How to change subscription plan to Microsoft 365 Classic to opt out of AI and avoid the price increase (in New Zealand)

Anonymous
2025-01-08T20:30:38+00:00

Today, 9th January 2025, I received notification that my Microsoft 365 subscription is to increase from NZ$179 to NZ$229 a year, a 28% increase.  The previous price increase was only notified on 13th March 2024.  I understand that the new increase is to fund the new AI features.  For me, the AI features are counterproductive.  I don't want them.

I've read that I can opt out of the price increase and the AI features by changing my subscription plan to Microsoft 365 Classic.  I would like to do that, please.  These articles explain how:

https://www.consumer.org.nz/articles/you-don-t-have-to-pay-the-microsoft-365-price-increase

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/why-has-there-been-a-50-increasing-the-price-of/682421da-01f1-401a-9806-5e868069476a

I've followed the instructions.  But when I get to the 'Cancel Microsoft 365 Family' page https://account.microsoft.com/services/microsoft365/cancel?fref=billing-cancel, I don't see the 'Choose a plan that's right for you' section with the option to change my subscription plan to Microsoft 365 Classic.  Please advise.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Subscription, account, billing | For home | Other

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Anonymous
2025-01-22T08:47:55+00:00

This is from the UK, but hopefully will be helpful for those elsewhere

"Downgrade to Microsoft 365 Personal or Microsoft 365 Family Classic

Go to Services & subscriptions. Sign in with the Microsoft account associated with your subscription, if prompted.

  1. Find your current subscription and select Manage > Cancel subscription
  2. To downgrade to another plan with fewer features, select Microsoft 365 Personal Classic or Microsoft 365 Family Classic, or another plan that works for you.
  3. Follow the instructions to complete the switch.

Your existing subscription might not change immediately, but it will automatically switch to the new plan at renewal. You will not be charged for the new plan until it renews."

From https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/office/switching-to-microsoft-365-personal-and-family-classic-plans-58342e83-38e7-4cda-b63b-88604a8fb7ef

For me standard Microsoft 365 Family (with AI) is cheaper from Amazon & a number of other known name retailers than Family Classic is from Microsoft (the only place you can buy it)

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-01-17T15:02:51+00:00

    Same here. Can't even see my subscription on the dashboard let alone manage it and change or cancel it. Seems like a scam.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-01-15T08:58:51+00:00

    I have the Family plan but with a 30% discount through Microsoft's workplace scheme (so NZD125 will go up to NZD160 on renewal). Interestingly if I follow Consumer's cancel instructions or alternatively select "Turn off recurring billing" I do get the option to switch to Microsoft Family Classic, but Microsoft don't give the workplace discount on "classic" so cost is NZD179 - more than the Family (with AI).

    Sorry to hear the workplace scheme discount does not apply. I don't have that discount. NZ$179, the price you were quoted for the Family Classic subscription, is what I currently pay for my Family subscription pending the price hike for the unwanted LLM (AI). So it's what I was expecting.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-01-15T08:09:42+00:00

    I have the Family plan but with a 30% discount through Microsoft's workplace scheme (so NZD125 will go up to NZD160 on renewal). Interestingly if I follow Consumer's cancel instructions or alternatively select "Turn off recurring billing" I do get the option to switch to Microsoft Family Classic, but Microsoft don't give the workplace discount on "classic" so cost is NZD179 - more than the Family (with AI).

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-01-14T21:52:41+00:00

    Thanks Wayne + Simon. To clarify, can you outline steps to disable auto payment?

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