Mark S from YouTube asks:
Have you looked into if a Mint Mobile prepaid plan would be covered with credit card cell phone protection? Often the basic wording is something like “pay your monthly cell phone bill” with the credit card.
The Chase Freedom Flex is actually the card I’m interested in getting, but only if it works with annual Mint Mobile billing. I’ve been researching, but it’s been mixed and I haven’t anecdotally seen anyone actually use it with Mint Mobile. If I take the TOC literally, it won’t work since it’s not monthly, but it seems kinda silly if it’s all paid in advance really – why does it matter if the billing is monthly?
That is a good question but I don’t know the answer. I think its best to check the details of your specific cell phone protection plan directly with your specific credit card company or the insurance company they underwrite the claims with.
As you pointed out in order for you phone to qualify for some plans you need to use that credit card to purchase your monthly plans. In the case of Mint, you’ll be paying every 3, 6, or 12 months so its possible they could have an issue with that. Also when you submit your claim you’ll need to provide a copy of your bill. Its possbile they may want to see your phone listed on the bill too. Most postpaid bills show the specific phone in use.
I don’t know why they would discriminate against a consumer paying their bill every 3, 6, or 12 months instead of monthly. I suspect they just wrote the description that way to make sure you are only submitting claims for your phone. The only reason, I could see for insisting on monthly plan payments is because thet want to see you regularly using the card to pay bills. For examples, some banks offer special rates and benefits for “relationship” banking. You get the deal when you enroll in direct deposit and pay your bills from the account.
Because I was curious, I picked a random credit card to see what I could find. By coincidence, I chose the Chase Freedom Flex card. By coincidence
This card claims
Get up to $800 per claim and $1,000 per year in cell phone protection against covered theft or damage for phones listed on your monthly cell phone bill when you pay it with your eligible credit card. Maximum of 2 claims in a 12 month period with a $50 deductible per claim.*
There is a link to more details there and here is what they further say about the Cell Phone Protection Plan
Cell Phone Protection
Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Benefits are subject to terms, conditions, and limitations, including limitations on the amount of coverage. The monthly bill associated with the phone must be paid with the eligible card for coverage to be effective. Policy provides secondary coverage only. For further information, see your Mastercard Guide to Benefits or call 1-800-MASTERCARD. Visit https://mycardbenefits.com to file a claim.
Thanks for the info! You’re probably right about the monthly as loyalty evidence. Good point about likely needing to produce a bill with phone number on it, Mint Mobile doesn’t have that either. It would show up as Mint Mobile in the credit card transaction history, but not with the phone number.
Mark,
I suggest contacting and asking both chase snd the insurance company. Email wouild be best, as you’d have a written record. Or call, and request a confirmation of what you are told in email.
Tell them you pay for your plan annually and that you don’t receive a bill and share screen shots from the mint mobile app. Check your email too.
Mint sent me a renewal email titled Aw shucks, thanks for renewing. The email showed my phone number and the 12 month renewal charges.