How to Cancel Your
The Economist Subscription
The Economist is famous for two things: its sharp analysis and its aggressive retention offers when you try to leave. Here is how to cancel your Digital, Print, or Print+Digital subscription at economist.com without getting talked into yet another discounted year.
Quick Overview
Difficulty
MediumTime
~5 minutes
Method
Website / Phone
Cost
~$20/month
Method 1: Cancel on the Website
Sign in at economist.com
Head to economist.com and click Log in in the top right corner. Enter the email and password you used when subscribing. If you signed in through Google or Apple originally, use the same method. Make sure you are logged into the account that actually holds the subscription.
Go to your Economist subscription management page
Click your profile icon in the top-right corner and select Manage my subscription from the dropdown. You can also navigate to the subscription page through the site menu under your account. This is where The Economist shows your plan type, billing cycle, and renewal date.
Find your plan details and the cancel link
On the subscription management page, look for your current plan details (Digital at ~$20/mo, Print at ~$25/mo, or Print+Digital). Below the plan info, find the Cancel subscription or Turn off auto-renewal link. For print subscriptions, this link may redirect you to call customer service instead -- more on that in Method 2.
Decline The Economist's retention offers
After clicking cancel, The Economist will hit you with retention offers -- a heavily discounted renewal, a downgrade to digital-only, or a temporary pause. These can be genuinely tempting (sometimes 50%+ off). If you still want out, decline each offer and look for the small "continue to cancel" link on every screen until you reach the final confirmation.
Save your Economist cancellation confirmation
The Economist should send a confirmation email verifying your cancellation. Screenshot the confirmation page and save the email. If nothing arrives within a few hours, log back into economist.com and check that your subscription shows as canceled or set to expire. Do not assume it worked until you have written proof.
Method 2: Cancel by Phone
Call The Economist customer service
Ring The Economist's subscription support line. Check economist.com/help for the most current number for your region. US subscribers can typically reach them during business hours. Have your account email or subscriber number ready.
Request cancellation
Tell the representative you want to cancel your subscription. They may ask for a reason and offer a retention deal. Be firm if you want to proceed. Ask for a confirmation number or email for your records.
Pro Tip: Check Your Subscription Type
If you subscribed through the Apple App Store or Google Play, you need to cancel through those platforms (Settings > Subscriptions on iPhone, or Google Play Store > Subscriptions on Android). The Economist website cannot cancel app-store subscriptions.
What Happens After You Cancel The Economist?
Access continues until your billing period ends
You can still read articles, access the app, and receive print issues (if applicable) until the end of your current paid period. No content is cut off immediately.
Your account stays active
Your Economist account is not deleted. You can still log in and access any free content. If you resubscribe later, your account history and saved articles are preserved.
Watch for win-back offers
The Economist is known for sending attractive re-subscription offers after cancellation. If you are budget-conscious but still want access, waiting for one of these deals can save you significant money.
Podcast and newsletter access may end
Some premium podcast episodes and subscriber-only newsletters are tied to your subscription. Free newsletters and the weekly podcast will still be available, but premium audio content will be locked after your plan expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund from The Economist?
The Economist may offer partial refunds for unused portions of your subscription, especially for annual plans. Contact customer service directly to discuss refund options. Policies can vary by region and subscription type.
How do I cancel if I subscribed through the App Store?
Go to Settings on your iPhone, tap your name, then Subscriptions, find The Economist, and tap Cancel Subscription. For Android, open Google Play Store, tap your profile, then Payments & subscriptions, then Subscriptions, and cancel from there.
Will I lose access to The Economist app?
You keep app access until your billing period ends. After that, the app still works but you can only read a limited number of free articles per week. Downloaded issues remain accessible for a short period.
Can I pause my Economist subscription instead of canceling?
The Economist occasionally offers pause or suspension options during the cancellation process. If this matters to you, start the cancellation flow and see if a pause option appears, or call customer service to ask about temporary suspension.
Why am I still being charged after canceling?
Double-check that you canceled through the correct platform. If you subscribed via the App Store, canceling on the website will not stop Apple charges. Also verify you received a cancellation confirmation email. If charges persist, contact your bank and The Economist support.
Track The Economist & All Your
Subscriptions in One App
Subcut reminds you before charges hit, tracks every billing date, and gives you one-tap access to cancellation guides. No bank connection needed.
Download Subcut FreeStill paying for that news app you never open? Subcut will find it.