The renewal went through.
The charge looked wrong.
The price was higher than last time.
You didn’t change plans.
You didn’t upgrade anything.
The price changed before renewal.
You just never saw the notice.
Why This Happens
- Price change emails are sent weeks before renewal
- Messages come from no-reply or billing addresses
- Emails are filtered into Promotions or Spam
- In-app notices are easy to miss or ignored
The service followed its policy.
The user never saw the warning.
What the Price Change Notice Usually Says
- The new renewal amount
- The effective date of the price increase
- Your option to cancel before renewal
- A link to updated terms or billing details
If you miss this message,
the renewal proceeds automatically.
What to Do After the Charge
- Search your inbox for billing or price update emails
- Check spam and promotions folders
- Review the service’s price change policy
- Contact support immediately for a courtesy refund
Some services offer refunds after unexpected price increases.
But timing matters.
How to Avoid This Next Time
- Add billing emails to your safe sender list
- Review subscription details before each renewal date
- Enable in-app notifications for billing changes
- Set your own calendar reminder before renewal
Most renewals are not mistakes.
They happen because warnings are easy to miss.