Verizon is introducing new customer perks following several notable price increases this year.
In May, the carrier hiked the monthly price of its Netflix and HBO Max bundle by $3 and raised the price of its Unlimited Ultimate wireless plan by $5. In September, Verizon also increased the prices of its Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ perks by $2 to $3 (depending on the bundle).
Alongside the recent price increases, Verizon has also been sweetening the deal for customers amid heightened competition.
For instance, in June, the carrier launched its free loyalty rewards program, Verizon Dollars, which gives customers 3% back in “Verizon Dollars” each month, redeemable toward accessory and device purchases. It also introduced Verizon Shine, a program that drops free offers for customers every Monday, including gift cards, exclusive merchandise and concert tickets.
Verizon now offers customers a new Google AI perk
Verizon has recently expanded its list of perks by offering customers a free Google AI Pro subscription, according to a blog post on the carrier’s website.
A Google AI Pro subscription provides access to an upgraded version of Google Gemini, an artificial intelligence assistant with analysis, creative collaboration and reasoning capabilities.
It also offers 5 TB of cloud storage for Google Photos, Gmail, and Google Drive, as well as complimentary access to services such as YouTube Premium Lite and Google Health Premium.
Google AI Pro usually costs $19.99 per month, but Verizon is offering it free to customers on Simplicity, myPlan or Verizon Home Internet plans for six months. After the six-month period concludes, customers will be charged $10 per month for the perk if they decide to keep it.
Verizon rolls out free safety benefits and new Verizon Shine offers
In addition to the new Google AI Pro perk, Verizon announced in the blog post that it will offer customers on the free tier of its Digital Secure service one free month of Digital Secure Premium, which usually costs $5 per line.
This service offers customers privacy and security tools for their mobile devices and computers that protect their internet connection and personal data with a VPN. It also scans for threats, monitors online information and provides access to 24/7 security experts.
Verizon is also offering customers Verizon Family for free, which includes features such as location sharing, Safe Walk with SOS, and call and text review capabilities. Call Filter, a digital service that identifies and blocks spam calls, is also available for customers to add to their plans at no extra cost.
Related: Verizon scales back a perk that keeps prices low for customers
Furthermore, Verizon previewed several upcoming experiences through its Verizon Shine program.
On Oct.19, customers can get a chance to visit Walt Disney Studios at no charge. Also, an offer that includes attending the Radio City Rockettes Experience drops on Oct. 26.
On Nov. 2, customers will have a chance to join Caleb Pressley for a “Sundae Conversation.” Finally, on Nov. 9, customers will be able to access an offer that includes attending a Jonas Brothers concert and hanging out with Joe.
Verizon faces new challenges as rivals expand their own customer perks
The new perks from Verizon come during a time when its top rivals, T-Mobile and AT&T, are also rolling out new benefits to attract and retain customers.
In June, T-Mobile enhanced its T-Mobile Tuesdays offerings by adding perks such as a free DoorDash DashPass subscription and exclusive Shell Fuel Rewards discounts.
The carrier is also reportedly planning to roll out eight new perks for customers, including free subscriptions to Google AI, Apple Music, YouTube, and Paramount+, sometime this year.
More Verizon News:
- Verizon scales back a perk that keeps prices low for customers
- Verizon plans to discontinue a phone service customers rely on
- Verizon hikes prices on multiple discounted offers for customers
Meanwhile, AT&T began offering its wireless and fiber internet customers a free LifeMD membership perk in September, providing access to virtual health care and pharmacy services nationwide.
In June, Roger Entner, lead analyst at Recon Analytics, wrote that wireless carriers have an opportunity to generate more revenue by offering customers additional benefits, such as streaming subscriptions, premium plan features, and bundled services, rather than relying solely on lowering monthly wireless bills.
“The pricing power [of perks] is real and underused, and the next dollar of revenue is far more likely to come from perks, premium tiers and device economics than from the base plan,” wrote Entner.
“The strategic question is no longer how low the bill must go,” he continued. “It is how much value carriers can stack on a bill that already claims less of the paycheck than at almost any point in the smartphone age.”
Wireless carriers are ramping up their loyalty and rewards perks during a time when consumers are increasingly expecting these benefits. According to a recent State of Customer Service and CX report by customer experience expert Shep Hyken, 53% of U.S. consumers will pay more for a company with a good loyalty or rewards program.
The report also found that 56% prefer to do business with a company that offers a rewards program over one that offers only great customer service.
