Sneaky Telstra and pensioner discounts

Here I was thinking it was just another task I had to do for my parents.  They regularly ask me to ring different companies on their behalf because their English is, let’s say, hopeless.

They get all muddled on the phone and thoroughly confused (Italian migrants).   It’s tough enough working out which ‘number’ to select on the automated service.

You know that lovely lady who tries to direct you to the ‘right department’ and you end up going around in circles.

Anyway, they have been loyal Telstra customers for decades and having phoned them recently, we were told they were eligible for a pensioner discount on their land line service.  

The trap is that you have to ring them to activate it.    Sure an oversight on our behalf, but thought it was a bit cheeky of Telstra not to send something with the quarterly bill, after all they do have their dates of birth entered on their system.

Following is the relevant link to Testra website with all the details:

Pensioner discount

Telstra’s phone number is 1800 353 652 (business hours) and you get to talk to the real thing - a human working in Australia.

The amount you save depends on your total monthly call spend.  My parents spend around $7-8 a month and are now saving $11.00 per month or $132.00 per year. When you are relying solely on the age pension for income, this is welcome relief.

Of course it pays to shop around e.g. Optus.      My parents will not hear of it.   They have been with Telstra for years and want to stick with them.    Seems to be a typical response from anyone over 70 years of age, especially  if they struggle with the English language.

If your land line service is with Optus, their website states the following:-

“Optus offers a Pension Saver Discount to eligible pensioners who sign up to either a HomeOne, HomeSaver or Home Comfort (except Home Comfort Lite) plan for 12 months. If you are eligible for the Pension Saver Discount you will receive 10% off your bill each month up to $15 (inc GST). Terms and conditions apply, please call Customer Service for details on 1300 300 469.”

Make sure you give them a call to check whether your pension discount has been activated.

Cheers and hope the above helps.   Let me know if you hit a brick wall and if you feel inclined, share your story.

Josie Kay

‘Watch out.   Everyone is after your money.  Learn how to outsmart them’

Here’s a better mobile phone option - Savvytel*