What if USA Today doesn't reply?

Don't just wait. Go public on X (formerly Twitter) or file a BBB complaint. They notice that.

Can I escalate my complaint legally?

You could try small claims court for a billing dispute, but it's a major hassle for a subscription fee. Your best, and much easier, first escalation is filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. It's free and gets their attention without needing a lawyer.

Are there lots of people leaving USA Today?

It sure seems like it. Based on the 1.7-star Trustpilot score and the endless complaints on the BBB page about cancellation nightmares, where people are stuck in billing loops for months after trying to leave, you are definitely not alone in wanting out.

Is this the right phone number to contact USA Today?

Yes, 1-800-872-0001 is the main customer service number they list, but be prepared for a wait. I had to call twice last week because the first time the automated system just hung up on me after I selected the "billing issue" option. So, yeah. Good luck.

What's the easiest way to cancel a subscription with USA Today?

Easiest is a strong word. Theoretically, you should be able to do it from your account settings online, but many people report the button is missing or just leads to an error page, which is why so many end up having to call them directly. We have a full guide on [How to cancel USA Today](https://www.19pine.ai/cancel-subscription/newspaper-magazine-and-online-learning/how-to-cancel-usa-today) that covers the hoops you might have to jump through.

Other ways that I can contact the USA Today?

If the phone and email are black holes, try hitting them up on social media. A public post on X (formerly Twitter) tagging @USATODAY can sometimes get a faster, more public-facing response than waiting in a private queue.

Why am I still being billed for a 'digital all access' pass I never wanted?

This is a huge complaint. Often, it's bundled with a print subscription or offered as a free trial that automatically converts to a paid plan, and the fine print is buried so deep you'd need a map to find it before you're suddenly charged $9.99 a month. You have to call them to get it removed.

Complain About USA Today - File a Complaint Today

Best ways to complain to USA Today

Contact Method	Details & Availability	Why use this instead...
Phone	1-800-872-0001 (Mon-Fri, 8 AM - 7 PM EST)	Best for urgent billing issues or when you need to speak to a human directly.
Live Chat	Available via their online help center during business hours.	Good for getting quick answers to simple questions without waiting on hold.
Contact Form	Available 24/7 on their official help page.	Use this to create a written record of your complaint. Good for non-urgent issues.
Social Media	Tag @USATODAY on X (formerly Twitter).	A public complaint can sometimes get a faster response from their social media team.

⏱️ Estimated Response Times from USA Today After Complaining

Getting a response can feel like a lottery, but here's what you can generally expect.

Method	Expected Wait Time
Phone	Immediate to 30 minutes (plus hold time)
Email / Contact Form	24 - 72 business hours
Live Chat	5 - 20 minutes
Social Media	A few hours to a day

🔍 Tips to Get a Quicker Response from a Complaint

Call during off-peak hours: Try calling mid-morning on a Tuesday or Wednesday to avoid the Monday rush and end-of-week backlog.
Have your details ready: Don't make them wait. Have your account number, subscription details, and any relevant dates on hand before you contact them.
Use the chat feature: If the phone lines are busy, the live chat can often get you a quicker initial response for simple issues.
State your goal clearly: Start the conversation with exactly what you want, for example, "I need to cancel my subscription and get a refund for the last charge."

How to Escalate Your Complaint

If customer service isn't helping, it's time to escalate. Your first step should be asking to speak with a manager or supervisor while you're on the phone or chat. Be polite but firm.

If that goes nowhere, your next move is to file a formal complaint with an external body.

Better Business Bureau (BBB): This is your best bet for a company like USA Today. Filing a complaint on the BBB website (bbb.org) creates a public record that companies are often motivated to resolve. They will forward your complaint to Gannett (the parent company) and ask for a response. It works, but prepare to wait. Gannett usually responds, but it can take a couple of weeks and sometimes a follow-up nudge. Make sure you've already tried to resolve it with them directly, as the BBB will ask.

Email Template to Complain to USA Today

Subject: Formal Complaint: Unresolved Subscription Issue - Account [[Your Account Number]]

To Whom It May Concern,

This is my second attempt to resolve an issue with my subscription. Despite contacting customer service on [[Date of first contact]], the problem with [[Briefly describe the issue, e.g., an incorrect billing charge]] has not been fixed.

On [[Date of incident]], my account was charged [[$Amount]] even though I had already requested to cancel my service. Frankly, having to chase this down and spend my time correcting your company's billing error is incredibly frustrating.

To resolve this, I require a full refund of [[$Amount]] to be processed immediately and written confirmation that my subscription has been successfully terminated.

Please be aware that if I do not receive a satisfactory response and confirmation of the refund within 3 business days, my next step will be to file a chargeback with my credit card provider and submit a formal complaint to the Better Business Bureau.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

[[Your Name]] [[Your Account Number]]

Additional Helpful Tips to get Your Complaint Resolved

Ask for a supervisor immediately. If the first person you speak to is reading from a script, politely say, "I understand, but I'd like to speak with a supervisor to resolve this now." Don't waste time repeating yourself.
Get it in writing. After any phone call, send a follow-up email or use the chat to say, "Just to confirm our conversation, you are going to [action they promised]." This creates a paper trail. Weirdly, sometimes just asking for this makes them take the action more seriously.
Go public on X (Twitter). A public post tagging @USATODAY and @Gannett can work wonders. Be specific: "Hey @USATODAY, I've been trying to cancel my subscription for 2 weeks. My account is [[Account #]]. Can someone actually help?"
Reference their own terms. One user on a forum mentioned they finally got a refund after quoting the cancellation policy directly from USA Today's terms of service in their email. It shows you've done your homework.

Let Pine AI Help Raise the Complaint to USA Today

Tired of the endless loop of trying to cancel your USA Today subscription? Sound familiar? You follow the steps, click the button, and somehow you're still getting billed next month. Or you spend 20 minutes on hold just to be told to fill out a form online. It's exhausting.

Honestly, your time is worth more than that. Instead of battling with customer service reps or navigating confusing website menus, let Pine AI handle it. We deal with the persistent follow-ups and the corporate pushback for you. No more hold music. No more "we've received your request" emails that go nowhere. We just get it done.

Frequently Asked Questions about USA Today Complaint Filing

Emma Sullivan

EdTech and Media Writer

Emma Sullivan is the EdTech & Media Writer at Pine AI, focusing on the intersection of educational technology, digital media, and consumer trends. With over a decade of experience as a technology journalist and an educator, Emma brings a unique, hands-on perspective to their analysis. In her full time profession Emma teaches digital literacy programs and reports for leading technology publications, where they cover the launch of major educational platforms and the integration of new media in learning environments. Emma is committed to providing readers with practical, insightful, and reliable guidance whether it's about saving money or practical subscription hacks, she wants to empower consumers through knowleddge.