How to cancel Foreign Affairs subscription in the philippines without losing your refund
What Foreign Affairs is and why you might need to cancel
Foreign Affairs is a premium international affairs publication operated by the Council on Foreign Relations, a respected think tank based in the United States. The service delivers in-depth analysis on global politics, economics, diplomacy, and security to readers who demand serious, authoritative coverage beyond mainstream news headlines.
For subscribers in the Philippines, you access Foreign Affairs through an international platform with no local support team and no peso-based billing. The service operates on U.S. Eastern Time, which means support hours (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET) often fall late at night or very early morning in Manila. Many Filipinos find the premium content valuable but struggle when it comes time to cancel because the exit process is not clearly published on the website.
Yafee specialises in helping subscribers navigate confusing cancellation paths exactly like this one. You deserve to understand precisely what you are paying for and how to stop paying when you no longer need it.
The two paid subscription tiers
Foreign Affairs offers two main plans: Digital and All Access. Both renew automatically unless you cancel before the renewal date.
| Plan |
Annual price (USD) |
Annual price (PHP) |
What you get |
| Digital |
$34.95 |
₱1,975 |
Unlimited web access, PDF issues, e-reader formats |
| All Access |
$39.95 |
₱2,257 |
Everything in Digital plus six printed issues mailed annually (shipping may apply) |
If you read mainly on your phone or laptop, the Digital plan is efficient. If you value physical copies but live in the Philippines, note that Foreign Affairs does not guarantee standard international mail delivery timeframes, and shipping surcharges may apply to your bill.
Why filipinos cancel Foreign Affairs
Subscribers cancel for several reasons: they lose interest in the content, the subscription cost adds up alongside other services, they prefer free news sources, or they find the support experience frustrating because of time zone delays. Some discover that the print edition never arrives or arrives months late, making the All Access plan feel wasteful.
Whatever your reason, cancelling should not be a battle. Yafee is here to walk you through the exact steps and ensure you do not get charged again.
Your consumer rights under philippine law
The Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7394) protects you when you subscribe to any service, including Foreign Affairs.
What the law guarantees you
Under the Consumer Act, you have the right to be informed about the terms of your subscription before you buy, the right to cancel without unreasonable barriers, and the right to dispute unauthorised charges with your bank. If Foreign Affairs bills you after you submit a cancellation request, you can file a complaint with the National Privacy Commission or the Department of Trade and Industry if the company violates the terms you agreed to.
You also have the right to dispute any charge within 60 days of the transaction appearing on your statement, according to guidelines from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). This is your safety net if a renewal charge appears after you cancel.
Your legal position if Foreign Affairs refuses to cancel
Under the Consumer Act of the Philippines, you are not obligated to continue paying for a service you no longer want. If Foreign Affairs does not respond to your cancellation request within 14 days, or if they continue to bill you after you cancel, you have legal recourse. You can file a complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) at dti.gov.ph or contact the National Privacy Commission if the company mishandles your personal data or refuses to honour your cancellation.
Additionally, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank within 60 days of the transaction. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas enforces this right under banking regulations, and your bank must investigate your claim at no cost to you.
Methods to cancel Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs does not publish a self-service cancellation link on its website, so you must contact the CFR Membership Office directly by mail or phone.
Cancellation by mail (most reliable method)
Send a written cancellation request to the CFR Membership Office. Write your full name, email address, subscription account number (if you have it), and a clear statement that you wish to cancel your subscription. Include the words "I request cancellation of my Foreign Affairs subscription effective immediately" to leave no ambiguity.
Mail your letter to:
CFR Membership Office
The Council on Foreign Relations
58 East 68th Street
New York, NY 10065
United States
Send the letter by registered international mail or a tracked courier service so you have proof of delivery. Keep a copy of your letter and the tracking number for your records. This method takes 7-14 days for processing, so cancel at least 14 days before your next billing date.
Cancellation by phone
Call the CFR Membership Office at +1-212-434-9888 during business hours (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET). Note that this is very early morning in the Philippines (8 p.m. to midnight Manila time), so plan your call accordingly. Have your subscription account number and email address ready when you call. Ask the representative to confirm your cancellation in writing by email immediately after the call, and save that confirmation for your records.
Step-by-step cancellation process
Follow these steps to ensure your cancellation is processed correctly and you are not billed again.
Step 1: gather your subscription information
- Find your most recent Foreign Affairs billing email or invoice
- Search your email inbox for "Foreign Affairs" or "Council on Foreign Relations"
- Look for a subject line like "Your Foreign Affairs subscription" or "Billing confirmation"
- Note your subscription account number, email address, and the next billing date
Step 2: decide which cancellation method suits you
- Choose between mail and phone based on your schedule and preference
- Mail: Slower but creates a written record; ideal if you live in a time zone far from U.S. Eastern Time
- Phone: Faster but requires you to call early morning (Philippine time); ensure you get written confirmation
Step 3: submit your cancellation request
- If cancelling by mail:
- Write a letter on plain paper with your name, email, account number, and cancellation statement
- Use registered mail or DHL, FedEx, or UPS to send it to the CFR Membership Office in New York
- Save your tracking number and take a photo of the letter before you send it
- If cancelling by phone:
- Call +1-212-434-9888 during business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. to midnight Manila time)
- Speak to a representative and ask for their name and the date of the call
- Request written confirmation by email immediately after you hang up
Step 4: monitor your account and email
- Check your email daily for a cancellation confirmation from Foreign Affairs or the CFR Membership Office
- This confirmation should state your cancellation date and confirm that no further charges will apply
- If you do not receive confirmation within 5 business days, send a follow-up email or call again
- Check your bank or credit card statement 7 days after your cancellation date
- Verify that no new charge appears in your account
- If a charge does appear, escalate immediately (see "If your cancellation fails" section below)
Step 5: request a refund if applicable
- If you cancelled within 30 days of being charged for a renewal, ask for a pro-rata refund
- Email the CFR Membership Office and reference your cancellation confirmation number
- State that you wish to receive a refund for the unused portion of your subscription
- Allow 10-15 business days for the refund to be processed to your original payment method
Refunds and billing after cancellation
Foreign Affairs honours refunds for subscriptions cancelled within 30 days of a renewal charge, but you must request the refund explicitly-it is not automatic.
How to claim a refund
If you were charged for a renewal and then cancelled within 30 days, you are entitled to a pro-rata refund. Email the CFR Membership Office at [email protected] (or the email address listed in your cancellation confirmation) with the subject line "Refund Request for Foreign Affairs Subscription". Include your account number, the date you were charged, the date you cancelled, and the amount you paid. Request the refund be credited back to your original payment method. Yafee advises keeping all confirmation emails and bank statements during this process so you have proof if a dispute arises.
Timeline for refund processing
Once you submit your refund request, the CFR Membership Office typically processes it within 10-15 business days. The refund then takes an additional 3-7 business days to appear in your bank account, depending on your bank and whether the charge was made in USD or converted to PHP. If you do not see the refund within 21 days of submitting your request, contact your bank or credit card company and initiate a chargeback dispute.
If your cancellation fails
If you are charged again after submitting a cancellation request, act immediately. Contact your bank or credit card company within 60 days of the unauthorized charge and file a dispute. Provide your cancellation letter or confirmation email as evidence. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas mandates that your bank must investigate the dispute at no cost to you and return the funds within 60 days if the charge is deemed unauthorized.
Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling
Cancelling Foreign Affairs is straightforward if you follow the right path, but many subscribers stumble because they skip crucial steps.
Mistake 1: sending cancellation to the wrong address
Foreign Affairs lists a P.O. Box address on its website for subscribers who wish to send paper cheques. This address is not for cancellation requests. Only use the CFR Membership Office address at 58 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10065. If you send your cancellation to the wrong address, it will be delayed or lost, and you may be charged again.
Mistake 2: cancelling without a record
Never cancel by phone or email without requesting written confirmation. If you do not have proof of your cancellation, Foreign Affairs can deny they ever received your request, and you will have no leverage with your bank or the DTI. Always keep screenshots, tracking numbers, or confirmation emails.
Mistake 3: not checking your statement after cancellation
Many subscribers cancel and then assume they will not be charged again. Check your statement 7 days after your cancellation date. If a charge appears, dispute it immediately with your bank rather than waiting weeks.
Mistake 4: missing the 30-day refund window
If you cancel more than 30 days after a renewal charge, you forfeit your right to a refund under Foreign Affairs' standard policy. Cancel as soon as you decide you no longer want the service.
What happens after you cancel
Once your cancellation is confirmed, your access to Foreign Affairs will end on the date specified in your confirmation email.
Immediate access changes
You may lose access to your digital subscription immediately, or access may remain active until the end of your billing period (typically 30 days after cancellation). Check your confirmation email for the exact cutoff date. If you have downloaded PDF issues or saved articles offline, you can continue to read them on your device, but you will not be able to access the live website or download new content after the cancellation date.
Email communication after cancellation
Foreign Affairs may continue to send you marketing emails after you cancel. You can unsubscribe from these by clicking the "Unsubscribe" link in any email, or by emailing the CFR Membership Office directly and requesting removal from their mailing list. Include your email address and a clear request to be removed.
Renewal notifications to ignore
Some subscription platforms send renewal reminders or "We miss you" offers months after cancellation. Ignore these unless you decide to resubscribe. Do not reply to them, as this may restart your subscription or create confusion in your account record. If you receive a charge after your confirmed cancellation date, immediately treat it as an unauthorized charge and dispute it with your bank.
Cancellation checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you have completed every step correctly and have proof of your cancellation.
| Task |
Status |
Date completed |
| Found subscription account number and next billing date |
Pending |
|
| Sent cancellation letter by registered mail or called phone line |
Pending |
|
| Saved tracking number or call confirmation details |
Pending |
|
| Received written cancellation confirmation from CFR |
Pending |
|
| Checked bank statement 7 days after cancellation date (no new charge appeared) |
Pending |
|
| Requested refund if cancelled within 30 days of renewal charge |
Pending |
|
Comparing subscription cancellation difficulty
Foreign Affairs is more difficult to cancel than most digital subscriptions because it offers no online cancellation portal. Here is how it compares to other news and magazine services.
| Service |
Cancellation method |
Difficulty |
Time to cancel |
| Foreign Affairs |
Mail or phone only |
High |
7-14 days |
| The Economist |
Online portal or phone |
Low |
Immediate |
| Financial Times |
Online account settings |
Low |
Immediate |
| Politico |
Email or online |
Low |
1-3 days |
| The New York Times |
Online account or phone |
Low |
Immediate |
To cancel your Foreign Affairs subscription, contact the CFR Membership Office using one of these methods.
Mailing address for cancellation
CFR Membership Office
The Council on Foreign Relations
58 East 68th Street
New York, NY 10065
United States
Use this address only for cancellation requests. Do not mail renewal cheques or billing disputes to this address unless specifically instructed in your subscription confirmation email.
Phone number for cancellation
+1-212-434-9888
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time
This is approximately 8 p.m. to midnight Manila time.
Email for follow-up
If you need to follow up on your cancellation or request written confirmation, email [email protected] with your account number and cancellation details. Response time is typically 3-5 business days.
Final summary
Cancelling Foreign Affairs requires you to contact the CFR Membership Office by mail or phone-there is no online cancellation portal. Send a registered letter to 58 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10065, or call +1-212-434-9888 during business hours. Always request written confirmation of your cancellation and check your bank statement 7 days later to ensure no further charges appear.
Under the Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7394), you have the right to cancel your subscription without unreasonable barriers and to dispute any unauthorized charges. If Foreign Affairs refuses to cancel or continues to bill you, file a complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry or dispute the charge with your bank within 60 days.
Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel confusing international subscriptions exactly like this one. By following the steps outlined above, you will protect your rights, preserve your refund eligibility, and ensure you are not billed again. Keep all confirmation emails and banking records as proof, and do not hesitate to escalate if Foreign Affairs fails to honour your cancellation request. Your consumer rights are backed by law, and Yafee is here to ensure you exercise them fully.