Trying to cancel

Financial Times

? Avoid the runaround.

You can cancel a Financial Times (FT) subscription at any time as the account holder. The key detail is refund eligibility differs for digital vs print.

• Digital subscriptions (Standard/Premium): Digital access starts immediately, and FT typically asks customers to waive the usual 14-day cooling-off period for digital content. In practice, that means if you cancel, the cancellation usually takes effect at the end of your current paid billing cycle, and you generally won’t receive a refund for unused time.
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• Print or print + digital (“Complete”) subscriptions: Print subscriptions commonly have a 14-day window from the start where you may be able to cancel for a refund (often minus the value of any newspapers already delivered). After that initial window, cancellation typically ends the subscription at the end of the current term, without a mid-term refund.
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• Auto-renewal is on by default: FT subscriptions usually renew automatically unless you cancel.
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• Who can cancel: The person who controls the account/subscription (the account holder) can cancel. If you’re using FT through a company licence or bundle, cancellation rules can differ.
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• Trials: Trials can usually be cancelled before they convert to a paid plan. Print-included trials may require contacting Customer Care due to delivery logistics.
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• Third-party purchases: If you subscribed via a third party or bundle, you may still need to cancel through FT’s account system or Customer Care (the method depends on how the subscription was set up).

FT cancellation is usually self-serve online, using a web browser.

1. Log in to your FT account
   Use a browser (desktop or mobile browser is fine). Make sure you’re signed into the account that holds the subscription.
2. Go to “My Account” / “Settings & Account”
   Open your account settings area where billing and subscription details live.
3. Find “Subscription” or “Subscriptions & Payments”
   Look for the section that shows your plan, renewal date, and payment details.
4. Select “Cancel subscription”
   Follow the on-screen prompts. You may be asked why you’re cancelling and you may see retention offers (discounts or pause options).
5. Complete the final confirmation step
   Don’t stop mid-way. Make sure you reach the final screen that confirms cancellation.
6. Save confirmation
   Keep the confirmation email (and consider taking a screenshot of the confirmation screen). Your account should also show an end date or “active until” date.

If you can’t cancel online

Use FT Customer Care (chat/phone). They can guide you or process the cancellation for you.

The cancellation timing depends mainly on avoiding an unwanted renewal.

• Recommended buffer before renewal: FT commonly recommends cancelling at least 14 days before your renewal date to ensure the next cycle doesn’t renew and charge.
• End of billing period: In most cases, once cancelled, your subscription remains active until the end of the current paid period, then stops.
• Print initial refund window: If you’ve just started a print subscription, there may be a 14-day window to cancel for a refund (minus delivered papers). After that, it generally runs to term end.
• Trials: Cancel before the trial conversion date to avoid the first paid charge. Print delivery trials may require Customer Care to cancel in time.

Best practice: check your renewal date in your account and set a reminder 2–3 weeks before.

• No cancellation fee: FT doesn’t typically charge a separate “cancellation fee” for ending a subscription.
• Most plans are not pro-rated: If you cancel mid-cycle, you generally don’t get a partial refund for unused days. Instead, you keep access until the cycle ends.
• Annual subscriptions: If you pre-paid annually, cancelling usually stops the next renewal but does not refund unused months (unless a specific policy or law applies).
• The real risk is auto-renewal: Missing the cancellation window can mean being charged for another month or year. Always ensure you receive cancellation confirmation.