That doesn't sound right.  I mean, why couldn't an unlimited data user use an upgrade to buy a new phone then?  When you subsidize, don't you have to choose an available and advertised plan, or is this the loophole, since the loyalty plan is available, just not advertised?  I was told "NO."  But that was over a year ago.

Those Loyalty lines were to bring over basic phone users to smartphones way back when.  Since there is no line charge, Verizon doesn't really make the money back on a $700 phone on a straight $60+tax line.