AARP Cell Phone Plan Review: The Perfect Plan For Every Senior Citizen

As someone over the age of fifty, you may be looking to take advantage of the many senior citizen discounts that are out there. There is everything from saving money on your groceries, health insurance, and even your cell phone plan—and many discounts start from the age of 55 and onward.

If you want to look for a new cell phone plan and think that you can qualify for a senior discount through one of them, then you should consider looking into AARP’s cell phone plans. Not only can they help you to save a ton of money, but you can also take advantage of some great cell phone deals.

Consider taking a look into AARP cell phone plans and all that they can offer a senior citizen like yourself!

If you want to switch cell phone carriers, then consider looking into Really to help you with all of your phone services needs! At Really, you can compare phone plans to get more bang for your buck, and you can see what carriers and plans are in your area, sort by price, best value and more, and even click on the plan you wish to learn more about in an instant. 

AARP At a Glance

Nothing is more satisfying than being able to save on your monthly cell phone bill, and as a senior citizen, you can save even more money. AARP members can save a ton of money per month on their cell phone plan, but it’s important to know the basics before jumping the bandwagon.

Learn a little bit more about AARP cell phone plans at a distance before signing up for a plan!

Best for: The most important thing that AARP cell phone plans are known for is helping senior citizens to save money through their monthly cell phone bill. By becoming a member of AARP, you can take advantage of discounted cell phone plans through Consumer Cellular with a 45-day risk-free guarantee. 

Price: The prices of a discounted senior citizen cell phone plan through AARP are extremely affordable. As an AARP member, you can take advantage of talk, text, and data plans starting off at $20 per line, you can get 5% off of monthly fees, and up to 30% off of accessories on your plan too.

Plan: There are a few different cell phone plans that you can take advantage of through Consumer Cellular, but one of the most popular and exclusive plans they offer right now is unlimited everything for $55 for two-lines. You can sign up for this plan online by simply putting in the code “AARP55” at the checkout. 

Network: Consumer Cellular uses two different networks depending on the area that you live. They use either AT&T or T-Mobile’s network, which both are known for having some of the best service and coverage throughout the United States. You will be assigned the best one according to what is within your area.

Can you use your own phone? If you are further looking to save money on your cell phone plan, you can consider getting a cell phone plan through Consumer Cellular as they allow you to bring your own cell phone. All you need is to activate your preexisting cell phone with their activation kit and you’ll be ready to go.

AARP Cell Phone Plan: Pros & Cons

Take a look at some of the pros and cons of AARP’s cell phone plans to see if they’re right for you!

👍 What We Liked

• AARP Member Discount. By simply having an AARP membership, you can save even more money on your cell phone plan and enjoy 5% off of your monthly bill and 30% off of cell phone accessories.
• Consumer Cellular is a Reliable MVNO. AARP doesn’t have their own cell phone plans, but they provide a code to help you save money on exclusive plans through Consumer Cellular, a reliable MVNO.
• T-Mobile or AT&T Network to Choose From. Consumer Cellular has network coverage through T-Mobile or AT&T and depending on where you live, you get the service that works best for you. 
• No-Contract Plans. Consumer Cellular offers plans that  are contract-free, so you don’t need to sign anything long-term and you can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time. 
• Unlimited Data Plans Available. Consumer Cellular offers unlimited talk, text, and data plans to all of its customers and this also includes members of AARP looking to save on their cell phone bill.

👎 What We Didn’t Like

• Not a Ton of Cell Phone Deals. Some main complaints when it comes to choosing a cell phone plan through Consumer Cellular are mainly due to their nonexistent cell phone deals. You will have your new device financed on your Consumer Cellular bill and ultimately pay the full price for it.
• Limited Data Plans. There are only three cell phone plans to choose from through Consumer Cellular—you can choose from 1GB, 10GB, or an unlimited data plan.
• Cap on Roaming Charges. The good news is that you can use your Consumer Cellular plan internationally, but you will be paying more once you reach your data roaming cap, which can end up costing you a ton of money. 
• Mixed Reviews on Consumer Cellular. While many people love their Consumer Cellular plan, it overall is a MVNO that has mixed reviews. Many people love them and have been with them for years, or others ended up switching shortly after signing up.
• Additional Cost on Adding a Phone Line. If you wish to add a new line to your cell phone plan through Consumer Cellular, you will be paying more money on your plan, which is up to $15 per line when added.

AARP Cell Phone Plan Services & Features

There are a few different services and features that are available in AARP’s exclusive deals on cell phone plans through Consumer Cellular.

Consider the following services and features with a Consumer Cellular phone plan:

• Low prices on all plans
• No-contract, flexible plans
• Reliable service for 25 years
• Additional discounts for AARP members
• Amazing customer service
• T-Mobile or AT&T’s reliable service and coverage
• Data usage alerts
• No overage fees
• Family plans available
• Referral rewards when recommending a friend
• Variety of devices to choose from
• 100% risk-free guarantee

AARP Cell Phone Plans & Pricing

One of the best features of Consumer Cellular’s cell phone plans are that there are three main plans to choose from, and there’s an exclusive AARP membership plan that you can choose as well.

Here are the following cell phone plans through Consumer Cellular that senior citizens can take advantage of:

• $19 per month for unlimited talk, text, and 1GB of data
• $33.25 per month for unlimited talk, text, and 10GB of data
• $47.50 per month unlimited talk, text, and data
• AARP Special - $55 per month for two-lines and unlimited talk, text, and data

It is important to keep in mind that if you want to add another line to your plan, it’s an extra $15 per line per month.

AARP Cell Phone Selection 

Consumer Cellular offers a ton of cell phones to purchase when you’re signing up for one of their plans.

Consider one of the best cell phones to go along with your AARP Consumer Cellular plan:

• Apple iPhone SE (3rd generation)
• Apple iPhone 11
• Apple iPhone 13
• Apple iPhone 14
• Apple iPhone 14 Plus
• Apple iPhone 14 Pro
• Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
• Samsung Galaxy A03s
• Samsung Galaxy A14
• Samsung Galaxy A54
• Samsung Galaxy S22
• Samsung Galaxy S23
• Samsung Galaxy S23+
• Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
• Google Pixel 6a
• Motorola Moto G 5G - 2022
• Motorola Moto G Stylus - 2022
• Motorola Moto G Plus - 2022
• Motorola Moto G Pure
• Nokia G400 5G
• Consumer Cellular ZMax 11
• Consumer Cellular ZMax 5G
• Consumer Cellular Verve Connect
• Consumer Cellular Verve Snap
• Bring your own phone

How Well Does Consumer Cellular Actually Work?

Call & Text Performance

Getting a cell phone plan through Consumer Cellular is a great option for senior citizens who are looking to save money on their monthly plans. Many people rave about the reliable call and text performance and they offer 99% coverage no matter if you live in a major city, or  rural areas.

Data Speeds

As a Consumer Cellular customer, you will be taking advantage of all of the perks of either T-Mobile or AT&T’s data speeds. Both networks offer high-speed 5G data. T-Mobile has speeds from 80 MBPS to 382 MBPS and AT&T offers speeds from 14 MBPS to 61 MBPS.

Consumer Cellular vs. Competitors

Consumer Cellular is a great option for senior citizens who are looking for a phone plan that comes at a discount through their AARP membership. 

Check out some of the competition between Consumer Cellular to get an idea of what they’re up against!

Consumer Cellular vs. Cricket Wireless

One of Consumer Cellular’s main competitors is Cricket Wireless, which is also a popular MVNO. There are a ton of people who have cell phone plans through Cricket Wireless, but they are known for having much slower data speeds compared to Consumer Cellular, even with AT&T’s network.

Consumer Cellular vs. Straight Talk Wireless

Straight Talk Wireless is another carrier and MVNO that is known for helping people to save hundreds of dollars every year on their cell phone plan. While there are many positive reviews of Straight Talk Wireless, one of the main cons include not offering unlimited high-speed data on all of their plans. 

Consumer Cellular vs. Boost Mobile

Another competitor of Consumer Cellular’s is Boost Mobile, which is another MVNO that has been extremely popular for many years. While they have been around for a while, many people have complained of poor customer service, poor cell phone selection, and more expensive data plans. 

Consumer Cellular Customer Service

Consumer Cellular is known for having reliable customer service representatives to help you no matter what issue you may be facing, including setting up your account, or any question about your AARP membership and phone plan.

Consumer Cellular is extremely easy to get a hold of and you can contact their customer service phone number at (888) 345-5509. One of the most common questions is how to upgrade or downgrade your plan, and you can also do this, or get in contact with customer service through the My CC app.

What Customers Have to Say About Consumer Cellular

“I had a difficult issue with my phone. Whitney was my representative. She was absolutely what customer service is supposed to be. She was very patient, very knowledgeable, and very understanding. I wish all of your employees were on her level. I also had Marco at the consumer cellular at Target in Cockeysville ,Md. He was excellent. He finished up with an issue and after 2 attempts . he solved my issue. With staff like these two, no wonder you are the best!!!!” - Jo H. (via Trustpilot 2.8 / 5 stars)

“Have only contacted customer service twice since joining CC, both times in regards to my recent cell phone upgrade. Both reps were knowledgeable, helpful and gave me the info I needed for a seamless upgrade. For those who upgrade/change carriers in the future, I recommend taking your phone to Target & letting them do it (they, also very helpful) - makes things stress-free & easy.” - Steve M. (via Trustpilot 2.8 / 5 stars)

“My mother received a letter that said she needed to update her SIMs card. When we received it we called to activate it. We spent 20 minutes on hold for some girl to haltingly read some instructions to us and tell us that it had been activated and give it 10 minutes and it would work. It's the next day and I now have to get on a plane and my mother's cell phone does not work. The only time the customer service is timely and any good is if you were calling to set up new service. After that expect to wait a ridiculous amount of time to get very little help.” - Karyn B. (via Trustpilot 2.8 / 5 stars)

AARP and Consumer Cellular FAQ

There may be a ton of thoughts going through your head if you’re a senior citizen who is considering getting a cell phone plan. Whether it’s questions about your AARP membership discount, or about Consumer Cellular in general, there is a lot to consider before signing up for a cell phone plan.

Check out some of the most frequently asked questions about AARP and Consumer Cellular!

Does Consumer Cellular Have a Lifeline?

Many cell phone carriers that sell senior plans offer a lifeline that can be used to quickly call someone in case of a medical emergency. Consumer Cellular doesn’t have their own lifeline, but incase of any kind of emergency, 911 is readily available to call.

Is Consumer Cellular For Seniors Only?

Consumer Cellular plans are for everyone. If you are looking for a plan for yourself, your family, or even as a senior citizen, you can sign up for any of their plans at any time to take advantage of their affordable prices. 

What is the Best Cell Phone Plan for Senior AARP Members?

The best cell phone plan for a senior that is also an AARP member is Consumer Cellular’s two-line deal at $55 that offers unlimited talk, text, data, and a ton of other benefits. 

AARP Offers its Senior Members Affordable Plans Through Consumer Cellular

Finding the best and most reliable plan as a senior citizen can be tough, but with the perks of being an AARP member, you can take advantage of Consumer Cellular’s popular deals. Get everything from unlimited talk, text, and data, and as a senior you’ll get the best deals possible with Consumer Cellular.

Consider signing up for Consumer Cellular’s exclusive senior discount on a plan with your AARP membership!