Spotify will increase its Premium subscription prices starting in October. However, existing customers can avoid the price hike with a simple trick without losing the benefits of their subscription, reports "CHIP."
Spotify is set to integrate 12 hours of audiobook playback per month into its Premium package, even for users who don't use this feature. This addition results in higher costs, particularly in the Family subscription, where the surcharge can be up to 4 euros per person per month.
How to avoid the price hike
The music provider is urging existing Premium customers to agree to the new pricing situation by October 14. Those who fail to do so risk having their subscription automatically canceled. Spotify states, "In this case, you will keep your Premium subscription at the previous price until the cancellation becomes effective. After that, your subscription will be converted to Spotify’s free plan."
According to CHIP, prices for the Premium Individual subscription will rise from €10.99 to €12.99; the Premium Student subscription from €5.99 to €6.99; the Premium Duo subscription from €14.99 to €17.99; and the Premium Family subscription from €17.99 to €21.99.
However, there is a clever trick: instead of agreeing to the changes, you can switch your account to the Basic plan. To do this, select the Basic plan and click "Change Subscription" in the settings. In this case, all Premium features, as well as the previous price, remain intact, but the new audiobook feature is not included.
The way around the new prices only works for existing customers. New customers do not have this option. Additionally, according to CHIP, the Basic subscription cannot be re-subscribed after a potential future cancellation.