Originally from: US Credit Card Guide

[Updated 2023.9] Total by Verizon recently has had several good phone deals, such as:

  • iPhone 15 preorder
  • 128GB brand-new iPhone SE2: $99.99
  • 64GB brand-new iPhone SE3: $149.99

Among them, the 128GB brand-new iPhone SE2 offers especially strong value. Combined with TopCashback cashback and Total by Verizon referral rewards for bill credit, you can buy it at a very low net cost. It is also a great backup phone for points-and-miles hobbyists. This post uses the 128GB brand-new iPhone SE2 as an example to explain the purchase process. Phones in the Verizon family now unlock after 2 months. You only need to pay for the first month of service, then just leave it in a drawer for two months and it should unlock automatically. If it does not unlock, resetting the device may help.

How to buy

To complete this low-cost purchase, make sure you do the following:

  • Buy through TopCashback
  • Use a discount coupon
  • Enter a referral code during activation to receive extra bill-credit (points) rewards

TopCashback cashback

TopCashback offers a very solid cashback rate, as high as 12.12%. Search for Total by Verizon on TopCashback, then click through to the Total by Verizon website.

Purchase

After entering the official website, go to Shop-Smartphones and choose the model you want to buy.

In this example, I bought the 128GB brand-new iPhone SE2 for $99.99. The purchase requires adding one month of plan service, and the cheapest option is $30/mo.

Enter Weclome15 on the checkout page to save $15 (Note: this code is dead now. The remaining source text here appears truncated/corrupted.)

After purchase, you should be able to see the tracking record in TopCashback the next day.

After purchase, it shipped very quickly. Mine arrived the next day via UPS.

Activation

After receiving the phone, you can activate it directly with the IMEI. Port-in is supported, or you can choose a random new number. Enter the IMEI, then set up your account. Activation link:

https://www.totalbyverizon.com/activation

Right after activation, the SIM may not get signal immediately. By the next day, it should usually be working.

Total by Verizon also has a pretty good referral reward. After you receive the phone, be sure to register when convenient, since the points can later be redeemed for Amazon gift cards or used toward your phone bill.

  • Join the Rewards program
  • https://rewards.totalbyverizon.com/
  • Remember to enter CWFD-7A60 to get 5000 points ($50 in bill credit). The bill credit needs to be pending for 2 months. Even if your plan expires, you can still log in and redeem for bill credit or gift cards.

Note that with Total by Verizon, you can only enter a referral code during enroll rewards. If you missed it, go here and then enter CWFD-7A60:

Points can be redeemed in several ways, including Amazon gift cards, Walmart gift cards, bill credit, and coupons toward buying a phone.

Phone unlocking

According to Verizon's terms, the phone will automatically unlock 60 days after activation. In general, you need to maintain at least one month of plan service, and one month of service is already required when buying the phone.

https://www.verizon.com/support/device-unlocking-policy/

Prepaid Device Unlocking Policy. Devices that you purchase from Verizon and certain devices purchased from one of our authorized retailers are locked for 60 days after activation. After 60 days, we will automatically remove the lock unless the device is deemed stolen or purchased fraudulently. Following the 60 day lock period following device purchase, we do not lock our phones at any time.

Other recommendations

Preordering the iPhone 15 or buying the SE3 are also good options.

The 64GB iPhone SE3 also offers very good value.

Summary

If you do this hobby remotely, you may want to consider picking one up. You can have it shipped to a US warehouse or a friend's home first, then forward it internationally.