Switching from Pay monthly SIM contract to PAYG SIM

[panda]

I can't seem to find any information about switching from a monthly Three Advanced SIM 8GB Data Unlimited Minutes - 12 month plan to PAYG keeping the same phone number and using a physical SIM card (in an iPhone). How does one proceed and what is the timeframe as I believe there's one month notice on the pay monthly plans?

It it helps, I'd like to switch from a 'Three Advanced SIM 8GB Data Unlimited Minutes - 12 month' plan that is way past the initial year to a Three PAYG as I'll be spending time abroad so won't use much my UK SIM at all, but would like to keep my phone number.

Can it be done online or in the iOS app (I couldn't find how)? Should I go into a shop? Any other advice on how to do this? Thanks in advance.

[JonathanB]

Hi @podvodoy,

PAC codes can only be used to move to a different provider.

Thanks,
Jonathan

[jimjamz]

I would not wait for this to be resolved.  Three have had years to accomplish this and have made no suggestions that they plan to do this.  I see it as a ploy to discourage current contract customers to revert back to, or switch to PAYG.  Even if Three had our best intentions at heart, it is probably a small percentage of customers who are wanting to make the switch, that Three will use this statistic as a means to justify not going to the effort of implementing this process.

I've already moved away from Three in May.  I do not plan on returning to Three as a PAYG customer.

[Chris_10]

I contacted Three via Twitter and was given a chat link to Glasgow.  Corresponded with a lovely lady called kate and the solution at present is to order a PAYG Sim card - Select your data pack Activate Sim by putting in your phone then recontact the Three helpdesk via Twitter and get them to manually change your number over onto the new sim card.  Bonkers but thats the current work around - Dont bother with 333 or Chat as they are useless and dont understand the issue.  USE TWITTER (X)

[Chris_10]

Im having exactly the same problem as all of you above.  Ive been told on the chat that the IT system is being changed and they can not transfer my existing Three number that i use onto a PAYG Sim .

I received an e mail 2 days before i was coming abroad to see my son for 8 weeks that, my current Three pay monthly contract (that i have not upgraded for a few years as I was aware that i would lose my included International and Europe Roaming) was going to be stopped from 5.3.24.  I have spent at least 20 hours on 333 and the Three Chat trying to come to a solution that means that I can remain with Three but continue to have my Go Roam by transferring to a PAYG contract. 

If I remain with  pay monthly they are basically offering me a doubling of my monthly payment to £16 a month with no Go Roam ---- This is just ridiculous.  I am also having to call and stay on line 11 hours ahead of UK time so this is highly frustrating and I need to resolve this asap as I use my number for my work ---- the only option that I see is that I end up having to leave Three after some 10 years plus just to sort this out

[midgelfc]

I have the same issue. Looking to switch from Pay Monthly Contract to PAYG and just been told on the chat that this isn't possible. 

@JonathanB would you have any update or definitive answer if it is possible to transfer an existing number from Pay Monthly > PAYG? 🙏 

[Obaidkalawal]

How can i give monthely pakeg

[TiG]

Exactly the same problems trying to move from Pay monthly (out of contract) to PAYG and keep my number.  Passed from 1 person to another on the customer service phone line and kept being offered different contract options which did not suit my needs.  Then told that it would not be possible to switch my number to a PAYG plan on 3 due to IT/software system changes.  Would like a clear, straightforward solution to make the transfer to PAYG and keep my number without having to move to a different network.

[sebleslie123]

Hi @JonathanB can you please send me the same info as I'm looking to do the same (moving from sim only contract to PAYG). Telephone and live chat say the same thing that it is not an option due to new IT systems and I need to make this transfer urgently. 

Thank you!

Seb

[frustrated1]

Another frustrated user here.

What a joke that the "best answer" is to talk to the chat team!

I have had correspondence with members of the chat team, telling me they cannot change my number back to PAYG.  There is "no menu option", they say.  I need to move to a different Provider in order to keep my number!! It's particularly frustrating as this number was originally a PAGY up to about a week ago.

My story:

- have had a PAYG number with 3 (call it number A) for a couple of years since I moved that number A from an old provider.

- was looking at details of plans a week or two ago and decided it might be easier to have a "pay monthly" plan to save the hassle of topping-up

- applied for the Pay monthly plan through my account on three.co.uk and that was approved a few days ago, using number A.

- after a day or two I realised that despite the generous "roaming" options while away, I could not send a text to an international number from the UK.  Going through the details, clear that the plan will not work for my needs, hence I cancelled it.  I am well within the returns period, and this is now marked as being under cancellation on my account.

- during the discussions I asked could my number (A) just go back to being PAYG again like it had been 10 days before.  No .. they said ... to do that I need to order a *new* PAYG sim and transfer the number over (*sigh*).   I would need the PAC code.  Requested that and it was sent to me. 

- Ordered a new PAYG sim from 3, and it arrived swiftly to my flat, call it number B.  Activated now.

- Went to three.co.uk.  There is a switching form there to transfer my number ... it asks for lots of details including the PAC code ... however it is not happy with a PAC code from 3 itself and I can't submit it.

- Went onto "chat" and had some conversations with the Team in the hope that they can do the change behind the scenes ... no they can't.  They tell me the only way to keep my old number A will be to apply for a(nother) SIM from a different provider and transfer it across to the other company.

So there we are.

Could someone from 3 give us some help.

I can't manage without a number much longer so most likely I will need to move to giffgaff or Virgin

--mary

[JonathanB]

Hi Mary,

I'm sorry to hear that the team wasn't able to help. I've double checked our processes, and can see instructions for the team on how to move a number to PAYG when cancelling a contract. I'll send you some info to get you in touch with some colleagues in an escalated team, who can take a closer look into this.

To view your private messages on the community, click on your avatar image in the top right of any community page, then "Messages".

Thanks,
Jonathan