You remember the old days of phone rewards, right? It was almost like a game. You’d pay your bill, glance at an app, and suddenly you had a five-dollar Starbucks card or some weirdly specific discount on a Bluetooth speaker you didn't need. It felt like a little "thank you" for handing over a small fortune every month. But if you’ve looked for the Verizon wireless rewards program lately, things feel... different. Honestly, it’s a bit of a maze now.
The program, officially known as Verizon Up, has gone through a massive identity crisis over the last couple of years. It shifted from a "credit-based" system where you earned one credit for every $300 spent to a "perks-based" model that looks more like a curated shopping mall than a traditional loyalty scheme. If you're looking for those easy monthly wins, you might be disappointed. But if you know where to dig, there’s actually still some meat on the bone.
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The Death of the Monthly Credit (And Why It Happened)
Verizon killed the "Monthly Super To-Go" credits back in 2022. It was a huge pivot. Before that, you’d just rack up points and pick a gift card. Simple. Now? Verizon wants you to engage with their ecosystem. They transitioned to what they call "Use It or Lose It" offers.
Why the change? Data.
By moving away from static credits and toward "Special Offers," Verizon gets to see exactly what brands you’re interested in. If you click on a Dave & Busters offer but ignore the HBO Max one, their algorithm learns. It’s less about rewarding your loyalty and more about understanding your wallet. Hans Vestberg, Verizon’s CEO, has been vocal about "platform monetization," and this is exactly what that looks like in the real world. They aren't just a pipe for your data anymore; they’re a marketing engine.
What’s Actually Inside Verizon Up Right Now?
If you open the My Verizon app today, you’re going to see a few distinct categories. It’s not just one big list.
The "Featured" Perks
These are the big ones. We’re talking about the Disney Bundle (Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+) or the $10/month Apple One perk. These aren't exactly "freebies" in the traditional sense, though. They are discounted add-ons. You’re basically paying Verizon to manage your subscriptions. It’s convenient, sure. But is it a "reward"? That’s debatable. It’s more of a bundle discount for staying on a high-tier Unlimited plan like 5G Get More or the newer Unlimited Ultimate.
Super Tickets and Pre-Sale Access
This is where the Verizon wireless rewards program actually gets cool if you’re a music junkie or a sports fan. They have these "Super Tickets." They are incredibly hard to get. You have to be in the app the second the countdown hits zero. I’ve tried. It’s brutal. But people actually win floor seats to Billie Eilish or tickets to the Super Bowl.
Beyond the "lottery" aspect of Super Tickets, there’s the Verizon Access section. This gives you pre-sale codes for Ticketmaster. In a world where Taylor Swift tickets cause national panics, having a Verizon-specific pre-sale code is genuinely valuable. It’s a "soft" reward. It doesn't save you money on the ticket, but it saves you the heartbreak of the "Sold Out" screen.
Travel and Dining Discounts
Then there’s the "Bonus Rewards." These are usually constant. Discounts on hotels through a specific portal or 10% off certain restaurant groups. Honestly, most people ignore these. They feel a lot like those coupon books kids sell for school fundraisers.
The $10 Perk Strategy: Is it a Trap?
When Verizon launched their "myPlan" tiers, they baked the Verizon wireless rewards program directly into the billing structure. Instead of earning points, you choose "Perks" for $10 each.
Here is the math that most people miss:
Most of these perks are valued at $15 to $20. For example, the Walmart+ membership or the 100GB Mobile Hotspot add-on. By paying $10 through Verizon, you are technically "saving" $5 to $10. It’s a rewards program that you pay for. It’s a weird psychological trick. You feel like you’re getting a deal because you’re a Verizon customer, but you’re still increasing your Average Revenue Per User (ARPU)—a metric Verizon loves to brag about to its shareholders.
How to Actually Win at Verizon Up
If you want to get the most out of this without spending more on your monthly bill, you have to be tactical.
- Check the app on the first of the month. Most of the "Limited Time" gift cards (the ones that are actually free) drop early in the month. They vanish fast.
- Use the "Device Dollars" (if you still have them). Verizon phased these out, but some long-term customers still have "Verizon Dollars" sitting in their accounts. These can be applied to your bill or used to buy a new phone. Don't let them expire. They are basically cash.
- The Accessories Hack. Occasionally, Verizon Up will offer a 30% or 40% discount on accessories. Use this for things that rarely go on sale, like MagSafe chargers or high-end OtterBox cases.
- Check for "Select" Offers. Sometimes, Verizon targets specific accounts with "loyalty discounts." This isn't in the rewards tab; it’s usually a banner on your home screen. I’ve seen people get $10/month off their bill for 12 months just for clicking a button. That is the best reward they offer, period.
The Fine Print (The Stuff That Grinds My Gears)
You have to be on an Unlimited plan to even participate in most of this. If you’re clinging to an old 5GB shared data plan because it’s cheap, you’re locked out of the best parts of the Verizon wireless rewards program.
Also, privacy.
To join Verizon Up, you used to have to enroll in "Verizon Selects." That was basically a fancy name for "We’re going to track your web browsing and location to show you better ads." They’ve rebranded some of these privacy settings recently, but the core truth remains: the rewards are the payment for your data. If you’re a privacy hawk, you might find the "reward" isn't worth the cost.
Is it Better Than T-Mobile Tuesdays?
We have to talk about the pink elephant in the room. T-Mobile Tuesdays is the gold standard for carrier rewards. They give away free MLB.TV subscriptions and actual pizzas.
Verizon is more "premium." They want to give you access to the Tribeca Film Festival or a luxury lounge at a stadium. It’s a different vibe. T-Mobile is for the masses; Verizon Up is trying to feel like a concierge service. Whether it succeeds depends on if you actually go to concerts or if you just want a free taco.
What to Do Right Now
Don't just let your membership sit there. If you’re paying the premium for Verizon coverage, you are already paying for these rewards.
Open the My Verizon app. Navigate to the "Verizon Up" tab. Scroll past the stuff they want you to buy. Look for the "Special Offers" or the "Gift Cards" section. If there's a $5 Amazon card there, grab it. If there’s a "Super Ticket" countdown for an artist you love, set an alarm for 30 seconds before it goes live.
Lastly, check your "Plan Add-ons." If you’re already paying for Disney+ or Hulu separately, move that billing to your Verizon account. You’ll likely save at least $5 a month, which is $60 a year back in your pocket. It’s not a "freebie," but in 2026, we take the wins where we can get them.
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Actionable Next Steps:
- Audit your current subscriptions: Check if you're paying full price for Hulu, Disney+, or Apple Music. If so, go into the "Services & Perks" section of the My Verizon app and toggle them on there to drop your cost to $10.
- Enable Notifications: Turn on push notifications for the My Verizon app specifically for "Rewards." This is the only way to catch the Super Tickets before they are claimed by bots or faster fingers.
- Check for "Loyalty Discounts": Look at the "Account" tab and see if there is a "Special Offer for You" banner. These are often $5–$25 monthly bill credits that require zero effort to activate but expire if not claimed.