Manage Swtor

How to cancel your SWTOR subscription in new zealand and protect your gaming account

What is SWTOR and how subscriptions work

Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR) is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed by BioWare and operated by Electronic Arts. In New Zealand, you access SWTOR either as a free-to-play player or through a paid subscription, each with different levels of in-game content and features.

The subscription model includes recurring monthly charges, optional prepaid game-time cards, and purchasable virtual currency called Cartel Coins. You manage your account and billing through swtor.com, Steam, or third-party platforms depending on where you originally purchased your subscription.

Subscription tiers and what you get

SWTOR offers a tiered subscription structure designed for different player types. Your subscription grants access to expansions, faster progression, priority queue access, and expanded inventory slots. Free-to-play players can experience the base game with limitations, while subscribers unlock the full experience including story content and endgame activities.

Understanding your current tier matters before you cancel, because downgrading differs from full cancellation. At Stopee, we help thousands of New Zealand players understand exactly what they lose when they cancel, so you can make an informed decision.

Where your subscription renews

Your subscription renews on your billing date each month or each three months, depending on your chosen plan. The renewal charge hits your payment method automatically unless you cancel before that date. If you purchased through Steam, your subscription renews through Steam, not directly through EA.

This distinction is critical: cancelling on swtor.com alone will not stop a Steam subscription from renewing. You must cancel where you subscribed.

New zealand consumer protection laws and your rights

Consumer guarantees act protections

New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 protects you when purchasing digital services like SWTOR subscriptions. Under this law, goods and services must be of acceptable quality, fit for purpose, and as described by the seller.

If SWTOR is unfit for purpose, crashes consistently, or differs materially from how it was marketed, you have grounds to request a refund or remedy from EA. However, this protection typically applies to the initial purchase, not ongoing subscriptions you voluntarily chose to continue.

Your cancellation rights under NZ law

The Consumer Guarantees Act does not grant a blanket right to cancel subscription services simply because you change your mind. However, you retain the right to cancel at any time by following the provider's cancellation process. Electronic Arts must provide a clear, accessible cancellation mechanism.

If EA makes cancellation deliberately difficult or impossible to find, this may breach the Fair Trading Act 1986, which prohibits misleading or deceptive conduct. Stopee advocates for transparent, straightforward cancellation processes because you deserve access to your own account controls.

Escalation through consumer affairs NZ

If you cancel SWTOR and EA refuses to honour your cancellation or disputes a refund claim, you can lodge a complaint with Consumer Affairs New Zealand (CANZ). They investigate breaches of consumer law and can mediate disputes.

Gather your email confirmations, billing statements, and screenshots of your cancellation request before escalating. CANZ operates as a free public service and takes complaints seriously when businesses ignore cancellation requests.

How to cancel your SWTOR subscription step by step

Cancelling through SWTOR.com (the recommended method)

The swtor.com cancellation process is straightforward and takes fewer than five minutes. This method works for subscriptions purchased directly from Electronic Arts and is the fastest route to cancellation.

1. Visit swtor.com and log in using your EA account credentials.
   • If you cannot remember your password, use the "Forgot password" link on the login page.
   • Have your email address ready for account recovery if needed.
2. Click your account name in the top-right corner and select "Settings" or navigate directly to Account Management.
   • Look for a profile icon or account menu specific to your account.
3. In the left sidebar, locate and click "Subscriptions" or "Billing".
   • You will see your active subscription listed with the next renewal date displayed.
4. Find the button labelled "Cancel subscription" or "Manage subscription" and click it.
   • Some accounts show a red "Cancel" button; others use a dropdown menu.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts, which may ask why you are cancelling. Answer honestly if you wish, but your reason does not affect your cancellation.
   • EA sometimes offers retention discounts at this point; accept or decline as you prefer.
6. Confirm your cancellation by clicking the final "Confirm cancellation" button.
   • You will receive an email confirmation from EA within minutes.

Pro tip: Take a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation page. EA occasionally shows "pending cancellation" status that resolves within one billing cycle. The screenshot proves you initiated the cancellation on time if billing questions arise later.

Cancelling a steam-based SWTOR subscription

If you purchased your SWTOR subscription through the Steam platform, you must cancel through Steam, not through swtor.com. Cancelling only on swtor.com will leave your Steam subscription active and you will be charged at your next renewal date.

1. Open the Steam application or visit steampowered.com and log in.
   • Use the same Steam account that purchased the SWTOR subscription.
2. Click your account name in the top-right corner and select "Account" or "View account details".
   • On the web, go directly to your account page via the main menu.
3. Navigate to "Manage Subscriptions" or a similar billing section.
   • The exact wording varies; look for "Subscriptions", "Purchases", or "Billing".
4. Locate SWTOR in your active subscriptions list.
   • You will see the next renewal date and the amount you will be charged.
5. Click "Cancel subscription" next to the SWTOR entry.
   • Confirm when Steam asks if you want to proceed.
6. Steam will send you a cancellation confirmation email to your registered address.
   • Keep this email as proof of cancellation.

Warning: Do not assume cancelling your SWTOR.com account cancels your Steam subscription. These are separate billing systems. Always cancel on the platform where you subscribed.

Getting help from EA support

If you cannot locate your subscription settings or encounter errors during cancellation, contact EA Support directly. They handle account-specific issues and can manually process a cancellation request on your behalf.

1. Visit help.ea.com and search for "cancel SWTOR subscription".
   • EA's support portal includes self-service articles and live chat options.
2. Select the option to contact an agent or start a live chat session.
   • Have your account email and the date of your last subscription charge ready.
3. Explain that you wish to cancel your SWTOR subscription immediately.
   • Be specific: "Cancel my subscription effective immediately" or "Cancel before my next renewal date on [date]."
4. Request written confirmation of the cancellation via email.
   • This creates a paper trail if a charge appears after cancellation.

EA Support typically responds within 24 to 48 hours during New Zealand business hours. If you are cancelled immediately, you may receive a refund for the prorated portion of your subscription if you cancelled mid-cycle; however, this is at EA's discretion and not guaranteed.

Current SWTOR subscription pricing in new zealand

Active subscription plans and NZD costs

SWTOR pricing in New Zealand is set in NZD and updated regularly. Pricing varies depending on whether you subscribe for one month, three months, or six months upfront. Longer commitments typically reduce the monthly cost.

Prices are subject to change and may vary on Steam due to platform fees. Always verify current pricing on swtor.com before purchasing or upgrading.

What happens after you cancel your SWTOR subscription

Your account and remaining game time

Cancelling your subscription does not immediately delete your account or remove your characters. Your account remains accessible, and any prepaid game time you purchased continues to work until it expires.

Once your remaining prepaid time runs out, your account automatically converts to free-to-play status. You will retain access to your characters, but you lose subscriber-exclusive features like expanded inventory, priority queue access, and story content from expansions.

Billing and future charges

The moment you confirm your cancellation, recurring billing stops. You will not be charged again after your current subscription period ends. If you cancelled mid-cycle, you are typically not refunded for unused time; your subscription remains active until the renewal date you originally agreed to.

Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from EA or Steam within 24 hours. This confirmation states your cancellation effective date and confirms no further charges will occur.

Cartel coins and virtual currency

Any Cartel Coins in your account remain yours. Cancellation does not remove virtual currency. You can continue spending Cartel Coins on cosmetics and convenience items even as a free-to-play player, though earning coins monthly through the subscriber stipend stops.

Cartel Coins cannot be refunded for cash or converted to real money under EA's Digital Services Agreement. This is standard across the gaming industry.

Refund eligibility and how to request one

When you may qualify for a refund

SWTOR refunds are rare but possible under specific circumstances. You may qualify for a refund if you purchased a subscription in error, were incorrectly charged, or the service was materially misrepresented.

EA's standard policy denies refunds for virtual currency, cosmetic items, and subscriptions once the billing cycle has begun. However, New Zealand consumer law allows remedies if the service is unfit for purpose or substantially breaches agreed terms.

How to request a refund through EA

1. Gather documentation: your order confirmation email, bank or credit card statement showing the charge, and screenshots of any service issues if applicable.
   • Have dates and amounts ready to reference.
2. Visit help.ea.com and open a support case titled "Refund request for SWTOR subscription".
   • Provide as much detail as possible: why you believe you deserve a refund and what happened.
3. Submit your documentation and wait for EA to review your case.
   • EA typically responds within 5 to 10 business days.
4. If EA declines, you may escalate to Consumer Affairs New Zealand if you believe the denial violates the Consumer Guarantees Act or Fair Trading Act.
   • Stopee recommends keeping all correspondence with EA for your complaint file.

Pro tip: If your bank or credit card provider offers purchase protection or chargeback rights, you can escalate through them if EA refuses your refund. Most NZ banks support consumer disputes on digital service charges.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling SWTOR

Cancelling a subscription can feel stressful, especially if billing issues have frustrated you in the past. We have seen countless players make small errors that delay cancellation or leave them vulnerable to unexpected charges.

Mistake 1: cancelling in one place only if you subscribe through multiple platforms

The most frequent cancellation error occurs when players subscribe on both swtor.com and Steam, then cancel in only one location. Weeks later, they discover a charge from the platform they forgot to cancel.

Before you cancel anywhere, check both swtor.com and Steam for active subscriptions. If you have subscriptions in both places, cancel both. Stopee's support specialists see this mistake repeatedly, and it is entirely preventable with a quick audit of your billing sources.

Mistake 2: assuming free-to-play access means your account is gone

Many players believe cancelling means they lose their characters immediately. This is false. Your characters and account persist indefinitely as long as you log in at least once every two years. You can return to SWTOR as a free-to-play player months or years later and find your progress intact.

Mistake 3: ignoring the "reconsider" offers during cancellation

During your cancellation, EA may offer a discount to keep you subscribed. If you are certain you want to cancel, ignore this and proceed. However, if you are on the fence, a 50% discount for one month is sometimes worth considering.

Do not let shame or pressure from retention offers change your mind if your real reason for cancelling is financial hardship or disinterest. Your money and free time matter more than EA's revenue.

Mistake 4: not saving your cancellation confirmation email

Your cancellation confirmation email is your proof that you requested cancellation on a specific date. If an unexpected charge appears after you cancelled, this email is your defence. Forward it to your bank or card provider as evidence if you need to dispute the charge.

Mistake 5: cancelling through account deletion instead of subscription cancellation

SWTOR offers both subscription cancellation and permanent account deletion. These are separate actions. Cancelling your subscription converts you to free-to-play; deleting your account removes your characters permanently and is irreversible. Choose subscription cancellation unless you truly want your account erased.

After cancellation: what to do next

Once you have cancelled, you may feel uncertain about what happens. The period between clicking "confirm" and your renewal date passing can feel long, so here is what you should do to protect yourself.

Confirm the cancellation in writing

Send a brief email to EA Support confirming your cancellation request. Reference the date you cancelled and include your account email. Request written acknowledgement. This creates a second layer of documentation if billing disputes arise.

Monitor your next billing date

Mark your calendar for the date your subscription was set to renew. On that date, check your bank or credit card statement to confirm no charge appeared. If a charge does appear, contact your bank immediately and request a chargeback, citing your cancellation confirmation as evidence.

Keep your confirmation emails

Save your cancellation confirmation email in a dedicated folder. If you ever need to dispute a charge or prove you cancelled, this email is your proof. Stopee recommends saving these indefinitely for digital service cancellations.

Consider account recovery options

If you convert to free-to-play and later decide to resubscribe, reactivating your subscription is simple. Return to swtor.com, log in, and click "Reactivate subscription". Your characters and account remain unchanged.

Key points to remember before you cancel

Get expert cancellation support from stopee

Cancelling SWTOR is straightforward when you follow these steps, but billing disputes and retention tactics can complicate the process. Stopee has helped thousands of consumers across New Zealand cancel subscriptions with confidence, avoid unexpected charges, and understand their rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act.

If you encounter resistance from EA, need help understanding your account, or want to escalate a billing dispute, Stopee offers free guides and escalation templates tailored to your situation. Visit stopee.com to access our full library of cancellation resources.

You have the right to cancel your subscription at any time. Stopee exists to make sure you can exercise that right without confusion, delay, or unexpected charges.

Electronic arts contact information for new zealand

Online support

Electronic Arts does not publish a dedicated New Zealand postal address for SWTOR cancellation. All cancellations and support requests must be handled through your online account or via EA Support.

• SWTOR official website: swtor.com
• EA Help portal: help.ea.com
• SWTOR support: swtor.com/support
• Consumer Affairs New Zealand: consumer.affairs.govt.nz (for disputes)

For billing inquiries

If your cancellation is not reflected in your billing, or you have questions about your subscription charge, contact EA Support with your account email and the date of the charge in question. Provide your cancellation confirmation email if you have already cancelled.

Stopee recommends always requesting written confirmation of billing changes to create a clear record of your communication with EA.