Not sure what the deal is but if you purchase a Surface 2 LTE 64GB at Best Buy, it rings up at $499, even though the website lists it at $679.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/surface-2-6 ... st=surface 2 LTE&cp=1&lp=1&contract_desc=
AT&T will also give you a $100 credit if you add it to your data plan, which is only $10/mo. I don't need it but I kind of wish I did.