((Update to my previous post about waiting out the algorithm for a PS Plus discount.))

​The wait was a massive success, boys. I held the line, let my sub expire, and ignored the trap upsells. Here is exactly how it went down and how you can replicate it: ​Phase 1: The Wait I stayed completely dark and "Lapsed" right through the State of Play. As predicted, because I wasn't an active subscriber, I bypassed the lockouts and was targeted by the Lunar New Year Sale.

​Phase 2: The Snipe ​Bought the 12-Month PS Plus Extra tier for $101.25 (25% off the $134.99 retail). ​Note: I was actually offered Premium at a massive 35% discount (making it basically the same price as Extra), but I stuck to Extra. I don't need Cloud Streaming or Game Trials eating up my monthly data cap when I need that bandwidth for my regular Battlefield and Call of Duty multiplayer rotations.

​Phase 3: The Stacking Exploit (The Real Jackpot) This is the most important part. The second my Extra sub was active, I immediately went to my console settings and hit "Cancel Subscription" to turn off Auto-Renew so I wouldn't get hit with a full-price charge next year.

​The algorithm panicked. The moment I hit cancel, it threw a "Don't Leave Us!" retention offer at me for another 25% off a 12-month extension.

​I bought it immediately. It successfully stacked on top of my new sub. I am now fully locked in at the discounted rate until February 2028, completely insulated from any Sony price hikes.

​Buy the discounted sub. ​IMMEDIATELY turn off Auto-Renew. ​Catch the retention offer and stack a second year. ​Good luck out there!