FAQs
AT&T Usage Minimum
General Information About the Usage Minimum
Information About the AT&T Services That Apply Toward the Minimum
How the Usage Minimum Will Affect Your Phone Bill
Important Information For Customers With More Than One Phone Line
General Information About the Usage Minimum
What is the usage minimum and how is it calculated?
The monthly usage minimum is $9.99 for customers enrolled in the AT&T One Rate Plan. For example, if your monthly calling charges are $8.99, then $1.00 will be added to your bill.The monthly usage minimum is $9.99 for customers enrolled in the following plans: AT&T Cash Back Offer, AT&T Simple Minutes, AT&T True Reach Savings, AT&T One Rate, AT&T One Rate Off-Peak, AT&T One Rate Off-Peak III, AT&T Evenings (Online offer), AT&T Nights (Online offer), AT&T One Rate 9¢ or AT&T One Rate 10¢, AT&T Simplified Calling, AT&T Weekends (Online offer), AT&T One Rate Basic, AT&T One Rate Online, AT&T One Rate 12ยข, AT&T One Rate Off-Peak California, AT&T One Rate Simple or AT&T Corporate Appreciation. For example, if your monthly calling charges are $8.99, then $1.00 will be added to your bill.
Customers on these calling plans enjoy great rates usually with a small or no monthly plan fee. In order to keep these rates low and still recover our costs of providing service, it is necessary to charge the usage minimum on these calling plans.
When will I know if I will be charged the usage minimum in any given month?
When you receive your bill. Any month you spend less than the minimum on qualifying AT&T services, the difference will be added to your bill.
Why should I have to pay a usage minimum if I don't make any long distance calls?
The usage minimum is necessary because some of our customers use our services so infrequently that they do not cover the cost of providing them with basic service. The usage minimum helps us to continue to provide the high quality innovation and reliable service that you expect from AT&T.
Information About the AT&T Services That Apply Toward the Minimum
What are the AT&T services that will apply toward the minimum?
The following AT&T calls apply toward the minimum: direct-dialed, domestic and international long distance calls AT&T Calling Card, operator-handled and Directory Assistance calls. In addition, monthly recurring charges, 800 and 900 usage, dial around (10-10-288) usage, and relay calls apply toward the minimum.
Will my AT&T Calling Card calls apply toward the minimum?
Yes. But only if those charges appear on the same bill as the charges for the AT&T long distance calls you make from home. If they appear on a separate bill, you may benefit from combining them onto a single bill, since each bill will be subject to its own minimum. Your calling card calls billed to a direct-billed card will not count toward the minimum.
Does my local toll usage apply toward the minimum?
No, but for local customers, the monthly minimum will be reduced to $7.00. Any charges you incur for qualifying AT&T long distance calls will apply towards the lower MUC. If you spend less then the minimum in a given month in qualifying AT&T long distance calls, your account will be charged the difference between what you spend and $7.00. If you place at least $7.00 in qualifying calls, the charge will not apply.
What are examples of charges that do not apply toward the minimum?
The following are examples of charges that do not apply toward the minimum: All taxes (state, local and federal), Carrier Cost Recovery Fee, the Bill Statement Fee, In-State Connection Fee, any charges not billed to the customer's account, direct billed calling card calls and prepaid calling card calls.
How the Usage Minimum Will Affect Your Phone Bill
Will the minimum automatically be added to my bill every month?
No. The usage minimum only appears in those months when your AT&T calling charges are less than the minimum. The amount will be the difference between the minimum and your AT&T calling charges. The amount you pay depends on your AT&T usage in a given month and will not be more than the minimum.
Where does the charge appear on the bill?
The charge will appear in the "Other Charges and Credits" section of your bill.
I am not billed every month. How is the usage minimum calculated for me?
The usage minimum is calculated each month, even if you are not billed every month. For example, if you have a $9.99 usage minimum and your calling charges total $10.50 for the first month and $8.99 for the following month, you would be subject to a usage minimum for the second month because $8.99 is less than the $9.99 usage minimum. The usage minimum would appear as $1.00 for that two month period.
Important Information For Customers with More Than One Phone Line
Does the minimum apply to each phone line in my house?
If each phone line is maintained as a separate account, each bill you receive for those accounts will be subject to a minimum. However, if they are consolidated onto one bill, the charges will be combined, and the total usage will count towards only one minimum. Please call 1 800-222-0300 (Alaska customers call 1 800 252-7266) and we will combine your calling charges onto one long distance bill.
I have two homes. Can I combine my bills to avoid being charged the minimum twice?
If you have two homes with separate AT&T residential phone bills, please call 1 800 222-0300 and a representative will exempt your secondary residence from the usage minimum if billing capability permits.
