Verizon just tossed a loyalty program into the ring that actually waives its activation and upgrade fees. The Shine program isn’t a gimmick; it’s a modest cash‑back scheme bundled with a few “surprise‑me” freebies.
3% Back on Your Bill – How Much Is That?
Every month, after you pay your Verizon bill (minus taxes and fees), you earn 3% of that amount in Verizon Dollars. Those credits can’t settle future bills yet, but you can splash them on new phones, accessories, or partner brands like Hilton, Marriott, Starbucks, Sephora, and Roblox. If your monthly bill is $150, you’ll see $4.50 in Verizon Dollars each cycle.
Weekly Freebie Drops – The Good, the Bad, the Unknown
Each Monday, Shine members get a random reward. The most recent drop was a $5 Starbucks gift card. Other weeks might be a discount code, a small gadget, or nothing at all. Randomness means you can’t count on a steady value, but the occasional $5‑plus perk does add up over a year.
Fee Waivers – The Real Money Saver
Two $40 fees are eliminated for members:
- $40 activation fee when you start a new line.
- $40 upgrade fee when you swap to a new device.
If you were planning to add a line or upgrade anyway, that’s an $80 instant saving—straight cash that you’d otherwise spend.
Is It Worth It?
For heavy Verizon spenders who regularly upgrade phones or add lines, the fee waivers alone make signing up a no‑brainer. The 3% back is comparable to a 2% cash‑back credit card, but it’s locked to Verizon purchases, so it’s only valuable if you’re already paying that bill.
If you’re a light user or already have a good cash‑back card, the 3% isn’t a game‑changer, and the weekly freebies are too unpredictable to rely on. However, the program is free to join, so there’s little downside to enrolling and seeing if the random drops ever hit the sweet spot.
Bottom Line
Shine is a decent add‑on for anyone who’s going to pay a Verizon bill anyway. The $80 in fee waivers offsets the modest 3% cash‑back, and the weekly freebies are a fun bonus. If you’re a light user, you might be better off sticking with a universal cash‑back card and ignoring the program.