Manage Star Wars: The Old Republic

How to cancel star wars: the old republic subscription in australia

What star wars: the old republic is and why you might cancel

Star Wars: The Old Republic is a multiplayer online role-playing game operated by BioWare and published by Electronic Arts. The service operates on a hybrid model: you can play for free with limitations, or subscribe for recurring monthly access that unlocks unlimited gameplay, monthly in-game currency (Cartel Coins) and priority access to new content expansions.

Subscriptions renew automatically on a cycle you choose-30, 60, 90 or 180 days-and the publisher charges your payment method without asking permission each renewal cycle. If you've decided the game no longer fits your budget or gaming time, or you want to switch to free-to-play mode, Stopee is here to help you understand exactly how to stop those charges.

Common reasons to cancel your subscription

You might cancel because you've finished the story content, your gaming habits have changed, you want to reduce monthly expenses, or you'd prefer to enjoy the free-to-play version without ongoing costs. Whatever your reason, you have the right to cancel whenever you choose-and you should do it before your next renewal date to avoid an unexpected charge.

What happens to your account when you cancel

Cancelling your subscription stops future automatic renewals but does not delete your character or account. You retain access to your existing characters and can continue playing in free-to-play mode until your current billing period ends. After that date, you lose access to subscriber-only features-but your progress and items remain on your account if you decide to resubscribe later.

Your consumer rights under australian consumer law

Australia's Consumer Law protects you when you buy digital services like game subscriptions. Understanding your rights matters because it gives you leverage if the cancellation process goes wrong or if you're charged after you've cancelled.

Key protections that apply to game subscriptions

Under the Australian Consumer Law, the service provider (in this case, Electronic Arts) must ensure the subscription works as promised and that any charges are transparent and authorised. If you cancel and are still charged, or if the service quality drops significantly after you subscribe, you may have grounds to dispute the charge through your bank or claim a refund.

Digital products have limited cooling-off rights because you gain immediate access to content. However, if the publisher misrepresents the subscription (for example, claiming "cancel anytime" but making cancellation deliberately difficult), that misleading conduct may be actionable. The Australian Consumer Law also protects you if the service fails to work as advertised.

When to escalate a billing dispute

If Electronic Arts refuses to refund an unwanted charge after cancellation, you can escalate to the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) or lodge a complaint with your payment provider. Most credit card companies will reverse unauthorised charges within 30 to 90 days if you dispute them promptly. Keep all cancellation confirmation emails as evidence.

Subscription plans and approximate australian pricing

Star Wars: The Old Republic publishes pricing in US dollars, but charges your Australian payment method in AUD. The table below shows the official plan structure and approximate Australian dollar equivalents using current exchange rates.

Important: Your actual AUD charge may vary slightly because of currency conversion timing and payment processor fees. Check your bank statement for the exact amount charged to your account, and use that figure if you need to dispute a charge.

How to cancel your subscription online

The fastest way to cancel is to log in to your account on the official website and cancel directly through the account settings. This method gives you an immediate cancellation confirmation and stops future renewals straight away.

Step-by-step cancellation through swtor.com

1. Visit swtor.com and log in with your Electronic Arts credentials (username and password).
   • If you've forgotten your password, use the "Forgot your password?" link before logging in.
   • If you've enabled two-factor authentication, you'll be asked for a code from your phone or email.
2. Navigate to Account in the top menu or account dashboard.
   • Look for a link labelled "Manage Account", "Account Settings" or similar.
   • You may need to scroll down or look under a dropdown menu.
3. Find the Subscriptions or Billing section.
   • This section displays your active subscription, next renewal date and payment method.
   • If you have multiple subscriptions or services linked to your account, make sure you're cancelling the right one (Star Wars: The Old Republic, not other EA games).
4. Scroll to the bottom of the subscription details and click "Cancel your subscription".
   • Read any warning messages carefully-they'll tell you when your access ends and what you'll lose.
   • The system may offer you a discount to stay; you can ignore this and proceed to cancel.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm your cancellation.
   • You may be asked why you're cancelling (feedback purposes only-your answer doesn't affect the cancellation).
   • Click "Confirm" or "Cancel subscription" again to finalise.
6. After confirmation, you'll see a cancellation confirmation message on screen.
   • Pro tip: Take a screenshot of this confirmation page or note the confirmation number.
   • Check your email for a confirmation message from Electronic Arts within a few minutes.

If you subscribed through a third-party platform

Warning: If you originally purchased your subscription through Google Play, the Apple App Store, PlayStation Store, Xbox Game Pass or another platform, you must cancel through that platform, not through swtor.com. Cancelling only on the website won't stop charges from the original payment source.

• Google Play (Android): Open the Google Play Store app, go to "Manage subscriptions", find Star Wars: The Old Republic, and tap "Cancel subscription".
• Apple App Store (iOS): Open Settings, tap your name, select "Subscriptions", find the game, and tap "Cancel subscription".
• PlayStation Store: Go to your Account, select "Services", find the subscription, and choose "Cancel".
• Xbox Game Pass: Navigate to "Manage subscriptions" in your Xbox account settings and cancel the subscription there.

If you're unsure which payment method you used, check your bank or credit card statement for the charge-it will show who processed the payment (EA, Google, Apple, Sony or Microsoft).

What to expect after you cancel

Cancelling can feel uncertain because the game remains playable for the rest of your billing period. Here's exactly what happens next so you know what's normal.

Your access during the final billing period

You keep full subscriber benefits until the last day of the cycle you've already paid for. If you cancel on day 10 of a 30-day cycle, you still have subscriber access for 20 more days. Your character, items and account data never disappear-they're safe on Electronic Arts' servers.

On the final day of your billing period, your subscriber status automatically ends at midnight (Australian Eastern Time). The next day, when you log in, you'll see a message explaining that your subscription has expired and you're now in free-to-play mode.

Your account in free-to-play mode

As a free player, you can still log in, access your characters and play indefinitely at no cost. However, free-to-play accounts have restrictions: you can't create as many characters, you earn in-game currency more slowly, you have reduced inventory space, and you can't access certain premium story content. These restrictions are temporary-if you resubscribe later, you regain full access.

Monitoring for unwanted charges

After cancellation, check your bank or credit card statement weekly for the next 30 days. In rare cases, the cancellation doesn't process correctly and Electronic Arts charges you for a renewal. If you see an unexpected charge, contact your bank immediately to dispute it and provide them with your cancellation confirmation email as evidence.

Refunds and what you're entitled to claim

Understanding refund eligibility matters because the terms can be stricter than you expect. Stopee recommends reading the refund policy carefully so you know exactly when you can claim money back.

When electronic arts may offer a refund

The publisher does not routinely refund unused subscription time if you cancel mid-cycle. However, they may refund charges if you request a refund within 48 hours of the charge appearing on your statement, or if you have grounds under Australian Consumer Law (for example, if the service failed or the charge was unauthorised).

To request a refund, log in to your Electronic Arts account, go to the "Help" section, and submit a ticket explaining why you believe you're entitled to a refund. Include your cancellation confirmation number, the date you cancelled, and the unwanted charge details. Be specific and polite; support staff are more likely to approve refunds when you show you understand the policy.

Disputing charges through your bank

If Electronic Arts denies your refund request, you can dispute the charge with your bank or credit card provider. This process (called a "chargeback" or "dispute") asks your financial institution to reverse the charge because it was unauthorised or the service wasn't delivered as promised. Your bank will investigate and typically makes a decision within 30 to 90 days. Keep all cancellation emails and communication records with Electronic Arts to strengthen your dispute.

When you cannot claim a refund

You generally cannot claim a refund simply because you changed your mind about playing the game, even if you cancelled immediately after subscribing. This is because digital content is delivered instantly and can't be returned like a physical product. However, if Electronic Arts' marketing was misleading or the service didn't work, you have stronger grounds.

Common cancellation mistakes to avoid

Cancelling a subscription sounds straightforward, but small errors can leave you exposed to unwanted charges. Here's what catches people out-and how to avoid it.

Mistake 1: cancelling only on the game launcher, not through your account

Some players uninstall the game or change their login settings, thinking this cancels the subscription. It doesn't. Uninstalling the game is not the same as cancelling the subscription-your payment method is still stored and Electronic Arts will still charge you on renewal day. Always cancel through your account settings or the payment platform you used to purchase.

Mistake 2: missing the renewal date

If you cancel on the last day of your billing cycle instead of the first day, you might be charged again before cancellation takes effect. Always cancel as soon as you decide to quit, not at the last moment. Set a calendar reminder for three days before your renewal date so you cancel in advance.

Mistake 3: forgetting to check your email for confirmation

The cancellation confirmation email is your proof that you cancelled. Without it, you have no evidence if a charge dispute arises. If you don't receive a confirmation email within 10 minutes of cancelling, log back into your account and check the subscription status-if it still shows "Active", the cancellation didn't process and you need to try again.

Mistake 4: assuming your refund is automatic

Electronic Arts does not automatically refund unused time. You must request a refund separately through their support system, and they will review your request. Don't assume you'll get your money back just because you cancelled-ask for it explicitly and follow up if you don't receive a response within 10 business days.

Cancellation checklist and timeline

Use this checklist to ensure you've cancelled correctly and protected yourself against future charges.

Contacting electronic arts support if cancellation fails

If you've tried to cancel and the subscription is still active, or if you were charged after cancelling, you need to escalate to Electronic Arts support. Here's how to get help.

Submitting a support ticket

Visit help.ea.com, search for "Cancel subscription" or "Manage subscription", and select the option to submit a ticket. Describe your situation clearly: explain when you tried to cancel, which method you used, and what's happened since (for example, "I cancelled on 15 October but was charged on 15 November"). Attach your cancellation confirmation email if you have it. Electronic Arts typically responds within 24 to 48 hours.

Escalating to your bank if electronic arts doesn't help

If Electronic Arts support refuses to help or doesn't respond within 10 business days, contact your bank and dispute the charge. Tell your bank that you cancelled the subscription and that the charge was unauthorised. Provide your cancellation confirmation email, screenshots of your account settings, and all communication with Electronic Arts support. Your bank will investigate and can reverse the charge if it finds in your favour.

Should you cancel or stay subscribed

Deciding whether to keep your subscription depends on your gaming plans and budget. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted services, and we've learned that the best time to cancel is when you've decided the cost no longer justifies the benefit.

Reasons to stay subscribed

• You log in at least once or twice a week and enjoy the current story content.
• The monthly Cartel Coins (premium currency) save you money on cosmetic items you want.
• You're working towards a specific goal (levelling a character, completing a story arc) that requires subscriber status.
• The monthly cost (approximately A$22.50) is less than you'd spend on other entertainment this month.

Reasons to cancel

• You haven't logged in for more than a month and don't plan to return soon.
• You're low on cash and cutting discretionary spending.
• You've finished the story content you cared about and free-to-play mode is enough for you.
• You want to play other games and don't have time for Star Wars: The Old Republic.
• You're unhappy with the service quality or recent content updates.

Keeping track of your digital subscriptions

Game subscriptions are easy to forget about because they work in the background. Many Australians accidentally pay for multiple subscriptions they no longer use. Stopee recommends tracking all your active subscriptions in one place so you stay in control of your spending.

Where to review all your subscriptions

Log into your Electronic Arts account and check the "Subscriptions" or "Billing" section monthly. Similarly, review your Google Play, Apple ID, PlayStation Network and Xbox Game Pass accounts for any other active subscriptions. Set a calendar reminder for the first day of each month to do this review-it takes five minutes and can save you hundreds of dollars annually.

If you find subscriptions you've forgotten about, cancel them immediately and request refunds if you were charged recently. Financial institutions often allow chargebacks for forgotten subscriptions within 90 days of the charge, so act quickly.

Summary and next steps

Cancelling Star Wars: The Old Republic is straightforward when you follow the right steps and understand your consumer rights. Log in to swtor.com, navigate to your subscription settings, click "Cancel", and save your confirmation email. Your access continues until the end of your current billing period, and you keep your account and characters indefinitely. Monitor your bank statement after cancellation to ensure no further charges appear.

If you subscribed through Google Play, Apple, PlayStation or Xbox, cancel through that platform instead. If Electronic Arts charges you after cancellation, dispute the charge with your bank and provide your cancellation confirmation email as evidence. Under Australian Consumer Law, you have strong protections if the service fails or charges are unauthorised.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions, manage billing disputes and recover unauthorized charges. Whether you're cancelling a gaming subscription or any other recurring service, use our guides to protect yourself and stay informed. Visit stopee.com for step-by-step cancellation instructions for hundreds of Australian services, and reach out to us if you need support navigating a complex cancellation or dispute.

Electronic arts contact details

Support website: help.ea.com
Main website: swtor.com
Billing support: Submit a ticket through help.ea.com → "Contact support"
Australian complaints escalation: Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), acma.gov.au