Microsoft 365 Home Use Program Price Increase Explained
Question details
The user noticed a significant increase in their Microsoft 365 Home Use Program renewal price and received an email about a higher rate sent to a non-work address.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Reviewing subscription renewal costs and clarifying conflicting pricing emails for a discounted plan.
- Observed behavior
- The account dashboard shows a renewal price of €69.30 (up from €48.30 last year), while a separate email sent to a personal address claims the annual price is increasing to €99.
Ensure you have your Microsoft account login credentials handy and know the corporate email address you originally used to register for the discount program.
Verify Your Workplace Discount Program Pricing Details
Understand the difference between standard and discounted rates to determine if your account is billing you correctly.
Microsoft recently implemented its first significant price increase in several years across its Microsoft 365 plans.
The €69.30 price in your account dashboard accurately reflects the updated Workplace Discount Program (formerly Home Use Program) rate. The €99 price mentioned in the email likely refers to the standard Microsoft 365 Personal or Family retail price, which applies to accounts without the discount.
Navigate to the official Microsoft Account page and sign in with the email associated with your Microsoft 365 subscription.
Click on 'Services & subscriptions' from the top navigation menu to view your active plans.
Locate your Microsoft 365 subscription and click 'Manage'. Check the 'Next charge' section to confirm your upcoming renewal price is the discounted €69.30 rate.
Contact Microsoft Support for Billing Inconsistencies
Reach out to Microsoft if your dashboard incorrectly shows the standard retail price but you are still eligible for the corporate discount.
Avoid Subscription Price Hikes with WPS Office
If the rising costs of Microsoft 365 subscriptions are becoming a burden, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative to Microsoft Office, ensuring you can continue your work without expensive annual renewals.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the application.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Office and instantly open your existing Microsoft Office files without losing any formatting.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Microsoft Workplace Discount Program?
Formerly known as the Home Use Program (HUP), this program offers employees of eligible companies a discount on annual Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions for personal use.
Why did my Microsoft 365 renewal price go up?
Microsoft occasionally adjusts its subscription pricing globally. Recently, they implemented a general price increase for Microsoft 365 plans, which also proportionally affected the discounted rates offered through the Workplace Discount Program.
How do I verify if my employer still qualifies for the discount?
You can visit the Microsoft Workplace Discount Program website and enter your corporate email address into the eligibility checker to confirm your status.




