Free line rental deals are a form of cash back by redemption deal, whereby the level of cash back given is equal to the total cost of the contract.

With these deals, retailers offer the consumer the possibility of a completely cost free mobile phone handset with inclusive minutes and text messages.

What many customers fail to understand is how these companies make a profit from such a deal. The fact is they will lose money on these deals if you make a successful claim, so, in order to make a profit, they need to prevent a given number of people from redeeming their money.

Perhaps ‘prevent’ is the wrong choice of words here, as they could not legally ‘prevent’ you from redeeming your cash, discourage or hinder would be a better choice of phrase.

What these companies do is attach all kinds of strings to the redemption claim, for example stipulating that it must be made at a given point in time, and that certain (irrelevent) documents accompany the claim.Some retailers offering free line rental have earned a very bad reputation over the past few years, and consumers are increasingly suspicious of these deals.

If you are looking for a reliable free line rental company, then you should start with one of the many mobile phone comparison sites specialising in free line rental deals. Then, you will need need to do some research of your own, on the day! Terms and conditions fluctuate, you need to stay on your toes!

Do not blindly follow the reccommendation of others, as, that company may have changed its business practice in the mean time.Make sure you properly understand what you need to do to make a claim, and decide for yourself whether you think it is achievable.Finally, find out how long the company has been in business. If it is a new company, proceed with caution, as, if the company go’s bust you will lose your money.