Metro PCS used to offer a flexible billing option called Bill Float that allowed customers to temporarily defer payment on their wireless bill. However, this program was discontinued a few years ago. If you see references to Bill Float while researching Metro PCS, it is no longer an available service. This article will cover what Bill Float was, why it went away, and alternate solutions for managing Metro bills today.
What Was Metro PCS Bill Float?
Bill Float originally launched around 2011 as an optional feature for MetroPCS customers. It gave subscribers the ability to push back the due date on their monthly wireless bill by up to 15 days in 30 day increments.
For example, if your bill was normally due on the 15th of each month, you could opt to float the payment and make it instead due on the 30th. This provided extra time to pay without service being disrupted.
The cost was $5 per 30 days of float time used. So if you pushed a payment back by the maximum of 15 days, you would pay a $5 float fee alongside your normal monthly bill amount.
The float fee was per bill, not a recurring charge, so it only applied in months you elected to use the feature. Bill Float had to be specifically enabled each time – it wasn’t an automatic extension.
Why Did Metro PCS Retire Bill Float?
MetroPCS discontinued Bill Float in early 2018. It was no longer advertised or available for subscribers to use.
There were a couple key reasons for Metro PCS retiring the Bill Float option:
- Low Usage – According to MetroPCS, less than 2% of subscribers were actively utilizing the Bill Float program by the time it ended. For the carrier, it didn’t make financial sense to keep maintaining such an unpopular feature.
- Credit Risk – Floating payment dates increases the risk of customers not paying their bill at all. This can become a headache for carriers when accounts spiral into collections. Eliminating Bill Float removed that credit liability.
- Simplicity – Streamlining offerings by removing one-off niche services meant simpler billing for the majority of customers. Having fewer options allows Metro PCS to focus on their core wireless services.
So in summary, the small subscriber base, credit/collection concerns, and desire for simplicity led MetroPCS to drop Bill Float as an official option for customers.
What Replaced Metro PCS Bill Float?
When Bill Float ended, it left customers with fewer ways to buy extra time to pay their wireless bill before losing service. A couple alternative options exist but are more limited:
Account Suspension Extensions
- If your service has already been suspended for nonpayment, you can usually request a 72 hours account extension to temporarily regain talk & text (but no data).
- Extensions are granted on a discretionary basis when you contact customer support and can be done either via the MyMetro app or by calling 611.
- Unlike Bill Float, there is no official fee – you simply get an extra couple days to make the overdue payment before suspension again.
Payment Arrangements
- In special circumstances, calling MetroPCS support may allow you to set up short-term payment arrangements on past due balances.
- This is not guaranteed but is occasionally offered if you’ve been a loyal customer and communicate proactively before your bill date.
- There are no fees but arrangements may only provide brief 1-2 week extensions depending on the amount owed.
Aside from these limited exceptions, Metro PCS does not have an equivalent to replace the old Bill Float concept. Once service is suspended for nonpayment today, the options to pause or defer are extremely restricted compared to how flexible Bill Float used to be.
Strategies for Managing Metro PCS Bills Without Bill Float
While certainly less convenient, there are still some strategies to help avoid service interruptions without having Bill Float available:
- Closely monitor data usage and switch plans proactively to avoid overages that increase your monthly bill. Use built-in features like data alerts and limits.
- Consider enrolling in AutoPay to have payment amounts automatically deducted from a checking account or credit card each month. This prevents missed payments.
- See if your company offers employee discounts on cell service through Metro PCS which could lower your monthly cost.
- Leverage customer loyalty programs and tenure discounts by staying with Metro long term to incrementally reduce your bill.
- Purchase annual prepaid plan refills during sales holidays to lock in lower rates all year long and reduce month-to-month billing pain points.
- Use WiFi calling and messaging apps like WhatsApp to reduce cellular data usage which keeps monthly service costs down.
- Take advantage of Metro device promotions that come with bill credits applied over many months to temporarily decrease your out-of-pocket expense.
- Proactively chat with customer support before bill due dates in case any courtesy extensions are available based on account history.
- Consider switching cost-conscious family members to a lower cost carrier while keeping your own Metro service active for any tenure discounts.
Could Metro PCS Bring Back Bill Float?
There has been no indication from Metro by T-Mobile that they plan to resurrect Bill Float formally. The underlying business reasons that caused them to abandon the program still remain.
However, it’s not impossible that they could reintroduce a billing flexibility feature under a different name in the future to stay competitive. T-Mobile did just launch a $15/month overdraft service called Overdraft Protection that customers can enroll in to avoid service interruptions if they miss Metro payments.
While not identical to Bill Float, this does suggest T-Mobile recognizes consumer demand for more payment flexibility. But for now do not expect the specific Bill Float program to return.
The days of freely floating Metro PCS payments through an official system are gone. But hopefully the strategies outlined above can still help you reduce the risk of costly service suspensions. Monitoring usage vigilantly, communicating with support early about upcoming bills, and leveraging new customer incentives/offers are key.
Conclusion
Bill Float gave Metro PCS subscribers more freedom and control over when their wireless bill was due each month. However, business factors led Metro to discontinue the once popular program back in 2018. Alternatives exist like extensions or payment arrangements but are less reliable.
With Bill Float no longer an option, customers have to be extra diligent about financial planning and proactive account management to avoid service interruptions. But utilizing all the tools available along with the right mix of responsible behaviors can fill the void.