Being a Verizon Customer Has Its 'Perks' and Rewards

Customers can qualify for savings at more than 60 retailers, under a new program from Verizon.  Starting Tuesday (Dec. 8), Verizon Perks, Verizon's customer loyalty program, will add rewards that go beyond the experience of blazing-fast Internet connections, crystal-clear TV pictures, and voice services offering 99.9 percent network reliability.

Verizon Perks is being offered exclusively to Verizon customers who are registered users of My Verizon on www.verizon.com, and any Verizon customer can register.  These customers have the opportunity to save money with Verizon Perks when purchasing gift cards from popular retailers including Barnes & Noble, Bath & Body Works, Golfsmith, Land's End, Kmart and Macy's, and restaurants and food establishments including P.F. Chang's, Romano's Macaroni Grill, Roy's and Outback Steakhouse.  All Verizon home phone, Internet and TV customers can participate in the program by going to www.verizon.com and registering at the My Verizon link. 

Initially, Verizon Perks will offer customers the opportunity to purchase gift cards from more than 60 popular retail outlets and restaurants.  The cards are valued at $25, $50 and $100, and most of them are offered at discounted prices ranging from 5 percent to 10 percent.* 

Future Verizon Perks offers are planned throughout 2010, including the addition of more retailers, free product sample offers, and the opportunity to be the first to know about new products and services and the hottest new content.

"Verizon Perks makes being a Verizon customer even more valuable and fun, and allows us to show our loyal customers how much we appreciate their business," said Mike Ritter, Verizon's chief marketing officer for consumer wireline and business services.  "During the holiday shopping season, the discounted gift cards accessible through the Verizon Perks program can come in very handy."

The key element for Verizon residential customers is the My Verizon Web portal, an online tool fast becoming an essential way for customers to learn about Verizon services, solve customer service needs, buy additional entertainment options, pay monthly bills, and use the power of Verizon's robust broadband networks to manage their relationship with Verizon, at their convenience.

This feature-rich site currently offers over 85 functions and services provided to customers.  For example, My Verizon allows customers to manage their accounts, add or change services, access their caller ID logs and listen to voice mail messages via the free Verizon Call Assistant feature, troubleshoot their voice lines using diagnostic systems from the company, order repair services if needed, and much more.  For FiOS TV customers, browsing and bookmarking the latest video-on-demand releases and remotely programming their DVRs can be accomplished quickly and easily from My Verizon, as can upgrading their existing bundle.  Copper-based customers have similar options for HSI or DIRECTV service.  More services and features will be added for 2010 and beyond, further strengthening My Verizon's value to customers as an essential account-management tool.

* Cards will be distributed to customers within 10 days of purchase. Shipping and handling charges apply in some cases. 

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 89 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 230,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $97 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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