How to Cancel Your Chicago Tribune Subscription (2026 Guide)

Updated February 2026 • 5 min read

The Chicago Tribune (owned by Tribune Publishing, now part of Alden Global Capital) is one of Chicago's legacy newspapers. Like most newspaper subscriptions, they use aggressive intro pricing ($1/month) that jumps to $13-17/month — and make cancellation intentionally difficult by requiring a phone call.

Pricing Breakdown

• Digital Only: ~$1/month intro (6 months) → $12.99-16.99/month after
• Print + Digital: Various intro rates → $30-60/month
• Sunday Only: Available in some areas → $15-25/month
• Apple News+: $12.99/month (includes Tribune and hundreds of other publications)

How to Cancel

Method 1: Phone (Most Reliable)

1. Call 1-800-874-2863
2. Hours: Monday-Friday 7am-5pm CT, Saturday 7am-12pm CT
3. Say "cancel subscription" to navigate the menu
4. Provide your account number or the address on file
5. A retention specialist will offer discounts — decline if you are done
6. Ask for a confirmation email with the cancellation date

Method 2: Online (Limited)

1. Go to membership.chicagotribune.com
2. Log in and look for subscription management
3. Some digital-only subscribers can cancel online, but many are redirected to call

Method 3: Apple News+ Subscribers

If you get the Tribune through Apple News+:

1. iPhone: Settings → your name → Subscriptions → Apple News+ → Cancel
2. This cancels ALL Apple News+ publications, not just the Tribune

Retention Offers to Expect

The Tribune follows the standard newspaper retention playbook:

• First offer: 50% off for 3-6 months
• Second offer: Even deeper discount ($4-6/month)
• Final offer: Sometimes free access for 1-2 months

If you want the Tribune but not at full price, the retention call is your best negotiation tool. Call every 6 months to reset your rate.

Free Chicago News Alternatives

• WBEZ (wbez.org): Chicago's NPR station — free local news, no paywall
• Block Club Chicago (blockclubchicago.org): Neighborhood-level Chicago journalism (paywall for some stories)
• Chicago Sun-Times: Went free (no paywall) in 2022 under new ownership
• WGN News: Free local TV news and website
• Your library card: Chicago Public Library offers free digital access to many newspapers through PressReader

After Canceling

• Digital access continues until the end of your billing period
• Print delivery stops within a few days
• Marketing emails will continue — unsubscribe separately
• Verify no charges on your next billing statement
• If charges continue, dispute with your bank