How to Get a Refund for a Subscription You Forgot to Cancel
You just noticed months of charges for something you never use. Don't panic — most companies will refund at least part of it. Here's exactly how.
💡 First step: Find ALL your forgotten subscriptions at once. Upload your bank statement to Just Cancel — we'll scan it in seconds and show you every recurring charge you might be paying for.
The Golden Rule: Just Ask
Here's what most people don't realize: companies refund forgotten subscriptions all the time. It's cheaper for them to refund you than to deal with a chargeback from your bank.
According to consumer reports, 85% of people who ask for a subscription refund get at least a partial one. The key is knowing what to say and who to ask.
The Universal Refund Script
Copy-paste this into any customer support chat or email:
Hi, I've been charged for [Service Name] for [X months] but I haven't used the service during this time. I forgot to cancel after my trial/after I stopped using it. I'd like to request a refund for the unused months. I can see from my account activity that I haven't logged in since [date]. I'd appreciate your help with this.
Why this works: It's polite, specific, and references your lack of usage — which is the #1 factor support agents consider when approving refunds.
Refund Policies by Service (2026)
Here's what to expect from the most commonly forgotten subscriptions:
🟢 Easy Refunds (Usually Full Refund)
Apple (App Store, TV+, iCloud+, Music, Arcade)
Apple is one of the most generous. Use reportaproblem.apple.com — you can get refunds approved instantly without talking to anyone. Works for up to90 days of charges. For older charges, use Apple Support chat and reference your lack of usage.
Google (Play Store, YouTube Premium, Google One)
Google refunds up to 48 hours automatically through Play Store. For older charges, contact support — they frequently refund 1-3 monthsfor forgotten subscriptions, especially if you can show zero usage.
Amazon Prime
If you haven't used Prime benefits (shipping, video, etc.), Amazon will often refund the full annual fee. Even with some usage, they'll prorate. Go to Account → Prime Membership → End Membership. Amazon's system automatically calculates if you qualify for a refund.
🟡 Partial Refunds (1-3 Months Typical)
Netflix
Netflix doesn't officially offer refunds, but their support agents have discretion to credit 1-2 months. Key phrase: "I haven't watched anything in months — can you check my viewing activity?" They can see your watch history and often credit based on inactivity.
Spotify
Spotify typically refunds 1 month through their support chat. For multiple months, escalate to a supervisor. Mention that you haven't streamed anything — they can verify this on their end.
Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe is notoriously difficult to cancel (hello, dark patterns), but they do refund forgotten charges. The trick: contact support and say you want to cancel AND get a refund. They'll typically waive the early termination fee and refund 1-2 months if you haven't opened an Adobe app recently.
Hulu
Hulu refunds the current billing cycle easily. For multiple months, call (not chat) and ask for a supervisor. They have more authority to issue credits. Reference your viewing history.
🔴 Harder to Refund (But Still Possible)
Gym Memberships (Planet Fitness, LA Fitness, Equinox)
Gyms are the worst. Most require in-person cancellation or certified mail. For refunds, your best bet is disputing with your bank/credit card. Gyms rarely refund voluntarily — but a chargeback usually works because they can't prove you used the facility. See our gym cancellation guide.
Dating Apps (Match, Tinder, Bumble)
Dating apps almost never refund — it's in their terms. Your only option is Apple/Google Play Store refund (if you subscribed through the app) or a bank dispute. The App Store route is usually easier.
Cloud Storage (Dropbox, iCloud, OneDrive)
These services refund the current month easily but resist refunding older charges because "your files were stored on our servers." Counter with: "I didn't access or download any files during this period."
The Nuclear Option: Bank Disputes
If a company refuses to refund you, you have one more card to play:dispute the charge with your bank or credit card company.
Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you can dispute charges for services not rendered. Here's how:
- Cancel the subscription first — you need to show you tried to stop the charges
- Contact your bank — most let you dispute online or through the app
- Select "Services not received" or "Billing error" as your reason
- Provide evidence — screenshots showing you didn't use the service, the cancellation confirmation, etc.
⚠️ Warning: Only dispute charges that are genuinely incorrect or for services you didn't use. Fraudulent chargebacks can get your bank account flagged. Also, the company may ban your account.
How to Find ALL Your Forgotten Subscriptions
The average American has 12 active subscriptions but thinks they have 5-6. That gap? Those are the charges you're forgetting about.
The fastest way to find them all:
- Export your bank statement as a CSV or PDF (here's how for every major bank)
- Upload it to Just Cancel — our AI scans for every recurring charge in seconds
- Review the list — you'll probably find 2-3 subscriptions you completely forgot about
Most people find $50-200/month in forgotten subscriptions. That's $600-2,400/year you could be saving.
Prevent It From Happening Again
- Set a calendar reminder before every free trial ends
- Use virtual cards (Privacy.com) that auto-pause after the trial period
- Do a quarterly subscription audit — 5 minutes, 4 times a year
- Turn off auto-renew immediately after subscribing — most services let you keep access through the paid period
- Use our calculator to see how much your subscriptions really cost per year
Time Limits for Refunds
Don't wait. The longer you wait, the less likely you'll get a full refund:
- Within 48 hours: Almost always fully refundable
- Within 30 days: Most companies refund easily
- 1-3 months: Partial refunds common, usually need to call/chat
- 3-6 months: Harder — escalate to supervisor, mention "chargeback"
- 6+ months: Bank dispute is your best option
The Bottom Line
You have nothing to lose by asking. The worst they can say is no — and even then, you can dispute with your bank. Most companies would rather keep you as a potential future customer than fight over a few months of charges.
Start by finding what you're actually paying for. Upload your bank statement to Just Cancel — it takes 30 seconds and might save you hundreds.