Foxtel Warning: A $137 ‘Surprise’ Is Coming To Free-Trial Members

If you signed up for Foxtel Now’s free trial specifically to watch Game Of Thrones, you need to cancel your subscription before the trial period ends. Otherwise, you will get slugged with a full monthly billing cycle without warning – even if you cancel the day after.

Depending on what packages you signed up for, this could leave you over $100 out-of-pocket. Act fast.

This should really go without saying. When you sign up for a free trial with Foxtel (or any service, for that matter) the onus is on you to remember to cancel inside the promotional window.

Don’t wait for a reminder email or pop-up window, because you’re probably not going to get one. As soon as the free trial ends, Foxtel is going to start charging you. Makes sense, right?

Nevertheless, there has been a spate of customers voicing their surprise and displeasure online. Here’s a recent example from news presenter Juanita Phillips, along with Foxtel’s confirmation of the charges.

Beware @Foxtel free trial. Full price $137 kicks in without any warning. I rang Monday to cancel, told "free trial expired yesterday". — Juanita Phillips (@Juanita_Phillip) August 28, 2017

I am so sorry for the confusion here, if we're not advised before the free trial ends charges do kick in 1/2 — foxtel help ? ? (@FOXTEL_Help) August 28, 2017

But we would love to look into your account and see if these charges are correct. Send us a DM with your details – Trish 2/2 — foxtel help ? ? (@FOXTEL_Help) August 28, 2017

The lesson here is simple: don’t rely on a company that’s trying to make money off you to cancel your freebie. The only reason these trials exist in the first place is to turn you into a paying customer. Whether you end up paying willingly or due to forgetfulness is irrelevant.

With that said, the T&Cs on Foxtel’s website currently aren’t crystal clear due to sloppy grammar. Here is the offending passage:

If I continue when do I start paying? If you choose to continue, we will take a full month payment based on the pack(s) you have selected. This payment will be taken after your trial period has ended if you.

This is not a complete sentence. If you’re really salty about being charged, you could probably point this out for a refund. (Be sure to take a screenshot of the mistake before it gets corrected!)