PS Plus Subscribers Criticize Sony’s ‘Unjust’ Discount Practices

Sony’s PS Plus discount policies have sparked some backlash among its users, particularly due to restrictions on who can take advantage of these offers. Longtime members, or those who are simply looking to renew their existing subscriptions, often find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to these savings, forced to watch as discounts are reserved for newcomers or those whose memberships have lapsed. This issue has come up once again with the latest PS Plus sale.

Quite a few users find Sony’s stance on this rather frustrating, if not entirely unfair. The gaming community still remembers the compensation offered following February’s significant PSN outage – a five-day membership extension. Ironically, this well-intentioned gesture has ensnared some players, preventing them from accessing anticipated Black Friday discounts in 2025 because their subscriptions, extended by those five days, will bridge the gap past the sale period. It’s a bit of a confusing situation that’s left many users feeling sidelined.

Among those affected, a common critique surfaces on platforms like Reddit. “PlayStation is telling me I can’t take advantage of the 35% off 12-month Premium sale because I was already a subscriber,” one disappointed player shared. They, along with others, expressed their discontent, highlighting a lack of options or appreciation for loyal customers. Attempts to address these concerns with PlayStation Support haven’t yielded successful outcomes, as reported by several users.

Certainly, from a business perspective, companies often pivot towards capturing new clientele or winning back former ones. In this light, Sony’s strategy isn’t outlandish. Yet, it raises the question of whether this approach is truly serving their base or inadvertently creating more churn. Many have resorted to simply canceling their memberships to gain access to discounts, an outcome that seems counterproductive in cultivating loyalty.

A more balanced method could be offering renewal incentives, providing a win-win situation by catering to current subscribers as well. Recognizing and rewarding loyalty alongside acquisition might just be the key to more harmonious customer relations.