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How to cancel inquirer plus and stop recurring charges in the philippines

Understanding inquirer and why you might want to cancel

Inquirer Plus is a paid digital subscription service tied to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, one of the country's most recognised news brands. When you subscribe, you gain access to premium articles, the digital newspaper edition, and ad-lite app features - but you also authorise recurring monthly or yearly charges until you cancel.

Many Philippine readers find themselves paying for digital access they no longer use, or they've discovered free alternatives that serve their needs better. Whatever your reason, cancelling before your next billing cycle protects your money and stops unwanted charges. Stopee exists to help you navigate this process without confusion or delay.

What you get with an inquirer plus subscription

Your subscription covers digital access to the Philippine Daily Inquirer's full content library, exclusive stories not available to free readers, and premium app features on iOS and Android devices. The service does not include print newspaper delivery - it is purely digital.

Most subscribers pay either ₱149 per month or ₱1,490 per year, depending on which plan they chose at signup. You may have purchased through the official Inquirer Shop website, the iOS App Store, or Google Play for Android, and each method requires a different cancellation approach.

Why people cancel inquirer plus

Readers cancel for straightforward reasons: they stopped reading regularly, they found free local news sources like Bulatlat or Peanut Gallery Media Network that meet their needs, or they simply want to trim their monthly subscription expenses. Others discover they prefer broader entertainment and news coverage through services like WilTV and reallocate their budget there.

Whatever your motivation, cancelling before your renewal date is the most cost-effective move you can make right now.

Your consumer rights under philippine law

The Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7394) protects your right to cancel recurring subscription services and prohibits companies from hiding cancellation methods or making the process deliberately difficult. You have the explicit right to demand a refund if you cancel within a reasonable period after purchase, particularly if Inquirer fails to deliver the service you paid for.

What the consumer act says about subscriptions

Under the Consumer Act, merchants selling subscription services must clearly disclose the terms, billing frequency, and cancellation procedure before you complete payment. If Inquirer's cancellation process is intentionally obscured, delayed, or made unreasonably difficult, you have grounds to file a complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Consumer Protection Group.

You are also protected against unauthorised charges. If Inquirer continues to bill your card after you cancel, you can dispute those charges with your bank and escalate the matter to the DTI if the company refuses to refund.

Escalation options if inquirer refuses to cancel

If you request cancellation through the official channels - phone, email, or website - and Inquirer does not honour your request within 5 business days, you can file a complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry in Manila. The DTI's Consumer Protection Group handles subscription disputes and can compel companies to process refunds.

Document every cancellation request you make, including dates, confirmation numbers, and the names of any support staff you speak with. This record becomes crucial evidence if you need to escalate.

Cancellation methods available to you

Inquirer offers three primary cancellation routes depending on where you subscribed, and using the correct method ensures your cancellation processes without delay. Stopee recommends identifying your subscription source first, then following the steps specific to that platform.

Cancel through the inquirer plus website or account page

The fastest route for most subscribers is logging into your Inquirer Plus account on the official website and locating the cancellation option in your profile settings. This method works only if you originally subscribed through the Inquirer Shop website (shop.inquirer.com.ph) and not through an app store.

Cancel through the app store or google play

If you subscribed using your Apple ID or Google Play account, you must cancel through that platform's subscription management interface, not through Inquirer's website. The company does not process app-based cancellations directly - Apple and Google control your subscription status.

Cancel by phone or email

You can contact Inquirer's subscription team directly during business hours to request cancellation. This method creates a documented record of your cancellation request and is useful if you need to escalate a dispute later.

Step-by-step cancellation for each method

Follow the instructions below based on where you originally subscribed, and save screenshots at each stage to confirm your cancellation went through.

Cancelling on the inquirer plus website

1. Open your web browser and visit shop.inquirer.com.ph
   • Log in using the email address and password tied to your subscription account
   • If you forgot your password, use the "Forgot Password" link and reset it via the confirmation email
2. Navigate to your profile or account settings
   • Look for a menu option labelled "My Account", "Profile", or "Subscriptions"
   • If the menu is not visible, click your name or profile icon in the top right corner
3. Find your active Inquirer Plus subscription in the list
   • Review the plan name, renewal date, and billing amount to confirm this is the correct subscription
   • Note the exact renewal date - this matters if you need to request a refund later
4. Click the "Cancel my subscription" button or equivalent option
   • Warning: Some interfaces ask you to confirm your cancellation decision before finalising it. Read the confirmation prompt carefully and click the final confirmation button
5. Wait for the cancellation confirmation page to load
   • Take a screenshot showing the cancellation was successful and the status now reads "Cancelled"
   • Note the exact date and time of cancellation from the page
6. Check your email for a cancellation confirmation message
   • Inquirer usually sends a confirmation email within 15 minutes to the address tied to your account
   • If no email arrives within 1 hour, contact support to verify your cancellation was processed

Pro tip: If you see an error message saying "Unable to process your request" or similar, refresh the page and try again. If the error persists, proceed to the phone or email method instead.

Cancelling through apple app store (iOS)

1. Open the Apple App Store app on your iPhone or iPad
   • Do not open the Inquirer app itself - Apple subscriptions are managed through the App Store app only
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner
   • This is usually a circle with your profile picture or initials
3. Select "Subscriptions" from the menu that appears
   • You will see a list of all your active and expired app subscriptions
4. Locate "Inquirer Plus" or "Philippine Daily Inquirer" in the subscriptions list
   • Tap it to open the subscription details page
5. Tap "Cancel Subscription" or "Edit Subscription"
   • Apple offers you the chance to keep access until your current billing period ends, then it cancels renewal
   • This is the correct option - you keep the service until your paid period expires, then it stops automatically
6. Confirm the cancellation by tapping the final "Confirm" or "Cancel Subscription" button
   • Take a screenshot showing the subscription status now reads "Expires [date]" instead of "Renews [date]"

Warning: If you see a red "Manage" button instead of "Cancel", tap "Manage" first and then look for the "Cancel Subscription" option on the next screen. Do not close the App Store app until you see the final confirmation that cancellation succeeded.

Cancelling through google play (Android)

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device
   • Tap your profile icon in the top right corner (usually a circle with your Google account initial)
2. Select "Payments and subscriptions" from the menu
   • Then tap "Subscriptions"
3. Find "Inquirer Plus" or "Philippine Daily Inquirer" in your active subscriptions list
   • Tap the subscription name to open its details
4. Tap "Cancel subscription"
   • Google displays a cancellation reason form; select any reason from the dropdown if required, but this does not affect your refund eligibility
5. Review the cancellation summary showing your final billing date
   • Confirm this matches the renewal date you noted earlier
6. Tap "Cancel subscription" again to confirm
   • Take a screenshot of the final confirmation message
   • Google sends a cancellation confirmation email within minutes to your registered account email

Pro tip: If Google Play says "We couldn't cancel your subscription", close the Play Store app, clear its cache (Settings > Apps > Google Play Store > Storage > Clear Cache), then reopen it and try again.

Cancelling by phone

1. Gather your subscription information before calling
   • Have your account email, subscription plan name, and billing amount ready
   • Note the phone number and any confirmation number from your last invoice
2. Call Inquirer's subscription support line at 0908-8966000
   • Calls are accepted Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Philippine Standard Time (PHT)
   • Warning: Support is not available on weekends or public holidays. If your renewal date falls on a Friday, do not wait until the following Monday
3. Tell the representative you want to cancel your Inquirer Plus subscription
   • Provide your account email and the date you originally subscribed
   • Confirm the plan you are cancelling (monthly ₱149 or yearly ₱1,490)
4. Ask for a cancellation reference number
   • Write down this number immediately - it becomes your proof of cancellation if any dispute arises later
5. Request a cancellation confirmation email
   • Tell the representative to send written confirmation to your account email so you have documentation
   • If they say they cannot email confirmation, ask for their name and note the time of the call for your records

Pro tip: Call early in the business day - Monday and Tuesday mornings typically have shorter wait times than Friday afternoons. Use a local Philippine phone line if possible, as international call routing can add delays.

Cancelling by email

1. Compose an email to subscription@inquirer.com.ph
   • Use a subject line like "Cancellation Request: [Your Email Address]"
2. Include all required information in the email body
   • Your full name and account email address
   • Your subscription plan (monthly or yearly) and the date you subscribed
   • Your next renewal date and current billing amount
   • A clear statement: "I request immediate cancellation of my Inquirer Plus subscription effective today"
3. Send the email and take a screenshot of your sent message
   • Include the sent timestamp in your records
4. Wait for a confirmation reply
   • Inquirer typically responds within 24 to 48 business hours (not counting weekends)
   • If you do not receive a reply within 2 business days, follow up with a second email or call 0908-8966000 to confirm receipt
5. Save the cancellation confirmation email
   • Do not delete it - keep it indefinitely as proof your cancellation was requested and honoured

Warning: Email cancellations take longer than website or phone cancellations. If your renewal date is within 3 days, use the website method or phone line instead to ensure the cancellation processes before you are billed again.

Cancellation timing and what happens next

The moment you cancel, your status changes but your access does not stop immediately - you keep full access until the end of your current billing period. After that date, the service locks you out and your card will not be charged again.

What happens in the hours and days after you cancel

Immediately after cancellation, you see a status change in your account from "Active" to "Cancelled" or "Expires [date]". Inquirer sends a confirmation email, usually within 15 minutes if you cancelled through the website, and within 1 to 2 hours if you cancelled by phone or email.

Your card is not charged on the renewal date because your subscription is now flagged as cancelled. You continue to access all premium content and features until midnight on your final billing date, then the app or website locks you out automatically.

Accessing your account after cancellation

You can still log in and view your cancellation status, past invoices, and confirmation details even after the subscription expires. Keep logging in periodically to confirm you are not being billed again - if you see an unexpected charge after your cancellation date, contact support immediately.

Refunds and billing disputes

Inquirer's standard policy does not refund the current billing period once you cancel, even if you cancel on the first day after payment. However, Philippine consumer law offers exceptions, and Stopee recommends exploring these options if circumstances warrant a refund.

When you might qualify for a refund

You have grounds to request a refund if Inquirer failed to deliver the service you paid for - for example, if you could not access premium articles or the app crashed repeatedly. You also qualify for a refund if Inquirer violated the Consumer Act by hiding its cancellation method or making cancellation deliberately difficult.

Additionally, if you discover you were charged twice in a single billing cycle, or if charges continued after you successfully cancelled, request a full refund of the duplicate or unauthorised amounts.

How to request a refund

1. Contact Inquirer's support team with full details
   • Email subscription@inquirer.com.ph with your refund request, explaining why you believe you deserve one
   • Include your account email, the date of the charge, the amount, and the specific reason (service failure, unauthorised billing, duplicate charge, etc.)
2. Allow 5 to 7 business days for a response
   • Inquirer reviews refund requests and either approves, denies, or requests additional information
3. If Inquirer denies your refund, escalate to the DTI
   • File a consumer complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry Consumer Protection Group in Manila
   • Provide copies of your cancellation request, the charge statement, and Inquirer's denial email
4. If the charge remains on your card after 30 days, dispute it with your bank
   • Contact your credit card or debit card issuer and file a chargeback for "services not rendered" or "subscription not cancelled as requested"
   • Your bank will investigate and typically refund the charge within 10 to 14 business days

Pricing and subscription plans at a glance

The yearly plan saves you ₱298 annually compared to paying monthly, but it also ties up ₱1,490 in a single charge. If you are unsure whether you will use the service long-term, the monthly plan offers more flexibility.

Common cancellation mistakes to avoid

Cancelling a subscription can feel straightforward, but a single mistake often results in unexpected charges and frustration - and you deserve better than that. Stopee has seen these errors countless times, and we want to help you sidestep them entirely.

Mistake 1: cancelling the app instead of the subscription

Deleting the Inquirer app from your phone does not cancel your subscription. Your card is still charged on the renewal date because the subscription exists at the payment platform level (Inquirer's website, Apple's servers, or Google's servers), not just on your device. Always cancel through the account settings or support team, never just by uninstalling.

Mistake 2: forgetting which platform you subscribed through

You cannot cancel an App Store subscription through the Inquirer website, and vice versa. If you subscribed on iOS, you must cancel in the App Store app. If you signed up through Inquirer Shop, you must cancel on the website. Trying to cancel in the wrong place wastes time and leaves your subscription active. Cross-reference your original receipt email to confirm where you purchased.

Mistake 3: cancelling too late in the billing cycle

Inquirer processes cancellations based on when you request them, not when they want to process them. If your renewal date is tomorrow and you email a cancellation request today, the company may not process it in time, and you will be billed anyway. If your renewal is imminent, use the website or phone method - both are faster than email.

Mistake 4: not saving proof of cancellation

Screenshots and confirmation emails are your only evidence that you cancelled. Without them, if a dispute arises, you cannot prove to your bank or the DTI that you made the request. Save every confirmation page, confirmation email, and support conversation transcript indefinitely.

Mistake 5: assuming a cancellation request means you are cancelled

Sending an email or calling support does not guarantee your cancellation has processed - it only means you asked. Always confirm through your account dashboard that the status shows "Cancelled" or "Expires [date]", not "Active". Check your account the day before renewal to be absolutely sure.

After cancellation: what to do next

Cancelling is just the first step - you also want to ensure no future charges surprise you and that you have found a replacement news source if you need one. The days after cancellation are the time to tie up these loose ends.

Monitor your accounts for unexpected charges

Even after successful cancellation, set a phone reminder for 2 days after your renewal date. Log into your bank account and confirm that no charge from Inquirer appeared. If you see an unexpected ₱149 or ₱1,490 charge, contact your bank immediately to dispute it - do not wait.

Find a free or cheaper alternative

The Philippines has strong free news sources that offer quality reporting without a paywall. Bulatlat focuses on investigative and grassroots journalism, while Peanut Gallery Media Network covers technology and culture. If you want some paid entertainment alongside news, WilTV offers broader programming at a different price point. Stopee recommends trying these alternatives before committing to another paid subscription.

Review your other subscriptions

Now that you have cancelled one service, it is worth auditing your other recurring charges. Look through your credit card or bank statements for any other monthly or yearly subscriptions you no longer use. Many people discover they are paying for multiple services they forgot about - cancelling even one or two more can free up significant money annually.

Pricing breakdown and comparison

Checklist: confirm your cancellation before your next billing date

Use this checklist in the days leading up to your renewal date to confirm everything is in order and no charges will surprise you.

• Take a screenshot of your account showing subscription status as "Cancelled" or "Expires [date]"
• Save the cancellation confirmation email from Inquirer or the app store
• Write down your final billing date and confirm it is in the past or today
• Check your bank and credit card statements for any charge on or after the renewal date
• Log in to your Inquirer account and confirm you can no longer access premium content after the billing period ends
• Verify no new charges appear in your online banking 48 hours after the renewal date
• If you cancelled by phone or email, confirm you received written confirmation from Inquirer
• Save all documentation in a folder on your computer or cloud storage for future reference

Contacting inquirer for cancellation support

If you run into trouble during cancellation, reach out to Inquirer's subscription team directly. Here is the contact information available to Philippine subscribers.

Phone support for inquirer plus cancellation

Call the Inquirer subscription hotline at 0908-8966000 or 02-8-897-8808. Support hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Philippine Standard Time. Have your account email, subscription plan, and next billing date ready when you call.

Email support for inquirer plus cancellation

Email your cancellation request to subscription@inquirer.com.ph. Include your full name, account email, subscription plan, and the date you want to cancel. Expect a response within 24 to 48 business hours (excluding weekends and public holidays).

Physical office location

Inquirer's main office is located at Media Resource Plaza Building in Manila. If you prefer to cancel in person, you can visit during normal business hours, though calling or emailing is faster for most subscribers outside Manila.

Summary: you have the power to cancel

Cancelling your Inquirer Plus subscription is straightforward when you follow the right steps for your subscription type and take screenshots along the way. Whether you subscribed through the website, Apple App Store, or Google Play, clear instructions exist, and support staff are available to help if you get stuck.

Remember that Philippine consumer law (Republic Act No. 7394) protects your right to cancel, and if Inquirer refuses to honour your cancellation request or continues charging you after you cancel, you have the right to escalate to the Department of Trade and Industry.

Stopee has helped thousands of consumers cancel recurring subscriptions across the Philippines, and we know the frustration that comes with hidden fees and confusing processes. By following this guide, saving your documentation, and acting before your renewal date, you take control of your money and ensure no unexpected charges reach your account. If you encounter any barriers to cancellation, escalate confidently - you are protected by law, and Stopee stands ready to help you understand your rights.