You're sitting there, coffee in hand, ready to dive into the latest digest of global news, but your mailbox is empty. Or maybe your digital login is looping like a glitch in the Matrix. It happens. Dealing with subscriptions is honestly one of those low-level life stressors that shouldn't be a big deal but somehow always is. If you've spent more than five minutes digging through the fine print at the bottom of a website just to find a human voice, you know the struggle. Finding The Week magazine customer service number shouldn't feel like a digital scavenger hunt.
Let's cut to the chase.
The primary contact for subscribers in the United States is 1-888-319-5645.
It’s a direct line. No magic words required, though you’ll likely hit an automated menu first because, well, it’s 2026 and every company wants to save on labor costs. If you’re calling from the UK or elsewhere, the numbers shift. For the British edition, you’re looking at 0330 333 9494. It's weird how we still rely on these strings of digits in an era of AI chatbots, but sometimes you just need to talk to a person named Dave in a call center to explain that your mail carrier definitely "lost" your issue for the third time this month.
Why the Week magazine customer service number is still your best bet
Chatbots are getting better. They really are. But they still struggle with the nuance of "I moved three weeks ago, updated my address on the site, but my magazines are still going to my ex’s apartment." That requires a human touch.
Most people searching for help are dealing with a few specific headaches. Usually, it's a delivery failure. The Week is a weekly publication—the clue is in the name—so if you miss a Friday delivery, the content starts to feel "old" pretty fast. Speed matters here. If you call the service number, you can often get a credit applied to your account or have a replacement copy shipped out immediately.
Wait times vary.
Monday mornings are a nightmare. Seriously, don't call then. Everyone who didn't get their magazine over the weekend calls on Monday at 9:00 AM. If you can wait until Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon, you’ll likely get through in under three minutes. It’s basic call center psychology.
The Digital Login Loop
There's a specific kind of rage reserved for the "Reset Password" button that never sends the email. If you’re a digital subscriber or you have the print+digital bundle, the app can be finicky. Sometimes the backend database doesn't sync your subscription ID with your email address.
When you call, have your account number ready. You can find it on the "blow-in" cards (those annoying cardboard slips that fall out of the magazine) or printed right on the mailing label of a previous issue. It’s usually an 8 or 10-digit code. Having this ready makes you the customer service representative's favorite person of the day. It turns a 15-minute ordeal into a 2-minute fix.
Managing Your Account Without the Hold Music
Maybe you don't actually want to talk to anyone. I get it. I avoid phone calls like the plague.
The Week has a dedicated subscriber portal. You go to their main site, look for the "Help" or "Manage Subscription" link, and you can handle the basics.
- Updating your credit card so your service doesn't lapse.
- Changing your physical mailing address.
- Suspending delivery for a "vacation hold" so you don't have a pile of mail signaling to burglars that you're in Cabo.
But here is the catch: the online portal is notorious for having a "delay" in processing. If you change your address online today, the next two issues might still go to the old place because the mailing labels are printed so far in advance. If you’re moving now, call The Week magazine customer service number instead. The agents can sometimes manually override the next print run if you catch them early enough in the production cycle.
International Nuances
The Week is a global brand, but it operates under different corporate umbrellas depending on where you are. In the US, it’s part of Future plc (which acquired Dennis Publishing). In the UK, the contact points are different.
If you're in the UK, your email contact is help@theweek.co.uk.
In the US, it’s service@theweek.com.
Don't mix them up. You’ll just get a very polite "not my department" email three days later. It’s frustrating. It’s inefficient. But that’s the reality of international publishing mergers.
Avoiding the "Auto-Renew" Trap
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: the introductory offer.
The Week is famous for those "6 Free Issues" or "$1 per issue" deals. They are great. I've used them. But they almost always roll over into a full-price annual subscription that can catch your bank account off guard.
If you want to cancel, the website makes it... let's say "challenging." This is where the phone number becomes your sword. Under various consumer protection laws (especially if you're in California or the EU), companies have to make it relatively easy to cancel, but they still prefer you do it over the phone so they can offer you a "retention deal."
Pro tip: If you call to cancel, they will almost certainly offer you another six months at a massive discount. If you actually like the magazine but just hate the price, this is the secret handshake.
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When Things Go Wrong with Third Parties
Did you subscribe through Amazon? Or maybe one of those "Discount Mag" sites?
If so, The Week magazine customer service number might not be able to help you with billing. This is a common point of confusion. If Amazon took your money, Amazon owns the "billing relationship." The magazine just fulfills the order. If you call the number above and they can't find your account, check your credit card statement. If it says "AMZN" or "Apple," you have to go through their respective subscription management hubs. It’s a pain, but that’s the trade-off for those one-click signups.
The Value of the Print Edition in 2026
In a world of infinite scrolling, there’s something tactile and final about a magazine. It has a beginning and an end. The Week’s "Briefing" sections are particularly good for getting a 360-degree view of an issue without the partisan screaming matches of social media.
But that value disappears if the physical product doesn't arrive.
If you are consistently missing issues, it might not be the magazine's fault. Check with your local post office. Media mail and periodical rates are handled differently than first-class letters. Sometimes, a substitute carrier just doesn't know the route. However, reporting the "non-delivery" to the customer service line creates a paper trail. If you report it three times, they usually escalate it to their distribution manager.
Real Steps to Resolve Your Issue Today
Stop clicking around the FAQ pages. They are designed to deflect you, not help you. If you have a legitimate problem with your subscription, follow this exact sequence to get it fixed without losing your mind.
- Locate your account number. Look at your last magazine's mailing label. It’s the string of numbers above your name. If you don't have it, have the zip code and the last name on the subscription ready.
- Call at the right time. Aim for Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Avoid the 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM EST window when half the staff is at lunch.
- Use the US number: 1-888-319-5645. 4. State your Goal Immediately. Don't meander. "I am calling because I missed issue #1245 and I want a credit," or "I need to cancel my auto-renewal but keep my current issues."
- Ask for a Confirmation Number. If you change anything—especially a cancellation or an address—get a reference number. If the change doesn't "take," you'll need this to prove you called.
If you prefer the digital route and aren't in a rush, emailing service@theweek.com is fine, but expect a 48 to 72-hour turnaround. For anything involving money or missing physical items, the phone is still king. It's old school, but for a magazine that prides itself on curation and traditional journalism, it fits the brand.
Keep your records, stay polite with the reps (they get yelled at all day), and you’ll get your news digest back on track.
Actionable Insight: If you are calling to cancel but actually want to stay for a lower price, simply ask for the "current renewal promotion." Most agents have the authority to drop the price by 50% or more just to keep you on the subscriber list. This works 90% of the time and saves you the hassle of shopping for a new deal every year.