Need help finding a plan - challenging corporate expense plan

LAussiePeso on 29/10/2020 - 08:50

I have started a new job about 2 months ago. Good role for a good American tech company.
I have put in my expense claim for my first 2 months on the job which due to covid is just a mobile expense claim. When I joined I checked the expense policy and is up to $350 USD per month - but I clearly didn't read the limitations which means you cannot claim back handset repayments.

Hence my question, is there any way to get a more expensive phone plan that locks me into a contract and gives me the handset for free? I know this was the norm a few years ago but it seems all the carriers have moved away from this model.

I am flexible on carrier, but not sure how to get this one through the expense gate?

Mobile

Comments

  • toomuchdogfur on 29/10/2020 - 10:22

    Hah, hope you don't plan on claiming that entire amount per month… they'd probably look poorly on that!

    As for phone + plan deals, I don't think there's been anything higher than $99 per month with a Samsung S20 FE, assuming you don't want any upfront costs.

    Otherwise if you go straight to Telstra, Optus or Vodafone, they all do device repayment plans over the life of the mobile phone plan. The phone repayments and plan cost would be on the same bill, but itemised - is that enough or would it still raise eyebrows?

    • AussiePeso on 29/10/2020 - 11:55

      Yeah that JB-Hi-Fi one looks like the closest to what I need.

      I certainly don't plan on spending the maximum, it is a one sized fits all regions policy so the $350 is the max and really only relevant for people in the worst cost countries with high international needs.

      I am currently with Voda and have a plan + h/set repayment which got rejected and kicked this off. They have repaid the plan part, but not the handset part.

      Do any of the three main carriers do plans that include phones anymore?

      • toomuchdogfur on 29/10/2020 - 12:28
        +1

        Ah bummer… yeah then the Telstra plans with a phone (or gift card as mentioned by Quantumcat below) are the only ones. There hasn't been a carrier "free phone!" deal for years now outside of these ones.

        But at least you can be pretty certain this plan will work for reimbursements - the phone is "purchased" entirely outside of Telstra's systems as you're issued with a JB receipt for the phone. And the bills literally name the service as "JB Hi-Fi & The Good Guys Mobile BYO Plan $99."

  • 87percent on 29/10/2020 - 11:07
    +1

    $350USD per month on a mobile plan!?

    • AussiePeso on 29/10/2020 - 11:55

      I certainly don't plan on spending the maximum, it is a one sized fits all regions policy so the $350 is the max and really only relevant for people in the worst cost countries with high international needs

  • Quantumcat on 29/10/2020 - 11:56
    +2

    Get one of the telstra jb hi fi plans that come with a gift card. Work will pay the plan and you get the giftcard to put towards a phone (if that's what you want).

    There is the best possible value one on right now but there's also ones for much higher cost per month and slightly higher giftcards.

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