Amazon Prime Increases Membership Fees (May 2023)

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.


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Comments

  • +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!

    • +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.

      • -6

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

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

      • -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.

        • +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…

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

            • +11

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

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

          • +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.

            • +3

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

            • +5

              @Ham Dragon: 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.

              • +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.

          • -7

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

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

    • +8

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

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

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

        • +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

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

    • A year later comes with Ads when we already paid our subs. They just want money for nothing

  • +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.

    • +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.

      • +19
        • +9

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

          • +1

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

          • +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.

          • +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

          • +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

        • +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.

        • +3

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

        • 95 packages…

        • 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.

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

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

        • +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).

          • +1

            @BradH13: Dont they get better benifits then us?

      • +1

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

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

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

      • +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.

      • +3

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

    • +1

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

    • 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.

  • +2

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

    • 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.

  • +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.

    • +26

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

      • +10

        'Win Some, Lose More!'

        • +14

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

          • +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

            • +3

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

            • @Alzori: No it isn't.

              • +2

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

                • +1

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

                  Obviously I didn't.

                  My bad.

      • +10

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

        • -3

          Good for you champ.

          • +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”.

    • +15

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

      • +2

        most of mine are interlaced

        • +2

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

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

    • +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
      .

      • 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.

    • +2

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

  • +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?

    • +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.

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

      • Shit I should've gone yearly yonks ago LOL

        updated now anyway

    • +2

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

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

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

          • @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.

    • -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

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

        • 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.

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

        • 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.

  • -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 .

    • +1

      This seems like a sensible strategy.

    • +2

      12 accounts?

      Am I missing something?

      • +1

        I think they mean like Netflix, Stan, etc?

    • +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.

    • +5

      Riveting comment with such depth of thought on the topic.

    • +1

      u

  • +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

    • +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.

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

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