Automatically upgraded - can I downgrade again?

Anthony42 · 2025-07-02T12:49:25+00:00

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My Bitdefender Internet Security is due to renew next month and I was going to look for discounts. But today I was automatically upgraded from Bitdefender Internet Security to Bitdefender Total Security without warning or consent.

I then received an email telling me my new renewal price is £84.99 reduced to £54.99. In other words, the "discount" is the full renewal price for Internet Security, without any opportunity to get a discount for that product (I paid £27.49 last year). And presumably next year my renewal price will be the full £84.99.

I don't need Total Security and was happy with Internet Security, I would have refused this upgrade if I had been given a choice. Is there a way to downgrade again and get a lower renewal price?

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Anthony42

I finally managed to get a response from Bitdefender on this. They are saying that Bitdefender Internet Security has been discontinued and everyone who is using it has been upgraded to Total Security "free of charge".

This was not made clear in the emails I received after the update, which simply told me they had upgraded me and were offering me a "special price" (the same as before!) as a loyal customer. They couldn't tell me if this price will stay or if I will have to pay the new product's higher price next time (I'm assuming I will).

Internet Security is still available on their website for £20 less than my current renewal price for what is now Total Security, so the timing of this, right before my renewal, is annoying but I assume coincidental. In any case, it would seem it is not possible to downgrade to a product they have stopped supporting.

Alexandru_BD

Hello @Anthony42,

I did some investigations regarding this situation and I'll share my findings with you here.
First, I must say that the timing was indeed purely coincidental. Sometimes, prior to the actual renewal date, you may receive early renewal offers, so discounts can be applied for an ongoing subscription when it's due to renew automatically. However, at the same time there's an ongoing campaign targeting Internet Security, and an upgrade to Total Security is offered free of charge to existing Internet Security users, until the next renewal term.
Based on my findings, the support representative who handled your inquiry confirmed that, I quote: "Soon, Internet Security will no longer be available for purchase, and the customers who are using this product will be offered a free upgrade to Total Security", which is actually a more complete package and can cover multiple operating systems, including mobile. Now, this doesn't mean that Internet Security has been already discountinued, because like you noticed, the product is still available for purchase on the Bitdefender website. However, in the portfolio restructuring process, some products may be discountinued to make room for more complete security solutions and bundles, and the emergence of plans (individual & family) will shape the way Bitdefender products and suites are offered in the future.

After contacting the Support teams, I understand that you received a tailored offer, and based on the transcript, you have accepted this offer for the next subscription term. The upgrade to Total Security was applied free of charge of course, and you have also received a discount of 14.99 GBP for the next billing cycle. Based on my findings and the information from Support, this means that you will be charged a total of 40 GBP for 1 year of Total Security (Individual) subscription, and the subscription is due to renew in September. So, basically you got almost 3 months of Total Security free of charge following the update, plus an advantageous discount for renewing your protection for 2026.
And you are correct, downgrading a subscription that is planned to be discontinued is not possible.

I hope this provides more clarity.
Thank you for renewing your cybersecurity solution with Bitdefender and for joining our community. 🤝

Regards,

Alex

Anthony42

Hi Alex,

Thanks for your clarification. Your report of what has happened since is correct.

However, I would point out that I was not "offered" an upgrade to Total Security, it just happened with no warning. It took me by surprise and confused my renewal plans.

It's a shame Internet Security is being discontinued as the normal price for Total Security is more than I had planned on spending for extra features that I don't need. But that's an issue I will now not face until next year.

As you mention, I was offered a further discount by email yesterday, which I have gratefully accepted for this renewal. I do really like Bitdefender and am happy I will be continuing to use it for another year.

Thanks to everyone involved for you help.