Master Your International Connections: A Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Verizon Global Choice Country
Ever found yourself in a pickle, needing to call a loved one or a business associate in a different country than your current Verizon Global Choice selection? It happens! Whether your travel plans shifted, a new international connection emerged, or your calling patterns simply evolved, knowing how to update your Global Choice country is incredibly useful.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, ensuring you can keep those international conversations flowing smoothly and affordably. So, are you ready to take control of your international calling? Let's dive in!
Understanding Verizon Global Choice: A Quick Refresher
Before we jump into the "how-to," let's quickly recap what Verizon Global Choice is all about. Global Choice is an add-on plan designed for Verizon customers who frequently make international calls from the US to a specific country. For a monthly fee (typically $10 per line), you get a set number of minutes to call your chosen country, plus discounted rates to over 220 other destinations and unlimited calls to Mexico and Canada. It's a fantastic way to manage your international calling costs!
The key here is "chosen country" – this is the country you get the bulk of your included minutes for, and it's the one we're going to learn how to change.
Step 1: Identify Your Need – Why Are You Changing Your Global Choice Country?
Before you even log into your Verizon account, take a moment to consider why you're making this change.
New Primary Calling Destination? Are you now calling a different country more frequently than your current Global Choice selection?
Temporary Change for a Project or Event? Do you need to switch for a short period, perhaps for a family event or a work project, and then plan to switch back?
Exploring Better Rates? Have you discovered that another country offers better rates under a different Global Choice option?
Understanding your reason will help you make the best decision and ensure a smooth transition.
Step 2: Accessing Your Verizon Account – Your Gateway to International Plans
There are two primary ways to access your Verizon account and manage your Global Choice plan:
Sub-heading: Via the My Verizon App (Recommended for Mobile Users)
Download and Open the My Verizon App: If you don't already have it, download the "My Verizon" app from your device's app store (Google Play Store for Android, Apple App Store for iOS). Once installed, open the app.
Log In: Enter your Verizon Wireless User ID and Password. If you've forgotten your credentials, follow the "Forgot User ID" or "Forgot Password" prompts.
Navigate to Your Account: Once logged in, you'll typically land on your account overview. Look for a section related to your plans, services, or lines. You might see tabs like "Mobile," "Account," or "Services."
Find International Plans: Within your plan details, there should be an option to "Manage International Plans," "Add-ons," or similar. This is where your Global Choice plan lives.
Sub-heading: Via the My Verizon Website (For Desktop/Laptop Users)
Go to the Verizon Website: Open your web browser and navigate to the official Verizon website:
www.verizon.com Log In to My Verizon: Look for the "My Verizon" or "Sign In" button, usually located in the top right corner of the page. Enter your User ID and Password.
Access Your Account: Similar to the app, you'll be directed to your account dashboard.
Locate International Plans: Find the section for "Plans," "Services," or "Add-ons." From there, you'll typically see an option for "International Plans" or "International Long Distance."
Step 3: Locating Your Global Choice Plan Details
Once you're in the international plans section (whether through the app or website), you'll need to pinpoint your active Global Choice plan.
Sub-heading: Identifying Your Current Global Choice Country
You should see a list of your current international add-ons. Look for "Global Choice" and the country it's currently set to (e.g., "Global Choice - India" or "Global Choice - Philippines").
Note down your current country – it's always good to have a record!
Step 4: Initiating the Change – Selecting a New Country
This is where the magic happens! The process for changing your Global Choice country is generally straightforward.
Sub-heading: Option A: Changing via My Verizon App/Website
Select Your Global Choice Plan: Click or tap on your active Global Choice plan.
Look for a "Change Plan" or "Edit" Option: You should see an option to modify or change the details of this plan. This might be a "Change Plan" button, an "Edit" icon (like a pencil), or a link titled "Change Country."
Browse Available Countries: Verizon will present you with a list of countries eligible for Global Choice. This list is extensive, often covering 140+ countries.
Take your time to review the options. You'll usually see the included minutes for each country listed alongside its name. Some countries offer 300 minutes, while others may offer 180, 120, or 60 minutes for the same $10/month.
Select Your New Desired Country: Choose the country you wish to set as your new Global Choice destination.
Review and Confirm: Before finalizing, carefully review the summary of your change. Ensure the new country is correct and understand any implications (e.g., replacement of your existing Global Choice country).
Confirm the Change: Click or tap "Confirm," "Submit," or "Apply Changes" to finalize your selection. You may receive a confirmation message or email.
Sub-heading: Option B: Changing via Text Message (A Quick Alternative)
For some users, Verizon offers a convenient way to change their Global Choice country via text message.
Identify the Country Keyword: You'll need the specific "keyword" associated with the country you want to switch to. This information is typically found on Verizon's international calling support pages or by contacting customer service. For example, to switch to "Australia," the keyword might be "Australia."
Text the Keyword to 4004: Open your messaging app and create a new message to the number 4004. In the message body, simply text the keyword for your desired country.
Example: Text "INDIA" to 4004 to change your Global Choice country to India.
Receive Confirmation: Verizon will usually send a confirmation text message indicating that your Global Choice country has been successfully updated.
Important Note: While texting can be faster, the My Verizon app/website often provides more detailed information about minute allowances for each country, which can be helpful for making an informed decision.
Step 5: Verification and Confirmation
After initiating the change, it's crucial to verify that your Global Choice country has been updated correctly.
Sub-heading: Checking Your Account Status
Refresh Your My Verizon App/Website: Close and reopen the My Verizon app, or refresh the web page.
Check International Plans: Navigate back to the "International Plans" section. Your Global Choice plan should now display the newly selected country.
Look for Confirmation Emails/Texts: Verizon typically sends out email or text confirmations for plan changes. Check your inbox and messages for these notifications.
Sub-heading: What to Do If It Doesn't Update Immediately
Patience is a Virtue: Sometimes, it can take a few minutes for the changes to fully reflect on your account. Give it some time.
Clear Cache/Restart App: If it's been more than 15-20 minutes and the change isn't visible, try clearing the cache of your My Verizon app or simply restarting the app/browser.
Contact Customer Support: If the issue persists, proceed to the troubleshooting step below.
Step 6: Troubleshooting Common Issues
While changing your Global Choice country is usually smooth, sometimes you might encounter a snag. Here's how to troubleshoot:
Sub-heading: "I can't find the 'Change Country' option!"
Account Permissions: Ensure you are the Account Owner or an Account Manager. Only these roles typically have the authority to make plan changes.
Plan Eligibility: Double-check that your current Verizon plan is eligible for Global Choice. While most are, there might be legacy plans that have different international options.
App/Website Glitch: Try switching between the My Verizon app and the website, or try a different browser. Sometimes a small technical glitch can temporarily hide options.
Sub-heading: "My chosen country isn't listed!"
Global Choice Limitations: While Global Choice covers many countries, it doesn't cover every single one. Verify that the country you're looking for is indeed part of the Global Choice program. Refer to Verizon's official international calling pages for the most up-to-date list.
Alternative Plans: If your desired country isn't a Global Choice option, Verizon might offer other international calling plans (like Global Calling Plus or pay-per-minute rates) that better suit your needs. Explore those alternatives on the Verizon website.
Sub-heading: "The change didn't go through, or I got an error."
Review Error Message: If you received an error message, read it carefully. It often contains clues about the problem.
Insufficient Funds (for prepaid): If you have a prepaid plan, ensure you have sufficient funds to cover the monthly Global Choice fee.
Contact Verizon Customer Support: If all else fails, the best course of action is to contact Verizon Customer Support directly.
Dial 611 from your Verizon Wireless phone.
Call 1-800-922-0204 from any phone.
If calling from outside the US, use the Verizon International Support Hotline: +1-908-559-4899 (toll charges may apply, but toll-free numbers are available for many countries - check Verizon's support page for specific numbers).
Wrapping Up: Stay Connected, Globally!
Congratulations! You've now mastered the art of changing your Verizon Global Choice country. By following these steps, you can ensure your international calls remain affordable and convenient, no matter where your connections take you. Remember to review your plan periodically to ensure it still meets your calling needs. Happy calling!
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to check my current Verizon Global Choice country?
You can check your current Global Choice country by logging into the My Verizon app or My Verizon website, navigating to your "International Plans" or "Add-ons" section, and looking for the "Global Choice" entry.
How to know how many minutes I get with Global Choice for a specific country?
When selecting or reviewing your Global Choice plan in the My Verizon app or website, Verizon typically displays the number of minutes included for each country option. You can also find this information on Verizon's official International Long Distance FAQs page.
How to add Global Choice to my Verizon account for the first time?
To add Global Choice for the first time, log into My Verizon (app or website), go to "International Plans" or "Add new plan," select "Global Choice," choose your desired country, and confirm the addition to your line. You can also text the country keyword to 4004.
How to remove Global Choice from my Verizon account?
To remove Global Choice, go to your "International Plans" section in My Verizon (app or website), select your Global Choice plan, and look for an option to "Remove plan" or "Cancel." Follow the prompts to confirm the removal.
How to find the text keyword for a specific Global Choice country?
The text keywords for Global Choice countries are usually listed on Verizon's International Long Distance FAQs or International Calling pages on their official website. They are typically the common name of the country (e.g., "INDIA," "JAPAN").
How to switch between Global Choice and TravelPass?
Global Choice is for calls from the US to another country, while TravelPass is for using your phone while traveling internationally. You manage them separately in the "International Plans" section of My Verizon. You can have both active if your usage demands it.
How to call customer support for international plan issues while abroad?
If you're outside the US and need Verizon customer support for international plan issues, dial +1-908-559-4899 (toll charges may apply). Verizon also provides specific toll-free international support numbers for many countries on their website.
How to see my international calling usage with Global Choice?
You can view your unbilled international usage by logging into My Verizon (app or website), going to your "International plan page," selecting your device, and choosing "View plan details and usage."
How to know if my Verizon plan is eligible for Global Choice?
Most current Verizon postpaid and many prepaid smartphone plans are eligible for Global Choice. You can confirm eligibility by attempting to add or manage Global Choice within the My Verizon app or website, or by contacting Verizon customer service.
How to avoid international calling charges if I don't have Global Choice?
If you don't have Global Choice or another international calling plan, your calls will be charged at standard pay-per-minute international rates, which can be very high. To avoid these, either add a Global Choice plan, opt for a different international calling plan, or use Wi-Fi calling apps (like WhatsApp, Messenger) when connected to Wi-Fi.
