I'm gonna ask GM directly again for the second time......got no response the first time......but thought I might get a better answer here:

Do the Onstar Phone minutes expire or not ?

This would seem to be a fairly simple question but I'm getting all kinds of conflicting answers.

This question assumes that I buy a block of minutes and keep my Onstar subscription current and active.......but do not use up the phone minutes within a year, for example.

I'm gonna ask GM directly again for the second time......got no response the first time......but thought I might get a better answer here:

Do the Onstar Phone minutes expire or not ?

This would seem to be a fairly simple question but I'm getting all kinds of conflicting answers.

This question assumes that I buy a block of minutes and keep my Onstar subscription current and active.......but do not use up the phone minutes within a year, for example.




I am not sure but I believe they do expire after a year! They have changed / added a few things over the past year or so!

For example: Effective December 31, 2011, OnStar and Verizon Wireless will discontinue the shared minute program. Starting August 1, 2011 these subscribers will no longer be able to transfer their Nationwide Plan with OnStar from their current vehicles to new OnStar-equipped vehicles, hardware or other OnStar devices.

Launched in June 2004, this program offered OnStar customers with select OnStar-enabled vehicles the option of adding their vehicle to their Verizon Wireless account and share Verizon Wireless account minutes. On July 13, 2009, OnStar and Verizon Wireless stopped accepting any new customers into this program.

I have the Unlimited Monthly Minutes, much better deal! You may want to contact Onstar directly instead of GM. “Onstar.com” 1-888-4.onstar / 1-888-466-7827 or you can simply push your Onstar Button in the Car and speak to an Onstar Advisor.

Good Luck!;)

I have the Unlimited Monthly Minutes, much better deal!

You may want to contact Onstar directly instead of GM.

Different strokes...........

I've yet to figure out how an "average owner" with a cell phone can justify the extra expense of ANY Onstar minutes......if they expire. I can see buying a small block and using them over a LONG period of time as a backup for forgotten or failed cell phone or difficult reception areas but not much else.

As for getting the straight answer directly from Onstar......good suggestion.
Wonder why I didn't figure that out ? :rolleyes:

I do know exactly what you are saying, they should not expire! Right now the unlimited works for me.

I think most companies are doing similar things. I do know At&T Prepaid cell phones with a $100.00 or more on the account will be only good for 1 year no matter if you use it or not! It really sucks!


PS. I know you didn’t ask for the extra information above, I thought I would just throw this in for others and since some things do change from time to time!

Just press the OnStar phone button and say minutes, then say verify. It tells you how many minutes you have and when they expire.

Yes, Onstar minutes do expire after one year.

The other day I went to use my phone and my cell was dead, therefore the onstar came on and then said I was out of minutes.

I knew I had 199 minutes and figured they had just forgotten to transfer them as our free year of onstar had expired in May. However, we purchased the basic package so that we wouldn't lose our minutes as they are very expensive.

I was told that they had indeed expired and that she would put them back on for 30 days. After that I would have to sign up for some type of roll over thing - not really sure, and it would cost me money.

I said there was no way I was paying more money and that those minutes were bought and paid for and were mine. There shouldn't be an expiry date - they have gotten rid of that ridiculous requirement for gift cards and they should do the same with their minutes, espcially since they do cost a lot and they cannot even be used unless you purchase one of their monthly packages.

She then agreed to add them back on for one more year. If they are not used within in that time frame I lose any remaining minutes, unless I do that roll over thing she was referring to.

Doesn't make much sense to me.

Dear MalibuKen,

I apologize that you feel that you have gotten the run around from General Motors about your OnStar minutes expiring. We do not have the specific information that you are seeking because OnStar is a separate entity from General Motors.

Inquiring about this type of information would require the person that has the OnStar to contact them about their specific plans and how they work. You can contact OnStar through pressing the "OnStar" button in your vehicle or you can contact them via their toll free telephone number. This telephone number is: 1-888-466-7827.


Sincerely,
Michelle, Chevrolet Customer Service

We do not have the specific information that you are seeking because OnStar is a separate entity from General Motors.

My second inquiry was forwarded to Onstar and the answer is pretty much like the post from ALD2000.

Use your minutes in the allotted 12 months or lose them.....unless you buy additonal minutes.....which would be rather foolish in my view.

I registered my displeasure about this policy with Onstar......not that anyone there really cares, mind you.

From a business perspective, I believe they lose a LOT of phone revenue because people choose to never buy any minutes if they know they will expire if not used.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

I have On Star in two vehicles. Have had it since 2003. You lose them unless you buy additional minutes or get a deal when renewing OnStar. I usually have my minutes renewed when I renew the OnStar package. They give me a low price for some additional minutes and I keep my old minutes. Several times they have just renewed my minutes when I called to renew OnStar.

Bill