Subscription increase

So what Microsoft is really saying is "We don't care about losing loyal subscribers - pay the new fee or loose access" - so blackmail it is! Yes, the true meaning of subscription access models in the daylight.

Looks like the beginning of the exploitation of the working and middle classes has begun by big business. With Trump in office, big business will be deregulated so they can do whatever they like to the consumer without recourse. Awesome ..... just awesome. Waiting to see what Apple, Amazon and other big companies start doing to consumers. Perhaps they increased costs because they put up wages ... nah, get serious, only bonuses to management and shareholders.

So NO, the above information was not helpful - just a bunch of corporate excuses for extorting more fees from long time loyal MS followers.

Darren I 100% agree with your views - but it seems there is nothing that can be done - I don’t want copilot but the options appears to be pay 45% or you can get lost - shocking

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 don’t think Microsoft have supplied an adequate rationale for the 46% increase in our Excel subscription. It feels like gouging to us and a very unfair “loyalty tax”. We’re giving them one more chance to give a reasonable rationale otherwise we take this to the ACCC (Australia’s consumer affairs watchdog).

Surely MS can accept some feedback on this. The response must be overwhelming. Can MS not reconsider this uplift in a cost of living crisis? The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) recently backflipped or delayed a fee for withdrawing your own money. Can MS offer anything? Even a price freeze for 2 years or something? Anything?