Are you a "Sprint Premier" customer?

By Phil Nickinson
last updated

OK. We admit it. We've done our share of dog-cussing Sprint. Some of that abuse has been deserved. Some of it maybe has just been piling on. But you've gotta admit, Sprint's been trying real hard of late. The Centro was a bit hit. The "Simply Everything" plans, well, simpilified things, and they're not a terrible deal. The HTC Touch Diamond, Touch Pro, Treo 800w and (soon) the Treo Pro have made a mighty fine CDMA lineup. (And we won't forget about the Samsung Ace and Motorola Q9c.)

Now Sprint unleashes "Sprint Premier." As they say, "unique perks you won't find anywhere else." Here's what you need to be automatically enrolled:

  • For three consecutive months, consumer customers must be on an individual wireless plan of at least $69.99 per month or spend at least $99.99 per month on a plan that shares minutes.

Or

  • Must have been a Sprint wireless customer for at least 10 years.

That's so easy, a caveman could do it. Here's what you get once you're in the club:

  • Early Upgrades: After only one year customers can receive our new customer price on a new handset. That's almost a year sooner than other customers. For accounts sharing minutes, the early upgrade applies to the primary line. A new two-year agreement is required.
  • “Just Because” Perks: Spontaneous special offers for trips, tickets to shows and sporting events -- just to say thanks.
  • Anniversary Rewards: Customers celebrate their annual Sprint anniversary with a special gift such as free ring tones or free minutes.
  • First to Know/First to Buy: Longstanding customers get an exclusive first peek at new products and services such as the upcoming Palm Pre™, and then are among the first with opportunities to purchase when they become available.
  • Accessory Discounts: A once-a-year discount on accessories at participating Sprint stores.
  • Courtesy Plan Check: For customers who haven’t changed their plan in six months, Sprint will notify them for a “Plan Check” to make sure they are getting the most value out of their device.

Find out more at sprint.com/premiercustomer. Oh, and we couldn't help but notice the handy "If you don't qualify, you can start by changing (read: upgrading) your plan today (to something more expensive) button at the bottom. Sorry. Couldn't help ourselves.

Phil Nickinson
Phil Nickinson

Phil is the father of two beautiful girls and is the Dad behind Modern Dad. Before that he spent seven years at the helm of Android Central. Before that he spent a decade in a newsroom of a two-time Pulitzer Prize-finalist newspaper. Before that — well, we don't talk much about those days. Subscribe to the Modern Dad newsletter!

17 Comments
  • It's important to note that you can enroll in Sprint Premier if you have either: 1. been with Sprint for at least six months and had a 69.99 plan on a single line or a 99.99 plan on a shared line OR 2. if you've been a loyal customer for 10 years or more (regardless of your monthly recurring charge, I would assume). The article as it is currently written makes it seem like you must meet all of the above criteria to qualify, when you only have to meet one of the two. So for example, if you signed up for Sprint in June of 2008 and have had a 69.99 plan for at least the last three months, you are a Sprint Premier customer already.
  • True enough. Two letters added for clarification.
  • I too have done my share of piling on - I think I have a right to since I have been a Sprint customer since 1999. This program is just an example of how far Sprint has come... I haven't had one bad experience with them for close to a year - and that is saying a lot considering my past experiences. Piling on is infectious. I spoke to a young lady that I work with about Sprint and she simply said they're horrible. I let her use my phone for a half day and showed her they everything plans online, and she simply said Verizon is ripping me off! She said the call quality was better and the web worked much better. So, is Sprint perfect yet? Nope. But they are making tremendous progress. So don't pile on, find out for yourself because things can, and always do change.
  • And if the young lady tells her friends that she's thinking about getting a Sprint phone based on her experience, they'll laugh her out of the room. Sprint's reputation still has a long way to go, and I'm not sure that it is even repairable without a branding change. Sprint has a huge opportunity with the Pre - prove to the world that they HAVE changed. Hopefully they will rise to the occasion.
  • I have had to call in EVERY MONTH to correct billing problems on my account ever since I added a third line in December 2007. I stay with them because of the coverage in rural areas, otherwise I'd drop them and follow my brother to AT&T.
  • what's all this about sprint being so terrible? i've had service with them for over three years and i've not had one complaint. i get service just about everywhere, except the subway. never had a single billing problem.
  • That's how I understand the Premier account, either one OR two above. So, why be a 10 year customer when you can be Premier for a couple of months and a lot LESS cheaper ??
  • I feel a little jilted by this promotion as I have been with Sprint for about 5 years now, bought several phones and am dying to upgrade but don't want to pay $225 for a phone that a new user can get for $50 or sometimes free. This bothers me to no end as my boyfriend received this 'premier' notice in the mail (he's been a customer for less than a year) but bc he spends the required amt he can get instant savings w/in a year whereas I'm waiting another year for the same. I stuck with Sprint b/c I've been generally satisfied but this promotion is a slap in the face to loyal customers of less than 10 years - a time frame I feel is unreasonable.
  • I have been a Sprint customer for almost a year. I had been with T-Mobile since they were Voicestream back in the day. I was forced to leave T-Mobile when an employee handed out my SS# to another customer and added lines to my account, then racked up over $400 worth of charges. For that reason I will never go back to T-Mobile. When this happened I was forced to find a new company. I chose Sprint because of their plans and phone selection. I could have chosen any of the big companies as I live in the Minneapolis metro area and have no service problems. Sprints plans are the cheapest for what I need. I get unlimited everything except for minutes (450 mins + N&W @ 7pm). So for me it's excellent. I just recently learned that I am a Sprint Premier customer and can get the new Palm Pre for only $199 after my one year of service. This is great! I think this program will make Sprint more money because people are more likely to get a new phone every year if they are getting the same price as every other new customer. I think it's a great program! Both for the consumer and Sprint. You get the new, hot phone... Sprint makes money because you buy a phone and because you sign another 2 year contract. If you don't have issues it is a win-win. I have yet to have a service or customer service issue with Sprint, so I am very happy with them!
  • I've been Sprint Customer for 13 years and never got Premier, so I called. I was told that (1) their records show my service started in 2004 (2) even if I have old bills / bank statements that show I've been paying customers way before that they won't do anything (3) I have to be 10+ year customer _AND_ have a high cost subscription, they don't care what their own website says, they "will have it fixed" (what about Truth in Advertising laws ?). I hung up with a very bad taste in my mouth. I never wanted to switch, now I can't wait until my contract is over. What a bunch of idiots.
  • I've been a Sprint customer for about 11 years now, and I don't have a large pile of bad experiences with them, either. I've had an occasional run-in with customer service, but that's standard with any corporation large enough to outsource telephone support services. There hasn't been any problem that hasn't yielded to a little bit of patience - ultimately, they get around to doing the right thing. I haven't had any billing issues of any moment, and they've graciously forgiven one or two significant over-minute charges. I had a short dalliance with AT&T a few years ago and was so dissatisfied after a couple of months that I gladly paid the contract termination fee to be rid of them. Two other things: * One benefit to premier status that I didn't see mentioned above is the waiver of activation fees for new activations. That's a real savings for those of us who regularly add lines. * Sprint's plans consistently offer more for less than Verizon and AT&T. The family of all-inclusive Data Everything plans puts anything the competitors offer to shame. * Verizon keeps hyping the breadth of their network, but Sprint's coverage map is just as extensive, and it's been my experience that Sprint has better 3G coverage. Even if that were not so, my plan includes free voice and data roaming, so it's not an issue. Sprint may not have the reputation of AT&T and Verizon, but they're clearly a better value.
  • Yes, I've heard a few complaints here and there, but I have been a happy Sprint customer for close to 7 years now. Their plans are usually the same or close to AT&T, who by the way have only been good since the merger with Cingular, and Sprint has excellent nationwide coverage when compared with Verizon or TMobile. The only problems I've ever had I consider to be my own fault, like going over my minutes, etc. instead of either being careful or upgrading to a better plan. Also even without the new Premier status, you've always been able to get a new phone every two years or so for $30 to $50 after rebates, sometimes sooner. I have been very happy with Sprint, the only things they don't have that AT&T has are rollover minutes and SIM cards, which are handy, however now that Sprint can switch contacts into your new phone at the Sprint store, you don't even need a SIM card.
  • Been with Sprint since 2000 and I must admit they have come a long ways! Their customer service is terrific considering how they used to be. I love their new phones and their plans are comparable to other companies.
  • this has been the best phone servic I have. Thank you sprint
  • If you dont want to pay $300 for a phone, go to radio shack, they are about $100 to $200 cheaper on there phones. I would no, I have worked for both companies!!
  • Irecieved my letter today notifying me that Im no longer a premier member because I changed my plan back in april 2010. The funny part is that the letter was signed by the (Sprint Loalty Team) Ive been a member for 15+ years, I have to wonder if this company knows what loyalty means. Im so tired of these profit only companies guess its time for a change. Too bad
  • I've been with sprint for about three or four years. I've not had any issues with them except trying to figure out how to put my own ringtones on my phone (my Palm software won't let me). I found this article because I was just told by an operator that I'm a "Premier" customer and decided to figure out what that means. Sounds like a good deal. I don't exactly expect perks. I figure I get what I pay for and anything else is a bonus. I've no idea why people get so upset about what they are or are not getting above and beyond what they pay for.