Cancel Preply: Step-by-Step Guide

How to cancel Preply and stop auto-renewing charges in the philippines

What Preply is and why you might want to cancel

Preply is a global online tutoring platform that matches you with individual tutors for live lessons delivered via video. The service focuses on language learning-English, Spanish, French, Mandarin and many others-but also offers academic subjects and professional skills training. You book lessons on demand or choose a recurring subscription plan, paying per lesson based on your selected tutor's hourly rate.

Here is what matters for cancellation: Preply subscriptions renew automatically every 28 days, not every calendar month. This 28-day billing cycle catches many users off guard because it means you can be charged 13 times in a year instead of 12. If you are based in the Philippines and paying with a local card, GCash, Maya, or another digital wallet, those charges accumulate quickly if you do not cancel before your next renewal date.

How preply's pricing structure works

Tutor rates on Preply vary widely depending on experience, location, and qualifications. Individual lesson costs typically range from around PHP 200 to PHP 2,400 per lesson (roughly USD 4.00 to USD 40.00), while monthly subscription plans start at approximately PHP 600 (roughly EUR 10.00). Preply offers a 15% discount on your first monthly subscription if you sign up with a valid university email, but this discount does not affect your cancellation rights or the auto-renewal cycle.

Support channels and contact methods in the philippines

Preply does not operate a physical office in the Philippines. All customer support runs through their centralized online platform via 24/7 live chat inside your account and email at [email protected]. There is no dedicated Philippine phone line or local support team, which means your cancellation request will be handled by their global support department, typically within 24 to 48 hours.

Your consumer rights under philippine law

This section explains what the law gives you when you want to cancel and how to enforce those rights if Preply resists.

As a consumer in the Philippines, you are protected under the Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7394). This law gives you the right to cancel goods and services without penalty if you have a valid reason, and it requires companies to honor cancellation requests within a reasonable timeframe. Your legal position is straightforward: once you submit a cancellation request to Preply, they must stop all future charges and confirm your cancellation in writing.

Republic Act No. 7394 specifically covers distance contracts-transactions conducted entirely online without face-to-face negotiation-which is exactly how Preply operates. This means Preply must honor your cancellation request and cease all future billing once you submit your request. If they continue charging you after you cancel, you have the right to dispute the charge with your bank, GCash, or Maya and escalate to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) if needed.

While Republic Act No. 7394 protects your right to cancel, it does not automatically entitle you to a full refund of all lessons already paid unless you cancel within a specific window or if lessons have not yet been used. Tocancel advises you to document every step of your cancellation to protect yourself if a dispute arises later.

When you have the strongest legal position

You have the strongest case for a refund if you cancel within 14 days of your first purchase (the statutory cooling-off period under Philippine consumer law) or if you cancel before using lessons you have prepaid for. After 14 days, your refund entitlement depends on Preply's own cancellation policy and how much of the subscription period has elapsed. Therefore, do not delay cancellation if you are unhappy with the service-your legal protections are strongest when you act quickly.

Methods to cancel your Preply subscription

You have three main cancellation routes: cancel individual lessons, pause your subscription, or fully terminate your account and subscription plan. Each method has different timelines and refund implications, so choose carefully based on your situation.

Cancel a single lesson before the cutoff

If you want to keep your subscription active but skip one lesson, Preply allows you to cancel up to 12 hours before the lesson starts with no penalty. Follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Preply account on your computer or mobile device.
   • Use your email address and password or your Google/Facebook login.
2. Go to My Lessons in your account dashboard.
   • This is usually located in the top menu bar.
3. Find the lesson you want to cancel.
   • Look for the lesson date and tutor name in your upcoming lessons list.
4. Click the three-dot menu icon next to the lesson.
   • This opens a dropdown menu with cancellation options.
5. Select Cancel lesson.
   • Preply will ask you to confirm the cancellation.
6. Confirm your choice and submit.
   • Preply will send you a confirmation email within minutes.

Canceling a single lesson does not stop your subscription from auto-renewing. The key takeaway: if you want to cancel just one or two lessons but keep paying for your plan, this method works-but your subscription will still charge you on day 28.

Pause your subscription temporarily

If you need a break but do not want to cancel permanently, Preply allows you to pause your subscription for up to three months. Pausing stops all charges and removes you from your tutor's schedule without permanently closing your account. Here is how to pause:

1. Log in to your Preply account.
   • Navigate to your dashboard.
2. Go to Settings or Account Settings.
   • This is usually found in the bottom left or top right of your dashboard.
3. Select Subscription or Billing.
   • Look for the section that shows your current plan.
4. Click Pause subscription.
   • Choose your pause duration (up to three months).
5. Confirm the pause.
   • Preply will send you a confirmation email with your pause end date.

When your pause expires, your subscription will automatically resume and charges will begin again unless you cancel before the pause ends. Therefore, mark your calendar three months ahead so you do not forget to cancel if you decide not to return.

Cancel your subscription completely

To permanently cancel your Preply subscription and stop all auto-renewal charges, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Preply account on desktop or mobile.
   • Use your registered email and password.
2. Open Settings from your account menu.
   • Click the profile icon in the top right corner, then select Settings.
3. Navigate to Subscription or Billing.
   • You will see your current plan and renewal date.
4. Click Cancel subscription.
   • Preply may ask you why you are canceling-this is optional feedback.
5. Confirm your cancellation request.
   • You must click a final confirmation button to complete the cancellation.
6. Save or screenshot the confirmation page and email.
   • Preply will send a cancellation confirmation email to your registered email address within 24 hours.

Once you complete this process, your subscription will not renew on your next billing date. This means you will not be charged after cancellation, though you may still be able to access lessons you have already paid for until your billing cycle ends. Always confirm your cancellation by checking your email for Preply's confirmation message.

Cancel via email if the app or website fails

If you cannot cancel through your Preply account, you can request cancellation by email. Send a message to [email protected] with the following information:

• Your full name.
• Your registered email address on Preply.
• Your Preply account username.
• A clear statement: "I request to cancel my Preply subscription effective immediately."
• Your preferred date for cancellation (if you want it to take effect at a specific time).

Preply typically responds within 24 to 48 hours. Save a copy of your email and keep the confirmation from Preply in case you need to dispute charges later. This email trail becomes critical evidence if you need to involve your bank or escalate to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Understanding refunds and what you can expect

Your refund eligibility depends on when you cancel and how much of your subscription you have used.

Full refunds

You are entitled to a full refund if you cancel within 14 days of your first payment and have not used more than one lesson. This is the statutory cooling-off period under Philippine consumer law. Preply must process this refund within 10 business days of receiving your cancellation request.

Partial refunds

If you cancel after the 14-day cooling-off period but before your next renewal date, you may receive a partial refund for the unused portion of your subscription, depending on Preply's policy. This is not guaranteed by law, but Preply often honors partial refunds as a goodwill gesture. Contact [email protected] and reference your cancellation date and unused lesson credits to request this refund.

No refund scenarios

If you cancel after your billing cycle has already renewed, you will not receive a refund for the new charge unless you dispute it with your bank or payment provider. This is why timing is critical-cancel before day 28 of your current cycle to avoid being charged for another 28 days. In practice, you should cancel on day 1 if you know you do not want to continue, rather than waiting until the last moment.

Pricing table and subscription options

This table shows typical Preply pricing for Philippine users to help you calculate what you might owe or be refunded:

The key difference for cancellation is this: Tocancel recommends you choose pay-as-you-go if you are uncertain about commitment, because there is no auto-renewal. If you prefer a subscription for discounted rates, set a phone reminder for day 25 of your 28-day cycle so you remember to cancel before the next charge hits.

What happens after you cancel your subscription

Cancellation is not instant in all respects, so here is what to expect in the hours and days after you submit your request.

Immediate changes

Once you cancel, Preply removes you from your tutor's active schedule. Your tutor will see that you are no longer a regular student, and they will not expect you for future lessons. You will also lose access to schedule new lessons through your subscription, though you can still book pay-as-you-go lessons if you choose.

Access to completed lessons

You retain access to lesson recordings and materials for lessons you have already completed. Preply typically keeps these in your account history for up to one year after cancellation. Download any lesson materials or notes you want to keep before or immediately after canceling, as Preply reserves the right to delete inactive account data.

Final billing cycle

If you cancel mid-cycle (before day 28), you will not be charged again. Your current cycle ends on its scheduled day, and that is your last charge. If you cancel after your next renewal date has already passed, that charge is final and you will need to request a refund from [email protected] or dispute it with your bank.

Account reactivation

After cancellation, you can reactivate your account at any time by purchasing a new subscription. Your account data, progress notes, and tutor preferences will be preserved. However, Tocancel advises you to read Preply's terms again before resubscribing, as pricing or renewal policies may have changed.

Common mistakes to avoid during cancellation

Canceling a subscription can feel stressful, especially if charges have caught you off guard-so here are the errors that most people make and how to sidestep them:

Pausing instead of canceling

The biggest mistake is clicking Pause when you meant to click Cancel. Pausing stops charges temporarily, but your subscription resumes automatically after three months. If you do not want Preply at all, you must cancel, not pause. Go back to Settings right now and check whether your subscription says "paused" or "canceled." If it says paused, cancel it immediately to prevent a surprise charge in three months.

Not documenting your cancellation

Always save or screenshot your cancellation confirmation page and the confirmation email from Preply. If Preply continues billing you after cancellation (rare but it happens), you will need this proof to dispute the charge with your bank or the DTI. Tocancel has seen consumers lose disputes because they could not prove they had actually canceled. Your documentation is your legal shield.

Canceling on day 28 instead of day 1

If you cancel on day 28 (the day before renewal), the new charge may have already been processed by your bank. The safest approach is to cancel on day 1 or day 2 of your cycle, giving yourself the maximum buffer time. This means if you decide Preply is not for you, do it immediately rather than procrastinating.

Forgetting to cancel a paused subscription

If you pause for three months and then forget to cancel before the pause expires, you will be automatically re-charged. Mark your calendar now: if you paused on January 1, mark January 28 or 29 (before day 90) as your cancellation deadline. Tocancel recommends setting a phone reminder at least one week before the pause ends.

Using only the tutor cancellation button

Canceling individual lessons with your tutor is not the same as canceling your subscription. Some users think that by canceling all their lessons with a tutor, they have canceled their plan-but this is false. Your subscription will still auto-renew. You must cancel your subscription through Settings, not just your lessons.

Comparison table: cancel vs. pause vs. keep

Use this table to decide whether canceling, pausing, or continuing is right for your situation:

The core principle is this: Tocancel recommends that you act on your decision immediately, because waiting increases the risk of an unwanted auto-renewal charge. Every day you delay is money at risk.

If Preply refuses to cancel or continues billing you

In rare cases, Preply may refuse to process your cancellation or may continue charging you after you have submitted a cancellation request. Here is how to escalate:

Step 1: contact Preply support again

Send a second email to [email protected] with the subject line "Cancellation Not Processed - Account [Your Username]." Reference your original cancellation request email and ask for written confirmation that your subscription has been canceled. Request a response within 48 hours. Keep this email as evidence.

Step 2: dispute the charge with your bank or payment provider

If Preply continues charging you after you cancel, contact your bank, GCash, Maya, or other payment provider and report the charge as unauthorized. Provide them with your cancellation confirmation email or screenshot. Most financial institutions will reverse unauthorized charges within 10 to 15 business days. Frame your dispute clearly: "I canceled my subscription on [date], but Preply charged me on [date]. Here is proof of cancellation."

Step 3: escalate to the department of trade and industry (DTI)

If your bank dispute fails or Preply ignores your cancellation request, file a complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Philippine government agency that enforces consumer rights. You can file online at www.dti.gov.ph or visit your local DTI office. Provide your cancellation documentation, proof of charges, and correspondence with Preply. The DTI will investigate and can compel Preply to refund you and stop billing. Tocancel knows this process works-many consumers have successfully recovered unauthorized charges through DTI intervention.

Your consumer protection timeline

You have 60 days from the date of an unauthorized charge to dispute it with your bank. After 60 days, most payment providers will not reverse the charge. Therefore, act immediately if you notice a charge after cancellation. Contact your bank on the same day you discover the unauthorized charge, do not wait a week to see if it resolves itself.

Cancellation address for Preply

While Preply does not operate a physical office in the Philippines, you can send formal cancellation notices or complaints to their global support address. If you need to send written documentation for legal purposes, address it as follows:

Preply Global Support
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.preply.com/help
Live chat: Available 24/7 inside your Preply account

For formal complaints under Philippine law, you may also copy the Department of Trade and Industry on your correspondence to establish that you have attempted to resolve the issue directly with the company before escalating.

Final advice: take control of your subscription now

Preply is a legitimate educational platform with strong features and dedicated tutors, but its 28-day auto-renewal cycle is designed to maximize revenue-not to protect your wallet. You do not need permission from Preply to cancel, and you do not owe them an explanation. The law gives you the right to walk away, and Tocancel exists to help you exercise that right confidently.

Here is your action plan: Log in to your Preply account right now and check your subscription status. If you see an active subscription and you do not want it, follow the cancellation steps in this guide. If you have already been charged after cancelling, contact your bank today. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover unauthorized charges-and we are here to guide you through every step.

Your consumer rights are real. Your financial security matters. Cancel with confidence.