The Verizon Global Choice plan is a premium international calling feature that allows you to designate one specific country as your preferred destination, granting you a monthly bundle of minutes (up to 300 minutes, depending on the country and plan type) for a flat monthly fee (typically $10 per line).
If your calling needs change, you can change your Verizon Global Choice country each month, giving you flexibility. However, Verizon does not offer a direct “change country” button for an existing Global Choice feature. Instead, you change the country by replacing the old Global Choice feature with a new one for your desired country.
Here are the step-by-step instructions for changing your preferred country on the Verizon Global Choice plan.
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Understanding the Change Process
When you “change” your Global Choice country, you are essentially removing the existing Global Choice feature (e.g., Global Choice – Argentina) and adding a new Global Choice feature (e.g., Global Choice – France).
- Frequency: The Global Choice country can be changed once per month (per billing cycle).
- Effective Date: The new country selection typically takes effect immediately upon confirmation and will replace the old country.
- Cost: The monthly charge (usually $10) remains the same, but the preferred country’s minute allowance and discounted rate apply to the new destination.
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Step-by-Step Guide to Changing the Country
You have three primary methods to update your preferred Global Choice country. The easiest method is generally via text message.
Method A: Text Message (The Quickest Way)
This method automatically removes the old Global Choice feature and adds the new one.
- Identify the Keyword: Find the exact country keyword for the new destination country (e.g., Argentina, France, India).
- Send the Text: Open your text messaging app and text the desired country’s keyword (case-sensitive, spelled correctly) to the shortcode 4004.
- Example: To change your preferred country to France, text France to 4004.
- Confirm Activation: You will receive a confirmation text message from Verizon stating that the new Global Choice country has been activated and is ready for use.
Method B: My Verizon App
- Open My Verizon App: Log in to the My Verizon app on your smartphone.
- Navigate to Plans/Services: Tap the “Account” tab, then navigate to the “Services & Perks” or “Manage International Plan”
- Remove Old Plan: Locate your existing Global Choice plan (e.g., Global Choice – Brazil) and select the option to Remove Plan.
- Add New Plan: Immediately after removing the old plan, select Add a New International Plan or Add-ons.
- Select New Country: Choose Global Choice again, and this time, select your desired new country from the list. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm the activation.
Method C: My Verizon Website
- Log In: Go to the My Verizon website on your desktop browser and log in to your account.
- Manage Features: Navigate to the section for Plan or Add-ons and Apps.
- Change International Plan: Locate the option to Change Plan or Manage International Long Distance.
- Process Replacement: Select your existing Global Choice feature and choose to replace it with a new Global Choice feature, specifying the new country.
- Important Notes on Global Choice
Global Choice is for Calling FROM the US
It is a common misconception that Global Choice is for use when traveling internationally. Global Choice is an International Long Distance (ILD) plan for calling from the US to one chosen country.
- For Travel: If you are traveling outside the US, you need a TravelPass or a Monthly International Plan (like the Unlimited Ultimate plan which includes international benefits), not Global Choice.
What Happens to the Old Plan?
When you successfully add a new Global Choice country (by texting the keyword or adding the feature online), the new feature will replace any previous International Calling plan on that specific line. This ensures you are only charged for one plan at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing the country cost an extra fee?
No. If you are simply changing your preferred country on the Global Choice plan, you will only pay the standard $10 monthly fee for the plan itself. You are not charged an extra fee to switch countries, but the switch does reset your monthly minute allowance for the new country.
Do I have to wait until the end of my billing cycle to change the country?
No. You can change your Global Choice country at any time during your billing cycle. However, since the switch immediately replaces the old plan and resets your minutes for the new country, you may lose any unused minutes from the previous month’s allowance.
What if I call a country that is not my selected Global Choice country?
Your Global Choice plan still provides discounted per-minute rates for calls to over 220 other countries. If you call a country that is not your preferred choice, you will be charged the discounted pay-per-minute rate, which is lower than the standard international rate.
What happens if I forget to remove the Global Choice plan before changing my domestic plan?
If you switch from a plan that included Global Choice (like Unlimited Ultimate) to a lower-tier plan, the Global Choice feature will likely remain active and convert to a standalone $10/month charge. To avoid unwanted billing, always remove the Global Choice feature (or confirm it is removed) under your “Services & Perks” in the My Verizon app or website after changing your domestic plan.
