Another month, another ridiculous ViaSat bill. If you're staring at a charge that's suddenly jumped, you're not imagining it, and you are definitely not alone. It's a pattern. Just look at their Better Business Bureau page, which has a dismal 1.09 out of 5-star rating from customers, with thousands of complaints filed about billing surprises and service that doesn't deliver (source: https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/carlsbad/profile/satellite-tv/viasat-inc-1126-10003363). It gets worse. Over on Trustpilot, they're sitting at a 'Bad' 1.3 out of 5 stars, where countless users share stories of introductory rates vanishing into thin air, leaving them with sky-high bills for internet that barely loads an email. It feels less like a service and more like a trap.
Best Ways to Lower Your ViaSat Bills
| Lowering Bill Method | Ease of Action | Why use this method |
|---|---|---|
| Call and Threaten to Cancel | Tricky | This is the fastest way to get to the retention department, which has the power to offer discounts. It's a bluff, but it often works. |
| Downgrade Your Plan | Easy | If you're consistently under your data cap, moving to a cheaper, lower-tier plan is a straightforward way to guarantee a lower bill. |
| Ask for a Promotional Rate | Medium | Simply ask if there are any new customer promotions you can be applied to your existing account. Sometimes, they'll extend one to keep you. |
| Remove Equipment Lease Fees | Difficult | If you've been a customer for a long time, you can try to negotiate the removal of the monthly equipment lease fee. Success is rare but possible. |
Step-by-step Guide on Lowering Your ViaSat Bill After Complaining
1 Identify and Review the Bill
Ugh, another one. Grab your latest statement and the one before it. Pinpoint exactly which line item increased. Was it the base plan, a fee, or a tax? Knowing the enemy is the first step in this fight.
2 Consider Downgrading Your Plan
Are you really using all that 'Priority Data'? Check your usage history on their portal. You might be paying for a premium plan you don't actually need. Switching to a lower tier is an easy, guaranteed price drop.
3 Removing Add-Ons
Did you sign up for 'EasyCare' or some other extra service during setup? These small monthly charges add up. See what you can trim. Every dollar counts when you're trying to make a point.
4 Look for Promotions and Offers
Check their website for deals offered to new customers. You'll use this as leverage when you call them. Knowing their current offers shows you've done your homework and you're serious about getting a better price.
5 Check for Low-Income Discounts
ViaSat participates in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). If you qualify based on income or participation in other federal programs, this can provide a significant discount on your monthly bill. It's worth checking out.
6 Audit Your Data Usage Habits
Some older plans had a 'Free Zone' with unmetered data late at night. See if your plan has this and schedule large downloads for those hours. It can help you avoid buying extra high-speed data, which is a total rip-off.
🔍 How to Negotiate for a Lower Bill with ViaSat
Your Goal:
Get transferred to the loyalty or retention department to secure a lower monthly rate.
The Script:
Hi, my name is [Your Name] and my account number is [Your Account Number]. I'm calling because my most recent bill has increased by $[Amount] and I'm not happy about it. My service quality hasn't changed, but my price has. I've been a customer for [Number] years, but this new price is making me consider other options. I see that Starlink and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet are available in my area for a more competitive price. I'd like to stay with ViaSat, but I can't justify this cost. What can you do to lower my monthly bill to a more reasonable rate?
Key Phrases to Use:
- "My bill suddenly increased."
- "I'm exploring other providers like Starlink."
- "What can you offer me to stay?"
- "Can you transfer me to your retention department?"
- "This price is not sustainable for me."
If They Won't Budge
- Politely ask to speak with a supervisor or manager.
- Ask for a one-time credit to your account as a gesture of goodwill.
- Set a cancellation date a week or two in the future. They often call back with a better offer before the date arrives.
Best Alternatives to ViaSat
Sometimes, no amount of negotiating is worth the headache. If you've had enough of ViaSat's price hikes and poor service, you have options. Here are a few of the top competitors people are switching to:
| Competitor | Why it's Better Alternative to ViaSat | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Starlink | For users who need high-speed, low-latency internet in rural areas and are willing to pay a higher upfront hardware cost. | Significantly faster speeds and lower latency than traditional satellite. No data caps, making it great for streaming, gaming, and remote work. |
| T-Mobile 5G Home Internet | For users in rural or suburban areas who now have 5G coverage and want a simple, contract-free alternative to satellite. | Often cheaper than ViaSat with no data caps or annual contracts. Pricing is typically flat-rate, so no surprise bill increases. |
| HughesNet | For users looking for another satellite option that might have different promotional pricing or plan structures in their specific location. | It's a direct competitor with similar technology. Sometimes their introductory offers can provide a temporary price break if you're willing to switch. |
Consider the following before leaving ViaSat
- Check Your Contract: Are you still under contract? Leaving early can trigger a hefty early termination fee (ETF), sometimes hundreds of dollars. Calculate if switching is still worth it.
- Verify Competitor Availability: Don't just trust the online map. Call Starlink, T-Mobile, or others and confirm they can actually provide service at your physical address before you cancel anything.
- What's Your Real Data Need?: Track your actual internet usage for a month. You might be overestimating how much data you need, which could open up cheaper plan options with ViaSat or a competitor.
- The Equipment Hassle: Remember you'll have to return ViaSat's equipment. It can be a pain, and they'll charge you if you don't send it back on time.
Let Pine AI Help Lower Your ViaSat Bill
Honestly, who has the time or energy to sit on hold with ViaSat, navigate their phone tree, and argue with three different agents just to save a few bucks? It's exhausting. That's where Pine AI comes in. We handle the entire negotiation for you. Our AI knows exactly what to say, which departments to talk to, and what competitor offers to leverage to get you the best possible rate on your satellite internet bill. You just connect your account, and we get to work. No more frustrating calls, no more wasted time. We'll deal with the corporate runaround so you can get back to your life, hopefully with a little more money in your pocket and a lot less stress.
Frequently Asked Questions When Trying to Lower Your ViaSat Bill
Robert O’Connor
Home Services & Bills Content Manager
Robert O’Connor is the Home Bills & Services Content Manager at Pine AI, where he researches and produces practical, step-by-step content on managing utility bills, negotiating service contracts, and cutting household costs. Whether it's your Xfinity mobile plan needs cutting or you need to find a hack to improve your Verizon internet connection without spending more, he's your guy. With over two decades of experience in consumer advocacy, Robert specialises in helping readers understand the fine print, avoid unnecessary charges, and secure better deals from service providers. Robert’s mission is to empower households to take control of their recurring expenses and make informed decisions that protect their budget.
