Most people don’t realize it, but your streaming subscription could go up next month - and you might not get a warning. Companies like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video don’t have to tell you before raising prices. That’s why price-lock offers matter. They’re the rare exceptions: services that promise to freeze your rate for a set time. But not all of them do this. And those that do? They rarely advertise it.
What Is a Price-Lock Offer?
A price-lock offer means the streaming service agrees not to raise your monthly fee for a specific period. It’s not a discount. It’s a guarantee. You pay $9.99 today, and even if the standard rate jumps to $14.99 in six months, you still pay $9.99 - as long as you stay on the plan and don’t cancel.These aren’t marketing gimmicks. They’re contractual. Once you sign up under a price-lock deal, the service is legally bound to honor it. But here’s the catch: you have to find them. They’re buried in fine print, offered during promotions, or only available to new customers who sign up through third-party bundles.
Which Services Actually Offer Price Locks?
Not every streaming platform plays fair. Here’s who does - and who doesn’t - as of early 2026.Netflix: No Price Lock
Netflix has raised prices six times since 2019. The last hike came in October 2025, increasing the Basic plan to $10.99 and Premium to $22.99. They don’t offer price locks to anyone. Even if you signed up during a holiday promotion, your rate still goes up. No exceptions.Disney+: 12-Month Lock on Annual Plans
Disney+ is one of the few major services that still offers a real price lock. If you pay for a full year upfront - $119.99 as of January 2026 - your rate is locked for 12 months from your start date. Even if they raise the monthly rate to $11.99 later, you won’t pay more until your renewal year ends.But here’s the twist: this only applies to annual billing. Monthly subscribers get no protection. And if you cancel and re-subscribe? You lose the lock. You also can’t stack discounts - promo codes don’t extend the lock period.
Amazon Prime Video: Lock Only Through Bundles
Amazon doesn’t lock rates on Prime Video alone. But if you sign up for a full Amazon Prime membership - which includes video, music, shipping, and more - you can get a price lock under certain conditions.Students and seniors who qualify for discounted Prime memberships (currently $6.99/month for students, $5.99 for seniors) get a fixed rate for as long as they remain eligible. If you’re a student and lock in at $6.99, your rate won’t increase until you graduate or turn 26. Same for seniors over 65.
There’s also a rare deal: if you sign up for Prime through a mobile carrier like T-Mobile or EE in Ireland, you might get a two-year price lock on the full Prime bundle. But this is tied to your phone plan - cancel your phone contract, and you lose the lock.
Hulu: No Lock, But a 3-Month Intro Rate
Hulu offers a $1.99/month trial for the first three months. After that? The rate jumps to $9.99 or $17.99 depending on ads. No lock. No exceptions. Even if you sign up during Black Friday, your rate resets after 90 days. You’re not protected.Apple TV+: 12-Month Lock on Annual Plans
Apple TV+ has quietly started offering a price lock for annual subscribers. Pay $99.99 upfront (that’s $8.33/month), and your rate is locked for 12 months. If Apple raises the monthly price to $10.99 next year, you still pay $8.33 until your renewal date.This is only available on apple.com. If you sign up through a TV manufacturer or a carrier, you won’t get the lock. And Apple doesn’t notify you when your lock expires - you’ll only see the price change when your billing cycle renews.
Paramount+: No Lock, But a 30-Day Free Trial
Paramount+ gives you 30 days free, then $9.99/month. No price lock. No exceptions. Even if you sign up during a holiday sale, your rate increases on your next billing cycle.How Long Do Price Locks Last?
The length of a price lock depends entirely on how you sign up.- Annual plans: Usually 12 months. Disney+ and Apple TV+ are the only major services offering this.
- Student/senior discounts: Last as long as you qualify. For students, that’s typically until graduation or age 26. For seniors, it’s indefinite if you remain eligible.
- Carrier bundles: Often 12 to 24 months, but tied to your phone contract. Cancel your phone plan? You lose the lock.
- Monthly plans: Almost never locked. You’re at the mercy of the next price hike.
There’s no industry standard. Each company sets its own rules. And they change them often.
Why Don’t More Services Offer Price Locks?
Streaming companies are in a race to grow revenue. They know people hate price hikes - but they also know most users won’t cancel over a $1 or $2 increase. So they raise rates slowly, often during low-traffic months like January or July.Price locks hurt their short-term profits. If you lock in at $9.99 today, and they raise the rate to $12.99 next year, you’re costing them $36 over 12 months. For a company with 200 million subscribers, that’s billions in lost revenue.
That’s why Disney+ and Apple TV+ are exceptions. They’re both part of larger tech ecosystems. Disney+ relies on family loyalty - locking in parents means kids stay subscribed too. Apple TV+ is a small part of their ecosystem. They can afford to lock prices to keep users in the Apple world.
How to Find a Price-Lock Deal
You won’t find these deals on the main website. Here’s how to hunt them down:- Check the annual billing option on Disney+ and Apple TV+. Look for “Save with an annual plan” - that’s your lock.
- Sign up for student or senior discounts if you qualify. Go to the official education or senior portal, not the main site.
- Look at your mobile carrier’s perks. EE, Vodafone, and T-Mobile often bundle Prime Video with phone plans - and sometimes include a lock.
- Use third-party sites like StackSocial or Best Buy Deals. They occasionally sell discounted annual subscriptions with locked rates.
- Never sign up for monthly unless you’re willing to switch every 12 months.
Pro tip: Set a calendar reminder for 30 days before your annual plan ends. If the service raises its rate, you’ll have time to cancel or switch without paying more.
What Happens When Your Lock Expires?
When your price-lock period ends, you’ll get an email from the service - but only if they’re being honest. Many don’t. Some just charge the new rate without notice.Here’s what to do when your lock runs out:
- Check your billing statement. Look for a line item like “Rate Adjustment” or “Price Change.”
- Log into your account. Go to “Billing” or “Subscription.” The new rate should be listed there.
- If you see a hike, decide fast. Cancel before the next billing date to avoid paying more.
- Try negotiating. Call customer service and ask if they can extend your rate. Sometimes they offer a 3-month extension to keep you.
Don’t assume you’re safe. In 2025, over 12% of Disney+ annual subscribers reported being charged the new rate early - without warning. Always double-check.
Should You Pay Annual Just to Lock Your Rate?
Paying upfront for a year saves money - but only if you’re sure you’ll use the service.Let’s say Disney+ raises its monthly rate from $9.99 to $11.99 in six months. If you paid $119.99 upfront, you saved $24 over the year. But if you cancel after four months because you’re not watching? You lose $80.
Only go annual if:
- You watch at least 3 shows a month
- You’re not likely to cancel in the next year
- You’re okay with being locked in - no switching to another service
If you’re unsure? Stick with monthly. You can always switch later.
What’s the Best Strategy Right Now?
As of January 2026, here’s your simple plan:- If you’re a student or senior: Sign up for the discounted Prime or Disney+ plan. Lock in your rate for as long as you qualify.
- If you want Disney+ or Apple TV+: Pay annually. You get the lock and save money.
- If you’re on Netflix, Hulu, or Paramount+: Pay monthly. Switch every 12 months to catch new promo rates.
- If you have a phone plan with a bundle: Don’t cancel it unless you’re ready to pay full price for streaming.
Streaming isn’t getting cheaper. But it’s not all doom. If you know where to look, you can still lock in a good rate - and keep it for a full year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do any streaming services lock prices for more than a year?
No major streaming service offers a price lock longer than 12 months. Some mobile carriers bundle streaming with two-year phone contracts, but those locks are tied to your phone plan - not the streaming service itself. If you cancel your phone service, you lose the rate.
Can I get a price lock if I’m already a subscriber?
Almost never. Price locks are only offered to new customers signing up under specific promotions. Existing subscribers can’t request a lock, even if they’ve been loyal for years. Your rate can go up at any time unless you’re on a student/senior plan with ongoing eligibility.
What happens if I cancel and re-subscribe later?
You lose your price lock. Every time you re-subscribe, you’re treated as a new customer. That means you get the current rate - not your old one. If prices went up while you were gone, you’ll pay more. Always keep your account active if you want to keep your locked rate.
Are price locks legal?
Yes, as long as the service clearly states the terms before you sign up. In the EU and Ireland, consumer protection laws require companies to disclose pricing changes in advance. But they don’t require them to offer locks. So if a service says “Your rate is locked for 12 months,” they must honor it. If they don’t, you can file a complaint with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
Is it worth paying upfront for a year to lock in a rate?
Only if you’re certain you’ll use the service regularly. If you watch less than two shows a month, you’re better off paying monthly. You’ll save money by not paying for unused months. But if you binge regularly and plan to stick around, annual is the smart move - you’ll save 15-20% and avoid surprise hikes.