Vodafone advantage

[Karllfc123]

Hi, I've been trying to upgrade my plan with Vodafone. I have been trying to apply the employee advantage promotional code to a new plan with no success. Ive tried this with multiple phones and airtime plans, making sure each time the plan is not already discounted. Each time it says promotional code cannot be applied to basket.

I see this has been raised a few times recently so I decided to call up customer support, they basically outlined there was nothing they could do and that I should take the plan out and try to apply the discount afterwards. But I've read in multiple places that it can only be applied when taking the phone/plan out. Ive used this service a couple of times before and this has never happened.

At a bit of a loss as to what to do now if anyone can assist 

Thanks 

[Mark]

The discount does need to be added at the point of sale online @Karllfc123. Can you check the code provided doesn't have an expiry date and if it does, that it's not past this. If not, please pop us a message through one of our social channels, and one of our dedicated team will be more than happy to help.

[Karllfc123]

Hi Mark, thanks for getting back to my query.

I've tried 2 codes one claimed yesterday and one today with the same outcome. I'll message on twitter now. Thanks 

[zorica]

Hi, did you manage to resolve it? 
I literally have the same issue, talked to 5 different people and they told me nothing can be done. 
Vodafone Customer Service is non existing these days!

[Karllfc123]

Hi, pretty much got told the same thing. I have a feeling they're phasing out the advantage scheme. As every phone I was looking to upgrade with, about 8 different phones and 10 different plans I tried, they told me they had discount already applied. Even though it didn't say it anywhere. So I asked for a list of phones not discounted and there was a list of about 6. All older models and all that.

So I've ended up not upgrading now I'll just ride this phone out till it breaks. Shame really 

[zorica]

Hi, thank you for responding quickly. In my case, I have been trying to upgrade my expiring sim-only plan this month. In previous years, I never had any issues getting the plan discounted through the Employee Advantage Scheme. I have been on the same plan for years and just kept renewing it. I tried adding every sim-only plan to test the code, but it was not accepted. When I spoke to "customer service," several people gave me different explanations, but all said that nothing could be done if the code wasn't working at the point of sale. There is no explanation or assistance available to figure out why the code is not working. (at the end of the day Vodafone is the one who provided me the code at the first place lol AND its not working on any SIM plan). They also told me that there is no one else I could talk to. I even asked them to apply the discount on their end and offered to provide NHS credentials for verification that I'm eligible, but they said that was not possible either. They didn't even offer me any alternative discount to retain me as a customer of 14 years, literally, they were like nothing can be done, no any other discounts can't be offered, bye. I called to lodge a complaint, but I was told it's not possible over the phone, and they provided me with this email address and that's pretty much end of the road.I agree with you; it seems like instead of simply terminating the scheme, they have made it unusable so that it appears to still exist but in reality, they phased it out. What was most disappointing to me is the significant drop in customer service. My entire household uses Vodafone, including our broadband, and in the past, it was always easy to resolve any issues. Now, there is a general lack of care and a patronizing attitude towards customers. Every single person I spoke to couldn't be bothered and just wanted to brush me off without attempting to resolve the issue.I think all of this is due to the financial issues Vodafone is currently facing so they stopped giving discounts.

I recently read that they have been reporting operating losses and will undergo restructuring. Their shares are at an ultimately low rate at the moment. (They are also trying to merge with the 3 network to save themselves.) 
Shame indeed. I will be looking to switch where is cheaper, to be honest and I advise you to do the same. 

Our customer loyalty is not appreciated at all!

[wefwef]

I have just posted this in another similar post as I too am having the same problems and experiences when trying to contact Vodafone for help.

I too have the same/similar issue. I am eligible, have used the Vodafone portal to obtain the codes, which I have used over many years with the same 12 month new code column, and I tried to use the online chat which was of no use as we kept going round in circles. I too am looking to upgrade my wife's sim only contract to include a new IPhone 15 Pro and an upgraded Extra airtime plan, but the codes have been used over several years and I am not getting new ones shown, so at a loss as trying to explain to Vodafone has had no success and takes a lot of time, where from past experience the outcome can take multiple attempts and many hours of effort. Reading the ts&cs indicates that you are entitled to 5/6 codes for friends and family, and with the next code available being in 12months, I would expect to be able to have multiple codes made available for the ones that were used 2/3 years ago. Would really appreciate anyone that can advise how to get this resolved (without having to use chat or call as this take hours and rarely ends positively).

[Gemma]

Hi @wefwef - have you selected another red claim button to reveal the additional discount code?  If you have, then please send us a message on Social Media. 

[wefwef]

Thanks, yes the screenshot previously added is after entering my works email address, using the one time only link which then provides the codes. The only red button available is from the email received with the single use link, so I will send a message on social media and hope it can be resolved quickly

[Gemma]

Thanks @wefwef  - We'll then be able to go through some options and then escalate this if needed,