Cancel The Week: Step-by-Step Guide

How to cancel The Week magazine subscription and get your money back

Understanding The Week and what you're paying for

The Week is a weekly news magazine that summarises the biggest stories across politics, business, world affairs, culture, and opinion. Instead of chasing dozens of news outlets every day, you get a curated roundup delivered to your device each week.

In the Philippines, you access The Week as a digital magazine subscription through the App Store, Google Play, or directly from The Week website. Your monthly plan costs ₱679.00, while the annual plan costs ₱4,690.00. Both plans renew automatically, which is where most subscription problems start.

The real product you're paying for is access to digital editions. When you subscribe, you agree to recurring billing on your chosen platform-whether that is Apple's App Store, Google Play, or The Week's own website. Each platform handles cancellation differently, and Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers navigate this exact problem.

How your billing cycle works

Your subscription renews on the same date each month or year, depending on which plan you chose. If you signed up on the 15th of any month with the monthly plan, your card gets charged ₱679.00 on the 15th of the next month, and every month after that until you cancel.

The annual plan works the same way-one charge of ₱4,690.00 per year on your anniversary date. Auto-renewal is the default, and the company does not send a reminder before charging you. This is why checking your billing date right now is so important.

What The week's refund policy actually covers

The Week's official refund policy is limited. If you cancel within 30 days of your subscription start, you may qualify for a full refund for unmailed issues. After 30 days, your money is generally non-refundable under their standard terms.

However, your consumer rights under the Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7394) give you stronger protections than The Week's policy alone. If the service failed to deliver what was promised, or if you were charged without clear consent, you have legal grounds to dispute the charge through your bank or card issuer.

Your consumer rights in the philippines

The Consumer Act of the Philippines protects you in three critical ways that matter for magazine subscriptions like The Week.

Your right to cancel without penalty

Under Republic Act No. 7394, you have the absolute right to cancel any subscription service at any time. The Week cannot force you to continue paying or lock you into a "commitment period." If they claim you must stay subscribed, that clause is unenforceable under Philippine law.

This means you can cancel immediately, even if you just started yesterday. The only limitation is their refund window-30 days for a full refund-but cancellation itself has no legal barrier. Your legal position is clear: you own the decision to stop payment.

Your right to fair billing

The Consumer Act requires that any recurring charge happen only with your clear, informed consent. If you were charged without understanding the auto-renewal terms, or if The Week charged you after you attempted to cancel, you have grounds to dispute that charge.

When you dispute a charge with your bank, GCash, Maya, or card issuer, cite the Consumer Act and describe exactly what happened. Most financial institutions in the Philippines will reverse charges related to unauthorized subscriptions or continued billing after cancellation.

Your right to accessible customer service

The Week must provide you with a clear way to cancel your subscription. If their website does not show a cancel button, or if their customer service ignores your cancellation request, that violates the Consumer Act. You can escalate to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) if the company refuses to process your cancellation after a reasonable time.

How to cancel The Week on different platforms

The cancellation process depends on where you signed up for your subscription.

How to cancel The Week through the apple app store

If you subscribed via Apple's App Store on your iPhone or iPad, follow these steps to cancel immediately.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap your name at the top of the screen.
3. Select "Subscriptions".
4. Find "The Week" in the list.
5. Tap "The Week" and select "Cancel Subscription".
6. Confirm your cancellation when prompted.

You will keep access until the end of your current billing period. Apple sends a confirmation email to your registered account. If you want a refund for the most recent charge, select "Report a Problem" in your purchase history and request a refund within 30 days of the charge date.

How to cancel The Week through google play

If you subscribed via Google Play on an Android device, you can cancel your subscription in minutes.

1. Open Google Play Store on your Android device.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Select "Manage subscriptions".
4. Tap "The Week".
5. Select "Cancel subscription".
6. Confirm your cancellation.

Your access continues until your current billing period ends. Google sends a confirmation to your Gmail account. If you were charged twice or wish to dispute a recent charge, log into your Google Play account on a web browser and navigate to your purchase history to request a refund.

How to cancel The Week on their official website

If you subscribed directly through The Week's website, you have two options: cancel through your account dashboard or contact their customer service team.

1. Log into your The Week account on their website.
2. Navigate to "Account Settings" or "Subscription Management".
3. Look for "Cancel Subscription" or "Manage Billing".
4. Click the cancel option and confirm.
5. If no cancel button appears, email their customer service team at [email protected] or write to their US billing address listed below.

Keep a copy of your cancellation confirmation email. This protects you if The Week continues to charge your card after you have cancelled. If you subscribed on their website but cannot find a cancel button within five minutes, that is a sign of a design problem-Tocancel recommends documenting this and escalating to the DTI if The Week refuses to cancel.

Pricing comparison and plan options

Understanding the cost difference between plans helps you decide what cancellation timeline works best for your wallet.

If you are on the annual plan and want to cancel within the first 30 days, request a full refund of ₱4,690.00 from The Week's customer service or your payment provider. After 30 days, you forfeit the full refund but retain your cancellation right.

When you should cancel The Week

Cancelling makes sense in specific situations where the service no longer delivers value or your circumstances change.

Reasons to cancel immediately

You should cancel straight away if you are not reading the magazine, if the content no longer matches your interests, or if your financial situation requires cutting discretionary spending. There is no penalty for cancelling early, and you keep access until your billing period ends.

If The Week charged you without your consent, or if you were enrolled by mistake, cancel immediately and file a dispute with your bank or payment provider. Document the charge date, amount, and any email evidence that you did not authorise the subscription.

Reasons to keep your subscription

Keep The Week if you read most editions, if the weekly summary saves you time, or if the annual plan cost is acceptable for the value you receive. The annual plan saves you money compared to paying monthly, so consider switching to annual if you plan to stay subscribed beyond six months.

What happens after you cancel The Week

Cancelling a subscription can feel anticlimactic, but understanding what comes next protects your account and your money.

Your access after cancellation

You continue to access all The Week editions until the end of your current billing period. If you cancelled on the 10th of the month but your renewal date is the 30th, you have full access until the 30th. After that date, your account locks and you cannot read new editions unless you resubscribe.

Download any editions you want to keep before your access expires, as The Week may not store your reading history permanently after cancellation.

Refunds and credit

The Week processes refunds for cancellations within 30 days of your subscription start date. This applies to both monthly and annual plans. Refunds take 5 to 10 business days to appear in your bank account or payment method.

If you cancelled after the 30-day window, The Week will not refund your payment under their standard policy. However, if you dispute the charge with your bank, the bank may reverse it based on the Consumer Act of the Philippines. Tocancel recommends documenting your cancellation request and the date you made it, in case you need to file a dispute later.

Stopping future charges

Cancellation stops all future charges immediately. The Week will not send you invoices or reminder emails after your access expires. If you receive a charge after your cancellation date, that is a billing error, and you have the right to dispute it.

Check your bank or payment app one week after your billing period should have ended to confirm no charge appears. If a charge does appear, contact The Week first; if they do not reverse it within three business days, dispute it with your bank and cite the Consumer Act.

Refund policy and what you need to know

The Week's refund policy is narrower than your consumer rights, but both work together in your favour.

The week's 30-day refund window

The Week guarantees a full refund if you cancel within 30 days of your subscription start date. This applies whether you subscribed to a monthly or annual plan. Refunds cover the full amount you paid and are issued to your original payment method.

To claim your refund, you must contact The Week's customer service and explicitly request it. Cancellation alone does not trigger a refund-you must ask for one within the 30-day window. Response times vary; Tocancel recommends following up after five business days if you do not hear back.

Refunds after 30 days

After your 30-day window closes, The Week's standard policy does not offer refunds. However, the Consumer Act of the Philippines gives you additional protection. If you can demonstrate that the service failed to deliver (for example, the app was broken or you never received access), you can escalate to the Department of Trade and Industry for a formal complaint.

Keep screenshots of any issues, purchase confirmations, and cancellation requests. These documents support your case if you need to pursue a refund through legal channels.

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling

Cancelling a subscription sounds simple, but small oversights can leave you charged for months after you intended to stop.

Mistake 1: deleting the app without cancelling the subscription

Deleting The Week app from your phone does not cancel your subscription. The Week's servers still see your active account and will charge you on your renewal date. You must cancel through the app store, Google Play, or The Week's website separately from deleting the app.

This is the most common mistake consumers make, and it costs thousands of pesos each year in accidental charges. Before you delete the app, cancel your subscription first, then delete.

Mistake 2: not confirming your cancellation

Always wait for a confirmation screen or confirmation email after you click "cancel". If the app or website does not confirm your request, the cancellation may not have gone through. Try the cancellation process again and take a screenshot of the confirmation.

If you do not receive a confirmation email within 24 hours, contact The Week's customer service directly. This creates a paper trail that protects you if they claim they never received your cancellation request.

Mistake 3: assuming your refund is automatic

If you cancel within 30 days and want a refund, you must request it explicitly. Do not assume The Week will refund you automatically. Email their support team or use the in-app chat to ask for a refund and include your order number and subscription start date.

Tocancel advises putting your refund request in writing and keeping a copy. This is your evidence if you need to dispute the charge with your bank later.

Mistake 4: ignoring the billing date

Cancel before your renewal date, not after. If your subscription renews on the 15th and you cancel on the 16th, you have already been charged for another month. You would then need to request a refund instead of simply cancelling for free.

Set a phone reminder for two days before your renewal date. Tocancel recommends checking your billing date right now-log into your account and note the renewal date so you never miss it.

After cancellation: what to do next

The cancellation process does not end the moment you click "cancel"-following up ensures no surprise charges appear later.

Monitor your account for one month

Check your bank account, GCash, Maya, or credit card statement once a week for the month following your cancellation. Look for any charges from The Week or its payment processor. If you spot an unexpected charge, contact your bank immediately and be ready to show your cancellation confirmation.

Keep your cancellation confirmation

Save every email, screenshot, or confirmation message related to your cancellation. If The Week disputes that you cancelled, or if a charge appears and your bank asks for proof, these documents are your strongest defence. Store them in a folder or forward them to yourself for safekeeping.

File a complaint if charges continue

If The Week charges you after your confirmed cancellation date, file a dispute with your payment provider immediately. Most banks, GCash, and Maya will reverse unauthorized charges. You can also file a formal complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry if The Week refuses to acknowledge your cancellation or reverses the charge. Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers escalate unresolved billing disputes to the DTI with success.

How to get a refund if The Week keeps charging you

If you cancelled but The Week continued to bill you, your consumer rights protect you and your money.

Step 1: request a refund directly from The Week

Email The Week's customer service with your cancellation confirmation and the unauthorised charges. Be specific: list the dates of each charge and the amounts. Ask for a full refund of all charges after your cancellation date. Give them five business days to respond.

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

If The Week does not refund you within five business days, contact your bank, GCash, Maya, or card issuer. Request a chargeback or dispute for "unauthorized subscription charges" or "continued billing after cancellation". Provide your cancellation confirmation as evidence.

Your bank will launch an investigation and usually reverses the charge within 10 business days. The burden is on The Week to prove you authorised the charges after you cancelled.

Step 3: escalate to the department of trade and industry

If your bank denies the dispute or if The Week ignores your refund request, file a formal complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). You can file online at dti.gov.ph or visit a DTI office in your region. Include your cancellation confirmation, proof of charges, and all correspondence with The Week.

The DTI enforces the Consumer Act and has authority to order The Week to refund your money and pay a penalty. Tocancel recommends this step if you are owed more than ₱5,000 or if The Week has a pattern of ignoring cancellation requests.

Cancellation checklist for The Week

Use this checklist to ensure your cancellation is complete and your account is secure.

• Note your renewal date and billing cycle length (monthly or annual).
• Locate the cancel button on your platform (App Store, Google Play, or The Week website).
• Click cancel and wait for the confirmation screen.
• Save your confirmation email or screenshot.
• If you are within 30 days, request a refund in writing.
• Check your bank account one week after your final billing date.
• If a charge appears after cancellation, contact The Week within 48 hours.
• If The Week does not respond, dispute the charge with your bank.
• Keep all cancellation and dispute documentation for one year.

Contacting The Week for cancellation and refunds

The Week offers multiple ways to cancel, depending on your subscription type and location.

For app-based subscriptions (Apple and google)

Cancel through your platform's subscription settings (described above in the platform-specific sections). These are the fastest methods and give you an immediate confirmation.

For direct website subscriptions

Log into your The Week account and look for "Manage Subscription" or "Billing Settings". If no cancel option appears, contact their support team.

Mailing address for written cancellation requests

If you cannot cancel online or need to send a formal written request, mail your cancellation letter to:

The Week (US Billing)
PO Box 37252
Boone, Iowa 50037-0252
United States

Include your full name, email address, subscription start date, and a clear statement that you wish to cancel and request a refund. Ask for confirmation of receipt. Send your letter via registered mail so you have proof of delivery.

For UK editorial and subscription inquiries, contact The Week's UK office directly through their website to obtain the current UK mailing address, as this may differ from the US billing address above.

Key takeaways for cancelling The Week in the philippines

You have the right to cancel The Week at any time without penalty under the Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7394). Your cancellation takes effect immediately, though you retain access until the end of your current billing period. If you cancel within 30 days of your subscription start, request a full refund; after 30 days, The Week's policy denies refunds, but your consumer rights allow you to dispute unauthorised charges through your bank or the Department of Trade and Industry.

Cancel through your app store (Apple App Store or Google Play) if you subscribed there, or log into The Week's website and navigate to your subscription settings. If you cannot locate a cancel button, email their support team or write to the address above. After cancelling, monitor your account for one month to ensure no further charges appear. Save all cancellation confirmations and refund correspondence in case you need to dispute a charge later.

Tocancel has helped thousands of consumers cancel magazine subscriptions and recover refunds by guiding them through their consumer rights and the correct cancellation process. If The Week continues to charge you after you have cancelled, Tocancel recommends disputing the charge with your bank immediately and escalating to the DTI if the dispute is denied. Your money is yours to keep-do not let auto-renewal contracts trap you into unwanted charges.