Recurring Device Credits (RDC)

Use this page to learn about Recurring Device Credits (RDC). Quickly learn how they are applied to Equipment Installment Plans and how to troubleshoot common issues.

What are Recurring Device Credits?

Check out this overview of RDC and know where to find RDC promotion details.

What are Recurring Device Credits?

  • Recurring Device Credits (RDC) are a series of 24, 30, or 36 monthly bill credits T-Mobile gives to qualified postpaid customers as part of discount device promotions.
  • RDCs provide a discount on the price of the device when customers finance the purchase with an Equipment Installment Plan (EIP). Customers are responsible for the down payment, taxes, and fees due at purchase.
  • To receive an RDC,postpaid customers must purchase an eligible device on EIP, meet all other requirements within the promotional period and within 14 days of purchase/line activation, and the EIP must be associated with the promotional requirements to be enrolled.
  • Effective April 22, 2026: Free lines are not eligible for device promotional bill credits. Exceptions include 3rd Line Free, Yearly Upgrades and new BOGO AALs at activation. Customers can still purchase or finance a device and may qualify for one-time trade-in credits; however, monthly bill credits are not available on free line upgrades. 
  • Customers enrolled prior to July 1, 2024: If customers pay off their EIP early to fully own the device, they will continue to receive the promised RDC as a BAN level credit through the remainder of the months.
  • Customers enrolling July 1, 2024 and later: Customers who enroll in a device promotion starting July 1, 2024 need to maintain the line of service and EIP tied to the promotion to receive the full value of their offer, but if either are closed or cancelled, the monthly credits will stop. 
  • Note: RDC payout cannot be sped up.

Locating an RDC on an Account

  • To quickly identify an RDC promotion, use the Promotion Dashboard in Samson/Atlas or check out the EC Summary screen.
  • A Samson memo is automatically generated on accounts with promotion details.
  • Customers can only have one RDC promo attached to an active EIP. They may have multiple RDCs on the same line if they are attached to separate EIPs.
  • Customers can have an RDC on different lines on their account at the same time, or an RDC at the BAN level and other RDC on the line level at the same time.

Understanding an RDC on an Account

  • RDC will never exceed the Full Retail Price (FRP) of the phone purchased and will only award up to the maximum phone FRP.
  • Credits begin when the customer's first EIP payment appears on their bill, usually the first bill cycle (full bill) after the qualifying purchase. However, in some cases, it may take up to two bill cycles after the qualifying purchase for credits to begin.
  • If customers don't receive their credit in the first bill cycle, they'll receive two bill credits during the second bill cycle.
  • For RDC promos that require a trade-in, the RDC amount is calculated by subtracting the trade-in value of the device from the total promotional value the customer qualifies for. The trade-in value is based on the device's model and condition. For how the trade-in value can be applied, check out the Instant vs. deferred trade-ins section of the Trade-in device program & orders page.
    • Phones are valued by worth, not just model. Customers with cracked screens, liquid, or other damage may qualify for the promotion, but at a lower value.
    • Some broken trade promotions may require days of active use on the network to be eligible for trade-in. Review the specific promo eligibility requirements before presenting any offer.
  • For customers who purchase prior to July 1, 2024: Once a device is fully owned (paid off), it is eligible to be used as a trade-in on a new RDC promo even if it was used on a previous RDC that is still paying out at the BAN level. 

 

RDC and trade-in value Example

 

Scenario

Customer purchases a phone for $800 on EIP and trades in a device worth $200.

  • Monthly EIP charge: $33.33.
  • Trade-in value: $200, applied as a one-time bill credit.
How RDC calculates

Promo amount ($800)– trade-in value ($200) = $600 RDC for EIP term

  • $600 divided by 24-month EIP term = $25/month RDC

How to explain it

The cost of the device you purchased was $800, and the promo provides $800 off with your trade-in:

  • Your monthly EIP charge: $33.33/month
  • Your one-time trade-in value credit of $200 (for the eligible trade-in device) was applied to your account
  • You'll get the remaining $600 as a RDC divided over 24 months to cover the rest of the promo value.
  • Even though you see the full charge for the device, the credits make sure you get the full $800 off.

Variable Condition Trade Example

iPhone 16 Pro on Us w/ Variable Condition Trade

  • Promo: Up to $1,000 off with two trade-in tiers; payout depends on both phone value and condition.
  • Customer trades in iPhone 15 Pro with a cracked screen.
  • Payout: iPhone 15 Pro falls in Tier 1, however, a cracked screen results in a lower payout value of $500.

 

  • Customers who aren't well-qualified and must make a down-payment for more than the offer value will see a second monthly bill credit with the same description.
  • This second monthly bill credit makes up the difference for their higher out-of-pocket expense (required down-payment is based on the customer's credit standing) over 24, 30, or 36 months.


    Example

    If the promotion provides a monthly EIP credit of $20, but the customer's down payment lowers their monthly EIP payment to $13, they'll see two bill credits:

    • a $13 credit for their EIP payment
    • a $7 credit to make up the difference between their payment and the promotion value

    Combined the credits equal $20 and ensures the customer receives the full value of the promotion.

  • For Buy One Get One (BOGO) offers, the RDC applies to the Get One (GO) device since it is always the lower-priced device. If both devices are the same price, one of them will be automatically assigned as the GO device and receive the promo credits. Assignments can't be changed.


What is "100% RDC" and how does it work? 
 

  • Both new and existing customers who purchase and trade in via Digital channels (including T-Mobile.com and T-Life app) will receive their full promotional value via RDC.
  • Customer accounts of any BAN size are eligible, but only one upgrade can be done at a time
     


100% RDC Chart

 

FeatureDigital Ship-to OrdersAssisted Ship-to OrdersIn-store Orders
Trade-in Credit Application

Trade-in Value is included as part of the monthly RDC.

Trade-in Value can be applied to an open EIP balance or as a one-time BAN credit.Instant trade-in credits can be applied towards in-store purchases, existing EIP balance, or as a one-time BAN credit.
Trade-in ValueTrade-in Values and promo eligibility may change once the return center determines the condition of the device.Trade-in Values are fixed once accepted during the in-store order process.
PromotionsCustomers receive 100% of the promo value as RDCs through the term of the EIP.Customers receive the promo value minus trade-in value as RDCs through the term of the EIP.
Benefits
  • Benefits customers who prefer to shop digitally
  • Contextualized offers
  • EIP accessory pricing
  • Available for pre-order
  • Customers who are unable to visit a store
  • Available for pre-order
  • Instant trade-in value
  • Flexibility in how trade-in credit can be applied
  • Any changes to promos due to device condition are immediate
Trade-in Return Process
  • Customers are mailed a return kit with prepaid return shipping label.
  • Customers assume responsibility for returning the trade-in within the return period.
  • Customers have the option to return the trade-in directly to Retail for instant credit.
  • Devices are assessed and returned at the time of order.
  • T-Mobile assumes responsibility for returning the trade-in.

 

How to Find RDC Offers in Magenta Pulse

Currently available RDC offers
  1. In the Promo Finder, scroll to Payout Type and select Recurring Device Credit.
All RDC offers
  1. In the Promo Finder, Currently Showing field, click the X next to Status: Active.
  2. Scroll to Payout Type and select Recurring Device Credit.
Expired RDC offers
  1. In the Promo Finder, Currently Showing field, click the X next to Status: Active.
  2. Scroll to Payout Type and select Recurring Device Credit.
  3. Scroll to Status and select Expired.
All RDC offers available during a specific time period
  1. In the Promo Finder, Currently Showing field, click the X next to Status: Active.
  2. Click the desired time period, or in the Start Date and End Date fields, type the dates or click to desired dates.
  3. Scroll to Payout Type and select Recurring Device Credit.

Changes that impact RDC

Learn about the rules for keeping RDCs and potential changes or actions that can cause an RDC to stop.

Account Changes

Initial Enrollment:

  • Enrollment into an RDC must occur prior to the qualifying EIP being paid off*.
  • If the qualifying EIP is paid off prior to RDC initial enrollment, manual enrollment is not an option. 
    *Note: Customers enrolling in an RDC promo July 1, 2024, and later must maintain the line of service and the EIP tied to the promotion to receive the full value of their offer. If either are closed or cancelled, the monthly credits will stop. 

 

Account changes that will stop an RDC:

  • Changes to the product type of the line that's required to be on a certain setup (for example, moving from GSM (Voice), to MI).
  • Change of Responsibility (COR) when EIP can’t be transferred.
  • Customer performs a COR prior to Promo Enrollment.
  • Line or account cancellation (see Account or Line Cancellations section below for details).

 

Account changes that will NOT impact RDC:

  • Changing a mobile number (includes port-ins) or a Change of Responsibility (COR) if the customer has already qualified and been enrolled in the promo.
    • If customers haven't already been enrolled in the promo, wait until customers are enrolled before changing a mobile number or performing a COR. Otherwise, you cannot systematically enroll the customer. Note: If customer had been enrolled but unenrolled due to a solvable issue, you must get the reenrollment completed prior to COR or BAN to BAN Moves.
    • For CORs, the new account must also meet the promo requirements and customers must transfer the active EIP associated with the RDC to continue receiving it on the new account. Important: If the EIP associated with the RDC is paid off already, the RDC cannot move to the new BAN. An active EIP is required. 
    • An un-enrollment SMS is generated, but customers automatically are re-enrolled when the EIP is successfully moved to the new account.

Account or Line Cancellations

 

Cancellations that will stop an RDC:

  • Cancelling a new line that was required for the promo.
  • Cancelling a line associated with plan/feature required for promo.
  • Cancelling the entire BAN.
  • Cancelling a previous account to open a new account for a promotion.
  • Canceling any line that is associated with a BOGO RDC promo.

 

Cancellations that will NOT impact RDC:

  • Cancellation of another line on the account with the same line type that is NOT connected to a promo that required a new line activation.
    Important: Customers will not qualify for a promo if they cancel a line (including port-outs) within previous 90 days prior to accepting a promo and then activate a new line (excludes CORs, No Installs, and non-paid lines like free DIGITS or On Demand MI lines). This rule is specific to the line type the promo is requiring to be activated, so refer to the “New line activation” section of the specific promo page in Magenta Pulse for details.
  • Cancelation of a different line type not associated with current RDC enrollment. Example: Cancellation of a tablet line will not impact a voice line RDC enrollment and a voice line cancellation will not impact a tablet line RDC enrollment.
Equipment-related changes
(Trade-ins / Upgrades / Returns / Exchanges)

Because their credits are associated with their EIP, some exchange and upgrade actions can have an impact on RDC.

 

Actions that will stop an RDC:

  • Paying off the qualifying EIP before the customer has received their first RDC.
  • Not completing their required trade-in with an eligible trade-in model, the trade-in evaluated to be damaged, or received late WILL NOT be systematically re-enrolled and will not be eligible for manual enrollment.
    • Customers who purchased devices in digital channels and enrolled in a trade-in promotion to receive 100% of their promotional value via RDC will receive a Promo Reversal charge to pay back any goodwill credits they may have already received
  • Completing a Buyer's remorse return
  • Completing a Buyer's remorse exchange that closes the qualifying EIP
  • Completing a JUMP! upgrade to a different device
  • Taking advantage of a BOGO and returning one of the phones or JUMP upgrades on either device.
  • Payoff off a device's EIP early to fully own the device (for customers who enrolled 7/1/24 and later)

 

Actions that will NOT impact RDC:

  • Performing a warranty exchange
  • Receiving an insurance replacement device
  • Performing a standard upgrade with or without EIP
  • Payoff off a device's EIP early to fully own the device (for customers who enrolled prior to 7/1/24 only)

 

Remorse Exchange scenarios

In some Remorse exchange scenarios, customers stay enrolled in their RDC promo. In other scenarios, you MUST manually enroll the customer back into their RDC promo.

Remorse Exchanges: No trade-in scenarios

 

Remorse exchange typeDuring the promo periodAfter the promo period ends
In store Like for Like exchange – original EIP stays open

Customer is automatically enrolled in the promo.

No further action needed

Customer stays enrolled in the promo because the original qualifying EIP stays open
In store Like for Unlike – original EIP closed, new EIP created for new device also eligible for promo

Customer is automatically enrolled in the promo.

No further action needed

Because the qualifying EIP is closed, the customer won't stay enrolled.

Can be manually enrolled if the exchange date is within 15 days of the promo period end date and the new device is eligible for the promo.

Cannot be manually enrolled if the exchange date is more than 15 days past the promo end date and customer should not be considered eligible for the promo.

Ship-to orders (remorse return/exchange/reorder)

Customers won't be automatically enrolled into the promo unless the repurchase is done within the offer window.

Can only be manually enrolled if repurchase is done within the offer window (EIP starts either -2 days before offer start OR up to +15 after offer end date).

If the qualifying EIP is closed and repurchase is done outside of acceptable range of offer window, the customer cannot be manually enrolled.

Work with Local Site Leadership to provide a solution to the customer.

 

Remorse Exchanges: Trade-in required scenarios

 

Remorse exchange typeDuring the promo periodAfter the promo period ends
In store Like for Like exchange – original EIP stay openIn store Like for Like exchange – original EIP stay openCustomer stays enrolled in the promo because the original qualifying EIP stays open
In store Like for Unlike – original EIP closed, new EIP created for new device also eligible for promo

Because the qualifying EIP is closed, the customer won't stay enrolled.

Can be manually enrolled if customer still has trade-in device and a new RMA is created (must cancel original RMA)

Cannot be manually enrolled if trade-in device has already been turned in.

Because the qualifying EIP is closed, the customer won't stay enrolled.

Can be manually enrolled if the exchange date is within 30 days of the promo period end date and customer still has trade-in device. New RMA must be created (must cancel original RMA)

Cannot be manually enrolled if the exchange date is more than 30 days past the promo end date (can use the Trade-in Transfer Tool process if trade-in device has already been turned in)

Ship-to orders (remorse return/exchange/reorder)

Customer won't be automatically enrolled/re-enrolled.

If repurchase is done within offer window, use Trade-In Transfer to re-assign the RMA to the new EIP, then use Frontline Promo Dashboard to manually enroll.

Customer will not stay enrolled and cannot be manually enrolled.

Work with local site leadership to provide a solution to the customer.

 

New Line Activations

Customers must initiate required new line activations during the promotional period to qualify and the EIP must be tied to the newly activated line.  For BOGO promotions, the required New Line Activation must occur within 14 days of the first device purchase.

New line activations that do NOT qualify as a new line of service for a RDC promotion:

  • Lines added to the account via COR or BAN-to-BAN moves
  • Lines converted from NCC/SCNC to Postpaid
    Note: Prepaid to Postpaid conversion is eligible. This includes Legacy, Rebellion, and Metro by T-Mobile prepaid accounts.
  • Lines resumed from cancellation
  • A Product Type change on an existing line

 

Customers will NOT qualify for a RDC promotion if they cancel a line (including port outs) within the previous 90 days prior to an offer starting and activate a new line (excludes CORs, No Installs, non-paid lines like free DIGITS or On Demand MI line).

  • They must first resume the canceled line (replaced with a new number for port-out cancellations) and then activate the new line to participate.
  • The resume requirements are specific to the promo type.
    For example, if the customer is required to activate a new voice line for a promotion, any voice line cancellations in the last 90 days must be resumed first. If the promo requires an MI line to be activated/added on, any MI line cancellations in the last 90 days must be resumed first.
Port-ins

Customers must complete port-ins during the promotional period and to qualify within 14 days of line activation date to qualify.

  • For all instant (non-ship-to) device purchases, the port-in must also be fully completed within the promo window or the customer will not be enrolled in the promo.
  • Ship-to/Backorder Grace Period Exception: Customers will have 14 days to complete their port-in from the date devices ship.
Rate Plan or Feature Changes

Customers must initiate rate plan or feature changes (including future-dated and backdated changes) during the promotional period  and within 14 days of the eligible activation/device purchase to qualify..
Note: Future-dated rate plan changes must be to the very next bill cycle to be eligible.

 

Rate plan or feature changes that will stop an

RDC: Changing to a rate plan/feature that isn’t qualified for the promotion.

IssueAction
My customer has their DocuSign, but they didn't sign it while the promotion was occurring. Will the promotion be honored?
  • The minimum requirement for all promotions is that the EIP agreement must be generated within the promotional window. Since this didn't occur, the customer won't be enrolled in the promotion.
  • Ensure you set the correct timing expectations with your customers and they understand what documents that should be receiving.
My customer forgot to sign their EIP so I sent them a new one. Will they receive the promotion?
  • The EIP must be generated within the promotional window. If a customer doesn't sign this agreement with 48 hours, it'll expire and cause the customer not to be eligible for the promotion.
  • Ensure you set expectations on how to sign their EIP and the time frame they have. Remind customers that they can contact you to resend the EIP agreement if they don't receive within 24 hours.
My customer went through underwriting, and we didn't receive approval until the promotion was over. Can we include them in the promotion?
  • Unfortunately, customers must meet the terms of the promotion.
  • Underwriting takes time, set the correct expectation that the customer might not meet the requirements before the promotion ends.
My customer's order was delayed due to EIP availability / Financing options / Down Payments / Incompatible rate plan. Can we include them in the promotion?
  • Unfortunately, customers must meet the terms of the promotion.
  • Please review the customer's account for these items prior to submitting an order. Address any issues prior to submitting Docu
  • Sign.
The promotion suddenly ended, but I have verbally promised my customer the deal. Can we include them?
  • Unfortunately, we can't offer promotions after they end. Be up front with your customer that these promotions may end at any time, so act quick!
  • We'll update our teams with ending information as soon as it becomes available. Stay on top of your e-mails and leverage Magenta Pulse to stay current with all end dates.
Some of our promotions run over the weekend. How do I know what support I'll have?
  • We work hard to ensure that we have staffing in place to support our T-Mobile for Business team through Order Processing. Please remember that incorrect orders are routed to the T-Mobile for Business Sales Support team for review. If this occurs, the customer may miss the promotional window cut-off for qualification.
  • Ensure you are checking credit amounts, EIP available, rate plan and inventory levels prior to submitting an order.
  • Review communications for call outs on what teams are working over weekend promotions.
I have an I/L customer that I am activating. Do I need to do anything differently?
  • I/L customers must follow the eligibility requirements that are outlined in the promotional page. Consumer account types aren't eligible for any extensions or special exceptions that are given to the T-Mobile for Business channel.
  • Explain to your I/L customers steps must be taken to meet the promotion requirements. At times, you'll need to refer your customer to a Retail store to participate in the offer

Issue Handling

Review common RDC issues and how to address them.

  • If a customer loses their bill credit during the 24, 30, or 36-month promotion credit period, they can re-qualify within 90 days if they resolve the reason for the disqualification. Customers won't receive any missed credits from the time when they weren't qualified for the promotion.
  • If it’s been over 180 days since the promotion has ended, we are NOT able to enroll the customer into the promotion even with an escalation, even if the customer was enrolled in the wrong promotion.
    Example: Customer is enrolled in a BOGO promotion but needs to be enrolled in a trade-in promotion. If it is over 180 days since trade-in promotion has ended, we cannot enroll the customer.
  • For Issue handling steps, including customers missing an RDC promotion even within the first 2 bill cycles, see Recurring Device Credits (RDC) Promotional Credit Issue Handling.

FAQs

Get answers to some of the most common RDC questions.

To ensure that you fully understand the EIP pricing and payment plan, your EIP agreement shows the full amounts before the promotion. You can visit https://www.t-mobile.com/offers/promotionaloffers for full details about the promotion.

Yes, to qualify for a RDC offer that has a plan or feature requirement, both the EIP and the requirement plan or feature must be on the same line. For example, if an offer required that the customer have unlimited data, then the EIP and unlimited data must be on the same line to qualify for the credit.

Yes. Once a device is fully owned (paid off), it is eligible to be used as a trade-in on a new RDC promo even if it was used on a previous RDC that is still paying out at the BAN level*. The payoff is near real-time and experts can exit the upgrade flow, process the EIP payoff, then re-enter the upgrade flow and the trade-in can be applied. *For new device promotion enrollments as of July 1, 2024, the monthly credits will now be part of the terms of the device EIP. Promotions will remain on the matching line throughout the term of the promotion that the customer signed up for. Customers are still welcome to pay off their EIP early, however they will lose their promotional credits

If the RDC promo is active, requirements must be completed within 14 days of activation to qualify.

If a customer is qualified for multiple promotions at the same time and meets all promotion requirements, the system will automatically enroll them into the promotion that will give the highest value.

Lifeline and NCC / SCNC accounts are not in scope for these promo types. You can convert your account to regular Postpaid service, if eligible, to participate.

They can always choose to do that, but remember, they need to keep the EIP open for the RDCs to continue to award.  Don’t forget, all EIPs are 0% interest, so they don’t need to pay it off early.

It depends on the type of line and timing: 

  • Paid lines can qualify for device promotions (including monthly bill credits) at activation and on future upgrades, if promotion requirements are met.  
  • BOGO or targeted free lines are not eligible for device promotions on upgrades.  
  • Other discounted lines (e.g., 3rd Line Free, Yearly Upgrade) may be eligible, depending on the specific promotion requirements.