How to Cancel The Economist in 2026 — Escape Auto-Renewal + Get a Refund

Updated February 2026 • 5 min read

Try Online First

1. Go to myaccount.economist.com
2. Sign in → click Subscription
3. Look for Cancel subscription or Turn off auto-renewal
4. If you see it, click through the retention flow and confirm

If the website sends you in circles or says "contact customer service," go straight to the phone method below.

Cancel by Phone (Most Reliable)

• US: 1-800-456-6086 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm ET)
• UK: +44 (0) 845 120 0983
• Say "I want to cancel my subscription" immediately
• They WILL try to retain you with discounts (50-70% off is common)
• If you want the discount, take it. If not, say "No thank you, please cancel"
• Ask for email confirmation of the cancellation

Cancel by Email

If you can't call during business hours:

1. Email customerhelp@economist.com
2. Subject: "Cancel subscription — [your email]"
3. Include your account email and request immediate cancellation
4. Response typically takes 1-3 business days

Cancel App Store Subscriptions

If you subscribed through the iOS or Android app:

• iPhone: Settings → Apple ID → Subscriptions → The Economist → Cancel
• Android: Google Play → Payments & subscriptions → The Economist → Cancel

The Price Escalation Pattern

The Economist's pricing is designed to catch you off guard:

• Introductory: $1/week for 12 weeks ($12 total)
• Standard digital: $25/month ($300/year)
• Print + digital: $35/month ($420/year)

That $12 trial quietly becomes $300/year. The Economist buries the renewal price in the fine print of the trial offer. Check your credit card statement — many people don't notice the jump for months.

Get a Refund

• Call the number above and request a refund for the current billing period
• They're generally good about refunding if you catch it within 30 days
• For annual plans: prorated refunds available for unused months
• If they refuse: dispute with your bank (especially if the price jumped without clear notice)

Free Business News Alternatives

• Reuters: Free, no paywall, global coverage
• AP News: Free, no paywall, straight reporting
• Financial Times (free tier): 5 free articles/month (use incognito for more)
• Bloomberg (free tier): Some articles free, newsletters free
• The Conversation: Free, academic experts writing accessible analysis
• Your local library: Many provide free digital access to The Economist, WSJ, FT, and NYT through apps like PressReader or Libby