Save Money on AOL

by Fred Litt, Family Technology Associates

If you have Optimum Online or Verizon DSL, you can dramatically reduce your AOL costs.

You probably pay for full AOL service

Most AOL users pay $23.90 for the 'complete' AOL service.  A growing number of AOL users also subscribe to a broadband service - either cable (e.g., Optimum Online) or DSL (e.g., Verizon).  The $23.90 monthly fee not only includes unlimited access to AOL using the AOL software, it also includes unlimited 'old style' modem dialup - something you are most likely not using - and don't need to pay for.

Other AOL price plans

AOL currently offers the following pricing plans - some very quietly - but you have to call 1-888-265-8003 and ask for Billing to take advantage of these offers.

• $14.95 - unlimited broadband access using AOL 9.0 plus 10 hours of old style modem dialup.

• $9.95 - unlimited broadband access using AOL 9.0.  NO dialup hours included.  You must have a high speed broadband Internet Service Provider.  Prefect for Optimum Online broadband subscribers.

• $8.95 - unlimited broadband access using AOL 9.0 - NO dialup hours included.  This offer is available only to Verizon DSL subscribers.

• $4.95 - this plan provides the absolute minimum service - only 3 dialup hours per month.  No broadband access is included.  Avoid this one.

If you request a change in your pricing plan, the new plan typically begins the following month.

FREE AOL email and instant messaging for broadband subscribers

While I have never used this, I understand that you can cancel your paid AOL service AND keep your AOL screen name - but, you can only use the AOL web site.  Visit www.AOL.com for details.

This article may be reproduced with permission of Fred Litt, Family Technology Associates. Contact Fred at 201-315-4943 fred@FamilyTechnology.com for details.