Amazon Prime Increases Membership Fees (May 2023)

BewareOfThe Dog on 02/05/2023 - 09:26
Last edited 02/05/2023 - 12:09 by 3 other users

It was only a matter of time

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Amazon Prime Video will increase its streaming subscription fees by as much as 42.9 per cent from the end of this month.

Prime membership will hike up its monthly price from $6.99 to $9.99 while its annual fee will go up from $59.99 to $79.99.

From Amazon email:

Thank you for being a valued member of Amazon Prime. We are writing to you about an upcoming change to your membership.

Since launching Amazon Prime in 2018 we have continued expanding Prime member benefits. So we can continue growing the offering, Prime membership fees are changing to $79 per year for annual plans. The new price will apply from June 28, 2023, on the date of your next renewal. With your Prime membership you have access to shopping and entertainment benefits, including Prime Video and Amazon Music.

No further action is required. You can manage your Prime membership anytime by visiting Your Membership page.

Will you stop your subscription?

Poll Options

  • 296
    Yes
  • 297
    Unsure
  • 861
    No
General Discussion Amazon Membership Video on Demand

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Comments

  • EightImmortals on 02/05/2023 - 09:31
    +61

    Still not too bad for what's on offer.
    That's only a few delivery fees plus I can watch Clarkson's Farm as an added bonus!

    • Almost Banned on 02/05/2023 - 11:27
      +48

      See this is what irks me with this 'story'.
      Firstly, the cost of Prime Video is not going up at all. The cost of Prime is going up - which is MUCH more than just Video.
      Secondly, most people pay for Prime for the deliveries - not the video. So the fact that Prime is going up is absolutely a newsworthy story - but because of the cost of Prime going up - not the Video, which most people just consider a bonus part of their membership.

      • anawth on 03/05/2023 - 10:06
        -6

        Found Bezos' burner!
        (sorry thought I was on twitter then)

    • AustriaBargain on 02/05/2023 - 13:03

      Didn't Clarkson put his foot in his mouth again and get fired from Amazon?

      • EightImmortals on 02/05/2023 - 13:40
        -1

        Maybe.
        I think they threatened to not renew any further contracts for this and the grand tour after he stated his opinion about Megan Markel. :)
        What she has to do with Amazon or his contractual obligations I have no idea. More cancel culture nonsense I guess.

        • AustriaBargain on 02/05/2023 - 13:45
          +8

          In his column titled, “One day, Harold the glove puppet will tell the truth about A Woman Talking Bollocks,” Clarkson continued by suggesting that Markle should be forced to "parade naked through the streets of every town in Britain while the crowds chant, ‘Shame!’ and throw lumps of excrement at her,” https://screenrant.com/jeremy-clarkson-fired-harry-meghan-ma…

          • EightImmortals on 02/05/2023 - 13:48

            @AustriaBargain: Yeah not very smart.
            Reminds me of the old saying 'If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.'

            • Serapis on 02/05/2023 - 16:53
              +11

              @EightImmortals: But that's kinda his schtick, he's entertainingly snarky.

              If I wanted something more moderate I'd go watch harrys practice

          • Hewy on 02/05/2023 - 17:44
            +9

            @AustriaBargain: Yeah, but to be fair, he was referring to a scene in Game of Thrones, where a women married to a royal goes through that ordeal to essentially reclaim their power and then usurp the throne. So, it's not just a throw a way line involving chucking excrement at women, but I understand it's not a great line.

            • cookie2 on 03/05/2023 - 05:58
              +3

              @Hewy: Context is an aspect worth considering. But isn't, when ppl don't want to as they've already found fault.

            • BradH13 on 03/05/2023 - 11:56
              +5

              @The Judge: Imagine giving a (profanity) about the Royal Family enough to write words like this about someone you've never, and will never meet…

              Couldn't be me.

              • Miss B on 03/05/2023 - 15:26
                +2

                @BradH13: I'm almost interested enough to have a look at what the tabloids have told people to get their knickers in a twist over this time, but I just don't seem to be able to manage any profanities to give.

          • dowhatuwant2 on 03/05/2023 - 10:54
            -7

            @AustriaBargain: She deserves worse then that. Vapid (profanity)

      • BewareOfThe Dog on 03/05/2023 - 19:29

        There is a God.
        Admittedly, I don't like him, as my ex-wife would bombard me with non-stop Top Gear.
        PTSD

    • easternculture on 02/05/2023 - 19:39
      +8

      My best guess is they are trying to recoup unexpected Citadel and LOTR expenses (close to $1B)

      • moist on 03/05/2023 - 08:13

        If these were successful the price might have gone up anyway as they would have had something people want

      • nobro25 on 03/05/2023 - 14:15

        I'm pretty sure LOTR costed more than a Billion by itself. Especially they're commited to a second season.

        • easternculture on 03/05/2023 - 14:51
          +1

          So they are throwing money to production studios which end up in deep pockets and we pay for those pockets to be filled

          Citadel budget was $300m = ~ $40m per episode.
          Watched first 2 episodes and no way they are worth $80M. So whos pockets are being filled with bezos's millions.

          Mario Bro's movie (Animated) cost $100M
          Citadel barely had any special effects or stunts other than a train exploding

        • AustriaBargain on 03/05/2023 - 20:01

          LOTR season 1 cost more than a billion AUD when factoring in production costs and marketing costs.

  • bohn on 02/05/2023 - 09:33
    +16

    For new Prime members, the price change will go into effect on May 24 and for current members from June 28

    Mine renews early June @ $59.

    Portal tells me I've had 55 packages sent in the last year - I'd have to see how many I might have been able to group >$39 to get free shipping.
    I don't use prime video/music.

    • StonedWizard on 02/05/2023 - 13:46
      +2

      @bohn - Did you work out 55 by counting all your orders last year, or is there a faster way to see this? I'm curious how many I've received in the last 12 months.

      • bohn on 02/05/2023 - 13:48
        +19

        It tells me at the Prime page https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/primecentral
        https://i.imgur.com/Hal6Qih.png

        • 2loud2old on 02/05/2023 - 18:03
          +9

          Oh wow 79 packages and 412 movies/tv shows watched. Reckon thats good value for me

          • Circly on 02/05/2023 - 18:26
            +1

            @2loud2old: 8 packages and like 7 movies haha… May as well cancel

          • The Judge on 02/05/2023 - 20:56
            +1

            @2loud2old: 85 packages (we have an infant & are constantly ordering nappies / formula etc) & 70 odd shows. I didn't realise the music was included. I guess it pays for itself, so, we'll be staying.

          • stringbean402 on 03/05/2023 - 07:46
            +1

            @2loud2old: I seem to be getting my value,

            187 - Packages shipped for free with Prime Delivery
            56 - Movies and TV shows watched with Prime Video
            1,251 - Songs listened to with Amazon Music

          • Hansi on 03/05/2023 - 10:14
            +2

            @2loud2old: 100 packages and 729 movies / tv shows. That can’t be right surely. Considering I never watch anything I might have to question the habits of my housemates lol

        • Name on 02/05/2023 - 19:51
          +2

          Thanks for the link! Didn't realise you could check. I've got
          -47 packages
          -718 movies or TV shows (I think it's more likely to be the TV shows)
          -33 songs (I use yt music)

          Didn't realise prime reading was a thing until now.

        • KBZ on 02/05/2023 - 20:31
          +3

          Weird mine doesn't tell me when I click that link.

        • GregFiona on 02/05/2023 - 21:33

          95 packages…

        • Trekky on 03/05/2023 - 08:48

          Thanks for the link - I've done 20 packages and 26 songs. I have also claimed some of the free books, but that doesn't show up for me.

        • BrettSh on 03/05/2023 - 09:15

          My use:
          -54 packages
          -22 movies or TV shows
          -20 songs (I also use YouTube Music)

        • Bad Wolf on 03/05/2023 - 09:39

          300 packages at least 30 were free delivery from overseas
          1300 tv:movies
          Theses no doubt I’m renewing

        • BradH13 on 03/05/2023 - 12:02
          +2

          89 packages (of which some were free international delivery) and 23 shows (I don't watch streaming films) watched.

          I'm getting my value to justify the increase.

          Just for anyone not in the know, Prime in other regions still costs dramatically more a year than Australia even with this increase ($209~ AUD a year for the USA, $177~ AUD for the UK).

          • Jklaro on 06/05/2023 - 18:22
            +1

            @BradH13: Dont they get better benifits then us?

      • Miss B on 02/05/2023 - 22:34
        +1

        298 for me, but 3 other people/households use mine.

    • Mechz on 02/05/2023 - 16:58

      Dammit mine renews early July. Wonder if I can buy a gift card and renew early.

      • naru6705 on 02/05/2023 - 17:14

        Start a new subscription just before the price hike and let this one expire

      • tukanglistrik on 02/05/2023 - 21:37
        +2

        I think you can ask Amazon to cancel your subscription end of June and then you can start a new one. You'll lose a few days subscription.

      • Gaz1 on 04/05/2023 - 15:22
        +3

        Maybe ask then if you can pay for the renewal early as you don't think you would renew for the higher price?

    • Bargain4Days on 02/05/2023 - 22:18
      +1

      Yeah definitely still worth getting, got 185 parcels delivered and 233 shows watched, 80 bucks is still reasonable considering what you are getting

    • Ziggy28 on 04/05/2023 - 18:26

      Mine renews early June too. However when I called Amazon to clarify, the agent told me on June 28, they will charge us an extra $20.

  • tmcn85 on 02/05/2023 - 09:33
    +2

    I haven't used OnePass yet but I guess this would tempt me to swap for a while.

    • yoquierotaco on 03/05/2023 - 10:28

      OnePass is pretty bad IMO. They have minimum deliveries for some companies. It's overall inconsistent compared to Prime. At least with Prime, you know that if it has it then shipping is free.

  • ForkSnorter on 02/05/2023 - 09:39
    +20

    Saving hundreds per year on delivery fees, plus I watch a lot of Amazon Prime, so still worth it.

    Equivalent to the cost of about 5 DVDs, so remember the good old days when you paid $20-$30 for a single 480p DVD which you watched once, or you walked to the video store to rent it for $5 and had to return it the following day, or you watched SD TV with a gazillion ads.

    • Xistn on 02/05/2023 - 09:55
      +26

      "SD TV with a gazillion ads" has now been replaced with "SD TV with a gazillion of the same sports betting ad"

      • BewareOfThe Dog on 02/05/2023 - 09:58
        +10

        'Win Some, Lose More!'

        • singingwolf on 02/05/2023 - 10:54
          +14

          You're not a real man if you are not betting with your mates.

          • Alzori on 02/05/2023 - 11:31
            +2

            @singingwolf: BETTING IS NORMAL AND FUN YOU AREN'T HAVING FUN IF YOU AREN'T HAVING A PUNT GET SOME ACTION IN YOUR LIFE

            • nightelves on 02/05/2023 - 11:40
              +3

              @Alzori: I get plenty of action but not through betting.

            • imurgod on 02/05/2023 - 17:37

              @Alzori: No it isn't.

              • Alzori on 02/05/2023 - 18:14
                +2

                @imurgod: /s if it wasn't clear - I'm generally disgusted by the ads, both the frequency and the content.

                • imurgod on 02/05/2023 - 18:21
                  +1

                  @Alzori: Oops, I realised that and thought I'd removed my comment.

                  Obviously I didn't.

                  My bad.

      • ForkSnorter on 02/05/2023 - 10:04
        +10

        I wouldn't know, I haven't watched free-to-air TV for 15 years.

        • serpserpserp on 02/05/2023 - 20:38
          -3

          Good for you champ.

          • Wasabi Ninja on 02/05/2023 - 21:29
            +2

            @serpserpserp: I always chuckle when someone says “champ”. Always makes me think the person saying it is close to tears saying the equivalent of “you are”.

    • juzza87 on 02/05/2023 - 12:43
      +15

      Excuse me! I'm in a PAL region, within REGION 4 and my DVDs are 576p thank you very much /s

      • idonotknowwhy on 03/05/2023 - 09:32
        +2

        most of mine are interlaced

        • AdrianW on 03/05/2023 - 16:19
          +2

          and comes with a 4% speed-up (so you can get more watched in less time).

          • Blew on 10/08/2023 - 22:30

            @AdrianW: Only for 24 fps movies. PAL TV shows play at normal speed, including those recorded in NTSC.

    • Nugs on 02/05/2023 - 16:45
      +1

      @ForkSnorter
      "or you walked to the video store to rent it for $5 and had to return it the following day,"
      or you walked to the video store to rent a VHS for $3, took it home and dubbed it and had to return it the following day
      .

      • serpserpserp on 02/05/2023 - 20:40

        Or you rented a DVD for $5 and took it home and it didn't work in your DVD player so you took it back the next day and couldn't get a refund.

    • Antikythera on 02/05/2023 - 22:46
      +2

      or you went to the $2 video store hired 5 DVDs, and ripped them all and burnt them to DVDR+

  • Wafflel on 02/05/2023 - 09:47
    +2

    Currently on monthly which is due for renewal on 11th of May.

    Could I wait until June 27 and change to annual to delay this price rise?

    • CountZero on 02/05/2023 - 15:39
      +3

      Yes. Just did this myself and they refund the unused portion of your monthly charge.

      I had been thinking of going to yearly and this was just the push I needed.

      • Limitless on 02/05/2023 - 20:44

        I said that to myself 10mins ago and did the exact same thing! then searched ozbargain for validation

      • Duplicity on 03/05/2023 - 10:23

        Shit I should've gone yearly yonks ago LOL

        updated now anyway

    • Mechz on 02/05/2023 - 17:00
      +2

      So if I change to monthly now, then immediately switch to annual can I beat the price rise?

      • bazm09 on 02/05/2023 - 17:38

        This is a bloody good idea… if it works. (Please report back.)

        • Mechz on 02/05/2023 - 17:39

          I don't think it will work because I'm paid up for over 2 months.

          • bazm09 on 02/05/2023 - 17:41

            @Mechz: Yeah, I hear what you're saying.

            If switching DOWN refunds your unused portion, the same as UP… could work though.

            Curious to see if someone is willing to try it.

    • Ziggy28 on 04/05/2023 - 18:28
      -1

      I'm on the annual plan of $59 that renews early June. However Amazon told me that on 28th June, an additional $20 will be charged to my account. Looks like there is no escape lol

      • Circly on 04/05/2023 - 21:50

        Why is that though? You are subbing before the deadline. Makes no sense why you would get charged Extra.

        • mapax on 04/05/2023 - 21:52

          The email also says it will occur on the date of your next renewal, not an extra payment on June 28.

          The new price will apply from June 28, 2023, on the date of your next renewal.

          • chossenger on 05/05/2023 - 12:31

            @mapax: That's not an either/or statement though - that would read as the next renewal, after June 28.

        • Ziggy28 on 05/05/2023 - 05:04

          I thought so too, but when i called Amazon earlier to clarify, an agent told me extra $20 would be slugged on 28 June despite annual renewal before that. Hope that's not the case but I'm not surprised.

          Edit* Ok I went on the Amazon Live chat to ask again, this time the Agent said I won't be hit with an extra $20. I think some of them have absolutely no idea what is going on.

  • lostgoat on 02/05/2023 - 10:02
    -6

    What do they do ?
    Bait match a few competitors specials that sell to bots in a few secs .
    Prime Video really is a easy binge watch .
    Crap value really .
    I use to have 12 ac and now find it hard to justify 1 .
    Best play is to pay the Black Friday and other special months and binge watch during then .
    At least there should be some value then .

    • mskeggs on 02/05/2023 - 10:24
      +1

      This seems like a sensible strategy.

    • HardQuiz on 02/05/2023 - 11:25
      +2

      12 accounts?

      Am I missing something?

      • snoopydoop on 02/05/2023 - 11:30
        +1

        I think they mean like Netflix, Stan, etc?

    • AustriaBargain on 02/05/2023 - 13:05
      +1

      Bait match a few competitors specials that sell to bots in a few secs .

      I wish you guys would stop calling me a bot.

    • cookie2 on 03/05/2023 - 06:04
      +5

      Riveting comment with such depth of thought on the topic.

    • idonotknowwhy on 03/05/2023 - 09:33
      +1

      u

  • jellykingdom on 02/05/2023 - 10:16
    +23

    With Australia Post's delivery times still being in the toilet, Prime is still a pretty good option (1 day shipping vs "god knows how long" shipping). It's been a bit of a snake eating its own tail at the moment; AP does a bad job, more people avoid them, so they lose money and continue to do a bad job

    • mskeggs on 02/05/2023 - 10:23
      +12

      Where I am they have switched to courierspls with very unpredictable delivery.
      I used to get good value from prime for international free ship over $49, but fewer reasons for that now.
      Prime video is meh. Prime music is meh.
      If you have other subs for music and video, prime offers little.

      Seems like it's time to drop it.

      • buckster on 02/05/2023 - 10:37

        Unlucky, they had us on AusPost &…Aramex shudder but lately we've been getting things delivered by auspost/toll instead which has been better

      • Circly on 02/05/2023 - 11:56
        +15

        Couriers Please and Aramex/Fastway are shocking

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