How to Adjust Hosting Plan Length

Changing the length of your hosting plan is referred to as a term change. This is different from upgrading or downgrading to another hosting plan. A term change changes the length of time but not the type of plan. If another term length or hosting plan better fits your needs, our Customer Support team will gladly assist you with a term change.

• New Account
• Example 1 – Longer Term
• Example 2 – Shorter Term
• Existing Account
• Example 1 – Longer Term
• Example 2 – Shorter Term
• Exclusions
• Summary

New Account

Our customers receive a promotional rate for their first hosting term, after which all accounts will be renewed at our standard rates. You may use the promotional rate by contacting us to upgrade to a longer term within the first 30 days of your account. The longer you sign up for the promotional rate, the greater your discount overall. The savings can be significant!

When a term change is processed within 30 days of sign-up, full credit for the original hosting term will be applied to the new hosting term charge. You will be refunded or charged for the difference based on the term length chosen. The expiration date of your account will not change.

Example 1 – Longer Term

The original 12-month term would have been renewed at the standard rate of $11.95 for each of the next two years, for a total of $430.20 over 36 months, but a 36-month term at the promotional rate of $6.95 is a total of $250.20, a savings of $180.00!

Example 2 – Shorter Term

Existing Account

When a term change is processed on an account older than 30 days, a prorated credit for the remaining time on the current hosting term is applied toward the charge for your new hosting term. You will be refunded or charged for the difference based on the term length chosen. The new term will begin the date the term change is processed, changing the expiration date.

Example 1 – Longer Term

Example 2 – Shorter Term

Exclusions

• A term change can only be processed if the account is in a pre-renewal state when a renewal has been processed, but the new term has yet to start. If the account is in pre-renewal, the Billing Department can reverse the renewal and issue a refund; then, you can renew for the term length of your choice.
• A term change cannot be processed between VPS and Dedicated hosting plans.

Summary

This guide explains how to adjust your hosting plan's length with Bluehost, whether you want to extend or shorten it, without changing the plan type. For new accounts, you can change your term within the first 30 days to take advantage of promotional rates, which can lead to significant savings. For existing accounts, term changes are prorated based on the remaining time of your current term.

This adjustment can result in either a refund or an additional charge, depending on the new term length chosen. Note, term changes are not possible between VPS and Dedicated hosting plans and can only be done if the account is in a pre-renewal state.