How to avoid high phone bills

Have you ever found yourself avoiding using your phone while traveling or wondering “why is my phone bill so high?” At Three, we understand that receiving an unexpectedly high bill is not a pleasant experience. That’s why, we’ve put together this guide to help you to control and monitor your spending while staying connected.

Check your usage 

The easiest way to keep an eye on your usage is through your My3 account or My3 app. Through My3 you can monitor your inclusive units and any spending on calls, texts or data used outside of what is included in your plan. This will keep you aware of everything that’s happening in your account, enabling you to control your bill.

Add a spend alert 

A spend alert is a notification you can set up on your account, to let you know if your spend reaches a specific amount. With a spend alert you choose an amount and, if your spend outside of your inclusive units reach this amount, you receive a notification. Spend alerts can help you maintain control of your spending with little effort and continual monitoring.  

To add a spend alert to your account login to your My3, go to My3 Account - Allowances - View Detailed Usage – Manage spend alert. Here you’ll be able to set the amount at which point you’d like to be notified.

Check your call charges 

Not all calls are covered by your plan or inclusive units. Entering radio or television competitions by call or text, such as texting to win the cash machine competition or entering The Late Late Show competition, are not covered for example. These types of usage are not included in our plans, and so you’ll be charged for these. 

Similarly, calling international numbers from Ireland may add to your bill, depending on your plan.  

Check roaming charges 

When abroad you may be charged for calls, texts and data usage. Before travelling, we’d recommend checking roaming charges so you’re aware of charges which may apply for usage at your destination. This will help you to avoid any unexpected charges on your bill. You can also assess if a roaming add-on is right for you. 

What else can cause a high phone bill? 

There are other things that cause your bill to increase, such as calls or texts to premium rate services. For more information on these types of charges, please review your plan details at Three pricing. 

Other charges that could make your bill higher include 3Pay (pay by mobile) purchases on apps, subscriptions, games or music. 

If you’ve already received a bill that’s higher than you were expecting and aren’t sure why, check out our support page how to read your Three phone bill. This guide walks you through each section of your bill.