Subscription increase

Sorry but NO! My personal subscription hasn't changed from 69.99 $ to 99.99 it's changed from AUD 109.00/year to AUD 159.00/year. This is entirely unjustifiable. If the increase is due to the inclusion of AI functionality then you are offering a DIFFERENT PRODUCT. The very fact we are paying a subscription is to receive an ongoing service. I'm happy to pay a reasonable increase due to inflation but not in the order of a 46% increase for something I didn't ask for, and so far I find AI to be extremely intrusive and a negative influence on my MS experience.

I received a notice from Microsoft today “Starting on 02/03/2025, the price for your Microsoft 365 Family subscription will change from AUD 139.00/year to AUD 179.00/year.”  That rounds to a 29% increase! The reason from Microsoft being “to access powerful AI features in the apps”.  This seems like Microsoft are saying, given people can’t justify buying copilot separately we’re going to charge you for it anyway given the amount we have invested in it.

Shouldn’t the base subscription be sufficient for research and development and subsequent new functionality? I feel like we’re being held over a barrel here.

I just received the email - mine is increasing from $109.99 to $159.99 - for what?? $50 more is ridiculous! Anything MS can do, so can google. They’ll lose heaps of customers over this. Myself included. What am I going to use bloody AI for?

What a poor and most likely an automated response. Hasn't at all addressed the question of the outrageous price increase...If if it was a human response then Pyke.D may well have a career in politics.

Yes I agree, that “price gouging” has become rampant through many industries. I have been a loyal customer of Microsoft for over thirty years now & I do not believe they are ready to listen to their customers. Unfortunately the ACCC is seen by many as a toothless tiger when it comes to taking action.