Important Changes to Your Guardian Subscription
The Guardian has announced significant updates to its terms and conditions for all subscription services, affecting how readers access both print and digital content. These changes apply to home delivery, subscription card, and voucher subscriptions across the United Kingdom.
Guardian News & Media Limited, the company behind these subscription services, has implemented new rules that subscribers must accept to continue receiving their newspapers and digital benefits. The updated terms clarify subscriber rights, cancellation policies, and the relationship between different service providers.
Understanding Your Subscription Options
The Guardian offers three primary types of newspaper subscriptions: home delivery, subscription cards, and paper vouchers. Each option comes in various packages including everyday, weekend, and six-day delivery patterns. Subscribers also receive access to Guardian digital benefits unless they specifically opt out during the sign-up process.
Home delivery subscribers will receive their newspapers delivered to their chosen address, though this service is only available in areas served by the Guardian's delivery partners. Most deliveries should be completed before 9:00am, and subscribers who haven't received their paper by this time can claim credit for an additional day if they report the issue by 5:00pm on the same day.
Subscription card holders can collect their newspapers from participating retailers across the UK, while voucher subscribers receive books of vouchers every 13 weeks, with each voucher valid only for the specific date printed on it.
Digital Benefits and Account Management
All subscribers gain access to advert-free reading on the Guardian's website and apps when signed in with their account details. This removes most advertising content, though 'Supported by' content and some third-party advertising in specific apps may still appear.
Subscribers can manage their accounts online, including booking up to five weeks of holiday per year where they won't receive newspapers but will receive credit for the missed issues. Holiday must be booked at least two business days in advance through the 'manage my account' service.
The terms emphasise that subscriptions are personal and non-transferable, with the Guardian reserving the right to lock or cancel accounts if they detect fraudulent activity or excessive sharing of subscription details.
Payment, Changes and Cancellation Rights
Subscriptions automatically renew on a rolling monthly, quarterly, or annual basis unless cancelled before the next payment date. The Guardian reserves the right to change subscription benefits, prices, or apps with at least 30 days' notice. Subscribers unhappy with changes must cancel before the changes take effect to avoid being bound by the new terms.
Cancellation can be done by contacting customer services or using the online cancellation form. Refunds are available in specific circumstances, including if the Guardian cannot fulfil the subscription, in exceptional circumstances, or for holiday credits. The company may also cancel subscriptions for breach of terms or non-payment.
Customer service queries should be directed to the Help Centre or customer.help@theguardian.com, while editorial complaints about The Observer should go directly to Tortoise Media Limited, which maintains independent editorial control over that publication.
These updated terms and conditions took effect immediately for new subscribers and will apply to existing subscribers after proper notice periods. The Guardian encourages all subscribers to review the full terms and save a copy for future reference.
