Another price hike. It feels like every time you turn around, Paramount+ is finding a new way to charge more for the same service. You are not imagining it, they recently increased the price of their Paramount+ with Showtime plan to $11.99 a month. And it's not just you feeling the frustration. Paramount's parent company, Paramount Global, has an F rating on the Better Business Bureau, with countless complaints centered on billing problems and cancellation nightmares. Over on Trustpilot, Paramount+ is sitting at a dismal 1.2 out of 5 stars, a score they call 'Bad'. Reviewers constantly bring up unauthorized charges and the difficulty of stopping auto-renewals. It's a shared pain, and it’s completely valid to be at your wit's end with these constant, unannounced bill increases.
Best Ways to Lower Your Paramount Bills
| Lowering Bill Method | Ease of Action | Why use this method |
|---|---|---|
| Downgrade to 'Essential' Plan | Easy | The fastest way to instantly cut your monthly cost directly through your account settings. You'll get ads, but you'll save money. |
| Switch to an Annual Plan | Easy | If you plan on keeping the service, paying for a full year upfront offers a significant discount compared to the month-to-month price. |
| Cancel and Wait for a 'Win-Back' Offer | Tricky | It's a gamble, but Paramount often emails discount codes to former subscribers to lure them back. Not guaranteed, but effective if it works. |
| Check for Partner Deals | Varies | Services like T-Mobile or Walmart+ sometimes include a Paramount+ subscription for free or at a reduced price. It's worth checking your other subscriptions. |
Step-by-step Guide on Lowering Your Paramount Bill After Complaining
1 Identify and Review the Bill
Ugh, another one. Log in and pinpoint the exact charge that went up. Was it the base plan price hike, or did a promotion you forgot about finally expire? Knowing the source of the pain is the first step.
2 Consider Downgrading Your Plan
If you're on the pricey ad-free plan, seriously consider switching to the 'Essential' plan. The ads are annoying, yes, but it immediately lowers your monthly bill without having to talk to anyone.
3 Removing Add-ons
Dig into your account settings. It's possible you signed up for a Showtime add-on (before it was bundled) or another channel and forgot. Cut anything that isn't essential to your viewing.
4 Look for Promotions and Offers
Do a quick search for 'Paramount+ promo code'. Sometimes you can find a code for a free month or a discount that you can apply, even if you're not a new customer. It's a long shot, but worth two minutes.
5 Check for Student Discounts
If you're a college student, you're in luck. Paramount+ offers a 25% student discount. You'll need to verify your student status, but it's a guaranteed way to save some cash every month.
6 Leverage Bundles like Walmart+
Do you have a Walmart+ membership? A Paramount+ Essential plan subscription is included for free. Check your other retail or mobile subscriptions, as they might have a similar hidden perk you're already paying for.
🔍 How to Negotiate for a Lower Bill with Paramount
Your Goal:
Get a promotional rate or a one-time credit applied to your account.
The Script:
Hi, I'm calling because I noticed my bill increased to [new bill amount] this month, and I'd like to understand why. I've been a subscriber for [number] years and I'm honestly disappointed with this price hike. I'm considering switching to a service like Hulu or Peacock, which offer more competitive pricing. Before I do that, I wanted to see if there are any promotional rates or discounts you can offer to help me lower my bill back to a more reasonable price. What options are available for a long-term customer like me?
Key Phrases to Use:
- "I've been a loyal customer for a while."
- "This price increase is unexpected."
- "I'm exploring other options like Hulu."
- "What promotional rates can you offer?"
- "Is there a loyalty department I can speak with?"
If They Say No
- Politely ask if there is a supervisor or a member of the retention team you can speak with.
- Ask them to confirm the exact steps to cancel your service, making it clear you are ready to leave.
- Before ending the call, ask one last time: 'Are you sure there are no credits or short-term promotions you can apply to keep me as a customer today?'
Best Alternatives to Paramount
Sometimes, no amount of negotiating is worth the headache. If you've had enough of Paramount's price hikes and poor service, you have options. Here are a few of the top competitors people are switching to:
| Competitor | Why it's Better Alternative to Paramount | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Peacock | For users who want live sports and classic sitcoms on a budget. Its ad-supported tier is often cheaper than Paramount's. | Exclusive home of Premier League soccer, WWE content, and a deep library of NBCUniversal shows like 'The Office' and 'Parks and Recreation'. |
| Hulu | For those who want current-season TV shows and a massive content library through its popular bundle. | Streams network shows the day after they air. The Disney+ and ESPN+ bundle is one of the best values in streaming for variety. |
| Tubi | For anyone who wants to stop paying for streaming altogether. It's a completely free, ad-supported service. | No subscription fees, ever. It has a surprisingly large and diverse catalog of movies and older TV shows that you won't find elsewhere. |
Consider the following before leaving Paramount
- Check Your Billing Date: Time your cancellation for the day before your subscription renews. This way you can use the service for the entire period you paid for.
- Confirm the Cancellation: Don't just click 'cancel' and walk away. Wait for the confirmation email. If you don't get one, log back in to make sure the cancellation actually went through. Too many people get charged again because the process didn't complete.
- Lose Your Watch History: When you cancel, you'll likely lose your watch history and saved shows. It's a small thing, but it can be annoying if you decide to come back later.
- Check Third-Party Billing: Did you sign up through Apple, Google Play, or Roku? If so, you have to cancel through them, not on the Paramount+ website. This trips a lot of people up.
Let Pine AI Help Lower Your Paramount Bill
Feeling drained from just thinking about this whole process? We get it. Dealing with subscription services that keep jacking up their prices is exhausting. Instead of spending your time navigating confusing websites and waiting on hold, let Pine AI handle it. Our AI-powered assistant can analyze your bills, find those hidden discounts, and even negotiate with Paramount on your behalf to get you the best possible rate. It’s designed to take the frustration out of managing your bills so you can save money without the headache. Stop letting these companies chip away at your budget. Give Pine AI a try and see how much you could be saving on your Paramount+ bill and all your other monthly expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions When Trying to Lower Your Paramount Bill
Chloe Anne-Bennett
Streaming & Entertainment Editor
Chloe Anne-Bennett is the Streaming & Entertainment Editor at Pine AI. Chloe is a leading voice on the business of streaming, entertainment and the evolving landscape of digital media. Before contributing to Pine AI, Chloe was an entertainment correspondent for a major news outlet, where she reported on everything from box office trends to the impact of streaming services on traditional media. At Pine AI, Chloe leverages her deep industry knowledge to provide our readers with insightful analysis of the latest trends, helping them make sense of their subscriptions and where to hit the sweet spots in how to handle customer service reps.
