Manage The Week

How to cancel The Week magazine subscription in malaysia and avoid hidden charges

What is The Week and why malaysian readers subscribe

The Week is a weekly news digest that condenses coverage from dozens of sources into one lightweight read. Instead of chasing stories across multiple outlets, you pay for convenience: summaries, opinion, and analysis delivered once per week. For busy professionals in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and across Malaysia, this appeals because it saves time while keeping you informed.

The subscription model offers three formats: digital-only (app and website access), print-only (physical magazine by post), or print plus digital (both). Most Malaysian subscribers choose digital because international print shipping can be slow and costly. You get unlimited access to archives, daily editions, and early access to the weekly magazine under the digital plan.

Here's the catch: The Week operates on US billing cycles and US customer service hours. Support runs Monday to Friday, 6am to 8:30pm Eastern Standard Time (EST), and Saturday, 7am to 5pm EST. When you're in Malaysia trying to cancel after work hours, reaching a human becomes difficult. This is why many subscribers turn to Stopee (stopee.com) for guidance on cancelling international subscriptions-we help you navigate time zones and billing systems designed overseas.

Pricing in malaysian ringgit

The Week displays prices in US dollars on signup, but your credit card converts to Malaysian ringgit (MYR). Based on current exchange rates, here's what you typically pay annually:

Pro tip: Exchange rates fluctuate daily, so your actual ringgit charge may differ slightly from these estimates. Check your statement to see the exact MYR amount charged by your bank.

The auto-renewal trap and trial period

The Week offers a 6-week free trial to new subscribers. After six weeks end, your subscription automatically converts to a paid plan unless you cancel before the trial closes. The company sends a renewal notice about 30 days before charging your payment method on file, but if that email lands in your promotions folder, you may miss it entirely. This is where many Malaysian subscribers discover unexpected charges on their statement and feel frustrated by the lack of warning.

Your consumer rights when cancelling in malaysia

Malaysia's Consumer Protection Act 1999 gives you specific rights when dealing with subscription services, especially those charged to your credit card or bank account.

What the consumer protection act 1999 protects you

Under Section 88 of the Consumer Protection Act 1999, you have the right to cancel a distance contract (including online subscriptions) within 14 calendar days of signing up, with a full refund. This applies even if you started your free trial. If The Week refuses to refund within this window, you can escalate to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP) in Malaysia.

Additionally, Section 130 requires that any continuous or recurring subscription must display cancellation terms clearly at the point of sale. If The Week's terms were buried or unclear when you subscribed, you have grounds to request a refund based on misleading contract presentation.

For disputes beyond 14 days, your bank's chargeback process offers protection if The Week continued charging after you requested cancellation. Malaysian banks typically allow 120 days to dispute an unauthorised charge, though you must act promptly.

When to contact KPDNHEP and how

If The Week refuses your cancellation or refund request, contact the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs directly. You can lodge a complaint via their portal at consumer.kpdnhep.gov.my or call the Consumer Hotline at 1-800-886-800 (toll-free, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm Malaysia Standard Time). Keep screenshots of all communication with The Week and your bank statements as evidence.

Methods to cancel The Week from malaysia

Cancellation routes depend on how you subscribed-direct, via Apple, via Google, or via Direct Debit mandate. Using the wrong method can leave your subscription active while you think it's cancelled.

Cancel if you subscribed directly through The week's website

This is the most common route for Malaysian subscribers. The Week does not offer a self-service cancellation button in your account dashboard, which is frustrating. Instead, you must contact their customer service team directly. Here's the exact process:

1. Visit theweek.com/contactus or email [email protected] with subject line: "Subscription Cancellation Request"
2. Include in your email:
   • Your full name
   • Email address linked to your subscription
   • Billing address (if different from email)
   • Current subscription plan (Digital, Print, or Print + Digital)
   • Renewal date from your last invoice
   • Request statement: "Please cancel my subscription effective immediately and confirm cancellation in writing"
3. Wait for a response within 2 to 3 business days (remember they work US Eastern Time, so allow extra time for timezone differences)
4. Request written confirmation of cancellation and effective date
5. Take a screenshot of the confirmation email for your records

Warning: Do not assume silence means approval. Follow up if you don't hear back within 3 business days. Set a calendar reminder to check your bank statement on your next renewal date to confirm no charge occurs.

Cancel if you subscribed through apple app store

If your subscription appears under Apple ID billing on your statement, you must cancel within Apple's ecosystem, not by emailing The Week. Cancelling only by email will leave your Apple subscription active.

1. Open the Apple App Store app on your iPhone or iPad
2. Tap your profile icon (top right corner)
3. Select "Subscriptions"
4. Find "The Week" in your active subscriptions list
5. Tap "The Week" and select "Cancel Subscription"
6. Confirm cancellation (Apple will offer to show you a reason survey; you can skip this)
7. You'll receive an Apple confirmation email immediately

Your access continues until the current billing cycle ends. After that date, the app will show a message that your subscription has expired and you must renew to continue.

Cancel if you subscribed through google play

Android users who subscribed via Google Play must cancel there instead of contacting The Week directly. The process is similar to Apple:

1. Open Google Play on your Android phone or tablet
2. Tap your profile icon (top right)
3. Select "Manage my subscriptions" or "Payments and subscriptions"
4. Find "The Week" in your active subscriptions
5. Tap "The Week" and select "Cancel subscription"
6. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm
7. Google will email you a cancellation receipt

Pro tip: Both Apple and Google allow you to cancel before your next billing date. They'll ask if you want to leave feedback; provide brief detail so the platform flags service issues to The Week management.

Cancel if you set up a direct debit mandate

If you authorised a Direct Debit payment from your Malaysian bank account, cancellation requires two steps-email The Week AND contact your bank to revoke the mandate.

1. Email The Week ([email protected]) with your cancellation request as outlined in the direct website section above
2. Contact your bank's customer service (ask for the Direct Debit / Standing Order cancellation desk)
3. Provide your bank with:
   • The Week's biller name and reference number (on your past statements or invoice)
   • Your account number linked to the Direct Debit
   • Request to cancel the Direct Debit mandate effective immediately
4. Ask your bank to send written confirmation of mandate cancellation
5. Save this confirmation alongside The Week's email response

Warning: Skipping the bank step is the most common mistake. Even after The Week confirms cancellation, if your Direct Debit mandate stays active at your bank, they may attempt to charge you again at renewal. You must formally cancel both sides.

Refunds and what happens after cancellation

Refund eligibility depends on when you cancel and your subscription status. Understanding your options prevents disappointment when your credit card statement arrives.

Refund eligibility and timeline

Within 14 days of signup (including free trial period): You qualify for a full refund of any charges paid. Contact The Week's support team and explicitly request a refund, not just cancellation. Provide your transaction confirmation number from your receipt or bank statement.

After 14 days but before next renewal: The Week typically does not refund the unused portion of a paid subscription. However, if you cancel before your renewal date, no charge occurs on that future date. Check your invoice to confirm the exact renewal date and cancel before it arrives.

Immediately after renewal charge: If The Week charged you and you notice within a few days, contact them immediately to request a refund of the recent charge. Some companies will refund if you catch it within 7 days of the charge. Frame your request as: "I did not authorise this latest renewal; please refund the charge on [date] for [amount]."

If The Week refuses a refund you believe is justified, ask for escalation to their billing department or file a dispute with your bank. Your bank can reverse the charge if The Week cannot provide evidence that you authorised continued billing. This is a strong position under Malaysia's Consumer Protection Act 1999.

What access you retain after cancellation

Once your cancellation is processed, access timelines vary by plan:

• Digital subscriptions: You lose access at the end of your current billing cycle (not immediately)
• Print subscriptions: You receive any already-mailed issues; future issues do not ship
• Print + Digital: Print access ends at cycle end; digital access ends simultaneously

Pro tip: Before your access ends, download any digital issues you want to keep for personal archives. Once your subscription expires, The Week may not let you re-download past issues even if you paid for them.

Common mistakes people make when cancelling The Week

Cancelling an overseas subscription feels needlessly complicated because it is-and you're not the first Malaysian subscriber to feel this frustration. Here are the mistakes that trap people into continued charges:

Mistake 1: assuming email cancellation requests are processed automatically

You send an email to [email protected] on a Friday evening (Malaysian time). Days pass. No response. You assume it's handled. Then your next renewal charge hits your account, and you realise your email was never acted upon. The Week receives hundreds of support emails weekly; yours may have been missed or marked as spam. Always request written confirmation and follow up if you don't receive it within 3 business days.

Mistake 2: cancelling only through the app, not the billing platform

You delete The Week app from your phone thinking that's cancellation. It isn't. The subscription remains active on Apple or Google Play and charges you on renewal day. Always cancel through the exact platform (Apple App Store, Google Play, or direct website) where you originally subscribed, not by deleting the app or emailing The Week without also confirming via the app store.

Mistake 3: ignoring the direct debit mandate after emailing The Week

You email The Week to cancel, receive confirmation, and feel relieved. But you never contacted your bank to revoke the Direct Debit mandate. At renewal time, The Week attempts to charge your bank account again. Even though you technically cancelled with The Week, the mandate remains active at your bank, and the charge goes through. Your bank may then create confusion about who to blame. Cancel the mandate at your bank immediately after confirming cancellation with The Week.

Mistake 4: not screenshotting renewal dates and charges

You cancel but don't save proof of your renewal date, last charge, or cancellation confirmation. When a surprise charge appears weeks later, you cannot prove you asked to cancel or when you're supposed to lose access. Screenshots are your evidence. Collect them now, not when the problem arises.

Timeline and checklist for cancelling The Week

Use this step-by-step timeline to keep your cancellation on track and catch any errors before they cost you money.

Before you submit your cancellation

• Log into your The Week account and screenshot your subscription plan, renewal date, and current billing amount
• Find your last two invoices or bank statements showing The Week charges
• Confirm whether you subscribed directly, via Apple App Store, via Google Play, or via Direct Debit
• If you subscribed via Direct Debit, find your bank statement showing The Week's biller reference number
• Download any digital issues you want to keep before access ends
• Write down the email address and phone number where you'll contact customer service

Day 1: submit cancellation request

• If direct subscription: Email [email protected] with your cancellation request, full name, email, plan, and renewal date
• If Apple App Store: Cancel through your Apple ID subscriptions menu and screenshot the confirmation
• If Google Play: Cancel through Google Play subscriptions menu and screenshot the confirmation
• If Direct Debit: Email The Week AND call your bank to revoke the mandate on the same day
• Save all confirmation emails and screenshots in a folder dated today

Day 3: follow up if no response

• Check your email spam folder for responses from The Week
• If you emailed directly and received no reply within 3 business days, send a follow-up email with subject "URGENT: Cancellation Confirmation Needed - [Your Email Address]"
• Include your original cancellation request date and ask for written confirmation

One week before renewal date: final verification

• Check your email for any renewal notices from The Week (they send about 30 days before charging)
• Log into your bank account and confirm that your next scheduled charge from The Week does not appear
• If a future charge still shows, immediately email The Week support again or call their support line

On or after your renewal date: verify no charge occurred

• Check your bank statement or credit card transactions to confirm no new charge from The Week appeared
• If a charge appears, immediately contact your bank to dispute it and reference your cancellation confirmation email
• Forward the dispute and cancellation proof to your bank's chargeback team

Comparing The Week to similar news subscriptions in malaysia

If you're cancelling because you found a better fit, consider these Malaysian and regional alternatives:

Pro tip: If you move to a Malaysian-based news service, billing and customer support happen in Malaysia Standard Time and ringgit, which simplifies cancellation if needed later.

Escalation: when to involve your bank and consumer authorities

You've emailed, followed up, and still face either no response or a refund denial. At this point, formal escalation protects your money and your rights.

Chargeback through your bank

Contact your bank's customer service and request a chargeback (or "reversal") of The Week charge. You'll need:

• The exact transaction date, amount in MYR, and The Week's merchant ID from your statement
• Email confirmation from The Week that you requested cancellation (or screenshot of rejection)
• Proof that you never authorised continued billing (cancellation confirmation email or app screenshot)

Your bank will launch a dispute investigation, typically completed within 20 to 30 days. If The Week cannot prove you authorised the charge, the bank will reverse it.

Complaint to KPDNHEP (Ministry of domestic trade and consumer affairs)

File a formal complaint if The Week refuses a legitimate refund or continues charging after cancellation. Visit consumer.kpdnhep.gov.my and lodge your complaint online, or call 1-800-886-800 (toll-free). Provide:

• Your full name and contact details
• The Week's company name and website
• Subscription details (plan, renewal date, amount charged)
• Screenshots of all communication with The Week and your bank
• Clear statement of what resolution you're seeking (refund, cancellation, etc.)

KPDNHEP can issue enforcement orders if The Week violates the Consumer Protection Act 1999. This carries real consequences for the company.

Why you should use stopee for subscription cancellations

International subscriptions involve currency conversion, time zone confusion, and customer service teams that don't operate in Malaysia. Stopee (stopee.com) helps thousands of Malaysian subscribers navigate exactly these issues every month. We provide step-by-step guides, tracking templates, and escalation support for subscriptions from The Week, The Economist, Apple TV+, and hundreds of other services.

By using Stopee, you skip the guesswork. Our guides are tested with real Malaysian subscribers in real time zones. We track your cancellation timeline, flag common mistakes before they happen, and connect you to consumer protection resources if a company refuses to honour your request. Stopee also helps you manage recurring charges so future cancellations are easier.

Whether you're cancelling The Week today or protecting yourself from surprise charges next month, Stopee (stopee.com) has the knowledge and tools to put you back in control. Thousands of consumers across Malaysia have used Stopee to cancel overseas subscriptions without stress or extra charges. You can too.

Contact The Week and escalation addresses in malaysia

Use these official contact channels to cancel or escalate your issue:

The Week customer service

• Email: [email protected]
• Website contact form: theweek.com/contactus
• Support hours: Monday to Friday, 6am to 8:30pm Eastern Standard Time (EST); Saturday, 7am to 5pm EST
• Note: No live chat available; email is your primary method

Malaysia consumer protection

• Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDNHEP): consumer.kpdnhep.gov.my
• Hotline: 1-800-886-800 (toll-free, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm Malaysia Standard Time)
• For Direct Debit disputes: Contact your bank's customer service desk immediately

Cancelling The Week as a Malaysian subscriber requires patience because support operates overseas. But you now have the exact process, your consumer rights, and clear escalation paths if needed. Take action today, follow the checklist, and Stopee is here to support your journey toward subscription independence.