LinkedIn refusing refund for annual subscription - what can I do?

Troublegum2000

Hi there. Wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience or has any advice.

I recently signed up to a LinkedIn Premium Career free trial. By mistake, I let the membership automatically renew after the trial period and ended up on an annual subscription totalling £179.88. 

After contacting customer services on the day this happened (October 18th), I have been told that I am ineligible for a refund. This is because I previously requested a refund on October 16th 2025 (so over a year ago) for £29.99 after I opted to end my membership.

I spoke to an agent via web chat and on the phone, but they've said their policy will not allow them to refund. I've offered to pay for this month's subscription or anything I've used, but customer service have flat out refused. One of them eventually agreed to escalate my claim via email, but said in advance that they expect the outcome to be the same. Having been told I'd hear back within 48 hours, it'd been 5 days and I've had no response.

Obviously this is my error in not cancelling the auto renew, but this seems extremely punitive and predatory. Has anyone had a similar experience with LinkedIn and have any advice on pursuing a refund? I'd chalk it up to experience but it's nearly £200..!

Thanks for reading!

MattMattMattUK

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6687806/linkedin-refusing-refund-for-annual-subscription-what-can-i-do

I do not see it as punitive of predatory, you signed up for something, you chose not to cancel within the permitted window (you can cancel straight away and let it run the trial down), unfortunately this is on you.

Alderbank

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6687806/linkedin-refusing-refund-for-annual-subscription-what-can-i-do

Welcome to the forum.

Is the free trial this one:

'Try one month of premium for £0

1-month free trial with 24/7 support. Easy to cancel. We’ll remind you 7 days before your trial ends.'

What are the terms and conditions of that free trial? I can't see them on their website

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6687806/linkedin-refusing-refund-for-annual-subscription-what-can-i-do

So sounds like you did something similar last year ago which you used up your goodwill with.

Where at all possible, I ensure i sign up to the monthly service if i am not intending to keep it for beyond the free trial as this at least means if i do forget and dont cancel the damages are limited

flaneurs_lobster

Could have been far worse, depending on what you click you can get to here

Order summary

Premium All-in-One (Annual)

Due today1-month free trial

£0

Due on 11/23/2026 After free trial

£479.88 / year

Show order details

Your free trial starts today and ends on November 23, 2026. Beginning November 23, 2026, you’ll be charged £479.88 each year. Your plan renews automatically each year unless canceled. Cancel before November 23, 2026 to avoid charges. To ensure continued service, we’ll store and update your payment method. By placing this order, you agree to our terms of service. Learn about cancellation and refunds.

Should be said that this is five pages into the Premium application and is the first mention of

a) the price

b) the Terms & Conditions

Does say that they will contact prior to taking that first (only) payment.

Difficult to see how OP can argue ignorance of the charging structure or the need to cancel - they've previously received a refund from an earlier subscription.

And it's not punitive nor predatory, the charges are shown (eventually) as are the terms to not pay them.

Aylesbury_Duck

"What LinkedIn's subscription services taught me about B2B sales."

Troublegum2000

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82178732#Comment_82178732

Ha, this made me giggle.

Sounds like I'll have to chalk this one down to an expensive lesson (and from what flaneurs shown, could have been much worse).

But I would say that those who think this isn't a predatory tactic are too accepting of poor practices. Yes, it is my error, but this would be sort of like a shop refusing to allow you to return an unused item because you once also returned an unused item in the past. There's a reason why there's legislation coming in next year against this kind of thing. Services like LinkedIn are relying on people being forgetful enough to make mistakes and exploiting it.

Ultimately it's on me. But it's also pretty poor practice as they've also lost themselves a customer forever (I have previously had paid subscriptions with them on and off). I'm sure they won't be bothered by that, mind! Ah well.

flaneurs_lobster

Beware of what you wish for, the obvious way for the providers of services with a "free" trial period to react to tightening regs is to stop offering such trials.

Troublegum2000

Mm, that is a very fair point.

Perhaps I'd be less sore about it if LinkedIn's paid subscriptions were any good..! I signed up to the trial this time round hoping that things had changed in a year, but more fool me.

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82179413#Comment_82179413

Well it's scant compensation but at least you now have access to the crappy service for a whole year!

Please, stick an entry in your online calendar to cancel the thing next September.

TELLIT01

Not predatory. More a case of somebody not taking responsibility for their own action, or inaction in this case.