The Free Trial Trap: Simple Ways to Remember to Cancel Before They Charge You
By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man
Follow me on X.
Several streaming services offer free trials which allow you to watch their programming without paying a dime. For instance, YouTube TV has a 10-day free trial now. DIRECTV streaming has a five-day free trial. And Amazon Prime Video has a 30-day free trial. And there are others.
The Free Trial Trap
Okay, I hear you. You’re afraid to sign up for a free trial because you think you’ll forget to cancel before the trial is over. And then you’ll have to pay up.
Many people, not just seniors, feel this way. But I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to feel this way. There are some foolproof ways to enjoy some free television – anxiety-free.
Cancel After You Sign Up
Some streaming services allow you to cancel immediately after you sign up – and continue watching until the trial is over. This is the most effective way to ensure that you don’t get charged accidentally. Once it’s cancelled, the auto renewal option is turned off.
Create a Calendar Event On Your Phone After You Sign Up
If you can’t cancel and continue watching, go into the Calendar app on your smart phone and set a reminder to cancel on the day before the trial is over.
Use the Confirmation E-Mail
When the streamer sends you an e-mail confirming the free trial, forward the e-mail to yourself with a subject header saying, ‘Cancel By (Date).’ Then, keep that e-mail at the top of your e-mail list. You’ll see it every time you check your mail.
“Some streaming services allow you to cancel immediately after signing up – and continue watching until the free trial is over.”
Put a Reminder List On the Fridge
If you’re not the type that checks your digital devices regularly, put a cancel reminder on the fridge. Every time you go for a bite, you’ll remind yourself to cancel that streaming service.
Use a Subscription Manager
As I noted, many people forget to cancel free trials which has led to an entire new business category of apps and services designed to help people remember. For instance, Rocket Money, formerly known as Truebill, is an app that allows you to track and cancel subscriptions by connecting to your bank and credit card accounts and scanning for recurring charges. It then lists your subscriptions and let you cancel them through the app.
Use a Buddy to Remind You
My wife may not like that I’m writing this but I am her ‘cancel buddy.’ She tends to forget to cancel free trials so she asks me to remind her when she signs up. It seems to work for us.
I hope these little tricks work for you. The streaming free trial is a wonderful way to check out whether you want to subscribe to a service, or just enjoy some free shows you otherwise wouldn’t be able to watch without paying a hefty sum.
Until next time, happy viewing and stay safe!
Display image created by AI.
Do you have ideas on how to remember to cancel a free trial? Click on the Green Comments button on this page and share it with us.
[…] unless canceled. If you are the type who’s afraid of forgetting to cancel a free trial, see our article on ways to prevent getting charged after the promotion is […]
[…] the end of the promotion. (If you’re nervous about forgetting to cancel in time, see our article: The Free Trial Trap.) You can cancel at any time; there are no contracts or long-term […]
[…] A payment method is required at signup (to verify the account), but you are not charged during the free trial period. You can cancel at any time before the trial ends and pay nothing. (And if you’re concerned about forgetting to cancel the free trial before it expires, and then being charged, see our article, The Free Trial Trap.) […]
[…] trial ends so you aren’t charged. If you are nervous about forgetting to cancel, see our article, The Free Trial Trap.). You can stream on a Smart TV, streaming stick, computer, or […]
[…] Amazon Prime Video: 30-day free trial. New customers can start a Prime trial, watch Thursday’s game (and the next few TNF games), then cancel before the trial ends. Cancel in Account settings on Amazon.com so you are not billed. You keep access through the end of the trial even after you cancel. If you are concerned about forgetting to cancel a free trial, see our article for tips: The Free Trial Trap. […]
[…] Don’t Forget to Cancel Fox OneIf you sign up for the one month discount, and don’t want to pay the regular price starting with month two, don’t forget to cancel before the one month promotion is over. If you don’t cancel, you will be automatically billed the regular price in month two. Likewise, if you sign up for a year, you will need to cancel before the end of the year to avoid paying the regular price in year two. (To learn how to avoid getting charged in promotions and free trials, see our article: The Free Trial Trap.) […]
[…] Set a phone alarm for Friday morning, Oct. 2. Cancel that day and you should not be billed. If you have doubts about forgetting, see our article, The Free Trial Trap. […]
[…] 5. Important: You need to cancel the sub before the trial ends or you will be billed for the first month and that will set you back $20. To cancel, go to your Amazon account → Memberships & Subscriptions (or Manage Subscriptions) and cancel Peacock there. Cancellation is quick and stops future charges. If you want guidance on how to remember to cancel free trials, see our article, The Free Trial Trap. […]
[…] • Cancel anytime before the trial ends through the membership settings in the app or website to avoid charges. (The current monthly rate is $82.99 but YouTube TV is now offering discounts. Check the YouTube TV web page for the lastest price.) You keep access until the trial period finishes. If you are worried about forgetting to cancel, see our article, The Free Trial Trap. […]
[…] • DIRECTV Streaming offers a 5-day free trial for new subscribers, or people who have not subscribed in the past year. The Entertainment plan includes FOX and FS1. The trial renews at full price if you do not cancel so set a reminder for day 4. If you’re nervous about forgetting, see our article: The Free Trial Trap. […]