While I'm never happy about the annual price increases, I understand that it's part of the business, especially if people like me keep renewing--i.e. keeping demand high. I do wish that Universal would offer a larger discount for AP renewals. The Orlando parks offers a significant discount for renewals. I just renewed my Universal Orlando AP (Preferred Pass) for exactly the same price as I renewed my USH Premium Star Pass back in November.
For the same $159 I paid to renew my Premium Star Pass at USH; over in Florida, I can get into two theme parks, not just one. And here's my point about discount for renewals. The current gate price for a new, non-FL resident Preferred Pass is $279. Since I renewed for $159, my discount was $120! If I were a FL resident, the gate price is $244, so the discount would be $85.
As far as I know, there is no discount at all for renewing your pass here at USH. Last year, I did receive a promotional offer to get an extra month tacked onto my Annual Pass if I renewed, and I did appreciate it. But there was no discount beyond the usual online purchase discount that anyone can get. The Buy-A-Day/Get-A-Day is probably priced low enough to not offer a discount, but it would be cool if USH offered renewal discounts to their loyal customers at the higher levels.