Good move there, at least.
> https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nickdc_copilot-pro-is-no-more...
> https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nickdc_copilot-pro-is-no-more...
My plan renewed back in May at the new rate. Microsoft did not advertise that there was any way to remain with the "Classic" plan. I've also never used the Copilot "features". I'd absolutely sign-on to a class action suit to get some money back. Even if it ends up just enriching the attorneys (which class actions inevitably do) Microsoft needs as much "correction" about this behavior as possible.
Months before the pricing change went into effect Microsoft sent me a detailed email about how to stay on the old pricing plan.
I don't appreciate being auto migrated, but they did originally provide instructions on how to not be migrated.
My plan renewed on 2025-05-04. On 2025-04-04 I received an email w/ the subject line "Upcoming Microsoft 365 price change". This email stated:
> Thank you for being a valued Microsoft 365 subscriber. To reflect the value we’ve added over the past decade, address rising costs, and enable us to continue delivering new innovations, we’re increasing the price of your subscription.
> Effective February 14, 2025, the price for Microsoft 365 Family subscriptions will increase from USD 99.99* per year to USD 129.99* per year. To continue with the new price, no action is needed—your payment method on file will be automatically charged. To make changes to your subscription plan or turn off recurring billing, visit your Microsoft account at least two days before your next billing date.
> By maintaining your subscription, you’ll enjoy secure cloud storage, advanced security for your data and devices, and cutting-edge AI-powered features, along with all your other subscription benefits. Thank you for choosing Microsoft.
> Learn more about how to manage your subscription, including how to cancel and switch your subscription.
> * Subscription prices listed do not include any discounts, promotions, or special offers that may be available.
The phrases "Microsoft Account", "subscription benefits", "how to cancel", and "switch your subscription" were all links to the same page. Those links redirect to here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/microsoft-365-...
I don't have an archive of the page as it appeared on 2025-04-04. Right now it makes mention of the Microsoft 365 Family "Classic" plan at the old $99 rate.
My recollection is that the page, as of 2025-04-04, also made no mention of the "Classic" plan, and offered no instructions re: not being "upgraded".
In addition to the Classic option that is shown only after hitting "Cancel", they also had a secret "Microsoft 365 Basic" option for $20/year. It includes no Office products, but provides 100 GB of OneDrive. Which is all I needed. So Microsoft is getting $20/year from me that they don't deserve.
Why do I pay them even $20/year? It's insurance against the same kind of BS from Google. I back up my Google Drive to OneDrive.
If you don't mind me asking, how long was it from switching until this happened?
I'm afraid I wasn't paying close attention so only know it happened around the same day. If you have already switched over to Classic and have had no problems then hopefully the issue has been fixed.
I remember some email from them saying the Copilot was now on my plan, but I don't recall anything saying that this was actually a different, more expansive plan, or that Copilot was just a trial and the plan would switch until I took action, or anything like that.
Here's how to get back to your old plan:
• find the Services & Subscriptions page on your account and select Manage.
• click "Cancel Subscription".
• On the page that brings up there will be an option to switch to a different plan. That should have the "Personal Classic" plan. There's also "Family Classic" for people that want the family plan without Copilot.
Another way that some have reported works is to simply turn off recurring billing. That then sometimes triggers an offer to switch plans that includes the Classic plans.