Charnge fe to add/drop programming?

[tkrandall]

I was thinking of maybe adding HD extra pack for the olympic coverage that will be on UHD among the other channels. Is there a change fee if I drop it in a month?

[MIAMI1683]

I was thinking of maybe adding HD extra pack for the olympic coverage that will be on UHD among the other channels. Is there a change fee if I drop it in a month?

You must keep a package for atleast the month. As far as HD extra pack. Call them. Sometimes you can get it for free for 3 months. I think that offer is even on thier web site.

[Ken S]

I think there is a 3 month freebie that just started for the HD Extra Pack. Go to the website and try to add it...it may say Free for Three Months.

[JLucPicard]

But be careful if you have a grandfathered package as doing your own adding on the web site could force you into one of their new packages and you would lose your grandfathered benefits.

[tkrandall]

good point. I do have an older total choice plus package.

[spartanstew]

Try it by phone krandall. That seems to preserve grandfathered packages.

[JLucPicard]

Try it by phone krandall. That seems to preserve grandfathered packages.
And I might NICELY explain to the CSR that the reason you are calling rather than doing via the web site is that you have a grandfathered package and you want to make sure that gets maintained. Hopefully that will keep them from just forging ahead and accidentally changing your package themselves. I believe that I've read that once it's changed (even by a CSR) you can't get back to the obsolete package.

[Newshawk]

I believe that I've read that once it's changed (even by a CSR) you can't get back to the obsolete package.

If it is Total Choice or Total Choice Plus, it can be reinstated for a period-I think 30 days-but any packages older than those are not reinstateable in any way.

[tkrandall]

HD extra pack is an add on to existing HD service. Do you think doing it via the web would change my base plan? Surely I'd have a confirmation screen or some other warning first.

[jodyguercio]

HD extra pack is an add on to existing HD service. Do you think doing it via the web would change my base plan? Surely I'd have a confirmation screen or some other warning first.

From what others have posted here, I would call so as not to mess anything up. As always, politeness is your friend.

[MizzouTiger]

I just added the HD Extra Pak yesterday and got the first 3 months for free offer. I too have a grandfathered package. If you try to add it on the web site, you will get a message that you have to change your package to a current one in order to add the HD Extra Pak. I called and the automated system actually stated their current first 3 months free offer. When I got connected to a CSR, she had quite a bit of trouble finding the offer on her system. She kept asking me questions about the offer - was it for new subscribers only, connected with any other offers, etc. I told her what I heard on their automated system right before she picked me up. She finally found it and added it without having to change my grandfathered package. Actually, the subject of changing packages never came up in my discussions with her. Logged on to my Directv account and saw that the package had indeed been added and that the current charge was $0.00.

Definitely call to add it if you don't want to change your grandfathered package.

[bnglbill]

HD extra pack is an add on to existing HD service. Do you think doing it via the web would change my base plan? Surely I'd have a confirmation screen or some other warning first.

Yes, any change online will require you to change your package. Been there Done that... You WILL get a message that says you are required to change your package to make the changes that you requested

[tkrandall]

don't want that..... do they try and make you re-up your contract too?

[curt8403]

don't want that..... do they try and make you re-up your contract too?
call in, you no have to change package. add the HD extra does not add to agreement

[rudeney]

I have the grandfathered “Total Choice Plus” package and I was able to add the HD Extra Pack to my account online without any problems or changes to my grandfathered status. That was several months ago, so YMMV!

[JLucPicard]

There used to be a radio button that read something like "Keep my current programming package" at the bottom of the "choose your base programming package" screen, then you could add premiums and/or services in following screens. That disappeared with one of the latest web site updates, though.

I used to use that. Quick, easy and no hold times! :)

[tkrandall]

I tried it on the web site and I got the pop up saying I had to change base packages. Don't want to do that as the new equivalent is $2/more per month.

[tkrandall]

Called on the ride home and the lady gave me the HD pack 3 months free deal. Easy enough.

[sobal]

It looks like Universal HD is available in the Olympic channel range (when showing an Olympic event) even if you don't subscribe to the HD extra pack. I don't have the extra pack and do not get Universal HD on its normal 200s location, but it does come in for me in the 750s.

[The Merg]

A little OT, but is there any difference between Total Choice Plus and Total Choice Xtra besides the $2?

- Merg

[Dirac]

We were having this conversation in another thread a couple of days ago. Total Choice Plus has CBS College Sports and is $2 cheaper than Choice Xtra. I'm not sure if there are any other channel differences.

[elguapo79]

This is semi-related. In the past month, I've had a lot of changes. For one, I finally got locals which meant I had to have 3 of 4 receivers replaced. Two were old RCAs (I know), and one was a standard DVR that couldn't get MPEG-4, which I need to get locals.

It was supposed to be free save a $19.99 handling fee. When the install man got here, he didn't have a standard def. DVR w/ MPEG-4 (can't remember model), but he said he could get the HR21 for $99 so I was happy to say yes.

For some reason, he had a heckuva time getting the HD channels to work. They were working fine, but when he added the locals or something, there occurred a few problems. Eventually it got straightened out.

UNTIL -- two weeks later. I ordered a wrestling PPV online (HD version) and I got a strange message on the TV saying that the program was not available in my area. Sure enough at 8PM start time, it's a black screen. I had to call up and their only solution is to credit me the price and order the SD version, which was fine enough.

BUT -- next day, HD channels are all out. Long story short, the CSR said that I needed to switch to a current package from my Total Choice package. I'd get all the same channels, although it would be a few dollars more. I'm stupid. I said ok. Dumb dumb.

Now I'm wondering, and I guess I probably know the answer to this, but is there any truth to the statement that I wouldn't have been able to keep my regular old $9.99 HD package working with the grandfathered Total Choice?

A week later now, and I am noticing a few channels that I don't get anymore, even though she said I would. ESPN NEWS, Discovery Health, a few others. And I'm paying more than a few extra dollars. It's more like $6 extra, plus the HBO/Cinemax is $3 more than I used to pay.

I called to ask about the problem, and I had a great rep who did offer me some very nice discounts to make up for the problem over the next 3-6 months. I will get HBO/Cinemax along with Showtime/Starz free for 3 months. Also, the HD fee of $9.99 along with the DVR fee of $5.99 will be waived for the next 6 months.


The moral is if you are foolish like me and give up the nice grandfathered package when you shouldn't, at least let them know that you are disappointed with the choice you were "forced" to make and you will get a little bit back for your trouble.