I'm debating whether to buy into the Lifetime Updates for Sonar Platinum, but I feel as though I don't have enough information to make a decision.  Can anyone tell me what the alternative is for receiving updates?  Will there still be an annual update option or will that no longer be available, and at what cost?

With the introduction of Artist/Professional/Platinum updates are made monthly. There is still an option to purchase SONAR using a monthly payment plan. The monthly plan requires 12 consecutive payments to purchase the license and optionally continuing payments to receive updates. There has been no announcement regarding purchasing options past the end of August.

I have recieved an email sayiny my 12 months are coming to an end and I would just like to continue paying monthly but the email only gives me an option and link to pay for lifetime updates, I only have 20 more days to go. I reckon I'll go for the lifetime updates, but not sure if monthly is an option going forward....

The monthly payment program does not automatically stop after 12 months. To stop billing, the user must cancel. This is true whether purchasing the lifetime update renewal or not. To stay on the monthly payment program, no action other than making payments is required.

Hi Scook, here is a direct quote from the e-mail I recieved...
 
 30 days remaining in your SONAR Platinum Rolling Updates Membership   We hope you've been enjoying your SONAR Platinum Rolling Updates membership! Because of users like you, we've been able to shape our most powerful and efficient edition of SONAR ever, and we're not slowing down any time soon.

Unfortunately, it looks like your Rolling Updates membership expires in 30 days. You'll get to keep everything you've received during your membership, but you will stop receiving updates once this date is reached.

If you would like to continue receiving Rolling Updates for SONAR Platinum, simply renew your membership using the link below. For a limited time, you can get Lifetime Updates for SONAR Platinum. This means you'll continue to receive Rolling Updates, and you'll never need to renew or upgrade again!

The monthly payment plan is here
My understanding is the monthly payment plan does not expire. After 12 consecutive months of payments you are granted the same license as the one-time payment plan. It is your option to continue making monthly payments, make a one-time payment to receive lifetime updates (which is what the email is offering) or cancel the monthly program to stop billing. If you do not want to take advantage of the lifetime update offer, do nothing with the email.

aspenleaf
I'm debating whether to buy into the Lifetime Updates for Sonar Platinum, but I feel as though I don't have enough information to make a decision.  Can anyone tell me what the alternative is for receiving updates?  Will there still be an annual update option or will that no longer be available, and at what cost?

Rolling updates for Pro is $99 a year.  Plat was $149 previously most of the time, right?  
 
I would think it would be a fair assumption that the Plat yearly membership would stay at a price point higher than Pro going forward.  Of course I don't know for sure, but I'd be surprised if you don't really have enough to make the decision.
 
If you are in Plat now, audiodeluxe has the lifetime for $169.  And I think I was reading that Musicians Friend has it for $199 + you get the free gift of:  

Free with Purchase until: 09/30/16

CA-2A T-Type Leveling Amplifier

 
I thought the lowest price for a renewal previously was around $100 or so during special offer time, so the sub $199 lifetime should help make it a fairly straightforward choice.  

Thanks for the info about AudioDeluxe.  I'll save a few bucks.

If you go the lifetime update route by default your rolling monthly payments just stop because you have now done a one time payment that superceeds the monthly payments? Sounds like a no brainer really?
 
I already went with the lifetime for Platinum annual so from what I understand going forward I will have no more Platinum annual payments to make anymore.
 
Keep in mind that that this lifetime update thing is for the core parts of Sonar. As far as I know it doesnt include all the extras outside of core. I imagine if they need updating it will need a separate pricing if one wants to upgrade these extra items. By that I mean likes of Melodyne etc.
 

I ended up buying the Lifetime Updates through AudioDeluxe.  I was on an annual payment so it wasn't much more than I paid last year, and my annual expires September 2nd.