How to Cancel Any Subscription Without Calling

Updated February 2026 · 7 min read

Nothing is more frustrating than discovering you need to call a phone number to cancel a subscription you signed up for online in 30 seconds. It's 2026. You shouldn't have to sit on hold for 45 minutes to stop paying for something.

The good news: in most cases, you don't actually have to call — even when the company says you do. Here's how to cancel almost any subscription without picking up the phone.

The FTC "Click-to-Cancel" Rule

In 2024, the FTC finalized its "Click-to-Cancel" rule, which requires companies to make canceling as easy as signing up. If you signed up online, they must let you cancel online. While enforcement is still rolling out, many companies have already updated their processes.

If a company forces you to call to cancel a subscription you started online, they may be violating federal law. You can file a complaint at ftc.gov/complaint.

Method 1: Find the hidden online cancel page

Many companies technically have an online cancellation option — they just bury it. Before calling, try these:

• Go to Account Settings → look for "Subscription," "Billing," or "Membership"
• Check our cancel guides — we have direct cancel URLs for 440+ services
• Google "[service name] cancel URL" — sometimes the direct link exists but isn't linked from the main site
• Try adding "/cancel" or "/account/cancel" to the company's website URL

Method 2: Cancel via live chat

If there's no online cancel option, live chat is the next best thing. It's faster than calling, you have a written record, and you can do it while doing other things.

Chat script that works:

Being direct about not wanting retention offers saves 5-10 minutes of back-and-forth.

Method 3: Cancel via email

If there's no chat option, send a cancellation email. This creates a legal paper trail.

Email template:

Method 4: Block the charge

If the company makes cancellation impossible, you have the nuclear option:

• Remove your payment method from the account settings (if possible)
• Use a virtual card — services like Privacy.com let you create cards you can pause or close instantly
• Request a new card number from your bank — the old number stops working
• Dispute the charge with your bank as a "recurring charge I attempted to cancel"

⚠️ Warning: Blocking charges without formally canceling can sometimes result in the company sending your account to collections (rare but possible with gym memberships and some media subscriptions). Always try to cancel through official channels first.

The worst offenders (and how to bypass them)

These companies are notorious for making cancellation difficult:

🏋️ Gym memberships

Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, and Equinox often require in-person visits or certified mail. Workaround: send a certified letter (USPS) — it's legally binding and you don't have to go in. Keep the tracking number as proof.

📻 SiriusXM

SiriusXM is infamous for forcing phone calls and aggressive retention. Use their live chat at siriusxm.com/help instead — it's faster and agents have less pressure to retain you.

📰 Newspaper subscriptions

NYT, WSJ, and Washington Post all have online cancellation now (partly thanks to the FTC rule). Check our cancel guides for the direct URLs.

🍽️ Meal kits

HelloFresh and Blue Apron let you "pause" but hide the actual cancel option. Look for "Cancel Plan" (not just "Skip Week") in your account settings.

Know your rights

• FTC Click-to-Cancel Rule — Companies must make canceling as easy as signing up
• California law (ARL) — CA residents can cancel any auto-renewal online, period
• Credit card chargebacks — Your bank can reverse charges if a company refuses to cancel
• State AG complaints — Filing a complaint with your state's attorney general can trigger action