Free AOL - How to convert your paid account

Heads up--we may be getting questions on this at the reference desk.

AOL is now giving away their service for free. If you're already an AOL subscriber, but don't rely on AOL to connect to the Internet, you can switch to the free plan. (If you rely on AOL for actual Internet access, then you'll still have to cough up some dough.)

Currently AOL is telling customers, "To change your current AOL plan, simply call Member Services at 1-800-984-6207 and select the Billing Option when prompted." I tried this, and after spending 20 minutes navigating their (gasp!) poorly designed voice-menu, I actually got through to a nice fellow who told me how to cancel. THIS IS BIG SO READ ON...

Although AOL is not really advertising it yet, subscribers can easily make the switch to the free plan by:

1. Logging into AOL (log in through their software--sorry, this won't work through http://www.aol.com/; at least not yet...)
2. Choosing KEYWORD: Change plan
3. Choosing the option for "Free Plan"

I've done it, and I'm here to tell you that it was that easy. A pleasant surprise, especially considering AOL's well-documented history of making it nigh impossible to discontinue service.

For the first time in many years I'm moved to say, Thank You AOL!

(cross-posted at my new work blog http://sjrlc.typepad.com )

Tags: aol, aim, America Online