Following Musicmatch's lead, Rhapsody has introduced a quarterly billing option for its "All-Access" online jukebox and RadioPlus Internet radio services. Billed monthly, the Rhapsody "All-Access" option (which includes RadioPlus) costs $9.99 per month. Under the new arrangement, subscribers can choose to be billed $24.95 per quarter, or a rate of $8.32 per month. In exchange for the quarterly commitment, you will save $20 per year over the monthly plan. By comparison, Musicmatch On-Demand offers monthly ($9.95 per month) and quarterly ($8.95 per month) billing options, but also an annual billing option for $7.95 per month.

While this is good news for Rhapsody subscribers, there is a gray lining. If you want to make the switch to quarterly billing, you may have to cancel your existing subscription and re-subscribe. When I tried to make the switch, I couldn't find the option using my Rhapsody player. When I asked customer service about it, I was informed that the "co-brand" that I signed up under (LycosRhapsody) only offered monthly billing and that I would have to cancel that account and sign-up for a new account at the Rhapsody Web site. Doing so meant losing my existing library of saved music and playlists—very annoying. I was able to save the playlists by e-mailing them to myself; the saved music was lost. However, I was glad to lock in the lower rate. Before proceeding:

1. Check your "Manage My Account" options to see if you have the option of switching with your existing account. If not, you will need to cancel the account by phone.
2. Make sure you want quarterly billing—after switching it appears I don't have the option of switching back to monthly billing (at least not without cancelling again).
3. If you cancel your existing subscription, make to sure to request a pro-rated refund for the remainder of the billing cycle. Otherwise, you may be charged for the balance of the month on your cancelled account.

—Andy Breeding

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