Dear friends,

Since we initially launched it back in January of 2005, StarCityGames.com Premium has allowed us to provide the Magic: The Gathering community with a tremendous amount of content that we would have never been able to otherwise. This includes everything from exclusive content by writers such as Patrick Chapin, Brian Kibler, Sam Black, Reid Duke, Mike Flores, Gerry Thompson, Brad Nelson, and the entire StarCityGames.com Premium staff to the return of The Magic Show to live video coverage of StarCityGames.com Open Series events on an almost weekly basis to the recently launched Above the Curve video series, and more!

During that seven – almost eight – year period, the volume of content published on StarCityGames.com has almost doubled, and the costs associated with acquiring that content have skyrocketed. Meanwhile, StarCityGames.com Premium subscription rates have remained unchanged. We have avoided increasing StarCityGames.com Premium subscription rates for as long as possible but have finally arrived at a point where we can no longer take Magic: The Gathering content to the levels we believe it is capable of reaching without adjusting our Premium rates accordingly.

The following StarCityGames.com Premium subscription rate increases will go into effect on Saturday, December 1, 2012.

$3.99 – 1 Week ($0.57/day)
$9.99 – 1 Month ($0.33/day)
$39.99 – 6 Months ($0.22/day)
$49.99 – 12 Months ($0.14/day)

But wait! We’re giving anyone who subscribes before December 1 or who is already subscribed a way to lock in the older rates indefinitely. You can keep paying the same rates forever if you want to.

Everyone has another option if they, for some reason, can’t set up an auto-renewing account (such as Paypal users):

You can add as much consecutive time to your existing StarCityGames.com account as you wish to add. Feel free to stock up on Premium for as long as you want to at the current rates before December 1.

If you’ve been debating whether or not to purchase a StarCityGames.com Premium membership, there has never been a better time to do so.

If you have further questions about this, then consult our FAQ page! The questions can also be found at the end of this article.

Thank you for supporting our efforts, and I promise you that the best is yet to come.

Best wishes,

Pete Hoefling
President, StarCityGames.com
www.starcitygames.com

FAQ

How do I keep the old pricing if I pay via PayPal? 

If you have a credit card you can use instead, it’s easy to switch your billing options if you go to your Premium page while logged in. Before December 1st, check the auto-renew box as you’re entering your information, and you’ll keep the old prices indefinitely as long as your account doesn’t expire.

Alternatively, you can purchase multiple blocks of Premium before December 1st at the old rate. Just go back to your Premium page to buy a Premium subscription; then repeat this process as many times as you want. Stock up now!

If you have further questions about this, please contact us using this form. 

How do I keep the old pricing if I pay via credit card?

You can keep the old prices indefinitely using the following simple steps. If you’re a current Premium customer, go to your Premium page while logged in and look to see if you’re set to auto-renew your subscription. If you are, you’ll keep the old prices as long as you don’t let your account expire. If you aren’t set to auto-renew, check the auto-renew box before December 1st and fill out your credit card info and your subscription type to switch to an auto-renewing subscription. You won’t be charged extra for switching.

If you’re not a current Premium customer but would like to sign up at the old prices, just sign up before December 1st and use your credit card to start an auto-renewing subscription. When the subscription runs out, you’ll automatically be charged for a new subscription at the old price. However if your account is allowed to lapse for any reason (an expired credit card, for example), you’ll be offered the new prices going forward.

Can I stock up on Premium at the old prices instead of auto-renewing? 

Yes, you can buy as many blocks of Premium time as you’d like before December 1st. So if you know you want Premium for the next five years, you can buy five annual subscriptions at the old rate. After each purchase, just go back to your Premium page while logged in and repeat the purchase process. You can do this as many times as you want!

How can I tell if I have an auto-renew account?

If you go to your Premium page while logged in, it will tell you "You are currently signed up for an auto-renewing membership, meaning that your card will automatically be charged whenever your current subscription expires" and show you your billing information. It will look like this. 

How do I sign up for an auto-renew account?

Go to your Premium page while logged in.

Choose a subscription length (monthly, annually, etc.), enter your credit card information so we can set up the charge, click the "Auto-Renew Subscription?" box, then scroll down and click the "Update Account Information" button. 

If your account will expire in less than a week, you’ll be charged immediately for your upcoming subscription. Otherwise, we’ll do a test charge to confirm your credit card is valid. The test charge will be voided, and you won’t be charged anything. 

I tried to set my account to auto-renew, but it is charging me for another block of Premium right now.

If you have less than a week left in your current subscription, we do charge you for the new subscription a few days before the subscription runs out. This way, your account doesn’t lapse.

Please note that if you have more than a week left, you will see a test charge for $1 on the card to ensure its authenticity, but it is voided immediately, and you will not be charged anything. It may take a few days for the amount to be voided.

How long will I retain my old pricing with auto-renew?

As long as your account doesn’t expire—which can only happen if your credit card charge is declined and you don’t give us a valid credit card within 24 hours—then you will be billed at the old Premium pricing forever. 

What happens if I have to change the credit card I use for my auto-renew? 

No problem! Once you’re on auto-renew, you can change your credit card as many times as you’d like—change the expiration date, change to a new card—it’s all good. You’ll be charged at the old rates. 

What if I still have questions? 

Please contact us here, and we’ll do our best to answer them!