Ending your Trip membership made easy

About Trip

Trip, formerly known as Skyscanner, is one of the UK's leading travel comparison platforms that helps millions of consumers search for and book flights, hotels, and car hire services. The service operates as a metasearch engine, comparing prices across hundreds of travel providers to help users find the best deals for their journeys. As a consumer rights specialist, I understand that many UK residents subscribe to Trip's premium services or make bookings through the platform, and sometimes circumstances change requiring cancellation.

The platform has evolved significantly since its rebranding, offering both free comparison services and premium subscription options that provide additional benefits such as price alerts, exclusive deals, and enhanced customer support. Trip serves customers across the United Kingdom, with operations managed from their offices in Edinburgh and London. The company processes millions of searches daily and maintains partnerships with major airlines, hotel chains, and travel service providers worldwide.

Understanding your rights when dealing with Trip is essential, particularly when it comes to cancelling subscriptions or bookings. As a UK-based service, Trip must comply with British consumer protection legislation, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. These laws provide you with specific protections and cancellation rights that I'll explain throughout this guide.

Subscription plans and pricing

Trip offers several service tiers to accommodate different travel needs and frequencies. The free basic service allows unlimited searches and comparisons without any subscription commitment. However, the platform also provides premium membership options that deliver enhanced features for frequent travellers.

Premium membership options

The premium subscription tiers typically include various benefits designed to save regular travellers time and money. These memberships often provide early access to sales, dedicated customer support channels, and advanced price tracking features that monitor fare changes and send notifications when prices drop.

It's important to note that pricing structures can change, and promotional offers may be available at different times throughout the year. As a consumer, you have the right to clear information about what you're paying for and when payments will be taken from your account. This transparency is protected under UK consumer law.

Why customers choose to cancel

In my experience helping consumers, there are several common reasons why people decide to cancel their Trip subscriptions. Many find that they're not travelling as frequently as anticipated when they first subscribed, making the premium features unnecessary for their current lifestyle. Others discover alternative platforms that better suit their specific travel patterns or destinations.

Financial circumstances change, and subscription costs that once seemed reasonable may become burdensome during difficult times. Some customers report dissatisfaction with the service quality, finding that promised features don't deliver the expected value or that customer support hasn't met their needs. Additionally, technical issues or concerns about data privacy sometimes prompt cancellation decisions.

Whatever your reason for cancelling, you have every right to terminate your subscription, and Trip must honour your cancellation request in accordance with UK law. This means they cannot make the process unreasonably difficult or continue charging you after you've properly notified them of your intention to cancel.

Cancellation terms and conditions

Understanding the specific terms governing your Trip subscription is crucial for a smooth cancellation process. As a UK consumer, you benefit from statutory rights that supersede any company policy that attempts to restrict your legal entitlements.

Legal requirements in the United Kingdom

The Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 provide you with a 14-day cooling-off period for distance contracts, which includes online subscriptions. This means that if you've recently subscribed to Trip's premium service, you have 14 days from the date of subscription to cancel without providing any reason and receive a full refund of any payments made.

After the cooling-off period expires, your cancellation rights depend on the terms of your subscription agreement. However, UK law requires that cancellation processes must be straightforward and not create unnecessary barriers. Companies cannot make cancellation significantly more difficult than the sign-up process, and they must provide clear information about how to cancel.

Notice periods and final billing

Most subscription services, including Trip, require advance notice before cancellation takes effect. Typically, this notice period ranges from 30 days for monthly subscriptions to potentially longer periods for annual contracts. You should review your subscription agreement to identify the specific notice requirement that applies to your plan.

It's essential to understand that your notice period begins from when Trip receives your cancellation notification, not when you send it. This is why using a tracked postal method is so important, as it provides proof of when your cancellation letter was delivered to their offices.

Refund policies and entitlements

If you cancel during the cooling-off period, you're entitled to a full refund of any subscription fees paid. After this period, refund eligibility depends on your subscription type and how much of the subscription period remains unused. Many annual subscribers don't realise they may be entitled to a pro-rata refund for the unused portion of their subscription.

Trip should process refunds within 14 days of receiving your valid cancellation notice. If they fail to do so, you have grounds to escalate your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service or pursue the matter through small claims court if necessary. As your consumer rights advocate, I want you to know that the law is on your side when companies delay legitimate refunds.

How to cancel Trip by post

Cancelling by post using Recorded Delivery or a tracked postal service is the most reliable method for terminating your Trip subscription. In my 15 years of consumer advocacy, I've consistently seen postal cancellation provide the strongest legal protection for customers.

Why postal cancellation protects your rights

When you cancel by post using a tracked service, you create an indisputable paper trail that proves exactly when Trip received your cancellation notice. This evidence becomes invaluable if disputes arise about whether you cancelled in time or if the company claims they never received your request. Online cancellation methods can fail due to technical issues, and companies sometimes claim they have no record of digital cancellation attempts.

Postal cancellation also ensures you have a physical copy of your cancellation request with your signature, which carries significant legal weight. If Trip continues charging you after receiving your cancellation letter, you have concrete proof to present to your bank when requesting a chargeback or to present in any legal proceedings.

Furthermore, sending a formal letter demonstrates that you're serious about cancellation and understand your rights. Companies often respond more promptly and professionally to postal correspondence because they recognise the sender has taken deliberate action and created documentation.

Preparing your cancellation letter

Your cancellation letter should include several essential elements to ensure it's legally effective. Start with your full name, address, and contact details at the top of the letter. Include your Trip account number or email address associated with your subscription so they can quickly identify your account.

Clearly state your intention to cancel your subscription, specifying which subscription plan you're cancelling. Include the date you're writing the letter and explicitly state that you're providing the required notice period as per your subscription terms. Request written confirmation of your cancellation and specify whether you're claiming a refund and on what basis.

Keep your letter professional and factual. There's no need to explain why you're cancelling unless you're making a specific complaint or requesting a refund based on service failure. Remember to sign and date the letter before sending it.

Sending your letter with proof of delivery

Always use Royal Mail Recorded Delivery or another tracked postal service when sending your cancellation letter. This service costs approximately £3.50 and provides you with a tracking number and proof of delivery. Keep your receipt and tracking number safe, as this is your evidence that Trip received your cancellation notice.

Address your letter correctly to ensure it reaches the appropriate department. Based on current information, Trip's correspondence should be sent to their registered office address:

• Trip.com
• Customer Service Department
• 1 Angel Court
• London
• EC2R 7HJ
• United Kingdom

Make a photocopy or take a photograph of your letter before posting it. This gives you a complete record of exactly what you sent and when. If Trip claims they didn't receive certain information or that your letter was unclear, your copy proves otherwise.

Using Postclic for tracked cancellation letters

If you find the process of writing, printing, and posting a cancellation letter inconvenient, services like Postclic can handle the entire process for you. Postclic allows you to create your cancellation letter digitally, and they'll print, envelope, and send it via tracked delivery on your behalf. This service provides the same legal protection as sending the letter yourself whilst saving you time and ensuring professional formatting.

The benefit of using Postclic is that you receive digital proof of postage and delivery tracking without visiting a post office. The service typically costs less than £5 including postage, and you can complete the entire process from your computer or smartphone. This convenience doesn't compromise your legal position; the letter still arrives as a physical, tracked document that Trip must acknowledge.

Following up on your cancellation

Once Royal Mail confirms delivery of your letter, Trip should acknowledge your cancellation within a reasonable timeframe, typically within 5-7 working days. If you don't receive confirmation within two weeks, send a follow-up letter referencing your original cancellation and including copies of your proof of delivery.

Check your bank statements carefully after the notice period expires to ensure Trip has stopped taking payments. If they continue charging you after your cancellation should have taken effect, contact your bank immediately to report unauthorised payments and request a chargeback. Provide your bank with copies of your cancellation letter and proof of delivery.

Customer reviews and tips

Learning from other consumers' experiences helps you navigate the cancellation process more effectively. I've compiled insights from numerous Trip customers who've successfully cancelled their subscriptions, along with common challenges they faced and how they overcame them.

Common experiences with Trip cancellation

Many customers report that Trip's cancellation process is relatively straightforward when proper procedures are followed. Those who sent tracked postal cancellations generally experienced fewer problems than those who attempted to cancel through other methods. However, some consumers have encountered delays in receiving cancellation confirmation or processing refunds.

Several customers have mentioned that Trip's customer service responsiveness varies considerably. Some received prompt acknowledgement and professional handling of their cancellation, whilst others found it difficult to get confirmation or had to follow up multiple times. This inconsistency reinforces why having documented proof of your cancellation is so important.

A recurring theme in customer feedback is confusion about notice periods and when the final payment will be taken. Some subscribers were surprised to find they were charged for an additional month after requesting cancellation, not realising they needed to provide 30 days' notice. This highlights the importance of reading your subscription terms carefully and calculating when your cancellation will actually take effect.

Expert tips for successful cancellation

Based on my experience and customer feedback, I recommend cancelling well before you actually want the service to end. If you know you'll no longer need Trip Premium from a certain date, submit your cancellation at least 45 days in advance. This buffer ensures that even if there are processing delays or disputes about notice periods, you won't be charged for months you don't want.

Photograph or scan every document related to your cancellation, including your original letter, proof of postage, delivery confirmation, and any correspondence from Trip. Create a dedicated folder on your computer or phone where you keep all these documents together. If you need to escalate your complaint or dispute charges, having everything organised makes the process much simpler.

Monitor your bank account vigilantly for at least three months after your expected cancellation date. Set a calendar reminder to check that payments have stopped. If you notice any charges from Trip after cancellation, act immediately rather than waiting to see if they correct it themselves. The sooner you challenge unauthorised payments, the easier they are to recover.

When things go wrong

If Trip doesn't honour your cancellation or continues charging you despite proper notice, you have several escalation options. First, send a formal complaint letter to their customer service department, again using tracked delivery. Reference your original cancellation, include copies of all supporting documentation, and set a deadline of 14 days for resolution.

If this doesn't resolve the issue, contact your bank to request a chargeback for any payments taken after your cancellation date. Provide your bank with copies of your cancellation letter and proof of delivery. Banks are generally supportive of customers who can demonstrate they properly cancelled a service but were charged anyway.

For unresolved disputes, you can file a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman Service if the issue involves payment disputes, or contact Trading Standards if you believe Trip is engaging in unfair commercial practices. Citizens Advice provides free guidance on consumer rights and can help you understand your options for pursuing the matter further.

Protecting yourself going forward

When subscribing to any service in the future, take screenshots of the cancellation terms before you sign up. This protects you if the company later changes their terms or claims different cancellation conditions applied when you subscribed. Save these screenshots with your subscription confirmation email.

Consider using a dedicated email address for subscriptions and a specific payment card for recurring charges. This makes it easier to track which services you're paying for and simplifies the process of stopping payments if necessary. Some consumers use virtual card numbers that can be easily cancelled if a company won't honour a cancellation request.

Remember that as a UK consumer, you have strong legal protections, and companies must respect your right to cancel services. Don't let complicated cancellation processes or unresponsive customer service deter you from exercising your rights. The law requires that cancellation must be possible, and when you follow proper procedures using tracked postal delivery, you create the evidence needed to enforce your rights if necessary.

Your consumer rights exist to protect you from unfair business practices. By understanding these rights and following the proper cancellation procedures outlined in this guide, you can confidently terminate your Trip subscription knowing you've taken all necessary steps to protect yourself legally and financially.