Amazon customers are being issued with a three-day warning as the cost of its Prime subscription is about to rise. Back in July, the multi-national firm, which has processing centres in the East Midlands, announced it would be raising the price of its Prime service for all members. The date of the price rise in now approaching.
On Thursday, September 15, the cost of the delivery and streaming service will go up by £12 a year for monthly bill payers and £16 for annual subscribers. In an email to customers announcing the price rise, the internet giant said: "As of 15 September 2022, the price of the monthly Prime membership will increase from £7.99 to £8.99, and the price of the annual Prime membership will increase from £79 to £95. The new price will apply to renewals starting 15 September 2022".
Amazon Prime offers subscribers access to a range of entertainment packages as well as next-day delivery on many products. The firm said: "This is the first time we have changed the price of Prime in the UK since 2014. During this time, we have significantly increased the number of products available with unlimited, fast Prime delivery; added and expanded ultra-fast fresh grocery delivery; and added more high-quality digital entertainment, including TV, movies, music, games, and books.
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"Prime Video in particular has increased the number of TV series and movies on offer, including Amazon Originals, as well as live sports coverage, such as the Premier League and Autumn Nations Series."
Prices are rising across the board for householders as the cost of living rises bite, with many people looking to make cost savings where they can. An Ofcom report said that 350,000 households in the UK have ended subscription to streaming services such as Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon Prime, according to the Mirror. The regulators said the drop reflects "the flexibility that allows customers to pick up and drop subscriptions depending on changes in programmes, needs or circumstances”.
Martin Lewis, founder of the MoneySavingExpert website, offered a tip on how to avoid the Prime £16 a year rise - or at least delay the rise for a year. He said: "If you currently pay monthly and you want to keep it [Amazon Prime], then the best thing you can do – provided you can afford it – is to convert now to the annual package and then you lock in at £79 for the next year, forestalling the rise."
The annual cost will rise from £79 to £95 from Thursday so it you swap to an annual subscription before then you'll get the cheaper rate. He added: "If you're an annual payer it's more difficult – though if your subscription is due to renew in the few weeks after 15 September, you could cancel just before that and then get a new subscription at £79 before 15 September – again, forestalling that rise just for a little bit."
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