Upgrading to HD while under the loyal customer deal

[mike_84]

I've read alot of threads on upgrading to HD on here that has gave me a better understanding on it, however there's some questions I haven't found.

First let me tell what the current setup is, customer since March 2002, grandfathered in total choice plus with Starz and locals, and 3 SD receivers (2 Phillips DSX5353R, & 1 D11) with the original single LNB dish. And 3 months of Showtime for free from the anniversary gift.

Only looking to upgrade the primary receiver to a standard HD (non DVR) receiver, since my dad just recently won a 32' HDTV at his workplace.

My understanding is that you pay $99 dollars for the lease fee for the HD receiver (non DVR), and the new dish and installation is free? And then pay for the HD access package each month. Correct me if I'm wrong on that.

And how does having the anniversary gift factor on upgrading like on the receiver? Could I trade the 3 free months of Showtime for a deal on a receiver?

I'm not going to do the cancel part to get a better a deal if my parents decide to upgrade, because knowing my luck they would cancel before I had a chance to say something.

Thanks in advance.

Edit: Can somebody move this to the correct section (General Discussion or Installation Discussion), I got confused on the Products and Services and the Programming and Services sections)

[say-what]

Chances are that they'll install the new dish and basic HD receiver for free. The anniversary gift won't have any effect on this. Also, I suspect if you check their account online, it might show the basic HD receiver available as free. Call and ask very nicely - since they routinely knock $100 off the DVR's on upgrades, no reason they won't give him the basic HD receiver.

Once they upgrade, they'd have to pay the HD Access fee each month ($10)

[MIKE0616]

Chances are that they'll install the new dish and basic HD receiver for free. The anniversary gift won't have any effect on this. Also, I suspect if you check their account online, it might show the basic HD receiver available as free. Call and ask very nicely - since they routinely knock $100 off the DVR's on upgrades, no reason they won't give him the basic HD receiver.

Once they upgrade, they'd have to pay the HD Access fee each month ($10)

Yup. Also, the overall bill will only go up by the 10$ as the receiver will be a swap for one of the old SD ones.

Only additional thing I can think of is that contract will be extended for 24 months with the exchange of the receivers, but that is no biggie if the parents like what they have on D*.