Best Optimum Deals and Promotions

Best Optimum promotions and discounts this month

Optimum deals are a good motivation to give the services a try, and the company has recently simplified its pricing and its checkout process. I recommend it now much more often than I once did, and I celebrate the progress toward a better customer experience starting day one.

Standard pricing is excellent, but you can also enjoy a $25 monthly discount when you bundle gigabit internet and an unlimited phone plan. You get both for $80 per month after the discount if you opt into paperless billing and autopay. You probably don’t need that much speed or that much mobile data, but it’s a nice premium package if you want easy access to incredible speeds no matter what.

Best Optimum internet plans

Optimum offers some of the lowest internet prices on the market, and it seems to have dropped its $15 monthly increases in the first and second year of service. 

Instead, Optimum  now offers five-year price locks, with some variation based on where you live and whether you bundle with other services. The best way to know what you can get is to watch for price guarantees during the online checkout process or ask about them on the phone or in an Optimum store.

You need an Optimum internet plan to sign up for a TV plan, and there are no extra discounts on TV for bundling. That means TV is expensive, even before about $20 in hidden fees every month.

Optimum TV is good if you just want to pay one bill and be done with it, but you can probably get cheaper service and more choice in channels by buying your own streaming box (such as an Apple TV or Chromecast) and buying streaming services à la carte.

Best mobile and internet bundles from Optimum

Optimum offers two mobile phone plans: 1 GB Mobile and Unlimited Mobile, but you get the best bundles with the unlimited option. It’s your best option anyway, since a single gigabit of mobile data won’t last very long if you use maps apps or watch social videos while you’re out and about.

Optimum internet discounts: How can you lower your bill?

There are three main ways to save on your Optimum deal:

• Hunt for a deal when you sign up online
• Bundle more than one service from Optimum
• Agree to autopay and paperless billing

If you choose to bundle mobile and internet, you will be billed for each service separately, but you can expect a $25 monthly discount on your internet bill.

• Look for deals when you buy online, including free installation and a $100 service credit.
• Save $5 per month by signing up for autopay and paperless billing.
• Save $25 per month when you bundle mobile phone and home internet service.

Discounts for veterans, seniors, and public servants

Optimum doesn’t offer special discounts based on your status as a Veteran, senior citizen, or public servant, but you may qualify for perks based on where you live and what internet speeds you choose.

Learn more about Optimum plans and prices.

Discounts for low-income customers

In some parts of the country, low-income folks qualify for the Optimum Advantage Internet plan, which costs $14.99 per month. You get download speeds of 50Mbps. That’s pretty slow but usable if you have a small household. For just $10 more every month, you could get a 300Mbps plan with a five-year price lock.

Learn more about low-income internet from Optimum.

Apply for the Lifeline Program to lower your bill even more

Low-income folks may be able to get a $9.25 service credit on their Optimum bill by signing up for the federal Lifeline program.

What fees do you pay with Optimum internet?

Optimum no longer charges cancellation fees, and you can usually get out of internet equipment fees (unless you need more than one mesh extender).

Self-setup and pro installs are free if you order online, but you may have to pay up to $100 if you call in to order and you need a pro to hep you get set up.

Optimum internet fees

Internet fees are minimal, but fees start to add up if you choose Optimum TV service. The following charges may show up on your bill:

Second cable box or Optimum Stream box: $14/mo.

Optimum One: $24/mo.

Optimum Stream: $14/mo.

TV Broadcast fee: $9.99/mo.

Regional sports network fee: $10.47/mo.

You may be able to find deals that get you free TV equipment, but the broadcast and sports fees are hard to escape.

My take: Are Optimum deals worth it?

Before you start shopping, I recommend figuring out how much speed you need for home internet—It’s probably less than you think.

From there, take advantage of Optimum deals if they’re offered, but don’t pay for faster internet than you need. It will become a huge hassle down the road.

It’s also a good idea to shop for internet service about twice a year—the only way to know if you could save by switching is to check for new local options.

Disclaimers