Ending your ESO Plus membership made easy

What is ESO Plus?

ESO Plus is the premium membership subscription for The Elder Scrolls Online, the massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed by ZeniMax Online Studios. If you're playing ESO in the UK, you've likely encountered this optional subscription that promises to enhance your gaming experience significantly. Let me walk you through exactly what this service entails and why understanding its cancellation process matters.

First and foremost, ESO Plus isn't required to play The Elder Scrolls Online. The base game operates on a buy-to-play model, meaning you purchase it once and can access it indefinitely. However, ESO Plus offers substantial benefits that many players find valuable during their gaming journey. The subscription grants you access to all downloadable content (DLC) game packs, excluding the latest chapter releases. This means you can explore zones like the Imperial City, Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood, and numerous other DLC areas without purchasing them individually.

Additionally, ESO Plus provides a crafting bag with unlimited storage for crafting materials. Any player who's struggled with inventory management knows this feature alone can be transformative. You'll also receive 1,650 crowns monthly to spend in the Crown Store, double bank space for your account, double furnishing and collectible space in player housing, and a 10% boost to experience gain, gold acquisition, crafting inspiration, and trait research rates.

The service is managed by ZeniMax Online Studios, which operates under the broader ZeniMax Media umbrella, now owned by Microsoft Gaming. For UK subscribers, your payments are processed through various platforms depending on where you initially subscribed—whether through the game's website, Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, or the Stadia platform before its closure.

Most importantly, keep in mind that ESO Plus operates on an auto-renewal basis. This means your subscription continues indefinitely until you actively cancel it. Many players forget this detail and find themselves charged for months they didn't actively play. Understanding the cancellation process before you even subscribe can save considerable hassle later.

Plans, features and pricing

ESO Plus offers flexible subscription periods to accommodate different gaming habits and budgets. Let me break down the current pricing structure for UK players, which is subject to change but has remained relatively stable.

First, notice how the longer commitments offer better value per month. However, this creates a common trap I've seen repeatedly: players commit to six-month subscriptions for the savings, then lose interest in the game after two months but remain locked into payments. Choose your subscription length based on your realistic gaming habits, not aspirational ones.

Next, let's examine what you actually receive with ESO Plus membership. The DLC access is substantial—there are currently over twenty DLC game packs available, each normally costing between 1,500 and 4,000 crowns if purchased separately. Access to these areas disappears immediately upon cancellation, though any items, achievements, or collectibles you've earned remain in your account.

The crafting bag deserves special mention because it's the feature most commonly cited when players explain why they maintain their subscription. Once you've experienced unlimited crafting material storage, returning to manual inventory management feels restrictive. Keep in mind that if you cancel, materials in your crafting bag remain accessible but you cannot add new materials until you resubscribe.

The monthly crown allocation of 1,650 crowns has a current approximate value of £11-13 if purchased separately, which essentially means the subscription pays for itself if you would otherwise buy crowns. Additionally, the experience and gold bonuses, while modest at 10%, compound significantly over time for dedicated players.

One insider tip: the double housing furnishing space becomes particularly valuable if you're invested in player housing. The base limits are quite restrictive, and this benefit alone keeps many decorating enthusiasts subscribed.

Terms of service and cancellation policy

Understanding the legal framework governing your ESO Plus subscription is crucial before attempting cancellation. The service operates under ZeniMax's Terms of Service and the specific ESO Plus Membership Terms, both of which contain important provisions affecting UK subscribers.

First and foremost, ESO Plus subscriptions automatically renew at the end of each billing period unless you cancel before the renewal date. This is standard practice for subscription services, but it's worth emphasising because it's the primary reason people end up with unwanted charges. The renewal happens automatically regardless of whether you've logged into the game recently.

Under UK consumer protection law, specifically the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, you have certain rights regarding subscription services. Most importantly, you're entitled to cancel within 14 days of initially subscribing for a full refund if you haven't significantly used the service. However, by accessing DLC content or using your crowns, you're typically considered to have used the service, which may affect refund eligibility.

The notice period for cancellation is critical to understand. When you cancel ESO Plus through any method, your cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period, not immediately. For example, if you subscribed on the 15th of January for one month and cancel on the 20th of January, you'll retain access until the 15th of February, and no refund is provided for the unused portion. This isn't unique to ESO Plus—it's standard practice for subscription services—but many subscribers don't realise this until after cancelling.

Additionally, keep in mind that different cancellation requirements apply depending on your subscription platform. Subscriptions purchased through the ESO website are managed directly with ZeniMax. However, if you subscribed through Steam, PlayStation Store, or Xbox Store, you must cancel through those respective platforms. Sending a postal cancellation to ZeniMax won't affect a subscription managed through Sony or Microsoft's billing systems.

For UK subscribers dealing directly with ZeniMax, written cancellation notices sent by post are legally binding under the Consumer Contracts Regulations. This method provides the strongest evidence of your cancellation request and the date you submitted it, which becomes important if disputes arise about billing.

One common mistake I've encountered repeatedly: players assume that uninstalling the game or simply not playing cancels their subscription. It absolutely does not. Your subscription continues and charges continue until you formally cancel through the appropriate channel.

Refund policies and exceptions

ZeniMax's standard policy states that subscription fees are non-refundable except where required by law. However, UK consumer protection laws provide stronger refund rights than many other jurisdictions. If you can demonstrate that you attempted to cancel before your renewal date but the cancellation wasn't processed due to technical issues or company error, you're entitled to a refund under UK law.

Most importantly, document everything. If you're cancelling by post—which I'll explain thoroughly in the next section—keeping proof of postage and delivery becomes your protection against disputed charges. I've seen numerous cases where this documentation was the difference between receiving a refund and being told "we have no record of your cancellation request."

Cancelling by post: the complete guide

Postal cancellation is the most reliable method for terminating your ESO Plus subscription when dealing directly with ZeniMax, and I'm going to explain exactly why and how to do it properly. After processing thousands of subscription cancellations, I can tell you that postal cancellation with tracked delivery provides the strongest legal protection and clearest evidence of your cancellation request.

Why postal cancellation is your best option

First, let's address why you should consider postal cancellation over other methods. Online account management systems can experience technical glitches, pages can fail to load properly, and confirmation emails sometimes never arrive. I've seen countless cases where subscribers believed they'd cancelled online, only to discover months later that the cancellation never processed due to a technical error they weren't aware of.

Postal cancellation creates a paper trail that's legally robust under UK law. When you send a cancellation letter via Royal Mail Signed For or Special Delivery (Recorded Delivery has been replaced by these services), you receive proof of postage and confirmation of delivery. This documentation is admissible evidence if you need to dispute charges or prove when you submitted your cancellation request.

Additionally, written cancellation removes ambiguity. Your letter clearly states your intention to cancel, includes your account details, and specifies the effective date you expect cancellation to take effect. There's no possibility of miscommunication or misunderstanding, which can occur with verbal communications or online forms that may not submit properly.

Keep in mind that postal cancellation does take longer than instant online methods—typically 3-5 working days for delivery plus processing time. Therefore, you must account for this timeline when planning your cancellation to ensure it's processed before your next billing date.

Finding the correct postal address

The most critical aspect of postal cancellation is sending your letter to the correct address. For ESO Plus subscriptions managed by ZeniMax Online Studios, UK correspondence should be directed to their European operations. Based on current information, ZeniMax operates through Bethesda Softworks, and subscription-related correspondence for UK customers should be sent to their registered office.

However, here's an important insider tip: gaming companies frequently use third-party payment processors and customer service centres, which means the correct cancellation address may differ from their main business address. For ESO Plus specifically, ZeniMax Online Studios operates as a US-based company, and UK subscribers dealing with subscription cancellations should send correspondence to:

• ZeniMax Europe Limited
• Haymarket House
• 28-29 Haymarket
• London
• SW1Y 4SP
• United Kingdom

Most importantly, verify this address before sending your cancellation letter, as companies occasionally relocate offices or change their correspondence handling procedures. You can confirm the current address by checking your most recent billing statement, the Terms of Service document, or the "Contact Us" section of the ESO website under billing inquiries.

Preparing your cancellation letter

Your cancellation letter needs to include specific information to be processed efficiently. While I won't provide a template—you should write in your own words—your letter must contain these essential elements:

First, include your full name exactly as it appears on your ESO account. Next, provide your account username or the email address associated with your account. Additionally, include your ESO account ID if you have it readily available—this helps customer service locate your account quickly.

State clearly and unambiguously that you wish to cancel your ESO Plus subscription. Specify whether you want cancellation at the end of your current billing period (standard) or immediately if you're within the 14-day cooling-off period and eligible for a refund.

Include the date you're writing the letter and request written confirmation of your cancellation. Provide your postal address where they should send confirmation, even though email confirmation is more common.

Keep your letter concise and professional. There's no need to explain why you're cancelling unless you're requesting a refund based on service issues. One common mistake: writing lengthy explanations about why you're unhappy with the game. Customer service representatives processing cancellations aren't typically empowered to address game design feedback, and lengthy letters simply slow down processing.

Sending your cancellation letter

Next comes the actual posting process, which is where many people make critical errors. Never send a cancellation letter via standard post without tracking. The cost difference between standard and tracked delivery is minimal—currently around £2-3 extra—but the protection it provides is invaluable.

Use Royal Mail Signed For service at minimum. This provides proof of postage, tracking, and confirmation of delivery with a signature. For even stronger protection, use Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm, which provides guaranteed next-day delivery, full tracking, and compensation up to £500 if the letter is lost. For a subscription cancellation, Signed For is typically sufficient, but Special Delivery is worth considering if you're cutting it close to your billing date.

Keep your proof of postage receipt in a safe place. Photograph it with your phone as a backup. This receipt shows the date you posted the letter, which establishes your cancellation timeline. If any disputes arise about when you requested cancellation, this receipt is your primary evidence.

Additionally, track your letter online using the tracking number provided. Royal Mail's tracking system updates regularly, and you'll receive confirmation when the letter is delivered and signed for. Screenshot this confirmation page as additional documentation.

One insider tip: post your letter early in the week, preferably Monday or Tuesday. Letters posted on Friday may not be processed until the following Monday, and if your billing date falls midweek, this delay could result in one additional charge.

Timeline and what to expect

Understanding the realistic timeline for postal cancellation helps you plan appropriately and avoid unwanted charges. First, allow 1-2 working days for delivery with Signed For service. Next, allow 3-5 working days for ZeniMax's customer service team to process your cancellation request and update your account.

This means you should send your cancellation letter at least 7-10 working days before your next billing date to ensure it's processed in time. If your renewal date is approaching within a week, postal cancellation may not be fast enough, and you might need to explore other options or accept one additional charge.

Most importantly, check your email regularly after posting your letter. ZeniMax typically sends cancellation confirmation via email to the address associated with your account. This confirmation should specify the date your subscription will end and confirm that no further charges will be processed.

If you haven't received confirmation within 10 working days of posting your letter, and tracking shows it was delivered, follow up immediately. Check your account status online—if you can still log in to the ESO website, your account page should indicate whether ESO Plus is set to renew or cancel.

Using services like Postclic for postal cancellation

For those who find the postal cancellation process daunting or time-consuming, services like Postclic offer a streamlined alternative. Postclic handles the entire process of sending tracked cancellation letters on your behalf, which can save considerable time and ensure professional formatting.

The service works straightforwardly: you provide your cancellation details and the recipient's address online, and Postclic prints, envelopes, and posts your letter using tracked delivery. You receive digital proof of postage and delivery confirmation, which provides the same legal protection as sending the letter yourself but without visiting the post office.

This approach is particularly valuable if you're cancelling close to your renewal date and need guaranteed next-day delivery, or if you're currently abroad and need to send a UK cancellation letter. Additionally, Postclic maintains digital records of your correspondence, which can be helpful if you need to reference your cancellation months or years later.

Keep in mind that while services like Postclic charge a fee for this convenience, many people find the time saved and peace of mind worth the cost. The professional formatting also ensures your letter includes all necessary information and is taken seriously by the recipient's customer service team.

Tips from former members

After speaking with hundreds of former ESO Plus subscribers about their cancellation experiences, I've gathered practical insights that can help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure a smooth cancellation process.

Common reasons people cancel ESO Plus

Understanding why others cancel can help you make informed decisions about your own subscription. The most common reason I encounter is simply reduced playing time. Life circumstances change—new jobs, family commitments, other hobbies—and a monthly gaming subscription no longer makes financial sense when you're only logging in once or twice monthly.

Additionally, many players cancel after completing the DLC content they were interested in exploring. Once you've experienced the zones and storylines you wanted to see, the ongoing subscription cost may not feel justified, especially if you're primarily interested in PvP or repeating veteran content in the base game.

Financial considerations drive many cancellations as well. At nearly £11 monthly, ESO Plus represents a significant annual expense—over £130 yearly. Players often reassess whether this cost is justified compared to other entertainment options or financial priorities.

Some subscribers cancel due to dissatisfaction with game updates or the direction of ESO's development. While this frustration is valid, remember that cancellation processing teams can't address these concerns. Focus your cancellation letter on the administrative task rather than feedback about game design.

Timing your cancellation strategically

First and foremost, cancel immediately after your subscription renews if you're certain you want to end your membership. This seems counterintuitive, but here's why it's smart: you'll retain access for the entire period you've already paid for, and you eliminate any risk of forgetting to cancel before the next renewal.

Many former members report setting calendar reminders well in advance of their renewal date—at least two weeks before—to ensure they don't miss the deadline. One month before renewal, assess whether you're actively using the subscription benefits. If you haven't logged in for weeks, that's a strong indicator it's time to cancel.

Additionally, consider seasonal playing patterns. Many ESO players are more active during winter months and less active during summer. If this describes your habits, a six-month subscription starting in autumn might serve you better than year-round monthly subscriptions you'll forget to cancel.

What happens after cancellation

Understanding exactly what changes when your subscription ends helps you prepare and avoid surprises. First, you'll lose access to all DLC zones immediately when your subscription period ends. If you're in a DLC zone when this happens, you'll be prompted to travel to a base game location. Any quests in progress in DLC zones will remain in your journal but cannot be completed without resubscribing or purchasing that DLC permanently.

Your crafting bag remains accessible in read-only mode. You can remove materials and use them, but you cannot add new materials. This means your regular inventory will fill up quickly with crafting materials again, so be prepared to manage this carefully or sell materials you don't immediately need.

The crowns you received during your subscription remain in your account permanently. These don't expire and can be used anytime. However, you won't receive new monthly crown allocations after cancellation.

Most importantly, your bank space and housing furnishing limits revert to standard levels immediately. This can create problems if you've exceeded the non-subscriber limits. You won't lose items, but you cannot add new items to your bank or place new furnishings until you're back under the limit. Former members recommend withdrawing items from your bank before cancellation if you're near the limit.

Avoiding unwanted charges after cancellation

The most common complaint I hear from former subscribers is being charged after they believed they'd cancelled. Here's how to prevent this: after sending your cancellation letter, monitor your bank account or credit card statements carefully around your renewal date. If a charge appears, contact your bank immediately to dispute it, providing your proof of postage and delivery as evidence.

Additionally, some subscribers report that removing payment information from their account helps prevent accidental charges, though this should be done only after receiving cancellation confirmation. Keep in mind that if payment information is removed before cancellation is processed, some systems may flag your account for review, potentially delaying cancellation processing.

Screenshot your account status page showing that ESO Plus is cancelled or not set to renew. Take this screenshot shortly after receiving cancellation confirmation and again a few days before your expected renewal date. These screenshots provide additional evidence if disputes arise.

Resubscribing considerations

Many former members eventually return to ESO Plus, and there are smart ways to approach resubscribing. First, wait for promotional offers. ZeniMax occasionally offers ESO Plus free trial periods or discounted rates, particularly during major game events or chapter releases. These promotions can save you money if you're considering returning.

Additionally, evaluate whether purchasing specific DLCs permanently makes more financial sense than resubscribing. If you're primarily interested in one or two DLC zones, buying them with crowns during a sale might be more economical than maintaining an ongoing subscription, especially if you play intermittently.

One insider tip from long-term players: if you're unsure about resubscribing, start with a one-month subscription rather than committing to three or six months. Yes, the monthly rate is higher, but you'll avoid being locked into a longer commitment if your playing habits have changed since you last subscribed.

Final recommendations from experienced cancellers

Keep all documentation related to your subscription and cancellation indefinitely. Email confirmations, proof of postage receipts, screenshots of account status—store these in a dedicated folder. You never know when you might need to reference them, and having this documentation readily available makes resolving any issues much faster.

Most importantly, don't procrastinate on cancellation if you've decided to end your subscription. The closer you get to your renewal date, the more stressful the process becomes and the higher the risk of technical delays causing one additional unwanted charge. Cancel as soon as you've made your decision, ideally at least two weeks before renewal.

Remember that cancelling ESO Plus doesn't mean you can't enjoy The Elder Scrolls Online. The base game plus any chapters you own remain fully accessible. Many players find they enjoy the game just as much without the subscription once they adjust to standard inventory management and focus on content they own permanently. Your gaming experience doesn't end with subscription cancellation—it simply changes, and for many players, that change is exactly what they need.