Best 2-Line Cell Phone Plans for Seniors
Our experts tested the most popular two-line cell phone plans on the market to find the best plans for seniors in 2024.
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- Excellent two-line discounts
- Unlimited 55+ plan for Florida residents
- Discounts available for AARP members
- Affordable phone plans designed for seniors
- Discount for AARP members
- Add additional lines for just $15
- Health and safety features (with select plans)
- Unused minutes carry over each month
- Budget-friendly plans with no contracts
- Simple prepaid plans
- Affordable rates
- Mint 55+ plan
- Three unlimited 55+ plans
- Boasts the nation’s largest 5G network
- Two-line discounts
Contents
If you’re looking for a great senior cell phone plan from one of the nation’s most trusted mobile carriers, there are plenty of options out there. If you want a plan for yourself and a spouse or another family member, however, finding an affordable and reliable two-line plan is key. You’ll need to consider a variety of factors, including cost and value, multiline discounts, plan features, and senior-specific benefits. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the best two-line cell phone plans for seniors and help you find the best plan for yourself and a loved one.
Our Methodology: How We Chose and Tested the Best 2-Line Plans for Seniors
My grandma making a call on the Jitterbug Smart4
Most — but not all — mobile carriers offer incentives for adding multiple lines, so you can often find great deals on two-line phone plans. Not all deals are as good as they seem, however, especially for seniors. That’s why we’ve considered the plans and carriers that cater to the needs of older adults and make it easy to sign up for two lines. Our senior tech team spent over 100 hours researching the best plans. We also asked for feedback from older adults (like my grandma) on plans whenever possible. They are the target audience, after all! We evaluated a dozen carriers based on the criteria below.
- Plan offerings: Many seniors want simple, no-nonsense phone plans, while others want all the bells and whistles. We researched two-line plans from a variety of carriers to see which ones give seniors ample options, particularly when it comes to data. All the carriers and plans that made our list include, at a minimum, unlimited talk and text.
- Affordability: Purchasing two new phone lines can get expensive, which is why so many carriers offer multiline discounts. We focused on carriers that either offer low starting rates on senior-friendly plans or substantial two-line discounts. Carriers won extra points if they offered discounts for AARP members!
- Value: Just because a plan is cheap doesn’t mean it’s good for seniors (or anyone else). We tried to balance the cost of a plan with its value, finding plans that bring the most value to senior couples and two-line households.
- Network: A phone plan is only as good as the network it relies on. All the carriers on our list have large, nationwide networks with reliable service and fast speeds throughout the U.S.
- Perks and features: We looked for additional features that would be good for seniors, such as international texting, mobile hotspot data, and no contracts. The carriers on this list vary in their extra features, but we tried to focus on companies with multiple senior-friendly perks.
After testing, researching, and comparing all the available carriers using the criteria above, we narrowed down the list to our top picks for seniors.
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1. AT&T - Best two-line discount
What we like most
- Excellent two-line discounts
- Unlimited 55+ plan for Florida residents
- Discounts available for AARP members
AT&TOverview
T-Mobile may have the largest 5G network, but AT&T has the largest overall network (5G and 4G LTE), providing service to over 55 percent of the country in 2023.1 AT&T doesn’t offer the cheapest phone plans on the market, but it does offer one of the best two-line discounts on senior phone plans. AT&T’s Unlimited 55+ plan, which comes with unlimited talk, text, and data, costs $80 for two lines. That breaks down to just $40 per line.
» For More Info: AT&T Cell Phone Plans for Seniors 2024
Price, however, isn’t the only reason to consider AT&T’s senior phone plans. The carrier is an excellent option for older adults who want a large nationwide network, along with talk, text, and data to certain countries outside the U.S. While using AT&T’s service, I could check in on my parents during their European vacation with unlimited texting.
If cybersecurity is a top priority for you, AT&T’s ActiveArmor app makes it much easier to block spam and keep your data secure. As an AT&T customer, I rarely receive robocalls. That’s especially important for older adults, who are often the targets of phone scams. The 55+ plan, however, is available only in Florida, which is a pretty big drawback. AT&T has plenty of other options for two-line plans, though, but they’re not designed specifically for seniors.
Pros About AT&T
- Large per-line discount when you sign up for two lines
- Plenty of cybersecurity features through ActiveArmor
- Unlimited talk, text, and data in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada
Cons About AT&T
- Only one senior plan available
- Monthly premium is still relatively high with a two-line discount
- Unlimited 55+ plan only available in Florida
Pricing
AT&T’s Unlimited 55+ plan costs $60 per month for one line or $80 per month for two lines, which means you can slash the cost per line by a third when you add a second line. That’s a great discount compared to a one-line plan, but it’s a little pricey when you compare it to the price of an unlimited two-line plan from Consumer Cellular ($65 per month).
FYI: Want to get the best phone for your specific needs? Check out our guide to the best cell phones for seniors in 2024!
It’s also important to remember that AT&T’s Unlimited 55+ plan is available only to Florida residents. If you live outside of Florida, you can still get the basic AT&T Unlimited Starter SL plan, but the two-line discount isn’t as big. One line on the Unlimited Starter SL plan costs $85.99 per month. When you upgrade to two lines, you’ll get a $5 discount per line, dropping the cost per line to $60.99 per month. That adds up to around $122, which is over $40 more than the 55+ plan with two lines.
If you’re an AARP member, you can save up to $10 per month per line on select plans, but AT&T is more expensive than Lively or T-Mobile without the Unlimited 55+ discount. AT&T’s two-line plans are best for people who live in Florida and can sign up for the 55+ plan.
Features
- Unlimited talk, text, and data throughout North America
- AT&T ActiveArmor security
- Free spam-call blocking
- 5G access
- Unlimited texting to more than 200 countries
- $50 off of upgrade and activation fees
- 15 percent discount on eligible accessories
Availability
A big drawback of AT&T’s Unlimited 55+ plan is its availability, since it’s available only to Florida residents. AT&T’s other unlimited plans are available in most locations across the U.S., but they don’t offer the same senior-friendly features and competitive discounts. If you live outside Florida and want the best prices on two-line plans, you’re probably better off with a carrier like Consumer Cellular or Mint Mobile.
It’s also important to note that AT&T’s service isn’t very reliable in remote areas despite the company’s solid nationwide coverage. I’ve used my AT&T service on several camping trips, and my friends and family with Verizon had reliable coverage while I had little to no service. That shouldn’t be a major issue if you have solid AT&T coverage where you live and don’t frequently travel to rural areas, but it’s something to keep in mind.
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2. Consumer Cellular - Best price for additional lines
What we like most
- Affordable phone plans designed for seniors
- Discount for AARP members
- Add additional lines for just $15
Consumer Cellular
The external display on Consumer Cellular’s IRIS Flip
Overview
Consumer Cellular designs all of its plans with seniors in mind, which makes it a great choice for individual seniors, couples, and families. You can get started with a Consumer Cellular phone plan for as little as $20 per month for one line. Adding a second line costs just $15 per month with any plan. We love the affordable prices, but the $20 starter plan gives you only 1 GB of data per month. If you use more data than that, you’ll want the 5 GB plan ($25 per month), 10 GB plan ($35 per month), or unlimited plan ($50 per month).
Pro Tip: Need help shopping for a new phone? You can find all the information you need in SeniorLiving.org’s Cell Phone Buyer’s Guide for Seniors.
Consumer Cellular makes it easy to choose a simple, straightforward phone plan at an affordable price. Just remember that you may not get the same speed and reliability you would from major carriers like AT&T and Verizon, because Consumer Cellular uses other carriers’ networks and they prioritize their own customers before Consumer Cellular’s.
» Dive Deeper: 2024 Consumer Cellular Review
Pros About Consumer Cellular
- Four plans to choose from
- Second line costs just $15 per month
- Ability to sign up for AARP at checkout
Cons About Consumer Cellular
- Few extra perks and features
- May experience slow speeds at times
- Benefits of adding a second line are reduced with lower-tier plans
Pricing
Regardless of the plan you choose, every additional line you add will cost the same: $15 per month. When you add a second line, you’ll always get the same benefits you chose for the first. If you opt for the $50 unlimited data plan, for example, you’ll get a second unlimited line for $15, making your monthly total $65. That’s $15 cheaper than AT&T’s comparable two-line deal for Floridians.
» Learn More: Consumer Cellular Cell Phone Plans 2024
If you choose the 1 GB plan for $20, the second line will cost only $15 per month, making your total $35. You can get more bang for your buck if you opt for a higher-tier plan, because the second line gets all the same benefits of a more expensive plan for just $15 per month. You can also save 5 percent on any plan as an AARP member. I loved that it automatically gave me the option to use my AARP discount at checkout and even allowed me to sign up for AARP on the spot if I wasn’t already a member. It wasn’t necessary since I’m already a member, but having the option to sign up for that extra discount directly on Consumer Cellular’s website is a big plus.
Features
- 5 percent discount for AARP members
- Unlimited talk and text
- 5G access
- Mobile hotspot
- No contracts
Availability
Unlike AT&T’s 55+ plan, all Consumer Cellular plans are available across the nation. That means you can get the same four plans and prices whether you live in California, New York, or any state in between. Consumer Cellular also has a large coverage network that reaches 99 percent of the population,2 so it’s a great choice for seniors across the country who want simple plans at affordable prices. Speeds are not quite as good as what you may get with a carrier like T-Mobile, but I experienced reliable 4G speeds while testing Consumer Cellular on the West Coast. I spent time at home, running errands, and traveling without any issues.
Making a call on the IRIS Connect
I found that signing up for two plans online is very easy. You’ll need to call Consumer Cellular or visit a store in person if you want to bring your old phone with you, though, since you can’t do that online. I don’t like the extra hoops you have to jump through to bring your own phone, but I like that Consumer Cellular has physical locations throughout the country — something you can’t get with carriers like Mint Mobile.
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3. Lively - Best medical support
What we like most
- Health and safety features (with select plans)
- Unused minutes carry over each month
- Budget-friendly plans with no contracts
Lively
My grandma trying out the Jitterbug Smart4
Overview
Lively combines the benefits of senior phone plans with medical alert support, making it a great option for couples who want to stay protected on the go. With Lively, you can choose between a beginner-friendly smartphone (Jitterbug Smart4) or a traditional flip phone (Jitterbug Flip2). Best of all, if you choose one of Lively’s top-tier plans, you can turn your phone into a Lively medical alert device.
My grandma has enjoyed testing both phones, so she didn’t mind the limited device options when signing up for a plan. I, on the other hand, am used to more advanced smartphones, so having to use the Jitterbug Smart4 felt like a downgrade. That’s something to keep in mind if you’re signing up with a child or grandchild who may not want to use a phone made specifically for seniors.
» Useful Resource: Lively Medical Alert System Review
Lively is a great option if you’re currently in the market for new phones, a new plan, and medical alert support for two. You can even customize each Lively phone plan to get the amount of data and degree of health support each person needs. Just keep in mind that the cost of all those services can quickly add up, especially since there are no two-line discounts. If you’re already planning to get a medical alert service, however, Lively could help you save by bundling your phone and medical alert costs. We think Lively is best if you’re getting lines for yourself and a spouse or someone else who needs medical alert features. If you’re looking for something that’s a good fit for people of all ages, you may prefer a less senior-focused carrier like T-Mobile or AT&T.
» Dive Deeper: 2024 Jitterbug Phone Review
Pros About Lively
- Senior-friendly phones
- Affordable data plans
- Enhanced healthy and safety support
Cons About Lively
- No two-line discounts
- Adding data and medical support for two can be expensive
- Phone plans only work with Lively devices
Pricing
Once you’ve chosen the Lively device that suits your needs, you can get two lines of talk and text for $19.99 per line per month with the Basic plan. You can then add a data plan, with prices ranging from $5 per line for 1 GB to $30 per line for unlimited data. If you want unlimited data for two lines, your monthly bill will be around $100, which is about $35 more than you’d pay for two lines on a comparable Consumer Cellular plan.
» About Lively Plans: Jitterbug Phone Plans for Seniors 2024
To add medical alert features, you’ll need to upgrade from a Basic plan to a Preferred or Premium package. With the Preferred package ($39.99 per month), you’ll gain access to an urgent-response team, concierge services, and Lively Link, an app to help keep your loved ones updated on your well-being. If you upgrade to the Premium package ($49.99 per month), you’ll also get an on-call nurse to help answer questions and a dedicated care advocate to help create a personalized health plan for you.
I’ve tested Lively’s health and safety features and found them to be worth the cost. In an emergency, I could press the large, red Urgent Response button to connect with a Lively agent in around 15 seconds. Lively Link was one of my favorite features. Through the mobile app, I could track my grandma’s phone and get notifications if she used the Urgent Response button.
Tracking my grandmas location using the Lively Link mobile app
None of those features, however, are discounted when you sign up for two lines, so the cost of maintaining talk, text, data, and safety features for each plan can get pricey. It may be worth the extra cost, though, since it’s the only carrier on this list that has phones, plans, and safety features specifically designed for seniors.
I tested the two-line plan with my grandma. I used the Basic package with unlimited data and she used the Preferred package with 5 GB of data per month, which meant we were spending about $100 per month, not including taxes, fees, and the cost of two Jitterbug phones.
Features
- Customizable phone plans
- Unlimited talk and text
- Health and safety packages
- U.S.-based customer service
- No contracts
- Can keep your old phone number
Availability
Like T-Mobile and Consumer Cellular, Lively phone plans are available pretty much anywhere in the United States. The only limitation is that you have to use a Lively phone to enjoy the benefits of a Lively plan. That limits you to just two options: the Jitterbug Smart4 and the Jitterbug Flip2. Both are excellent phones for seniors, but they may be a little too simplistic for some people. Lively offers plans in all 50 states with nationwide coverage, but remember that you won’t be able to bring your old phone with you or switch to a phone outside of Lively’s product line — two things you can do with AT&T, Mint Mobile, or T-Mobile.
» You Might Like: Best Big-Button Cell Phones for Seniors
Lively uses Verizon’s nationwide network, which means you can get service pretty much anywhere you go in North America. The downside is that Lively users get deprioritized when the network is busy. My grandma and I definitely noticed that during peak hours, when our service felt a little sluggish even though we had full bars.
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4. Mint Mobile - Mint Mobile: Best prepaid phone plan
What we like most
- Simple prepaid plans
- Affordable rates
- Mint 55+ plan
Mint Mobile
Testing out Mint Mobile’s service on an iPhone
Overview
Mint Mobile offers some of the most affordable phone plans for people of any age. The company’s signature senior plan (Mint 55+) is a great deal at just $15 per month. Mint Mobile doesn’t offer two-line discounts, but it still ends up being cheaper than carriers such as AT&T and Lively when you get two lines for $15 apiece ($30 per month in total). The plans are very simple, though, and don’t offer extra perks that carriers like T-Mobile do, such as in-flight Wi-Fi and free streaming services.
» Learn More: Mint Mobile Senior Phone Plan Review
Even though Mint Mobile phone plans are very affordable, they don’t skimp on quality service and features. With two Mint 55+ lines, you and a loved one get 5G service, unlimited talk and text, and 5 GB of data per month per line. The plan also comes with ongoing technical support for the first year, assistance with switching from your old carrier, and the option to bring your own phone number.
Fortunately, Mint Mobile offers the same $15 deal on its standard plans. Even though I didn’t meet the age requirement for Mint 55+, I could still enjoy great service at a very affordable price. If you want more data, you can upgrade to an unlimited plan for $30 per month per line.
Pros About Mint Mobile
- Starts at $30 per month for two lines
- Can keep your current phone and number
- Unlimited data plans available
Cons About Mint Mobile
- Mint 55+ only comes with 5 GB of data
- No two-line discounts
- Must pay for three months of service in advance
Pricing
Mint Mobile offers affordable prepaid phone plans starting at $15 per line with no hidden fees or surprise charges. Mint 55+ is a great plan because it offers 5G service, unlimited talk and text, and 5 GB of data, which is enough to meet most older adults’ needs. If you want an unlimited plan, however, you’ll pay twice that amount — $30 per line.
Mint Mobile doesn’t require yearlong contracts, but you can’t pay month to month. Instead, you have to pay in three-month increments, which means you’ll need to pay a minimum of $45 up front per Mint 55+ line. When you do the math, though, you’ll see that you can probably save by signing up for two lines with Mint Mobile. It’s even less expensive than adding an extra line with Consumer Cellular’s comparable 5 GB plan.
One caveat: After the first three months, you’ll need to prepay for 12 months of service if you want to keep the same rates. If you choose to pay for service in three- or six-month increments, your monthly rates will increase. That means you have to pay for a full year in advance to get the best deal, which may be too expensive or too much of a commitment for some older adults.
Features
- Unlimited talk and text
- Minimum of 5 GB of data per month
- Mobile hotspot
- 5G access
- No contracts
- No activation fees
- Ample tech support
- Can keep your old phone and number
Availability
Mint Mobile is a relative newcomer compared to established carriers such as AT&T and T-Mobile, but it is available across the United States and even has limited availability in Mexico and Canada. It also runs on T-Mobile’s network, so you can get nationwide coverage and access to 5G speeds.
Mint Mobile, however, is the only carrier on this list that has no physical stores. The company touts that as a positive since you’ll never have to deal with pushy salespeople, but it’s not the carrier for you if you like being able to take your phone to a store to get help or make adjustments to your plan. That wasn’t a big issue for my grandma and I, but senior couples and families who like to ask questions in person may be better off with a carrier like T-Mobile, AT&T, or Consumer Cellular.
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5. T-Mobile - Best Perks
What we like most
- Three unlimited 55+ plans
- Boasts the nation’s largest 5G network
- Two-line discounts
T-Mobile
Our editor’s grandma testing out an iPhone
Overview
T-Mobile boasts the largest 5G network in the nation,3 making it a great choice for older adults living just about anywhere in the country. Along with a huge network, reliable service, and great customer support, T-Mobile goes above and beyond to create unique plans tailored to seniors. The carrier’s three Unlimited 55+ plans are great options for older adults, especially if you need two lines. They start at $45 per month for one line or $60 per month for two.
Pro Tip: Tired of dealing with data caps? Check out our guide to the best unlimited cell phone plans for seniors!
The Essentials Choice 55 plan is a solid deal for two lines at $60 per month. It offers unlimited talk, text, and data, plus service in Mexico and Canada. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll need to choose a more expensive plan if you want to enjoy some of the best perks, such as bundled streaming subscriptions and in-flight Wi-Fi. The price of the Essentials Choice 55 plan with two lines doesn’t include taxes and fees, while the prices for the two other 55+ plans have all taxes and fees included.
» Learn About: 2024 T-Mobile Review
Pros About T-Mobile
- Special two-line discount on senior plans
- Tons of extra perks and benefits
- Unlimited talk, text, and data
Cons About T-Mobile
- Many of the best perks only come with higher-tier plans
- Throttled speeds if you go over the soft data cap
- Two-line discount doesn’t include taxes and fees
Pricing
T-Mobile offers three Unlimited 55 plans: Essentials Choice 55, Go5G Plus 55, and Go5G Next 55. If you want to save on monthly rates, the Essentials Choice 55 plan costs $60 per month (plus taxes and fees) when you sign up for two lines and enroll in AutoPay. One downside is that the Essentials Choice 55 plan is limited to two lines, so you’ll need to upgrade to a more expensive package if you want three or more lines.
The Go5G Plus 55 and Go5G Next 55 plans are a little pricier at $100 and $120 per month for two lines, respectively, but they also come with a lot of great perks. Along with unlimited 5G service, no contracts, and advanced spam-blocking protection, the higher-tier plans come with extras such as HD streaming, in-flight Wi-Fi, 4G LTE mobile hotspots, international data, a one-year AAA membership, and Netflix and Apple TV Plus subscriptions. You can also add more than two lines if that suits your needs.
» See Your Options: T-Mobile Unlimited 55+ Plans and Pricing
For comparison, the Essentials Choice 55 plan with two lines costs twice as much as two Mint 55+ lines from Mint Mobile. You get unlimited data with T-Mobile, but speeds will slow down after you’ve used 50 GB. Going with T-Mobile is much more expensive than Mint Mobile, but it’s still slightly cheaper than getting two lines of unlimited data from Consumer Cellular. If you’re looking for unlimited data, I think it’s worth the price increase.
Features
- Unlimited talk and text
- Minimum of 50 GB of data per month
- Mobile hotspot
- 5G access
- No contracts
- HD video streaming
Availability
Unlike AT&T’s Unlimited 55+ plan, T-Mobile senior plans are available nationwide. T-Mobile boasts the largest 5G network in the nation, and, based on my experience, you can get great service and speeds in most locations. Even if you need to travel abroad, any of the Go5G plans offers unlimited texting in more than 215 countries.
T-Mobile, however, slows down during peak hours. I wanted to stream a movie on my phone in the early evening, and I experienced some buffering. I also had issues accessing 5G service in certain areas, even though T-Mobile has an enormous 5G network.
How Much Do 2-Line Phone Plans Cost?
As of 2023, the average cell phone bill was $144 per month.4 Fortunately, older adults can find deals for mobile phone service, especially if they’re looking for a plan with two lines. The cost of two-line phone plans for seniors can vary drastically from one carrier to the next though. Some providers offer substantial discounts on multiline plans, while others don’t offer multiline discounts at all. Based on our research, you can expect to pay anywhere between $30 and $120 per month for two-line phone plans.
How to Choose the Best 2-Line Phone Plan for You
Our list includes some of the best two-line cell phone plans for seniors, but it’s still important to do your own research. You may have unique personal or budgetary needs, so it’s always best to learn more about your options before making a decision. Below are a few tips to help you in your search.
- Do the math: If you want to switch mobile carriers and find a good deal, it’s vital that you calculate the costs between your current provider and a new one. That includes not only the cost of your monthly premiums when you sign up, but also any fees, taxes, early termination fees, and potential rate hikes.
- Read the fine print: Some two-line deals can seem too good to be true. Anything that sounds like a steal probably has a caveat that could prevent you from enjoying the best prices or benefits. Always read the fine print to ensure that you qualify for the advertised two-line prices and that those prices won’t change substantially in the future.
- Consider what you need: It’s easy to get taken in by a good deal, but taking advantage of a huge two-line discount doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get all the features you need. Make sure to think about the bare minimum requirements you and your loved one have for a phone plan, as well as any additional features you may want.
- Shop around: Don’t just go with the first two-line deal you encounter, even if it sounds great. Take a little time to shop around and see what other carriers offer. You may end up finding even better plans at lower prices!
Frequently Asked Questions About 2-Line Phone Plans
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Are phone plans cheaper with two people?
Generally, phone plans are cheaper per line if you sign up for two lines, but not always. Some providers don’t offer discounts for multiple lines or offer discounts on only three or more lines.
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Who has the best cell phone deals for seniors?
The best deals depend on what you’re looking for, but providers such as T-Mobile, Lively, Consumer Cellular, Mint Mobile, and AT&T tend to offer the best senior-specific cell phone plans.
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Does Verizon offer two-line plan discounts?
Yes, Verizon offers two-line phone plan discounts starting at $30 per month per line.
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