Spotify Price Hike 2026: Premium Individual Rising to $12.99
It’s becoming an annual tradition we’d all like to skip. Spotify has officially begun notifying subscribers that the price of Spotify Premium Individual is increasing from $11.99 to $12.99 per month starting in March 2026.
This marks the third price increase in three years for the streaming giant. While an extra dollar a month might not seem like a dealbreaker, these “subscription nibbles” add up. If you’re a Points and Miles Explorer, you know that every dollar spent is an opportunity to earn—or a reason to pivot to a better value.
The New Spotify Pricing Breakdown (March 2026)
It isn’t just the Individual plan seeing a bump. Here is how the new monthly rates look across the board for U.S. subscribers:
| Plan Tier | Old Price | New Price (2026) |
| Premium Individual | $11.99 | $12.99 |
| Premium Student | $5.99 | $6.99 |
| Premium Duo | $16.99 | $18.99 |
| Premium Family | $19.99 | $21.99 |
Why is Spotify Raising Prices?
According to the notification sent to users, the increase is “to keep delivering a great experience.” Behind the scenes, the company is under pressure from record labels to match inflation and is also investing heavily in new features like Lossless Audio and expanded Audiobook access.
How to Offset the Hike Using Points and Miles
Since the cost of entertainment is going up, it’s time to make your wallet work harder. Here are the best ways to “erase” this price hike:
- Use the Right Credit Card: Ensure you are charging your Spotify subscription to a card that earns high multiples on “Streaming Services.”
- The “Digital Entertainment Credit” Strategy: Some premium travel cards (like the Amex Platinum) offer monthly credits for digital entertainment. While Spotify isn’t always a direct partner, check your “Merchant Offers” on your banking apps for 5–10% cash back or bonus points on Spotify specifically.
- Gift Card Strategy: Sometimes, grocery stores or office supply stores offer 4x or 5x points per dollar spent. Buying a Spotify gift card at these retailers and loading it to your account can effectively “rebate” the price hike through the value of the points earned.
- Evaluate the Bundle: If you’re paying for Spotify, Hulu, and Disney+ separately, it might be time to look at the Hulu + Spotify Student bundle (if eligible) or other carrier-included perks from T-Mobile or Verizon.
Is Spotify Still Worth It?
With Apple Music and Amazon Music also hovering around the same price points, the “great streaming migration” may not save you much cash unless you’re moving to a free, ad-supported tier. However, for those of us maximizing every cent for our next flight, it’s a reminder to audit our monthly recurring charges.
Explorer Tip: Check your credit card “Offers” portal today. We frequently see “Spend $10, Get $5 back” offers for streaming services that can cover your subscription for months!
