are just not as attractive as they used to be.

          For example: I still have the need for these prepaid starter kits. The reason I have Telstra Prepaid is that if my friends, family members, colleagues need to contact me urgently, they can call my Telstra number.

        • [Deactivated] on 13/09/2017 - 20:16

          @netsurfer: I think that me2u has been done away with

        • realfancyman on 13/09/2017 - 23:18

          @netsurfer: If you have an uneffected service, you could just CM2U your credit from Simplicity/Long Life and spend from there right? If so, what on earth was the point of this?

        • realfancyman on 13/09/2017 - 23:18

          @The Land of Smeg: It certainly has not.

        • [Deactivated] on 14/09/2017 - 01:44

          @realfancyman: does me2u work to put onto grandfathered Pre-Paid Mobile Broadband or does it need Freedom+?

        • realfancyman on 14/09/2017 - 10:07

          @The Land of Smeg: Sorry not sure on that one, give it a go.

  • tunzafun001 on 13/09/2017 - 19:43

    You can ask Telstra to send credit from one sim to another (ie $30) and get the equivalent value as a $30 recharge. Ie, if sent to a prepaid plus sim (or whatever it is these days) u should get unlimited calls and 3gb data or whatever a $30 recharge gets you. Or just in $10 or more blocks in exchange for extra data.

    • netsurfer on 13/09/2017 - 19:46

      It depends on how that customer rep does it. I tried it once, and while the $30 credit did get transferred, the rep only extended the expiry date by 1 month. I didn't want to push it at the time because I was happy to have the full $30 credit transferred to my main prepaid SIM (otherwise, if I were to use credit me2u, I can only transfer $28).

      I did recall that Telstra did stuff up my prepaid a while back, and when they fixed it up by adding $30 back to the account, it did behave like a normal $30 recharge. However, it looks like the customer rep now has the capability to add credit to a prepaid account without actually extending the expiry date.

      • [Deactivated] on 13/09/2017 - 20:17

        yeah, it's a real crap shoot what they are going to actually do. a waste of time really

      • CyberMurning on 13/09/2017 - 20:24

        they wont do it anymore. i tried. was lucky 2-3 times made them to port small credits over via chat and no fees now they said only multiple of $10 and 25c fee.

  • netsurfer on 13/09/2017 - 20:01
    +4

    Telstra have updated their terms and conditions, as well as their prepaid plans. It is now official, none of the new plans allows Google Play purchases via carrier billing.

    For those who are lucky enough to be on the really really old plans and still have the active carrier billing links, let's hope Telstra keep that feature enabled for you all - after all, you guys do recharge much more often than people on Long Life or Simplicity plans.

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