Choosing to use plan data or bonus data

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Choosing to use plan data or bonus data

LazyDr

262 posts

Ultimate Geek

#195766 3-May-2016 11:17

I recently signed up to Spark on a $59 plan, the normal monthly allocation of data is 2.5gb, but as per the recent promotion, I have a bonus 2gb/month also.

My (first world) problem is the way in which the data is used. The bonus data rolls over on the 29th of each month, while the plan data changes on the 6th, and it seems as though the bonus data is preferentially used up before the plan data. This means I can't use the data i'm paying for..

For example, last month I used all 2gb of bonus data, and then by the time the 29th rolled around, I had used just over 1gb of the plan data. But now that a new allocation of bonus data has been applied, that final 1gb of plan data is no longer useable and i'm churning through the bonus data again.

It seems to me, the simplest way to sort that out would be to have both data allocations roll over on the same day. Alternatively (but I guess requiring quite sizeable changes to the current system), would be to allow a choice of which data to use at any given time.

Last time I posted in this forum, no one from Spark responded. I'd appreciate it if someone could look into this for me, so I don't keep "wasting" the money i'm spending on the plan.

Thanks

surfisup1000

4736 posts

Uber Geek

#1545899 3-May-2016 11:22

Just call spark, they'll fix it if they can.

trig42

Banana?
4998 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1545910 3-May-2016 11:36

I don't see why this is a problem?

Are you running out of Data?

Are you paying more than you thought you would?

LazyDr

262 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1545929 3-May-2016 12:07

Yes I'm running out of data, and unless I get through 2gb in one week, I won't be able to use the other 1gb I've paid for with the plan.

Alternatively, if I do get through the 2gb bonus data in time to use the rest of the plan data, I'll only have 2.5gb available for the next 3+ weeks.

I freely admitted it's a first world problem, but quite annoying for me given I obviously use a lot of data each month

[Edit] Just checked, have used 1gb of bonus data since the 29th

tripp

3510 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1545937 3-May-2016 12:31

Call or chat to spark (online) they might be able to setup your bonus to be the billing date

I currently have the same plan + 500MB + 2Gigs bonus.

Plan and bonus 2gig rolls over on the 11th. Bonus 500MB renews on the 4th of each month.

I have never even used the data in my plan once yet. But I am sure going to miss the bonus data when 12 months is up.

DaveB

1139 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1546842 4-May-2016 20:42

I am in a similar position and I think it is due to when we both changed plans. It sounds like in your case it was the 29th of the month, whereas your usual plan is billed (and continues to be billed) on the 6th following.

The way I see it, between the 29th of April and 28th May, we are both receiving 4.5gb data to use, even though we receive those data blocks at slightly different times. The point remains, we both receive a combined 4.5gb to use for a whole month period.

I really must be missing your point.

SparkNZ

31 posts

Geek

Trusted

Spark NZ

#1547032 5-May-2016 10:04

LazyDr:

I recently signed up to Spark on a $59 plan, the normal monthly allocation of data is 2.5gb, but as per the recent promotion, I have a bonus 2gb/month also.

My (first world) problem is the way in which the data is used. The bonus data rolls over on the 29th of each month, while the plan data changes on the 6th, and it seems as though the bonus data is preferentially used up before the plan data. This means I can't use the data i'm paying for..

For example, last month I used all 2gb of bonus data, and then by the time the 29th rolled around, I had used just over 1gb of the plan data. But now that a new allocation of bonus data has been applied, that final 1gb of plan data is no longer useable and i'm churning through the bonus data again.

It seems to me, the simplest way to sort that out would be to have both data allocations roll over on the same day. Alternatively (but I guess requiring quite sizeable changes to the current system), would be to allow a choice of which data to use at any given time.

Last time I posted in this forum, no one from Spark responded. I'd appreciate it if someone could look into this for me, so I don't keep "wasting" the money i'm spending on the plan.

Thanks

Hey LazyDR,

The order the data is used (that is, first in, last out) is essentially a limitation from an old system, but we have a piece of work as a part of our massive system upgrade programme (ReEngineering in the parlance!) that is in-flight at the moment and will be switching the order around.

We absolutely can change the date, but the most effective way to do this is to re-add your bonus data on the day the plan rolls over, so it'd be worth getting in touch with us the day that happens and it should be pretty straight forward.

To your last point, we don't have the resource to actively maintain a service presence on geekzone, we do our best to go in as required, but the reality is there is more resource pressure for online support through other avenues, and that's what gets the resource. You can always talk to our awesome social media team on Facebook or Twitter, and then there's obviously live chat also :)

Cheers!

Sam

We are Spark. We're about delivering what our customers want: Mobility, data, music, internet TV, cloud services, and much more.

Web: spark.co.nz | sparknz.co.nz
Facebook: fb.com/spark4nz
Twitter: @sparknz | @sparknzltd
Broadband: 0800 22 55 98
Mobile: 0800 800 163 | *123
General: 0800 800 123 | 123
Media enquiries: 0800 222 412

LazyDr

262 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1547638 6-May-2016 14:23

Thank you Sam, I will aim to do that, and appreciate your reply.

DaveB:

I am in a similar position and I think it is due to when we both changed plans. It sounds like in your case it was the 29th of the month, whereas your usual plan is billed (and continues to be billed) on the 6th following.

The way I see it, between the 29th of April and 28th May, we are both receiving 4.5gb data to use, even though we receive those data blocks at slightly different times. The point remains, we both receive a combined 4.5gb to use for a whole month period.

I really must be missing your point.

It all depends on how much of the data you use, and when you use it. Without going into detail (as my query has been answered), it is possible for me to get through all my data allocation at some times of the month, while at others not having access to extra data that would stop the situation of having none left on those other times.

Also, at times when my allocation is running low, I alter my usage so as not to run out. This is likely to happen more often with the different roll-over dates, and I would rather avoid that.

So yes we both have 4.5gb to use over a one month period, but your total available will fluctuate more often, and sometimes you'll be unable to use it efficiently