@wasCB14 wrote:
@imaximous wrote:
@wasCB14 wrote:My apps are pretty much reserved for big bonuses (>$600) so I don't think it would really make sense for me to app for a card mainly because it provides long-term phone protection along with a ≤$300 bonus. A bonus is certain, but a damaged phone is unlikely.
I might just buy a new phone outright and trust a strong case over any protection plan. My 2015 phone isn't damaged...it just doesn't have any free memory!
Any thoughts on the best pricing/portals/promotions for a Samsung S9+? Best card in my sig to use?
That's what I was thinking too until my daughter broke her iPhone. So it kinda worked as a bonus because I'm saving the $349 Apple is charging to fix it (more like giving me a new one in exchange for the broken one). I won't be buying Applecare+ anymore either. Plus, it also covers loss and theft.
Anyway, try the Samsung shop. If you're not in a rush to get it, they tend to run promos that may include a trade-in and other offers by carrier. When I got my S8, I traded an old iPhone, and got like $250 for it, plus they gave me a set of wireless headphones worth about $100 (IconX). I ended up paying just over $300 for it - no contract.
I do wish I could PC my Arrival to Uber...against Barclaycard rules, though. I'll consider a new card.
I've seen offers for free expanded memory cards. I could trade in my S4 if they'll take it.
Other than getting a special carrier-specific promotion, my understanding is that it's best to buy an unlocked phone and insert the old SIM card myself. Is this correct? Anything else I'd need to do or pay for if I buy it unlocked from Samsung?
Yeah, I checked and they don't have good offers right now on the Samsung Shop. That's why I said if you're not in a rush, they do run decent promos from time to time. Now, to be fair and I don't mean any disrespect, but trading an S4 now isn't going to get you much or anything at all, haha. I'm sorry, but they already lowball you on last year's devices, so whatever offer you can get, don't count on trading in that phone or expect much.
Now, as far as unlocked phones, it used to be a bigger deal in the past because of outrageous charges for international usage. So people would swap the US SIM card when traveling for a local one, and use their phones in other countries at a much lower cost - prepaid plan. Nowadays, while there's still a fee, it's nowhere near what it used to. For instance, with Verizon's and AT&T's current plans, you can use your phone as if you were in the US by paying $10 a day. I find it very convenient because I don't have to buy a foreign SIM with prepaid service anymore, which ends up costing me about the same -- of course, depending on how long I travel for. Canada and Mexico are included at no cost in current plans, so you can roam for free there.
Then, there's the idea that if you're unhappy with your carrier, by having an unlocked phone, you can move to another one. But, it's not that simple either. Not all unlocked phones are compatible with all networks. So, I always buy Verizon phones even though I'm on AT&T because Verizon phones come unlocked from factory anyway, and are compatible with more networks. iPhones don't have carrier preloaded software because Apple won't let them 
Android is a different story.
There's also a difference between unlocked phones. There are factory unlocked phones without carrier branding or software, and you can also get an unlocked phone specific for your carrier. One thing about the former is that some features may not work with your carrier, like visual voicemail for instance, and the majority only come as a GSM version. So if you're on Verizon or Sprint, it's not going to work right.
There's a lot more to talk about, but I just went totally off-topic there and forgot we're talking credit cards here, so I'll stop. Sorry. I just get excited when it comes to phones.