How to Get a Refund After a Free Trial Charged You
A free trial that quietly turned into a paid subscription is one of the most common surprise charges. Most companies will refund a first charge if you ask promptly and clearly.
Whether you're calling it a refund request, a chargeback, disputing the charge, or just contesting it, the steps below are the same.
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Find the trial terms
Check the signup confirmation email and the subscription page for the trial length and the date billing started. Note whether you were clearly told it would convert to a paid plan.
Cancel immediately so no more charges happen
Cancel in your account settings and save the confirmation. This also sets a clear date for the end of any ongoing billing.
Request a refund quickly
Contact support with the charge date and amount, and say plainly that you did not intend to continue after the trial. Many companies grant a first-charge refund when asked soon after.
Dispute with your card issuer if they refuse
Bring your cancellation confirmation, the trial terms if they were unclear, and your written request to the company.
- •Set a reminder for a couple of days before any free trial ends. It prevents this entirely next time.
- •If the cancellation was hard to find, mention that in your request. Difficult cancellation is something card issuers and regulators pay attention to.
- •Some trials require a card, then bill automatically with no reminder email. If you never received one, say so explicitly.
Don't want to write it yourself?
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Write My DisputeA self-help document tool, not a law firm. We can't promise refunds or provide legal advice.