Bill went up: what to do

Have this ready

• last bill before the increase
• first bill after the increase
• the original offer or promotion terms

Steps for any company

1. Compare the two bills line by line. Find each line that changed.

2. If the increase breaks a written price lock or promotion, dispute it as a billing error.

3. If the increase is allowed, ask for the current promotions or a loyalty price. Use price_negotiation.

4. Ask what plan gives the same service for less. Write down every offer with the representative's name and date.

A company playbook below replaces these generic steps with the company’s own forms, phone numbers and deadlines.

Company playbooks (44)

Auto, home and renters insurance

• AllstateAsk the call center or agent what changed and which discounts or deductibles apply.
• American Family InsuranceAsk the agent or 1-800-MYAMFAM what changed and which discounts apply.
• Farmers InsuranceReview limits, deductibles and discounts with the agent or the Customer Care Center.
• GEICOFind what changed at renewal, then review coverage and discounts online or with service.
• Liberty MutualReview the policy online, then ask service or the agent what changed.
• NationwideAsk service or the agent what changed and what discounts apply.
• ProgressiveFind what changed, then review coverage, deductibles and discounts, and compare quotes.
• State FarmCompare the renewal with the prior term, then ask the agent to review discounts, deductibles and coverage.
• TravelersAsk policy service or the agent what changed at renewal.

Electric, gas and water utilities

• Reliant EnergyVariable-price plans are month-to-month and can change price; when a fixed plan ends, the customer moves to a month-to-month default product.
• TXU EnergyVariable-price plans can change price without notice after the first bill; fixed-rate plans change only for pass-through charges, and an expired fixed plan rolls to month-to-month.

Internet, cable, satellite and home phone

• CenturyLinkCenturyLink must give 30 days written notice of a monthly charge increase.
• FrontierFrontier may change rates unless a Price Protection Plan applies; continued use is acceptance.
• KineticKinetic can raise charges with notice; a material change lets you cancel without an early cancellation fee.
• MediacomMediacom must give at least 15 days notice of material changes; losing part of a bundle can end the discount.
• SpectrumCheck whether a promotion ended; ask for current offers or move to a cheaper plan.
• XfinityCheck whether a promotion ended or a price guarantee applies, then dispute or negotiate.

Streaming, software and other subscriptions

• Adobe (Creative Cloud and Acrobat subscriptions)Adobe notifies rate changes with the option to cancel.
• AncestryAncestry renews at the rate stated at purchase unless it notifies you; it says it gives reasonable notice of price changes, which may apply from the next renewal.
• Disney+ (including Hulu and ESPN bundles)Disney gives advance notice of fee changes and lets you cancel before they take effect.
• DropboxDropbox must email at least 30 days' notice of a fee change at renewal, and you can cancel before the new fee applies. Annual plans get a renewal reminder email.
• FuboIntroductory prices revert to the standard price without a separate notice; Fubo emails in advance about service-wide price changes. Cancel before the next billing date if you do not accept the new price.
• HBO MaxA higher charge often means a promotional rate ended; HBO Max says it announces future price changes in advance.
• HelloFreshHelloFresh gives at least 10 days' notice of a change to your plan rate. Accepting deliveries after the notice counts as accepting the new price, so cancel or change the plan first if you object.
• LinkedInLinkedIn may change prices going forward on reasonable notice. Cancel before the renewal date if you do not accept a new price.
• Match Group (Tinder, Hinge)Hinge says it will attempt to notify you before a price change; you may cancel instead of paying the new price.
• McAfeeMcAfee auto-renewal prices have been the subject of a settled class action. If a renewal costs more than you expected, turn off auto-renewal and ask for a refund within 60 days of the renewal charge.
• Microsoft (Microsoft 365 and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions)Microsoft notifies at least 15 days before a price change (30 days for Xbox subscriptions); promotional prices roll to the regular price.
• NetflixNetflix emails a price change about one month before the billing date; the new price applies to everyone.
• Nintendo (Nintendo Switch Online and Nintendo eShop)Memberships renew at the then-current price; Nintendo says price changes will be communicated. Turn off auto-renewal at least 48 hours before expiry if you do not accept a new price.
• NortonNorton's support pages fetched did not state renewal price terms. If an annual renewal costs more than you expected, the full renewal charge is refundable if you ask within 60 days.
• Paramount+Paramount gives notice of a price change; it takes effect only at renewal.
• PeacockPeacock gives advance notice of a price change before the next billing date; trial and promo periods convert at the then-current price.
• PelotonPeloton gives notice of a changed charge amount and its date before the charge. New York members may cancel within 14 days after the first charge at a higher price and get a pro rata refund.
• SiriusXMSiriusXM tells you when a price change takes effect; it applies from the next subscription period, and you may cancel before then.
• Sling TVAfter a promotional period Sling charges the regular monthly price automatically, and Sling says prices can change without notice; cancel online before the next billing date if you do not accept the new price.
• SpotifySpotify announces price changes in advance; they take effect at the start of the next subscription period.
• TurboTaxTurboTax Online prices can rise as the filing deadline approaches, and you pay the published price at the time you pay. Recurring subscription prices change with notice, and you can cancel before the change.
• WeightWatchersWW may change fees with at least 30 days' written notice. When a discount, prepayment or commitment plan ends, the membership renews at standard rates.
• YouTube (Premium, Music Premium and YouTube TV)YouTube emails at least 30 days before a price increase.

Wireless carriers

• AT&TUse "See what changed" in the billing center, then ask customer care or the loyalty team about the changed lines.
• T-MobileCheck which price promotion covers the account (5-Year Price Guarantee, Price Lock or Un-contract Promise), then raise the change with customer care.
• US MobileUS Mobile must give at least 30 days' written notice of a price increase. If you do not accept a materially adverse change, cancel.
• VerizonVerizon can change prices with notice. A materially adverse change gives a 60-day window to cancel the affected line without an early termination fee.