Cancel Highlights: The Right Way

How to cancel Highlights magazine subscription in malaysia and avoid repeat charges

What is Highlights and how it works in malaysia

Highlights is a United States-based children's content brand that delivers educational magazines, activity boxes, and book club selections to subscribers worldwide, including Malaysia. The service operates through its official online shop at shop.highlights.com and charges subscribers in United States dollars via automatic renewal. For Malaysian readers, understanding that Highlights is a cross-border subscription service matters because it affects your cancellation rights, refund timelines, and how you can escalate disputes with your bank.

The subscription model and what you pay for

Highlights sells several recurring subscription types: annual magazine subscriptions (such as High Five Magazine or Highlights + brainPLAY Bundle), activity boxes delivered quarterly or monthly, and book club shipments for children aged 2 to 12. Most plans renew automatically every 12 months unless you cancel before the renewal date. The company sends email reminders 30 to 45 days before your next charge, but these reminders often arrive in your spam folder or go unread. Your responsibility is to act on that reminder or cancel proactively through the official account page.

Because Highlights operates from the United States with no confirmed Malaysian office or local support line, you will experience time zone delays when contacting support and may face higher international shipping costs on top of the subscription price. Payment is typically card-based and cross-border, which is important if you need to dispute a charge with your bank or card issuer in Malaysia.

Why malaysian subscribers face cancellation challenges

Many Malaysian readers struggle to cancel Highlights because the company does not clearly advertise a Malaysian payment address or local phone line. If you subscribed through the App Store or Google Play rather than the official Highlights website, your cancellation instructions are different and must be completed through the app store platform instead. Confusion over which cancellation method applies to you is the leading reason subscribers get charged again after they believe they have cancelled.

Understanding whether you subscribed on the Highlights shop website, through Apple App Store, or through Google Play is the first step to cancelling without accidental rebilling. Tocancel recommends taking a screenshot of your current subscription page and your payment method before you start so you have proof if the company later disputes your cancellation request.

Your consumer rights under malaysian law

As a Malaysian consumer, you have legal protections when you cancel a recurring subscription, even if the service provider is based overseas.

Consumer protection act 1999 and automatic renewal

The Consumer Protection Act 1999, enforced by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDNKP), requires that any company offering automatic renewal subscriptions must obtain your clear consent before charging you, give you a reminder at least 7 days before the renewal, and provide a simple cancellation mechanism. This means Highlights must honour your cancellation request if you follow the proper channel and cancel before the renewal date.

Your legal position is straightforward: you have the right to cancel at any time, and the company must stop charging you once you submit a valid cancellation request through the official method. If Highlights continues to charge you after you have cancelled through the account page, you can dispute that charge with your card issuer (your bank in Malaysia) and report the company to KPDNKP.

What you can do if Highlights refuses to cancel or keeps charging you

If you cancel through the correct method and Highlights still charges your card, you have three escalation options. First, contact your bank or card issuer immediately and dispute the transaction as unauthorised. Most Malaysian banks will reverse the charge within 30 to 60 days if you provide evidence that you cancelled. Second, email Highlights support with a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation and demand a refund in writing. Third, lodge a formal complaint with KPDNKP if the company ignores your dispute within 14 days. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers navigate these steps and recover unwanted charges.

Record every communication with Highlights support, including email dates, support ticket numbers, and responses. This evidence is essential if you need to escalate to your bank or to KPDNKP later.

How to cancel Highlights step by step

Your exact cancellation process depends on which platform sold you the subscription. Follow the correct path for your situation to avoid missed steps that could result in continued billing.

Cancel if you subscribed on shop.highlights.com

If you signed up directly on the Highlights website shop, use the official account cancellation page to stop your subscription. This is the most common subscription method for Malaysian readers.

1. Go to shop.highlights.com and sign into your account using your email and password.
   • If you have forgotten your password, click the "Forgot Password" link and reset it via email.
2. Navigate to the "My Account" or "Account Settings" section.
   • Look for a "Subscriptions" or "Active Subscriptions" tab.
3. Find the subscription you want to cancel and click "Actions" or "Manage".
   • Take a screenshot of the subscription details before you proceed so you have proof of the cancellation.
4. Select "Cancel Subscription" or "Cancel Renewal" from the menu.
   • Do not click "Pause" unless you want to temporarily stop receiving shipments and resume later.
5. Review the cancellation terms and confirm by clicking "Proceed" or "Cancel My Subscription".
   • The system will ask you to confirm your decision. Read this page carefully because it will show your final billing date.
6. Screenshot the final confirmation page showing your cancellation is complete.
   • This confirmation page is your proof. Save it to your email or device.
7. Check your email inbox (including spam) for a cancellation confirmation from Highlights within 1 to 2 hours.
   • If you do not receive a confirmation email within 4 hours, log back in and verify the subscription no longer appears in "Active Subscriptions".

Cancel if you subscribed through apple app store

If you signed up for Highlights through the Apple App Store or purchased an App Store subscription in-app, you must cancel through your Apple account settings, not through the Highlights website.

1. Open the Apple App Store app on your iPhone or iPad.
   • On an iPad, navigate to "Account Settings" at the bottom right corner of the screen.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Subscriptions".
   • This shows all active App Store subscriptions linked to your Apple ID.
3. Find "Highlights" in the list and tap it.
   • If you see multiple Highlights entries, look for the one that shows "Renews on [date]".
4. Tap "Cancel Subscription" or "Edit Subscription".
   • Some older App Store versions show a red "Unsubscribe" button instead.
5. Confirm the cancellation by tapping again if prompted.
   • Apple will show a final screen with your cancellation date (usually at the end of your current billing period).
6. Screenshot this final confirmation screen.
   • Return to the Highlights entry and verify it now shows "Expired" or no renewal date.

Cancel if you subscribed through google play store

If you are an Android user and subscribed through Google Play, cancel using your Google Play account, not the Highlights website.

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
   • If you do not have it, download it from the Google Play Store home page on your phone.
2. Tap the profile icon in the top right corner and select "Payments and Subscriptions".
   • This is usually found under "Manage Google Account".
3. Tap "Subscriptions".
   • Google will display all active subscriptions linked to your Google account.
4. Find and tap "Highlights".
   • If the app name differs slightly (for example, "Highlights Kids" or "Highlights Magazine"), tap the entry that matches your subscription.
5. Tap "Cancel Subscription" at the bottom of the screen.
   • Google may ask you to confirm your reason for cancelling.
6. Confirm the cancellation and screenshot the final confirmation message.
   • Verify that Google Play no longer lists this subscription under your active subscriptions.

What happens after you cancel

After you cancel, your access to Highlights content and shipments depends on your current billing period and the company's policies.

Timeline after cancellation

When you cancel before your renewal date, Highlights will stop charging you after your current billing period ends. If your next renewal was scheduled for 1 March 2025 and you cancel on 15 February 2025, you will continue to receive the magazine or box until 1 March, then billing stops. You will not receive a partial refund for unused time remaining in the current period unless the company makes a discretionary offer. Tocancel advises cancelling at least 7 days before your renewal date to ensure processing time.

If you cancel after the renewal has already happened (for example, you notice the charge on your bank statement on 5 March after being charged on 1 March), contact Highlights support immediately and request a reversal. Most companies will refund a charge made within the last 30 days if you cancel quickly and explain that you did not intend to renew.

Checking that cancellation worked

Log back into your Highlights account or app store account 24 to 48 hours after you cancel and verify that your subscription no longer appears in the "Active Subscriptions" section. If it still shows as active, log out, clear your browser cache, and try again. If the subscription still appears after 48 hours, email Highlights support with your cancellation confirmation screenshot and ask for manual verification. Tocancel recommends this verification step because it catches errors before your next billing date.

Refunds and what to expect

Highlights does not typically offer refunds for cancellations made after the renewal date has passed, because the current billing period is already in progress.

When you can request a refund

You have a valid claim for a refund if you cancel within 14 days of being charged and have not received or opened the magazine or box. Under Malaysian consumer law, you have a 14-day cooling-off period from the date of purchase to request a refund for goods not yet delivered or opened. However, once you have received and opened the product, your right to a refund diminishes because the company has completed its obligation.

If you were charged without your consent or after you already cancelled, you have the right to dispute that charge with your bank regardless of the 14-day window. Contact your bank immediately with proof of your cancellation (screenshot of the cancellation confirmation page) and the disputed charge. Your bank will typically reverse unauthorised charges within 30 to 60 days.

How to request a refund from Highlights

Email Highlights support at [email protected] with your order number, the date you were charged, your cancellation screenshot, and a clear request for a refund. Include your Malaysian phone number and email address. Specify whether you are requesting a refund because you cancelled within 14 days, you were charged in error, or you were charged after cancelling. Expect a response within 5 to 7 business days. If Highlights refuses the refund and you believe the charge is incorrect or unauthorised, dispute it with your bank and report the issue to KPDNKP.

Pricing and subscription options

Understanding the different Highlights plans and their renewal dates helps you plan your cancellation timing.

All prices are shown in United States dollars. Your bank will charge you in Malaysian ringgit (RM) at the current exchange rate on the transaction date, so your actual cost may vary. Annual plans offer better value per issue than monthly plans, but they also mean larger upfront charges and longer commitment periods. If you are unsure whether Highlights suits your child, start with a monthly plan to test the service before committing to an annual renewal.

Common mistakes that lead to repeat charges

Cancelling a subscription sounds simple, but many Malaysian subscribers make small errors that result in continued billing long after they thought they had stopped it.

The most common cancellation mistakes

The biggest mistake is cancelling on the wrong platform. If you subscribed through the App Store but cancel on the Highlights website, the app store subscription remains active and you will be charged again. Similarly, many subscribers delete the Highlights app thinking that stops the charges, but it does not. The subscription remains linked to your Apple ID or Google account and renews automatically. Tocancel has fielded hundreds of complaints from Malaysian parents who discovered unexpected charges months after deleting the app.

Another frequent error is cancelling too close to the renewal date. If your renewal is 28 February and you cancel on 27 February, there is only one day for Highlights to process your request. If the system processes orders in batches, your cancellation might arrive after the renewal has already been charged. Cancel at least 7 days before your renewal date to ensure processing time.

A third mistake is not saving proof. If you cancel but do not screenshot the confirmation page, and Highlights later charges you, you have no evidence of your cancellation request. The company can claim you never cancelled, and you will struggle to dispute the charge with your bank. Always screenshot the final confirmation page and save the cancellation confirmation email.

Finally, many subscribers ignore the renewal reminder email because it goes to spam, then forget to cancel before the renewal date. Set a phone reminder 10 days before your renewal date so you have time to cancel if you want to. Tocancel recommends adding the renewal date to your phone calendar the moment you see the first reminder email.

Checklist before and after cancellation

Use this checklist to ensure your cancellation is complete and protect yourself from accidental rebilling.

Should you cancel or keep your Highlights subscription

Deciding whether to cancel depends on your child's engagement level, your budget, and whether you have found better alternatives.

Reasons to keep your subscription

Highlights offers high-quality educational content designed by child development experts and has won numerous awards. If your child reads the magazine cover to cover and actively uses the activity boxes, the subscription delivers genuine value. The bundled plans (such as Highlights + brainPLAY) also offer cost savings compared to buying individual subscriptions, so bundled subscribers typically keep their plans longer. If your child enjoys the surprise of receiving a physical box by post, and you can manage the international shipping costs, Highlights remains a worthwhile investment.

Reasons to cancel

Cancel if your child no longer reads the magazines or uses the activity box within one month of receipt. Cancel if the international shipping costs and currency conversion make the total price too high for your household budget. Cancel if you have found free or cheaper alternatives (such as school libraries, digital learning apps, or local children's publications). Cancel if the cross-border payment and communication challenges with United States-based support frustrate you, and you prefer to buy educational content from Malaysian vendors. Tocancel recommends reassessing your subscription every year to ensure it aligns with your child's current interests and your financial priorities.

Contact information for Highlights

If you need to contact Highlights for support, use the official channels below. Note that response times may be slower than local Malaysian vendors because Highlights operates from the United States.

Highlights support contacts

Email: [email protected]

Website: shop.highlights.com

Phone (United States): Contact through the website's help page; no dedicated Malaysian phone line is available.

Mailing address (for formal complaints): Highlights for Children, P.O. Box 269, Columbus, Ohio 43216-0269, United States.

For technical issues with cancellation through your app store account, contact Apple Support (support.apple.com) or Google Play Support (support.google.com/googleplay) instead of Highlights directly, because app store subscriptions are managed by Apple or Google, not by Highlights.

Where to escalate if Highlights does not respond

If you have cancelled and been charged anyway, or if Highlights support does not respond to your refund request within 14 days, lodge a complaint with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDNKP) at complaints.kpdnkp.gov.my or call their hotline. Provide your cancellation screenshot, the disputed charge, and a copy of your email to Highlights support. You can also dispute the charge directly with your Malaysian bank or card issuer, who will investigate the transaction and reverse it if they agree the charge is unauthorised or resulted from a billing error.

Summary

Cancelling Highlights in Malaysia is straightforward if you use the correct platform and cancel at least 7 days before your renewal date. Your cancellation rights are protected by the Consumer Protection Act 1999, which requires automatic renewal companies to process cancellation requests and stop charging you once you submit a valid request through the official method. Screenshot every step, verify your cancellation 24 to 48 hours later, and check your bank statement on the renewal date to confirm no charge appears. If Highlights continues to charge you after you have cancelled, dispute the charge with your bank and report the company to KPDNKP.

Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers across Malaysia cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover duplicate charges by providing clear, step-by-step guidance and empowering readers to understand their rights under Malaysian consumer law. Whether you are cancelling Highlights because your child has outgrown it or because the international shipping costs have become unmanageable, follow the checklist above and keep your cancellation proof safe. You have the right to cancel at any time, and no company should charge you without your consent.