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Cancel The Times: The Right Way
How to cancel your times subscription and reclaim your money
Understanding your times subscription and why cancellation matters
The Times represents one of the United Kingdom's longest-established news publications, operating since 1785 under the News UK umbrella. When you subscribe to The Times, you enter into a legally binding distance contract governed by the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 and the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Understanding your contractual position before you cancel is essential, because The Times operates multiple subscription models with different cancellation rights depending on what you've purchased.
Whether you've signed up for digital-only access, print editions, or a combined package, you hold specific consumer protections under UK law. Stopee recognises that subscription services can be confusing, which is why we've created this guide to walk you through cancellation step-by-step. Your decision to cancel deserves clarity, not barriers.
What the times subscriptions include
The Times delivers content across print, digital website, and mobile applications for both iOS and Android. Your subscription model determines which platforms you can access. A digital-only subscription gives you unlimited online access and the mobile app. Print subscriptions cover daily or weekend editions delivered to your door. Combined packages bundle both, offering the most comprehensive access but at premium pricing.
Each subscription type operates on either a rolling monthly contract or a fixed annual term. Monthly contracts renew automatically unless you cancel within the specified notice period. Annual contracts lock you in for 12 months, though you retain cancellation rights under consumer law.
Your legal position as a UK consumer
The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 grant you a 14-day cooling-off period from the moment your contract begins. This means you can cancel without reason or penalty within 14 days of purchase, even if you've already started reading. After the cooling-off window closes, your cancellation rights depend on your contract terms and notice periods.
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 also protects you against unfair contract terms. If The Times imposes unreasonable cancellation charges or notice periods longer than three months, you have grounds to challenge those terms through the relevant consumer authority.
Times subscription pricing and contract types
Pricing varies significantly depending on your subscription model and payment frequency.
Digital and print package costs
| Subscription type | Approximate monthly cost | Billing frequency | Contract type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital only | £26 | Monthly or annual | Rolling or fixed-term |
| Weekend print | £26-£30 | Monthly rolling | Continuous contract |
| Daily print | £35-£39 | Monthly rolling | Continuous contract |
| Print and digital bundle | £39-£45 | Monthly or annual | Rolling or fixed-term |
| Introductory offers | £1-£10 (temporary) | Variable (typically 4-8 weeks) | Introductory then standard |
The Times frequently offers introductory pricing that undercuts standard rates significantly. These promotional terms come with hidden conditions: after the promotional period ends, your price automatically jumps to the standard rate unless you cancel. Many subscribers miss this transition and find themselves paying substantially more without warning.
Understanding promotional periods and price increases
When you accept an introductory offer, The Times will notify you before your price increases, but the notification may arrive by email to an address you rarely check. Stopee advises you to mark your calendar the moment you subscribe so you can decide whether to continue or cancel before the higher rate applies. If you didn't receive notification, you can use this as grounds to challenge the price increase with customer service.
Reasons to cancel your times subscription
Your reasons for cancelling are yours alone, and UK consumer law does not require you to justify your decision. However, understanding what's driving your cancellation can help you avoid similar situations in future.
Common reasons subscribers cancel
Many readers cancel because the introductory price has climbed too steeply, or because reading habits have shifted and the daily habit no longer fits their routine. Others find digital access sufficient and no longer need print delivery. Some subscribers realise they're paying for content they don't consistently consume. Financial hardship, redundancy, or budget cuts force others to make difficult cancellation decisions.
If cost is your barrier, check whether you qualify for any subscriber discounts before cancelling. Students, seniors, and certain professional groups sometimes access discounted rates. If your income has dropped, you may also have grounds to request a temporary pause rather than full cancellation.
When cancellation makes financial sense
Calculate your annual spend. At £26 per month for digital access alone, you're committing to £312 annually. If you read fewer than three articles per week on average, cancelling may be the logical choice. If you're in your cooling-off period (within 14 days of purchase), you can cancel for any reason without penalty.
Stopee has helped thousands of consumers audit their subscriptions and identify which ones deliver genuine value. Be honest with yourself: would you miss The Times content enough to justify the ongoing cost?
How to cancel your times subscription
The cancellation process depends on how you purchased your subscription and which platform you use.
Cancelling a digital-only subscription
Most digital subscriptions can be cancelled through your online account, though The Times does not make this process obvious from their homepage. Follow these steps carefully.
- Visit www.thetimes.com and log in with your email address and password
- If you've forgotten your password, select "Forgot password" and follow the reset email
- Check your spam folder if the reset email doesn't arrive within 5 minutes
- Click your profile icon (usually top-right corner) and select "Account" or "Settings"
- The exact label varies depending on your browser and device
- On mobile, you may need to select a hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) first
- Locate "Subscription" or "Billing" in your account menu
- This is where The Times displays your current plan and renewal date
- Take a screenshot of this page before proceeding - you'll need proof of cancellation
- Select "Cancel subscription" or "Manage subscription"
- Warning: The Times often presents retention offers (discounts or free months) before showing the cancel button. These offers reset your contract clock, so decline unless you genuinely want to stay
- Confirm your cancellation reason (optional) and submit
- The Times uses this feedback to refine their service, so provide honest detail if you wish
- You are not obligated to provide a reason
- Expect an immediate confirmation email to your registered address
- The email confirms your cancellation date and final charge date
- Pro tip: save this email and the confirmation page screenshot in a dedicated folder for your records
Cancelling print or combined subscriptions
Print and bundled subscriptions sometimes require direct contact with customer service, as the online account system may not allow cancellation of physical delivery. Contact The Times using the methods below.
- Phone The Times customer service on 0330 333 3000 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)
- Have your account number and postcode ready - the team will ask for these to verify your identity
- Expect to wait 5-15 minutes during peak hours (9am-12pm)
- State clearly: "I want to cancel my Times subscription effective immediately"
- Do not say "I'd like to pause" or "I'm thinking about cancelling" - be direct
- The adviser may offer retention discounts; decline unless you're genuinely interested
- Confirm your cancellation date and final payment date before ending the call
- Ask the adviser to email confirmation to your account email address
- Request a cancellation reference number for your records
- Alternative: email customer.enquiries@news.co.uk with your subscription cancellation request
- Include your full name, email address, account number, and the phrase: "Please cancel my subscription effective immediately"
- Expect a response within 2-3 business days
- Warning: email is slower than phone, so use it only if you have flexibility on your cancellation date
Cancelling via app or third-party payment platforms
If you subscribed through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, you may have the option to cancel through those platforms rather than The Times directly.
- For Apple subscriptions: Open the App Store, tap your profile icon, select "Subscriptions," find "The Times," and choose "Cancel Subscription"
- Your cancellation applies immediately for future renewals
- You can continue accessing the app until your current billing period ends
- For Google Play subscriptions: Open Google Play, tap your profile icon, select "Payments and Subscriptions," then "Subscriptions," find "The Times," and tap "Cancel Subscription"
- Access continues until the end of your current billing cycle
- Regardless of which platform you use, also log into The Times website directly and cancel through your account
- Pro tip: cancelling in both places prevents accidental double-charging if either platform experiences a synchronisation error
Understanding the times notice periods and timing
Your cancellation date depends on your contract type and when you submit your cancellation request.
Notice periods and final charges
Monthly rolling contracts typically require 30 days' notice before cancellation takes effect. This means if you cancel on the 15th of the month, your subscription ends on the 15th of the following month, and you pay for that final month. If you're within your 14-day cooling-off period, you can cancel immediately without serving notice.
Annual contracts operate differently. If you're still within the 14-day cooling-off window from your purchase date, you can cancel without penalty. After that window closes, you may be locked into the full year, though you can request early termination and negotiate an exit fee.
Pro tip: If you purchased within the last 14 days, cancel immediately and you'll avoid any final charges. If you're beyond that window, calculate whether the final month's cost is worth it or whether you should cancel effective immediately with a small outstanding balance.
Refunds and what to expect after cancellation
Your refund eligibility depends entirely on when you cancel relative to your cooling-off period.
Refunds within the 14-day cooling-off period
If you cancel within 14 days of your subscription start date, you have an automatic right to a full refund of all payments made, including any introductory charges and the first month's payment. The Times must process this refund within 14 days of your cancellation request.
You can request this refund via email to customer.enquiries@news.co.uk with the subject line "Cooling-off period refund request" and the message: "I am requesting a refund for my Times subscription under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. My subscription began on [DATE]. Please process a full refund to my original payment method."
Include your account number, email address, and the date you're submitting the request. Warning: The Times has been known to delay refund processing, so follow up if you don't see the refund within 21 days.
Refunds after the cooling-off period
Once your 14-day cooling-off period expires, you lose the automatic refund right. However, you do retain the right to cancel, and you'll only owe payment through your notice period end date. No refund is due for the cancelled portion of your billing cycle.
If you've already paid for a full year and you cancel midway through, The Times is unlikely to refund the unused portion under standard contract law. However, if you can demonstrate financial hardship or that The Times failed to provide the agreed service, you may have grounds to escalate.
What happens to your access after cancellation
Digital access typically continues until the end of your final billing period. Print delivery will cease on your cancellation date or within 5-7 working days. You'll receive a final invoice reflecting any outstanding balance, and then no further charges should appear.
Stopee recommends monitoring your bank statement for 60 days after cancellation to catch any erroneous charges. If a charge appears after your cancellation date, contact your bank immediately and file a dispute - this is much faster than negotiating with The Times directly.
Your consumer rights under UK law
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 protect you throughout your Times subscription relationship.
The 14-day cooling-off right explained
This is your most powerful protection. From the moment your contract begins (not from when you purchase it), you have 14 calendar days to cancel without reason or penalty. The Times cannot charge you for content already consumed during this period if you exercise this right. You have an absolute entitlement to a full refund, including any introductory discounts or free trial weeks.
To invoke this right, you must notify The Times in writing or electronically. Email is sufficient and creates a dated record. The clock stops the moment The Times receives your cancellation notice, not when you send it, so send it early in the day to avoid any ambiguity.
Protections against unfair contract terms
The Consumer Rights Act 2015 forbids The Times from including "unfair terms" in its contract. An unfair term is one that creates a significant imbalance in the parties' rights and disadvantages you substantially. Examples include automatic renewal without clear reminder, excessive cancellation fees, or notice periods longer than three months for continuous contracts.
If you believe The Times has imposed an unfair term, you can complain to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) or the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). Stopee has seen consumers succeed in challenging unfair auto-renewal practices, so don't assume you're stuck if the contract feels one-sided.
Distance selling protections
Because you purchased online or by phone, your contract is classified as a "distance contract." The Times must provide you with clear information before you purchase: the subscription price, the cancellation process, the contract duration, and any auto-renewal terms. If The Times failed to provide this information clearly, your cancellation rights may be extended beyond 14 days.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Cancellation can feel stressful, especially if you're trying to manage multiple subscriptions. Here are the pitfalls Stopee sees repeatedly.
Mistake 1: relying on email confirmation alone
The Times' email confirmations are helpful but not foolproof. If the email system glitches, you might not receive confirmation even though your cancellation processed. Always take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation page immediately after submitting your request. Pairs this with the confirmation email and keep both for at least one year.
Mistake 2: cancelling the wrong service by accident
If you subscribed through Apple or Google, simply deleting the app or signing out does not cancel your subscription. Many readers discover months later that they've been charged despite thinking they cancelled. Always cancel through your account settings on the platform you used to purchase, and verify the cancellation by checking your subscriptions list again 24 hours later.
Mistake 3: missing the cooling-off window deadline
The 14-day window closes on a specific calendar date. If you count from memory ("I think I signed up about two weeks ago"), you risk falling one or two days short. Check your confirmation email for the exact purchase date, count 14 days forward, and submit your cancellation request well before that deadline - ideally on day 10 or 11.
Mistake 4: accepting retention offers without reading the terms
When you request cancellation, The Times frequently intervenes with discount offers: "Keep your subscription for just £15 per month for the next six months." These are retention tactics designed to lock you back into a new contract. If you accept, you restart your cancellation clock, meaning you'll need to wait another 30 days to exit without penalty. Decline unless you genuinely want to stay.
Mistake 5: not requesting proof of cancellation
If you cancel by phone, the adviser may say "Your subscription is cancelled." This is not the same as receiving written confirmation. Always ask for a cancellation reference number, confirmation email address, and the date the cancellation takes effect. Write these down during the call.
Your checklist for successful cancellation
Use this list to ensure you've covered all bases before and after your cancellation.
| Action | Timing | Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Locate your subscription confirmation email | Immediately | [ ] |
| Check your cooling-off window (14 days from purchase) | Before cancelling | [ ] |
| Review your contract terms and notice period requirement | Before cancelling | [ ] |
| Submit your cancellation request via phone or email | At least 30 days before desired exit (if beyond cooling-off) | [ ] |
| Request cancellation reference number and confirmation email | During/immediately after cancellation | [ ] |
| Screenshot your account showing cancellation confirmed | Same day as cancellation | [ ] |
| Monitor your bank statement for final charges | For 60 days after cancellation | [ ] |
| Confirm no further charges appear | 14 days after final billing date | [ ] |
What to do if the times refuses your cancellation
Stopee rarely sees The Times flatly refuse cancellations, but disputes do occur - usually over cooling-off eligibility or notice period calculations.
If the times claims you're outside your cooling-off period
Request evidence that your 14-day window has closed. The clock runs from your contract commencement date, which may differ from your payment date. If The Times claims day 15 has passed but your confirmation email shows you subscribed recently, the calculation is wrong. Respond in writing (email) with your subscription confirmation and ask for clarification.
If the times refuses to cancel citing contract terms
Request a written explanation of the contract term blocking your cancellation. Compare it against the Consumer Rights Act 2015 standard (is it unfair?). If the term appears to unfairly restrict your cancellation right, escalate to the CMA or your local Trading Standards office. Stopee recommends requesting escalation to The Times' complaints department before involving regulators - sometimes a supervisor will override their front-line team.
Escalation contacts if the times doesn't respond
If The Times doesn't respond to your cancellation request within 14 days, or if they refuse without justification, contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) or report to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). You can also file a complaint with Citizens Advice consumer service, which will escalate on your behalf to Trading Standards.
After your cancellation: what happens next
The moment you submit your cancellation is not the moment your subscription ends. Understanding the timeline prevents confusion and unwanted charges.
Immediate aftermath (day 1 to 7)
You'll receive a confirmation email within 24-48 hours. This email states your cancellation date and final payment date clearly. Your digital access continues unchanged through your final billing period. If you subscribed to print, delivery drivers may not immediately stop calling - logistics can lag by 5-7 days.
Pro tip: Reply to the confirmation email asking for written confirmation of your cancellation date, final charge amount, and the date after which no further charges should appear. This creates an additional record and clarifies expectations.
Final billing period (varies by contract)
You'll see your last charge appear on your billing date, typically around the same day each month. This final charge covers access through your notice period end date or the end of your current monthly cycle, whichever is later. After this charge posts, no further charges should appear.
Long-term monitoring (30 to 365 days after final charge)
Monitor your bank statement monthly for unexpected Times charges. Erroneous re-billings can occur if a system glitch re-activates your subscription. If you spot a charge you didn't authorise, contact your bank immediately and file a dispute. Your bank will recover the funds much faster than negotiating with The Times directly.
Save your cancellation confirmation email and screenshot for one year. This proves you cancelled if any dispute arises.
Comparing the times to similar news subscriptions
If you're cancelling The Times, you may be considering alternatives or reassessing subscription costs generally.
| Publication | Monthly digital cost | Cooling-off period | Notice to cancel |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Times (digital) | £26 | 14 days | 30 days (rolling) |
| The Guardian unlimited | Free (supported by memberships from £15) | 14 days (if membership) | Varies by membership tier |
| The Telegraph+ | £16.30 (monthly) / £130 (annual) | 14 days | 30 days (rolling) |
| Financial Times Digital | £60 (standard) / £119 (premium) | 14 days | 60 days (rolling) |
| The Economist Print + Digital | £121.56 (quarterly) | 14 days | 30 days (rolling) |
The Times remains premium-priced relative to The Telegraph and The Guardian, though it offers extensive coverage across news, sport, and analysis. If cost is your concern, consider whether The Telegraph+ at £16.30 monthly meets your news consumption needs, or whether selective subscriptions (one premium publication plus free sources) better fit your budget and reading habits.
Contact information for times customer service
If you need to reach The Times for cancellation or billing queries, use these verified contact methods:
Phone support: 0330 333 3000 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm UK time)
Email support: customer.enquiries@news.co.uk
Postal address (for formal correspondence): The Times Customer Service, News UK & Ireland Limited, 3 Thomas More Square, London E98 1ST
If you're escalating a complaint or invoking your consumer rights: Direct your letter to the Complaints Team at the postal address above, or email with the subject line "Formal consumer complaint - Consumer Rights Act 2015 breach."
Final thoughts: you have the power to cancel
Cancelling a subscription feels unnecessarily complicated because companies design it that way - they hope you'll abandon the attempt and remain a customer. But your rights are clear under UK consumer law, and you have every entitlement to cancel on your terms.
Whether your cancellation stems from financial pressure, changing priorities, or simply realising you're not reading enough to justify the cost, your decision deserves respect. Stopee exists to support consumers in taking control of their subscriptions, and this guide arms you with the exact steps, legal references, and contact information you need to cancel without friction.
Follow the checklist, keep your confirmation emails, and monitor your bank statement. If The Times resists or charges you after cancellation, you now know how to escalate to regulators who will enforce your rights. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscriptions successfully, and your Times cancellation is no different. Take action today, and reclaim that £26 monthly into your budget.