T-Mobile is changing how customers receive rebates, so it pays to be mindful of the details.
Depending on the promotion, customers will get one of two prepaid cards: Magenta or Black, and there’s a big difference between the two. The Magenta prepaid rebate card sports the company’s traditional color and logo but can only be used at T-Mobile, unlike Black cards, which can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted. T-Mobile rolled out the change on September 7.
Customers can use the Magenta card to pay T-Mobile bills, make a one-time payment, or buy new devices, accessories, and services. The color of your card depends on the promotion you sign up for. The Magenta card shows up as a Virtual Prepaid Mastercard. There is no way to change the option. The cards can only be used on the T-Mobile website, app, or store.
The change means that customers should look more carefully at the fine print to see what kind of promotion they’re getting. Previously, rebate cards could be used outside of company-specific purchases, so unless someone looks carefully, they may not realize they’re receiving what is essentially a credit towards future bills.
Look at the Payout section of a promotion to see how rebates are issued.
Although the card can only be redeemed at T-Mobile, some promotions may be worth it. T-Mobile changed the rebate for porting in a line from two lines for $400 to five lines for $1,000 issued on the Magenta card, according to The Mobile Report. Having an extra thousand to spend is still a big perk, even with restrictions on how to use it.
Customers who switch to T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet are eligible for a $50 virtual prepaid Mastercard. That covers the cost of one month’s service, and the Uncarrier throws in the 5G Wi-Fi Gateway for no extra fees. Check out T-Mobile’s promotions page to see more deals.
T-Mobile was not immediately available for comment on future Magenta-specific promotions. According to the company’s promotional cards page, the credits expire six months after being issued.