Cancel The Economist the easy way

Overview

The Economist is a weekly international news and business magazine published by Economist Newspaper Limited and part of The Economist Group. It provides analysis on politics, economics, finance, science and culture for a global audience.

Formats and products

The Economist offers digital subscriptions (website and app), audio and podcasts, and premium packages that combine digital access and print issues. Subscriptions are sold directly and via third-party platforms such as Apple App Store and Google Play.

Company facts

Web - cancel from My Account

1. Go to My Account - Manage subscription.
2. Sign in with the email used to subscribe.
3. Open the My subscription section and click Manage subscription.
4. Choose the cancellation option and follow the on-screen steps to confirm.
5. Save a screenshot of the confirmation. Expect an email confirmation if contact details are correct.

iOS - cancel via Apple

1. On your iPhone or iPad open Settings.
2. Tap your name, then Subscriptions.
3. Select The Economist app subscription and choose Cancel Subscription.
4. Apple handles billing and refunds; contact Apple for any refund requests.

Android - cancel via Google Play

1. Open the Play Store app.
2. Tap Menu > Subscriptions.
3. Select The Economist and tap Cancel subscription.
4. Google handles billing and refunds for Play purchases.

Phone / Live chat - speak with customer service

1. Go to Contact us for region-specific contact options.
2. Request immediate cancellation and state you want a pro-rated refund if eligible.
3. Ask the agent for a confirmation number or chat transcript and keep it.

Email / Web form

1. Use the contact form at How do I cancel my subscription to notify cancellation.
2. Include your subscriber details, last four digits of card, and request confirmation.
3. Retain the reply email as proof.

Post - registered letter

1. Send a signed letter to: The Economist, 20 Cabot Square, E14 4QW London, United Kingdom.
2. State your full name, subscriber email, subscription type, and request cancellation.
3. Send by registered post and keep the proof of posting.

Moving abroad or change of address

If you move and The Economist cannot deliver the print edition, contact customer service with proof of new address (utility bill or tenancy agreement). The company will treat this as a change of delivery; a refund for unused print copies is handled case by case by customer service.

Applicable law: Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 where distance contracts apply and receipts are required.

Price increase

If The Economist raises the contract price you have the right to cancel under the trader's terms and under consumer rights where a unilateral price increase is not part of the original contract. Provide the original subscription confirmation and the renewal notice. For renewal cooling-off rights introduced in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, consult the renewal cooling-off notice provided by the trader.

Applicable law: Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

Death of the subscriber

Notify customer service and provide a copy of the death certificate and the account holder's details. The Economist will handle closure of the account; refunds for unused prepaid periods are subject to The Economist Group policy and proof.

Legitimate ground / breach of contract by The Economist

If The Economist fails to provide the subscribed service with reasonable care and skill you can demand remedial action or cancel under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Provide copies of missed deliveries, repeated access problems, or other evidence. If termination is due to subscriber breach, refunds are not due.

Applicable law: Consumer Rights Act 2015.

End of commitment / standard cancellation

Cancel via My Account or contact customer service. Monthly subscriptions have no minimum commitment; annual offers are billed for the year purchased and cancellation will usually take effect at the end of the paid period unless a pro-rated refund is agreed.

Cooling-off (right to cancel shortly after renewal)

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 provides a right to cancel during an initial cooling-off period and any renewal cooling-off period when that right is active. Provide a clear statement of cancellation to the trader. The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 provide a 14 day cooling-off period for distance contracts, except where digital content rights begin with consumer consent.

Applicable law: Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024; Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 (2013 Regulations).

Before you cancel: negotiate

Contact customer service by phone or live chat to explore retention options. The Economist's official guidance invites users to contact the service centre to explore options. Retention options commonly attempted by subscribers include switching to an annual introductory offer, pausing access, or moving to a cheaper package such as podcasts-only, but The Economist does not publish a standard retention discount table. Ask for a written offer in the chat or email and save the confirmation.

What cancelling saves you - exact maths

Calculate yearly costs for common plans:

• Digital Monthly: £27.90 x 12 = £334.80 per year.
• Digital Annual (introductory first year): £139.50 x 1 = £139.50 for first year; renewal year cost = £279.00.
• Podcasts Monthly: £6.90 x 12 = £82.80 per year.
• Podcasts Annual: £69.00 per year.

Example savings if you switch from Digital Monthly to Digital Annual introductory: £334.80 - £139.50 = £195.30 saved in the first year. If you switch from Digital Monthly to Podcasts Annual: £334.80 - £69.00 = £265.80 saved per year.

Cheapest real alternative from competitors (example): New Statesman at £10 monthly or £120 annual. Yearly comparison: New Statesman annual £120 vs The Economist Digital Monthly £334.80 yields a saving of £214.80 per year if moving to New Statesman.

Key UK consumer law and regulator

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) oversees competition and consumer protection for subscription practices. The relevant laws include the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 and the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.

Cooling-off and refunds

The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 provide a 14 day cooling-off period for distance contracts, with refunds within 14 days where applicable. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 introduces a right to cancel during initial and renewal cooling-off periods; traders must provide a renewal cooling-off notice explaining how to cancel.

Escalation steps

If the trader refuses a lawful refund or makes cancellation difficult, complain to The Economist first using the contact options at Contact us. If unresolved, contact Citizens Advice for guidance, then escalate to the CMA or use your card issuer for a chargeback or Section 75 claim where the payment qualifies.

Confirm access and final billing

Check the cancellation confirmation email or chat transcript and verify the effective cancellation date. For direct subscriptions, confirm whether access continues until the end of the paid period or stops immediately if a pro-rated refund was granted.

Data and account

Decide whether to keep a free account on economist.com. Request deletion or data export via the contact page if you want your personal data removed. Keep a copy of invoices and the cancellation confirmation for 12 months.

Re-activation

To re-subscribe, use the subscription page Subscribe. Note that introductory pricing may not be available on re-subscription and renewal prices may differ from the original offer.

Use this checklist to finish cancellation correctly.

• Sign in to My Account and attempt cancellation online; save screenshots.
• If you prefer immediate closure, contact customer service by live chat or phone and request a pro-rated refund; save the chat transcript.
• If you purchased via Apple or Google Play, cancel through the App Store or Play Store and keep the receipt from Apple or Google.
• If you send a registered letter, include full subscriber details and proof of posting.
• Check your next card statement for unexpected renewals within 30 days.
• If a refund is due and not issued within 14 days, complain to The Economist, then contact Citizens Advice or your card issuer for chargeback or Section 75 if eligible.