Can I activate the iPhone5 on a different line without a SIM-switch?

Question

I've been searching for the answer to "Do I have to have a SIM-switch?" for awhile now. There are already over a dozen threads and different people keep giving different answers. To complicate things, even Verizon Customer Service is providing what appears to be drastically different answers. To help anyone else who may be wondering about this, I've complied a list of the Verizon Rep answers below:
Here are links to Verizon support saying that you will be able to activate the phone on any line when it arrives without a replacement SIM.
ChaunceyM_VZW wrote:
"Even though the transfer upgrade option isn't available during pre-orders, you will be able to upgrade using the eligible line. Once the phone arrives, you can select the number that it will be used on. You can visitvzw.com to make the change."
ChaunceyM_VZW wrote:
"Once your phones arrive you can go to vzw.com and activate the iPhone 5 on the number of your choice."
ChaunceyM_VZW wrote:
"I can confirm that you're able to use the upgrade from an eligible line and use the phone on the number of your choice when the arrives. Simply complete your purchase as normal. Once the phone is delivered you can go to vzw.com and activate the phone on the number you select."
ChaunceyM_VZW wrote:
"You have the option to upgrade to the iPhone 5 using any eligible line. Once the phone arrives you're can activate the phone on the number of your choice."
ChaunceyM_VZW wrote:
"You can utilize the upgrade from another number and activate the phone on your number!"
Here is the same Verizon support rep saying that you are required to activate the phone on the line you ordered it before you can transfer.
ChaunceyM_VZW wrote:
"You will be required to
order the phone on Line B
receive the phone
activate it on Line B
Reactivate it on Line A
Reactivate Line B's original phone on Line B.
to transfer the upgrade to another number. I know it's a pain, but your new phone will be worth the trouble."
Here is a different Verizon support rep saying that if you used MyVerizon to transferred an upgrade no additional steps are necessary and the phone will activate for the line that the upgrade was switched to. However, she says that if you didn't utilize the 'transfer upgrade' function, then contrary to Chauncey's answer that you can activate on any line via vzw.com, Vanessa reports that you must obtain a new SIM card in order to upgrade a different line.
VanessaS_VSWSupport wrote:
"The SIM card does come programmed for the phone number it was ordered on. However, if you process order as an Alternate Upgrade, meaning, you requested to have it transferred to your line, the SIM will be programmed to your phone number. If it's not, you will be able to get a new SIM card from VZW or the Apple Store."
VanessaS_VSWSupport wrote:
"Simply select [a] number to upgrade, then select "Transfer Discount", and then select your mobile number, and proceed as normal. This way, you will not have to get a new SIM card, as the SIM card will come programmed with the number it was ordered on.
VanessaS_VSWSupport wrote:
"If the new phone was ordered under a different line, the SIM card will come pre-installed with that phone number; therefore, you will need a SIM card for your number if the new phone will be on your line. If you did an Alternate Upgrade, using another eligibility, but ordered it on your line, the SIM card will come pre-installed with your number and you'll be able to activate it on your line, no problem."

Answer 1

    Hi Houser,
Sorry about the delay in our response. I know the information regarding the iPhone 5's sim card is confusing so let me go ahead and clear that up for you. The activation process for the sim card depends on how you ordered the phone. If you order the iPhone for line A but wanted it active on line B and you selected the "Transfer Upgrade" option when you processed the order, you will not need to complete any additional steps. Just power on the phone, activate it and you'll be all set. The phone will be programed to the correct line.
If you ordered the iPhone 5 for line A but really want to activate it on line B and did not choose "Transfer Upgrade"  you will have to complete the following steps.
1. Activate the phone on line A.
2. Remove the sim card.
4. Complete the ESN change to activate iPhone and sim card on line B by going to www.vzw.com/myverizon or by calling our customer service department at 1-800-922-0204. 
6. Re-insert the sim card and activate phone B the next day. (This steps needs to be completed because the sim card is going to be reused)
Thanks for the great question!
NidiaA_VZW
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