It seemed as though Verizon’s (News - Alert) unlimited data plan saga had reached a pretty definitive end last year when the mobile operator made it clear that upgrading to a new device on subsidized prices would require users to forfeit their grandfathered $30 unlimited data plan. It’s safe to assume that those lucky enough to hold onto such a deal were then turning to cheap, unsubsidized devices like the Nexus 4. However, this past weekend, customers had the chance to buy a subsidized device while retaining unlimited data.

Don’t get too excited, though; this wasn’t a sudden and uncharacteristic change of heart for Verizon. Rather, as Verizon has confirmed, a “software issue” allowed people with unlimited data to upgrade their devices without penalty. As they say: easy come, easy go — but what about the lucky few who managed to take advantage of the deal?

According to an official statement from Verizon, it will honor any orders approved while the terms were active. As such, unlimited data subscribers who upgraded during this glitch window should be having their cake and eating it too right about now, as long as Verizon hasn’t canceled their purchases.

“Over the past weekend, there was a software issue involving some orders for customers seeking to upgrade their devices. A number of customers who were upgrading devices were able to maintain an unlimited monthly data feature while paying a subsidized price,” the statement reads. “Verizon Wireless (News - Alert) will honor those orders that were approved this past weekend, allowing those customers to retain their unlimited plans for the duration of their contract and receive their new device.”

The company went on to say that, after correcting the software issue on Monday, Sept. 30, it will “no longer offers unlimited data plans and customers who want to retain existing unlimited data plans, must pay full retail price for a replacement phone.”

While some are claiming this glitch was by no means accidental, it’s hard to imagine Verizon planned to let expensive devices like the iPhone (News - Alert) 5S and Samsung Galaxy S4 go for subsidized prices to a user base it has been actively working against for some time now.