For many users, billing concerns often come to light only when an unexpected charge occurs, such as an automatic subscription renewal. This guide serves as a comprehensive resource on understanding how refunds work at The Athletic: Sports News. We will outline who is eligible for refunds and provide clear, step-by-step instructions to help you request your money back quickly and efficiently. Our aim is to ensure you have a smooth experience navigating the refund process.
What You Should Prepare Before Applying For Refund
Account Email Address: Ensure you have the email linked to your The Athletic account, as this will be required for verification.
Subscription Details: Have your subscription plan type (monthly, yearly, etc.) and start date ready to provide context for your request.
Transaction ID: Locate your transaction ID from the original purchase email or billing statement to facilitate the refund process.
Proof of Payment: Gather any payment confirmation emails or screenshots showing the charge on your bank statement.
Reason for Refund: Prepare a clear and concise explanation for your refund request, as The Athletic may require you to specify why you are seeking a refund.
Cancellation Confirmation: If applicable, have documentation or screenshots confirming any cancellation requests made through your account.
Customer Support Channel: Be ready to use the designated customer support email or contact form on The Athletic's website for refund submissions.
Response Timeline: Familiarize yourself with The Athletic's refund policy timelines, so you know when to expect a response.
How Long Does it Take to request a Refund?
Payment method
How long it takes*
Credit/Debit Card
5-10 working days
PayPal
3-5 working days
Apple Pay
3-5 working days
Google Pay
3-5 working days
*Working days are Monday to Friday, and don't include public holidays.
What are my Rights? Am I eligible for a Refund from The Athletic: Sports News
Users of The Athletic: Sports News have specific rights regarding their subscription service, particularly concerning eligibility for refunds. As a digital subscription-based platform, The Athletic provides access to exclusive sports news, analysis, and coverage. Understanding the criteria that may affect refund eligibility is essential for users managing their accounts or subscriptions.
The following scenarios may qualify for a refund or adjustment of charges through The Athletic:
Subscription Cancellations: Users who cancel their subscription may be eligible for a pro-rated refund for any unused portion of their subscription period, depending on the timing of the cancellation.
Service Accessibility Issues: If a user experiences significant, prolonged accessibility issues that prevent them from utilizing the service, they might be eligible for a refund for the impacted subscription period.
Promotional Offer Adjustments: Users who sign up during a promotional period may have different eligibility criteria for refunds if they believe the terms of the promotion were not honored correctly.
Account Management Queries: Users may inquire about potential adjustments to their billing if there are discrepancies or misunderstandings related to their subscription type or billing cycle.
For specific inquiries regarding eligibility or to explore potential refund scenarios, users are encouraged to refer directly to The Athletic's customer support for personalized assistance.
Step-by-Step Process to Request Your The Athletic: Sports News Refund Like a Pro
If you purchased through The Athletic: Sports News.com:
Go to theathletic.com and log in to your account.
Navigate to your account settings by clicking on your profile in the upper-right corner and selecting Account.
Scroll down to the Billing section.
Click on Manage Subscription.
Look for the option to request a refund for your last payment or subscription renewal.
Fill out the refund request form, mentioning that your subscription renewed without prior notice.
Submit the form and wait for a confirmation email regarding your refund.
If you purchased through Apple:
Open the Settings app on your device.
Tap your Apple ID at the top of the screen.
Select Subscriptions.
Find The Athletic subscription in the list and tap on it.
Choose Cancel Subscription at the bottom of the screen.
Immediately after cancelling, open the App Store.
Scroll down to your account at the top right, then select Purchased.
Locate The Athletic and select Report a Problem.
Choose the subscription you want a refund for and mention it was an unused renewal.
Fill out the details and submit your request.
If you purchased through Google Play:
Open the Google Play Store on your device.
Tap on the profile icon in the top right corner.
Select Payments & subscriptions.
Go to Subscriptions.
Find your The Athletic subscription and tap Cancel Subscription.
After cancellation, return to the Payments & subscriptions menu.
Select Budget & history.
Locate the purchase for The Athletic.
Tap on it and choose Request a refund.
Provide details, indicating that it was an unexpected renewal.
If you purchased through Roku:
Go to the Roku home screen and navigate to Streaming Channels.
Select My Channels and highlight The Athletic channel.
Press the Star (*) button on your remote to open the options menu.
Choose Manage Subscription.
Select Cancel Subscription to stop further charges.
Visit the Roku website and log in to your account.
Go to My Account and find Your Purchase History.
Find The Athletic subscription, click on Request a refund.
State that the recent charge was not expected and request a refund.
Disclaimer
Chargeback is an independent consumer resource that provides educational information to help users understand how to cancel, manage, or request refunds for various subscriptions. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of the companies mentioned on this site. All trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners.
The information we provide is based on publicly available sources and user reports and may contain inaccuracies or become outdated over time. Our guides are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as official company instructions or legal advice.
Consumers are solely responsible for reviewing their own contracts, terms of service, and refund or cancellation obligations before taking any action. Nothing on this site should be interpreted as legal, financial, or contractual guidance.
Chargeback does not encourage or condone disputing valid charges, misrepresenting transactions, or taking any action that could violate a company's terms, service agreement, or applicable laws. We promote fair, transparent, and lawful communication between consumers and businesses.
Get help with your refund
"This app saved me $127 in minutes"
Draft email to The Athletic: Sports News for Refund
My name is [Your Name], and I am writing to request a refund regarding my account associated with the email address [Your Email]. The billing situation is as follows: [describe reason].
I would like to request a refund in the amount of [Amount]. I have attached relevant documentation for your reference.
Could you please confirm the status of my request within 3-5 business days? Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Phone Number]
Common refund statuses
Status
Meaning
What It Means for You
Pending
Your refund request has been initiated and is awaiting approval.
This means your request is in the queue, and you will be notified once it is reviewed.
Processing
Your refund has been approved and is being processed.
You can expect your refund to be completed within 5-7 business days.
Refunded
Your refund has been successfully processed and the amount has been credited back to your account.
Check your payment method for the refunded amount. If not received, please contact support.
Partially Refunded
A portion of your refund request has been approved and processed.
You will receive a partial refund, and details of the transaction will be provided in your account.
Canceled
Your refund request has been canceled and will not be processed.
If you believe this is in error, please reach out for further clarification.
Completed
Your refund process is fully completed, and all actions have been finalized.
Your account balance and activity will reflect this update within a few minutes.
Real User Scenarios: When and How Refunds Were Successfully Claimed
User experiences with The Athletic: Sports News often focus on subscription management and account queries. Here are some scenarios where users successfully claimed refunds related to their subscriptions:
Subscription Overlap: A user realized that they had accidentally purchased a monthly subscription while already subscribed annually. Upon contacting customer support, they explained the situation, and received a full refund for the overlapping month without issue.
Canceled Subscription Miscommunication: After deciding to cancel their subscription, a user noticed a charge in their account for the next billing cycle. By reaching out to customer service with their cancellation confirmation email, they were able to process a refund for that charge, clarifying an oversight in the cancellation process.
Free Trial Issues: A user signed up for a free trial but faced technical issues that prevented access to content. After expressing their concerns to support, they were granted a full refund for the subscription charge incurred after the trial ended, as they couldn’t utilize the service effectively.
Plan Changes: When a user attempted to switch from an annual plan to a monthly plan, they inadvertently continued to be charged for the annual service. Customer support quickly resolved the confusion by processing a refund for the last charge after verifying the plan change request.
The Easiest Way to Request a The Athletic: Sports News Refund
If you're frustrated trying to get a refund from The Athletic: Sports News—or if you didn't even realize you were being charged—Chargeback can help. Chargeback is a personal subscription manager that automatically detects hidden, recurring charges like Netflix, Hulu, and hundreds of others. With one click, we can cancel unwanted subscriptions, flag suspicious billing, and even initiate refund requests on your behalf. No more waiting on hold or navigating confusing help pages. Just connect your bank or card account, and we'll take care of the rest.
How to Track Your Refund Status Efficiently
Tracking your refund status with The Athletic: Sports News is straightforward and efficient. Here are some specific tips to help you stay updated on your refund progress:
Check Your Email: The Athletic sends refund updates directly to your registered email. Look for emails with the subject line "Refund Confirmation" or "Refund Status Update" for timely information.
Use the Mobile App: If you have The Athletic app installed, navigate to the notifications section. Updates related to refund processes are often pushed as in-app alerts, ensuring you receive real-time information directly to your mobile device.
Visit Your Account Dashboard: Log into your account on The Athletic’s website and go to your dashboard. Here, you’ll find a dedicated section for Billing where all transaction activities are listed, including refund requests.
Order History: In your account settings, access the Order History tab. This section provides a detailed overview of your past transactions and current refund requests, allowing you to monitor the status easily.
Refund Progress Details: When checking the refund status, look for progress indicators reflected in your order history. The Athletic provides updates on whether your refund is being processed, approved, or completed, so you always know where it stands.
Contact Support if Needed: If you experience any issues or do not receive updates, don’t hesitate to reach out to The Athletic’s customer support through the help center. They can provide you with detailed information about your refund request.
FAQ
Unfortunately, if you forget to cancel your subscription before the renewal date, refunds are generally not provided for that billing cycle. It's recommended to review your subscription settings regularly to avoid unintended charges and ensure you are aware of renewal dates.
Refunds typically take 5 to 10 business days to process, depending on your bank's policies. Once initiated, you'll receive a confirmation email detailing the refund status. It’s important to keep an eye on your account during this period for the updated balance.
If you see a charge but don’t have an active subscription, please check your email for any past subscription confirmations that may be linked to your account. If you still need assistance, reach out to The Athletic's customer support for help with identifying the charge and resolving the issue.
If you're unable to obtain a refund directly from The Athletic, you might consider reaching out to their customer service team again for further clarification or assistance. Additionally, you can explore escalating your request within their support system to ensure it receives the appropriate attention. It's also a good idea to review your account details to confirm everything is set up correctly.
If you find that The Athletic: Sports News has declined to issue a refund, you might consider reviewing their refund policy for clarification on eligibility. It may also be beneficial to reach out to their customer support again for further assistance, or double-check your account details and subscription status to ensure everything is in order.
Chargeback and the Chargeback trademarks used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Chargeback and its affiliates. The use of any other trade name, copyright, or trademark is for identification and reference purposes only and does not imply any association with the copyright or trademark holder of their product or brand. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.
¹ Total savings is calculated based on internal annualized estimates of savings for customers. ² Average requests times may vary depending on volume of requests
Comments (0)