Learn how to apply for the Verizon Visa Card and if approved, use it to earn Verizon Dollars to pay your Verizon wireless or Verizon Fios bills or buy devices and accessories.
Hey there! Today I’m gonna dive into something that could actually save you some serious cash on your monthly phone bill. If you’re a Verizon customer like me, you’ve probably heard about Verizon Smart Rewards, but maybe you’re not totally clear on how to use those points to knock down your bill. Don’t worry – I’ve been using this program for years and I’m gonna break it all down for you.
What Exactly Is Verizon Smart Rewards?
Verizon Smart Rewards is a loyalty program specifically designed for Verizon postpaid wireless customers It’s basically Verizon’s way of saying “thanks” for being a customer by letting you earn points for stuff you’d do anyway – like paying your bill on time!
The cool thing is that these points can be redeemed for a bunch of different rewards including
- Merchandise and brand name products
- Restaurant and retailer gift cards
- Hotel discounts and travel deals
- Sweepstakes entries
- Bill credits (which is what we’re focusing on today!)
The redemptions start at just 5,000 points which means you can actually get something after just a month or two of casual point earning. Pretty sweet right?
How to Earn Verizon Smart Rewards Points
Before we talk about using those points to pay your bill, let’s look at how to rack them up fast. Here are the main ways to collect Smart Rewards points:
Paying Your Monthly Bill
This is the easiest one – you get 1,000 points each month just for paying your bill on time. You’re gonna pay it anyway, so might as well get the points!
Visiting My Verizon Account Site
You’ll earn 250 points simply for signing into your My Verizon account each month. Plus you can get additional points for managing your account online instead of calling customer service.
Going Paperless with Auto Pay
When you enroll in paperless billing, you get 250 points per line. Plus another 250 points per line for setting up autopay. So if you have a family plan with 4 lines, that’s 2,000 points right there!
Referring Friends
This is where the big points come in – you’ll get 5,000 points for each friend who signs up with your referral. If you’ve got friends looking to switch carriers, definitely tell them about Verizon and collect those sweet referral points.
Trading in Old Devices
You can earn up to 10,000 points when you trade-in and upgrade your device. Not bad for something you were probably planning to do anyway!
Taking Surveys
Verizon occasionally sends out surveys about your experience, and you can earn points just for providing feedback.
Daily Deals and Auctions
You can also bid your points on auctions for discounted gift cards and products.
The points really do add up quickly just by doing your normal account activities. I was honestly surprised how fast my points balance grew when I first signed up!
How to Use Your Smart Rewards to Lower Your Bill
Now let’s get to the good part – using those rewards to pay your Verizon bill!
Verizon offers two main options to use your rewards points to lower your monthly bill:
1. Redeem for Extra Data
If you’re on a limited data plan or occasionally go over your allowance, this might be for you:
- 5,000 points gets you 1GB of bonus high-speed data for one billing cycle
- This helps increase your monthly data allowance if you’re running low
2. Redeem Points for Dollar Amounts Off
This is what most people prefer because it directly lowers the amount you pay:
- 10,000 points = $10 bill credit
- 20,000 points = $20 bill credit
- 30,000 points = $30 bill credit
- And so on…
The process to redeem your rewards is super simple:
- Log into your Verizon account
- Visit the My Verizon Rewards section
- Click “Redeem Points”
- Select either “Monthly GB Data” or “$ Off My Bill”
- Choose your redemption amount and complete the process!
The bill credit will typically be applied to your next 1-2 billing statements. And that’s it! Just like that, you’ve used your rewards to lower your bill.
Strategic Tips to Maximize Your Smart Rewards
I’ve found that with a bit of strategy, you can get even more value from your Verizon Smart Rewards. Here are some tips I’ve picked up:
Enroll All Your Lines
If you have multiple lines, make sure each one is enrolled in paperless billing and autopay to multiply your points. This is especially valuable for family plans!
Check for Bonus Point Offers
Regularly check My Verizon for special bonus point offers – they frequently run promotions where you can earn extra points.
Time Your Redemptions Strategically
If you’re redeeming points for bill credits, try to time it for months when you have higher usage or when you need to lower your bill the most.
For example, I always redeem for extra data if I have an upcoming trip where I know I’ll use more data than normal. Or I’ll redeem a $30 bill credit during months with other big expenses (like around the holidays).
Combine Rewards with Monthly Promotions
Verizon frequently offers monthly promotions like waived activation fees or discounted accessories. You can often combine these promotions with your Smart Rewards redemptions to maximize your savings!
Getting Started with Verizon Smart Rewards
If you’re not already enrolled in Smart Rewards, it’s super easy to get started. Just:
- Visit the Smart Rewards site
- Click “Register Now”
- Provide your Verizon account number
That’s it! You’ll instantly get 10,000 bonus points just for signing up, which is enough for a $10 bill credit right off the bat!
After registering, make sure to check the Rewards site regularly for the latest point promotions and redemption options. With consistent point earning and strategic redemptions, you can bring down your Verizon bill month after month.
Understanding Verizon Dollars (Verizon Visa Card)
It’s important to note that Verizon now also offers a program called Verizon Dollars through their Verizon Visa card. This is different from Smart Rewards, but can also be used to pay your bill.
With the Verizon Visa card, you earn Verizon Dollars that can be applied toward your monthly Verizon bill. These work a bit differently than Smart Rewards points but serve a similar purpose.
To use Verizon Dollars to pay your bill:
- Go to the My Verizon app
- Select “Bill”
- Then “Pay Bill”
- If you have Verizon Dollars available, you’ll see the option to apply them to your bill
One thing to note: if you have both Verizon Wireless and Verizon Fios services, you need to be enrolled in the Mobile + Home Discount program to apply Verizon Dollars to your Fios bill. You can sign up for this in the Savings and Promotions Center in your account.
Common Questions About Using Rewards for Bill Pay
Can I use my rewards for anything besides bill credits?
Absolutely! You can also use them for gift cards, merchandise, travel deals and more. But bill credits usually give you the most direct value.
How long do my points last?
Points typically expire after 24 months if not used, so don’t sit on them too long.
Can I combine Smart Rewards with other discounts?
Yes! Smart Rewards bill credits can be used alongside other discounts or promotions you may have on your account.
What if I don’t see the option to redeem points for bill credits?
Sometimes the option may not appear if your account isn’t eligible for some reason. If that happens, I’d recommend contacting Verizon customer service directly.
Can I use reward cards to pay my Verizon bill?
This is a bit confusing – while some people claim you can’t use Verizon reward cards to pay your bill, others have successfully done so. Your best bet is to try it and see if it works for your specific account.
My Personal Experience
I’ve been using Verizon Smart Rewards for about 3 years now, and I’ve saved approximately $240 on my bills during that time. Not a fortune, but definitely worthwhile for doing things I would do anyway!
My favorite strategy is to let my points accumulate for a few months until I have enough for a significant bill credit (usually around $30-$50), and then apply it during a month when I know my budget will be tight.
The system isn’t perfect – sometimes there are glitches when trying to redeem points online, and occasionally the customer service reps seem confused about how the program works. But overall, it’s been worth the minimal effort it takes to participate.
Final Thoughts
Using Verizon Smart Rewards to pay your bill is one of those no-brainer ways to save money on a service you’re already paying for. The points accumulate passively as you do normal account activities, and redeeming them is pretty straightforward.
I definitely recommend signing up if you haven’t already – that 10,000 point bonus just for registering is like getting a free $10 bill credit right off the bat!
And don’t forget to keep an eye on your points balance and check for special promotions. With a bit of attention, you could save a decent chunk of change on your Verizon bill each year.
Have you tried using Verizon Smart Rewards to pay your bill? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!
Note: Verizon’s rewards programs are subject to change, so always check the official Verizon website for the most up-to-date information about their current rewards programs.
Verizon Visa Card Promotions
- Device Financing Offer for Verizon Visa Card: Verizon Visa Card holders get interest-free financing with 36-equal monthly payments on eligible device purchases with active phone line(s) made with the Verizon Visa Card. If you are a Verizon wireless customer and dont already have a Verizon Visa Card, heres how to apply:
- On Verizon.com, follow the steps in adding a device(s) to your cart.
- Select Verizon Visa Card as your form of payment.
- Follow the steps to open a Verizon Visa Card account.1
- If approved, select Verizon Visa Card as the payment method on your device purchase to receive the device financing offer.2
- Take the required equal monthly payments over 36 months.
- Accessory Finance Offer for Verizon Visa Card: Verizon Visa Card holders who are also wireless customers get interest-free financing with 12 equal monthly payments on accessory purchases, each totaling $100 or more (less Verizon Dollars or discounts) made with the Verizon Visa Card. If you are a Verizon wireless customer and dont already have a Verizon Visa Card, heres how to apply:
- Add accessory(s) totaling $100 or more to your cart.
- Open a Verizon Visa Card account during checkout.1
- Once approved, select the accessory financing2 option at checkout.
- Use your Verizon Visa Card as the payment method and complete the transaction.
- Make the required equal monthly payments over 12 months.
How can I qualify for promotions when I use my Verizon Visa Card?
Review full answer From time-to-time Verizon and Synchrony Bank may offer limited-time promotions when you use your Verizon Visa Card. Promotions may include Verizon Dollars as a reward benefit of the promotion and/or the use of Verizon Dollars towards your purchase. Make sure to sign in to your My Verizon account to see available promotions when you shop. You can also go to the Verizon Visa Card dashboard to view exclusive card holder promotions. Verizon reserves the right to discontinue or alter the terms of any promo at any time.
