Four ways to cut your Virgin Media bill ahead of huge rise in costs for millions within days
MILLIONS of Virgin Media customers can slash their bills ahead of the provider hiking broadband, mobile and TV prices this spring.
Households using Virgin services will see their bill increase from April 1.
How much by depends on when you took out a contract.
Those who signed a deal before January 9 will see their bills hiked by January’s Retail Price Index (RPI) measure of inflation (3.6%) plus 3.9% – a 7.5% rise.
That means if you pay £20 for your TV deal now, it will rise to £21.50.
Those that took out contract after January 9 will see their packages go up by pounds and pence, with a rise of £3.50 a month.
The new pricing system follows an Ofcom crackdown on mid-contract price rises that catch customers out.
In any case, if you’re bracing for the impact of a broadband, TV or phone bill price rise, there are steps you can take now to lessen the blow.
Haggle
TV, broadband and phone providers hate to lose customers so haggling with Virgin could see you offered a better deal.
Use a comparison site such as MoneySupermarket.com or Uswitch.com to find deals available in your area based on price, allowances and provider.
If you find a comparable deal for a better price than you’re being offered, ring the Virgin customer retention team and tell them you would like a discount or will think of leaving.
Stay polite and affable but be prepared to haggle on the phone for a better deal.
If you’re not comfortable haggling over the phone, you could try chatting to a customer service agent through the live chat feature via www.virginmedia.com/help/live-chat.
Meanwhile, Virgin Media also offers existing customers “exclusive deals” if you stay with them.
You can find these by signing into your account. Make sure you check these out to see if you can get a better deal.
Opt for a social tariff
A host of providers offer discounted tariffs to those on benefits such as Universal Credit and Pension Credit known as “social tariffs”.
You’ll often get a broadband, mobile or TV deal significantly cheaper than a standard deal by opting for one.
The regulator Ofcom has a list on its website of all the phone and broadband providers offering social tariffs, including Virgin.
Customers can sign up for a Virgin Media Essential Broadband package for £12.50 a month or Virgin Media Essential Broadband Plus package for £20 a month.
The deals offer you broadband speeds of 15Mbps and 54Mbps, respectively.
You can sign up to either of the tariffs if you’re on one of the following benefits: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-based Employment Support Allowance.
Downgrade
You can reduce costs by changing up the specific details of your package.
For example, you could opt for a Virgin broadband package with a lower speed which could save you money.
At the time of writing, an Ultrafast Fibre broadband only deal with 516Mbps speeds was £34 a month.
Simple trick to get a free TV licence
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals how you can save £169.50 a year on your TV licence.
People on Pension Credit and aged 75 or over can actually get a free TV licence as part of claiming the benefit.
If you already receive Pension Credit, you can apply for your free licence when you are 74.
To find out more and to apply visit www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/aged-74-and-over-aud3.
However, an internet deal with 132Mbps was £10 cheaper a month at £24 a month – saving you £120 over a year.
Ditch and leave
If you’re a Virgin customer and out of contract on your TV, phone or broadband deal, you could always cancel penalty-free.
Around 32% of bundled broadband and pay-TV customers were out of contract as of the end of June 2024, according to Ofcom.
So, ask yourself whether you really need a Virgin Media TV package if you’re already signed up to Netflix and Amazon Prime.
If you’re out of contract on a Virgin mobile tariff, try going for a SIM-only deal which can save you money too.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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