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How to cancel your times subscription and reclaim your money

What times is and why you might want to cancel

Times is a premium news service offering digital access to articles, newsletters and a digital replica of the newspaper, alongside print delivery options for weekend and weekday editions. You can subscribe to digital-only access, digital plus weekend print, or full print plus digital bundles, all on recurring monthly or annual billing cycles.

The service operates on automatic renewal: your subscription renews at the end of each billing period unless you cancel beforehand. If you signed up during a promotional trial or discounted introductory period, expect to be charged the full price once that promotion ends. This silent transition from cheap to full-price billing catches many subscribers off guard.

Common reasons you might cancel times

You're cancelling for one of several predictable reasons: the subscription costs more than you're willing to pay, you've accumulated multiple news subscriptions and want to streamline, you forgot to cancel a free trial before it converted to paid access, or you've experienced unexpected charges when a promotional period ended. Research consistently shows that forgotten trial cancellations and surprise full-price renewals drive the majority of subscription cancellations across digital services in Australia.

Subscription plans and pricing

Times offers three core subscription tiers, each with flexible billing cycles. Pricing in Australian dollars varies depending on your signup offer, any active promotions, and your chosen payment method. Here's what you need to know:

Pro tip: Check your bank or credit card statement to confirm your exact billing cycle and renewal date. This detail is critical for timing your cancellation correctly and avoiding unexpected charges after you think you've stopped the service.

Your consumer rights under australian law

Australian Consumer Law protects you when you cancel subscriptions, even though digital services have narrower protections than physical goods. Understanding your legal position strengthens your hand if Times refuses to cooperate.

What australian consumer law says about subscriptions

The Australian Consumer Law, administered by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), sets out your baseline rights. You're entitled to goods and services that are of acceptable quality, safe, and fit for purpose. For subscription services like Times, this means the digital content and delivery must work as advertised.

Cooling-off rights (the statutory 14-day return period) apply narrowly to digital subscriptions. Once you've accessed the service, cooling-off protections often don't apply, which is why Times' terms typically state that digital access charges are non-refundable after activation. However, if you were misled about what the subscription includes, or if Times fails to deliver the service you paid for, you have grounds to dispute the charge and demand a refund.

Automatic renewal and billing transparency

Australian Consumer Law requires that automatic renewal terms be transparent and that you give informed consent before recurring charges begin. Times must disclose the renewal terms, the price you'll be charged at renewal, and the notice period you need to cancel. If these terms weren't clear at signup, or if you were charged without proper notice, you have a dispute case.

Warning: If Times charged you for a renewal that you cancelled before the billing date, that's a billing error. Screenshot your cancellation confirmation with the timestamp, and escalate to the ACCC if Times doesn't refund you within 30 days of your complaint.

Step-by-step cancellation methods for times

Times offers multiple cancellation routes depending on how and where you subscribed. Each method has different friction levels and confirmation requirements, so follow the path that matches your account setup.

Cancel through your times account online (fastest method)

This is the quickest cancellation path if your subscription is active and your account login is working. Follow these steps in order:

1. Log in to your Times account on the main website using your email and password.
   • If you've forgotten your password, use the "Forgot password?" link and reset it before proceeding.
2. Navigate to your account settings, usually found in a menu labelled "Account," "My account," or "Settings" (typically in the top right corner or under a hamburger menu on mobile).
   • Look for a "Subscriptions" or "Billing" section within account settings.
3. Find your active subscription and select the option to view or manage it.
   • You'll see your current plan, renewal date, and billing amount.
4. Click the cancellation button, usually labelled "Cancel subscription," "Stop renewal," or "Manage subscription."
   • Times may ask you to confirm your reason for cancellation or offer you a discount to stay. Do not accept any offer unless you genuinely want to keep the service.
5. Review the cancellation terms: Times will confirm that your access continues until the end of your current billing period, and charges will stop at your next renewal date.
   • Screenshot this confirmation page immediately.
6. Complete the cancellation and save or screenshot your confirmation email, which should arrive within 24 hours.
   • This email is your proof of cancellation. Keep it until at least 30 days after your final renewal date passes.

Cancel by phone (if you need immediate assistance)

If your online account isn't responding or you prefer speaking to someone directly, calling Times' customer service team works. Have your account details ready before you call.

1. Locate the customer service phone number for Times in Australia from your subscription confirmation email or the Times website.
   • Phone numbers are typically listed under "Contact us" or "Customer support."
2. Call during business hours (usually 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday) to avoid long wait times.
   • If the line is busy, call again later rather than staying on hold; this preserves your time and reduces frustration.
3. Provide the customer service representative with your full name, account email, and account number (from your invoice or account settings).
   • Confirm that you want to cancel and stop all future renewals.
4. Ask the representative to provide a cancellation reference number and confirm your final renewal date and access end date.
   • Write down this reference number and the representative's name and call time.
5. Request that a cancellation confirmation email be sent to you immediately after the call ends.
   • If no email arrives within 2 hours, call back and escalate to a supervisor.

Cancel by post (if online and phone methods fail)

If Times doesn't respond to online or phone cancellation requests, sending a signed postal letter creates a documented paper trail that protects you legally. Australian Consumer Law recognises posted cancellation requests as formal notice.

1. Prepare a cancellation letter on plain paper or your letterhead that includes:
   • Your full name and residential address
   • Your account email address and account number (from your invoice)
   • A clear statement: "I hereby cancel my Times subscription effective immediately. Please confirm cancellation and the date of my final billing charge."
   • The date you're writing the letter
   • Your signature
2. Address your letter to Times' cancellation postal address (see the Cancellation addresses and contact information section below).
   • Use Australia Post's registered mail or tracked delivery service so you have proof of postage and delivery.
3. Keep a copy of your letter and your proof of postage receipt.
   • This documentation proves you cancelled in writing, critical if a dispute arises later.
4. Wait for a written confirmation email or letter within 14 days.
   • If none arrives, follow up with a second letter or call customer service with your postage receipt number.

What happens after you cancel times

Cancellation and account closure are two different outcomes, so understand exactly what to expect once you submit your request. Many subscribers expect immediate access loss, but Times (like most news services) honours the access you've already paid for through your current billing period.

Your access timeline after cancellation

After you cancel, your Times subscription enters a "final billing period" state. You retain full access to all digital content and any print editions you've already paid for until the end of that billing period. On your renewal date, Times will not charge your card again, and your access will end.

For example: if you cancel on the 15th of the month and your renewal date is the 1st of the next month, you'll keep your access until the 1st and then lose it. You won't be charged for that next month.

Confirming cancellation with your bank

After Times confirms your cancellation, monitor your bank or credit card statement for the next 45 days. Set a calendar reminder for the day after your final renewal date and check that no charge posts.

Pro tip: If you subscribed via Apple App Store, Google Play, or another third-party platform, you may also need to cancel through that platform's subscription management settings to fully prevent re-billing. Cancelling through Times' website alone is not always sufficient if you signed up through an app.

Refunds and billing disputes

Times' standard terms state that digital access charges are non-refundable once access is granted. However, this doesn't mean you have no refund options-it depends on when you cancel and why.

When you can request a refund

You have grounds for a refund or credit in these specific situations:

• You cancelled during a free or discounted trial: If you cancelled before the trial converted to a paid charge, you're not owed a refund because you were not charged. Confirm cancellation happened before the conversion date.
• You were charged after cancelling: If a charge posted to your account after you submitted a cancellation request and received a confirmation, dispute that charge immediately with Times and your bank.
• You were overcharged due to a billing error: If Times charged you twice in one month or charged you an incorrect amount, request an adjustment or refund within 30 days of the error.
• Times failed to deliver the service: If you subscribed for print plus digital access and received no print editions for more than two weeks, that's a breach of service. Complain to Times and request a pro-rata refund or credit toward your next billing period.
• You were misled at signup: If the subscription's terms, price, or cancellation process were not clearly disclosed before you paid, you have grounds to dispute the charge under Australian Consumer Law.

How to request a refund from times

Contact Times customer service in writing (email or post) within 30 days of the charge you're disputing. Include your account number, the charge date, the amount, and a clear explanation of why you believe you deserve a refund. Reference the relevant reason from the list above.

If Times refuses or doesn't respond within 14 days, escalate to your bank and request a chargeback. Your bank will investigate the dispute and may reverse the charge on your behalf.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling times

Cancelling a subscription should be straightforward, but small mistakes cost you money and cause unnecessary stress. Learn these pitfalls so you sidestep them.

Mistake 1: assuming your cancellation is automatic

Many subscribers think that cancelling through the Times website will automatically prevent any renewal charge. It won't, unless you receive a written confirmation. Always wait for an email confirmation and screenshot it. If no email arrives within 24 hours, contact Times again and request confirmation in writing.

Mistake 2: cancelling on the wrong date

Times requires you to cancel before your renewal date to stop the next charge. If your renewal is on the 20th and you cancel on the 21st, you'll be charged because the renewal has already processed. Check your renewal date now, set a calendar reminder for at least 5 days before, and cancel by that date.

Mistake 3: cancelling through your bank instead of times

Instructing your bank to block the Times charge (a process called a "chargeback") is not the same as cancelling your subscription. Times' system will still show your account as active, and the company may attempt to re-bill you using a different payment method or add late fees. Always cancel directly with Times first.

Mistake 4: not cancelling app subscriptions separately

If you subscribed to Times through Apple App Store, Google Play, or another third-party app platform, cancelling on the Times website won't stop app-based billing. Log in to your Apple or Google account, navigate to subscriptions, and cancel the Times app subscription separately. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers catch this exact mistake and save money.

Mistake 5: throwing away your confirmation email

Your cancellation confirmation email is your legal proof. Keep it for at least 90 days after your final renewal date. If an unexpected charge appears, this email is your evidence that you cancelled on time.

Comparison: keeping versus cancelling times

Before you cancel, consider whether the value justifies the cost. Use this comparison to make a confident decision:

Pro tip: If cost is your only concern, contact Times and ask about annual plans or loyalty discounts before cancelling. Stopee research shows that many subscribers can negotiate better rates by threatening to cancel.

Cancellation addresses and contact information

Use these addresses and contact details to cancel Times by post or phone. Always use registered mail and keep your proof of postage.

Times cancellation address (Australia)

For postal cancellations, send your signed letter to Times' Australian customer service address. Check your most recent invoice or the Times website for the current mailing address, as postal addresses can change. Include your account email and account number in your letter so Times can locate your subscription quickly.

If no postal address is listed on your invoice or the website, call Times' customer service line and request the official cancellation mailing address before sending your letter.

Phone support hours

Times customer service operates during standard business hours, typically 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday (Australian Eastern Time). Call outside these hours to check the current support availability and any holiday closures.

Final thoughts: take control of your subscriptions

Cancelling Times doesn't have to be confusing or stressful. Follow the steps outlined above, document everything, and don't hesitate to escalate to your bank or the ACCC if Times ignores your cancellation request. You have rights under Australian Consumer Law, and those rights protect you even when subscription companies make cancellation deliberately difficult.

Stopee was built to help you navigate exactly these situations. Our guides cover hundreds of subscriptions and services, and we provide step-by-step cancellation instructions so you keep control of your money and your accounts. Whether you're cancelling Times or managing a dozen other subscriptions, Stopee makes it simple. Start today, and reclaim the peace of mind that comes with knowing your subscriptions are exactly what you want-no surprises, no hidden charges, no frustration.