Cancel The Spectator: Easy Method

What is The Spectator

Overview

The Spectator is a long-established weekly magazine covering politics, culture, and current affairs. It offers print and digital subscriptions with editorial content, commentary, and features.

Subscription options

Subscriptions are sold directly on the Spectator website and via third-party platforms such as the Apple App Store, Google Play, and print sellers (isubscribe, MagNation).

Different sellers, platforms and plans determine how you manage and cancel your subscription.

How to cancel The Spectator

Cancel via the Spectator website (Web / Spectator World)

• Log in to your account on the Spectator website.
• Go to your Account page or Subscription settings.
• Select "Disable auto renew" or "cancel".
• Cancellation will take effect at the end of your current term; any payments taken after cancel will be refunded in full.

Cancel via app stores or other sellers

• App Store (Apple): Cancel directly through your Apple account on your device or via Apple’s subscription management. Spectator cannot cancel App Store subscriptions for you.
• Google Play Store: Cancel through Google Play’s subscription settings. Spectator cannot process Google Play cancellations.
• Print subscriptions (isubscribe, MagNation): Cancel according to the seller’s process - check the seller’s account or support pages for instructions.

What happens when you cancel

Access after cancellation

If you cancel a web subscription, your access typically continues until the end of the current paid term. You will retain access to issues already paid for.

For App Store or Google Play subscriptions, access normally continues until the end of the billing period controlled by the platform.

Renewal, confirmations and data

When you cancel on the Spectator website you should receive a confirmation via the account or the email associated with your subscription.

Spectator cannot cancel subscriptions taken via Apple or Google; those platforms control renewals and confirmations for their subscriptions.

Will I get a refund?

14-day cooling-off period

Spectator offers a 14-day cooling-off period from the date of subscription (this covers free trials and direct paid subscriptions).

• If you cancel within 14 days you can receive a full refund.
• Refunds may take up to 28 days to process.

After the cooling-off period and exceptions

After 14 days Spectator generally does not issue refunds for unfulfilled issues, except in exceptional circumstances.

• If a payment is mistakenly taken after you cancelled, Spectator states it will refund that payment in full.
• Exceptional cases may be considered, but standard policy is no refund after the cooling-off period.

The Spectator plans and pricing

Print and digital price list

Notes on pricing

Print subscription prices can differ between sellers (isubscribe vs MagNation).

App Store digital subscriptions provide a lower-cost digital-only option compared with some print plans.

Your consumer rights in New Zealand

Relevant legislation

New Zealand consumer protections include the Consumer Guarantees Act and the Fair Trading Act. These laws give consumers rights to cancellation in certain situations and protections against misleading conduct.

How this applies to Spectator subscriptions

Spectator’s 14-day cooling-off period is consistent with expectations under New Zealand consumer law for a short cancellation window.

• After the cooling-off period, remedies may still exist if the service is not delivered as promised or terms are unfair.
• Spectator’s stated policy is that refunds after 14 days are only in exceptional cases.

Customer experiences

Positive feedback

Some subscribers praise the magazine’s content and report helpful, responsive customer service in individual cases.

Examples include subscribers thanking staff members who resolved issues with renewal email addresses.

Negative feedback

Other customers report poor experiences such as automatic responses, losing trial access, and difficulty resolving issues.

• Complaints include early renewal charges and technical problems with apps.
• Some users describe repeated charges, missing invoices, or difficulty getting refunds.

Documentation checklist

What to have ready before you contact support

• Subscription order number or receipt (from Spectator, Apple, Google or the print seller).
• The email address tied to your Spectator account.
• Payment details: last 4 digits of card or payment platform record and date of charge.
• Screenshots of subscription pages, renewal notices, or app receipts.

Additional helpful items

• Confirmation emails for trial start and renewal notices.
• Any cancellation confirmation or evidence you already received.
• Device information if the issue is app-related (Android/iOS version, app version).

Common mistakes

Cancelling through the wrong channel

A frequent error is trying to cancel an App Store or Google Play subscription via the Spectator website. Those subscriptions must be cancelled through the platform that sold them.

If you purchased via Apple or Google, contact the relevant platform or use your device settings to cancel.

Missing confirmation and trial auto-renewals

Another common problem is not saving a cancellation confirmation or assuming a trial has been cancelled when it has not.

Always check for an email or an account confirmation and verify future billing statements to ensure auto-renewal has stopped.

Early renewal or disputed charges

Customers report early renewal charges and challenges obtaining refunds; keep records and raise the issue promptly with Spectator or the payment provider.

If a payment is taken after you cancelled, Spectator states it will refund that payment in full; keep evidence to support your claim.

Comparative recap

Quick comparison of cancellation routes

Key takeaway

For direct control and clearer refund handling, cancel web subscriptions via your Spectator account.

If you used Apple or Google to subscribe, manage cancellation and refund requests through those platforms.

After cancelling

What to check immediately

• Look for cancellation confirmation in your Spectator account or email inbox.
• Check your bank or payment statements for refunded or further charges.

Useful links

• The Spectator (website)
• Apple Support (manage subscriptions)
• Google Play Help (manage subscriptions)
• New Zealand Consumer Protection (MBIE)

Address

Spectator office (standard contact)

The Spectator

22 Old Queen Street

Location details

London SW1A 0AA

United Kingdom