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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
    2025-01-09T22:53:13+00:00

    Thanks everyone for your comments so far. I'm trying to contact chat support, as explained by Cherry.Z. As I already have this thread, I shall cite it in the chat to avoid misunderstanding. I've found that approach helpful with support chats in the past.

    Unfortunately, live chat seems to be dead for me at the moment. When I start the chat, I get a blank Live Chat Widget page which no one writes to. I'll try again later and let you know how I get on.

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  2. Anonymous
    2025-01-14T05:47:57+00:00

    Great work, Wayne! Thanks. Online support is still not working for me, so I was going to arrange a phone call. Now I don't have to. I've just followed your lead and turned off my recurring billing too. My subscription expires on 19th March. So I shall report back here shortly after that, when I've found out whether this solution works. If it does, I shall mark your post as the solution to the problem.

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  3. Anonymous
    2025-01-17T21:01:12+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).

    Same here in Switzerland, massive change in pricing - just for including the literally useless copilot. Personally, I also have a workplace discount on our family subscription, but hey what a surprise: no workplace discount anymore if you try to (Microsoft, sorry - what a terrible user expierence for this process!), i really mean, try to change it to a family classic subscription. Conclusion: accept a yearly price bump of over CHF 20.-? Interesting shareholder strategy nowadays I must say. I will wait until summer with a renewal - IBM tried the same with their business core products (including AI and charge more) and they got sued...

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  4. Anonymous
    2025-01-09T03:29:02+00:00

    Hi, SimonORorke

    Welcome to the Microsoft community.

    Having read the information you have provided and the content of the links provided, I understand that you are aware of the step-by-step information. I am also sorry to hear that you are having difficulty changing your subscription plan on your own.

    Regarding your situation, if you still don't see the option to switch to Microsoft 365 Classic, it might be helpful to contact Chat Support directly.

    --- As community support, I am not authorized to assist you in verifying your payment or account myself. This is to ensure that your personal information is not exposed to the community. Communities are platforms for sharing and communicating openly. This will be taken care of by our online support team, which handles your subscription individually. ---

    Refer to the following steps:

    1. Visit this website: Contact - Microsoft Support
    2. Type in your problems in the search box there. For instance*, account/*subscription/Tax invoices/refund, etc.
    3. Now click Get help and Select Contact Support below. Image
    4. Go to the Products and services tab, and choose either Microsoft 365 and Office category or Other Products
    5. On the Category tab, choose Manage My Subscription or other alternatives.
    6. Go to Confirm. Image
    7. You can now choose the option of Chat with a support agent on your web browser.  Image

    **Tip:**The Chat support team only works at certain times, so if the last window says you are not available, try to open it again the next day. If you prefer phone support, you can leave a phone number. That way, they can call you and help you.

    Besides, you can also contact Global Customer Service phone. Global Customer Service phone numbers - Microsoft Support

    We hope this gives you a clear direction to solve the problems, and if you have any other questions, you can always contact us in the community.

    Thank you for your understanding and support, and we wish you all the best.

    Best regards，

    Cherry.Z - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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