Is T-Mobile’s new Better Value plan worth getting as a legacy user?

It’s been about a month since T-Mobile introduced its limited-time Better Value plan, aimed at both new and existing customers with at least three lines. The new plan offers many of the same perks as the more expensive Experience plans, yet it is much more affordable than either option for most customers. Although T-Mobile doesn’t intend to offer the plan long-term, those who sign up will be able to continue with it long after it’s no longer officially available.

At the time, I recommended it to some customers who were coming from newer plans, but what about legacy users? I’ve had friends and family reach out about this, and the truth is that the answer is complicated.

There is a wide range of older legacy plans still out there, including customers who are hanging on to legacy Sprint plans. I can’t tell you what specific legacy plans are worth upgrading from, but we can take a look at some of the types of users that should avoid the new plan, as well as those who should consider embracing it.

T-Mobile’s Better Value plan offers plenty of perks and features starting at just $140 a month for three phone lines, but you should consider avoiding it if any of the following apply to you:

• Avoid if you have Insider access: While the program hasn’t been available to new customers for a long time, if you have the Insider discount, you’ll permanently lose it when you sign up, and it’s almost guaranteed you’ll pay more for service.
• Avoid if you have free lines: The BV plan doesn’t offer free lines, and so any free line on your account will be converted to a paid line.
• Avoid if your legacy perks are irreplaceable to you: While Better Value plan has great streaming perks, it’s possible you could have some legacy perks that you don’t want to give up.
• Don’t forget about taxes and fees: Many people are lured into newer plans from older legacy options because they miscalculate the costs. While nearly every legacy plan offers tax and fees included, this isn’t true for newer plans. So whatever is advertised will typically be at least $15-$25 more expensive after taxes and fees. If your Legacy plan is still more expensive or similarly priced for fewer features, then it might be worth it.

While many legacy customers will be better off sticking with what they have, there are certainly reasons you should consider signing up for it as well.

Typically, if you are paying around $160 a month for three lines already, you might find that this will offer you a better experience for either a similar price or just slightly more. Likewise, those clinging to super old plans might have fairly limited features, and so even if you are paying a bit less than $160 a month, you might also consider a switch if there are benefits you don’t have now that you feel are worth the extra cost.

I honestly feel that for a portion of T-Mobile’s fanbase, the new plan is one of the best values the company has offered in a long time, and there’s no guarantee they’ll ever repeat something of this level once it’s gone. That alone is enough reason for you to at least weigh your options, but the most important thing is to do your homework before pulling the trigger. Make sure you understand what you are giving up and what you are gaining. Once you switch a legacy plan to a newer plan, you’re more or less stuck with the change.