Understanding Chicago Tribune newspaper subscriptions
The Chicago Tribune offers several subscription options for readers looking to regularly access their news content. The main subscription types include print delivery, digital access, and print + digital bundles.
For print delivery, the Chicago Tribune offers options like 7-day home delivery or Sunday-only delivery. Print subscription rates vary based on the frequency and location, but can cost between $3 to $6 per week (https://www.chicagotribune.com/subscriptions/).
For digital access, the Chicago Tribune provides unlimited articles on chicagotribune.com and full access to the daily eNewspaper via email. Digital subscriptions start at $1 for 6 months of access when signing up for auto-renew (https://membership.chicagotribune.com/).
Bundled print + digital subscriptions allow readers to get both the physical newspaper and full digital access. Bundles provide the most benefits but cost more than standalone print or digital plans.
All subscriptions provide benefits like fewer ads, access to online articles, newsletters, and store discounts. Subscribers can manage their subscription and account online through the Chicago Tribune member center.
How to temporarily pause a Chicago Tribune subscription
The Chicago Tribune offers a vacation hold feature that allows subscribers to temporarily pause delivery of their newspaper subscription for a set period of time. This can be useful if you are going on vacation or will be away from home for an extended time.
To place a vacation hold on your Chicago Tribune subscription, you will need to contact the newspaper’s customer service department. According to the Chicago Tribune website, you can call 1-800-TRIBUNE (1-800-874-2863) to request a temporary hold.
Not all subscription types are eligible for the vacation hold feature. The hold needs to be for a minimum of 7 days and can last up to 6 weeks at a time. You will need to provide the dates that you want the hold to begin and end. Your normal delivery will resume after the hold end date.
Vacation holds can be scheduled up to 6 months in advance. You cannot pause service indefinitely, however, and will be billed for your subscription during the hold period. The vacation hold temporarily stops delivery but does not extend the length of your subscription term.
Placing a Vacation Hold on Your Chicago Tribune Subscription
Placing a temporary hold on your Chicago Tribune subscription is easy whether you want to do it online or over the phone. Here are step-by-step instructions for both options:
Online
To place a vacation hold online:
- Go to https://account.chicagotribune.com/ and log into your account.
- Under ‘Subscription Details’, click on ‘Pause Subscription’.
- Select the start and end dates for your vacation hold.
- Confirm your hold request.
Your Chicago Tribune subscription will be automatically reactivated after the selected end date unless you request an extension.
Phone
To place a vacation hold over the phone:
- Call 1-800-TRIBUNE (1-800-874-2863).
- When prompted, select the option to speak to a customer service representative.
- Inform the representative that you want to place a temporary hold on your subscription.
- Provide the start and end dates for your requested hold.
- Confirm the hold dates with the representative.
You can place a vacation hold for up to 30 days over the phone. For longer holds, you will need to call again once your initial 30 day hold is up.
Reactivating your Chicago Tribune subscription after a hold
To resume delivery of your Chicago Tribune print subscription after placing it on hold, you will need to contact the Chicago Tribune Customer Service Center. You can reach them by phone at 312-546-7900 or submit an online request form on the Chicago Tribune Contact Us page.
When you reactivate your subscription, be sure to confirm the date that delivery will resume. Typically, regular delivery will start again 1-2 days after you request reactivation. However, around major holidays it may take 3-5 days for delivery to resume. The customer service representative can provide you with an estimated start date.
After speaking with customer service, you may want to monitor your upcoming deliveries for the next week. If you do not receive your newspaper on the date promised, you can contact customer service again to confirm that the reactivation was processed correctly. Having your account information and confirmation number can help ensure prompt resolution if there are any issues restarting delivery.
Alternative options besides a vacation hold
If you don’t want to completely pause your Chicago Tribune subscription with a vacation hold, there are some other options to consider:
You can reduce the length of your subscription from 7 days a week to just weekends or Sunday only. This allows you to still get the paper but cuts down on delivery days. Contact customer service to switch your subscription length.
Another option is donating your papers while you’re away. The Chicago Tribune partners with PaperChain to collect donated papers and distribute them to schools, libraries, shelters and other nonprofits. You simply need to fill out a short form on their website.
You can also have your Chicago Tribune delivered to a neighbor or friend’s house while you’re gone. Just provide their address to customer service. This allows you to pause delivery to your home but keep your subscription active.
Consider these alternatives before placing a full vacation hold on your subscription. Reducing delivery days, donating papers, or forwarding to a neighbor allows you to stay subscribed while accommodating travel needs.
Pausing other Chicago Tribune subscriptions
The Chicago Tribune offers various subscription options beyond the standard print and digital packages. Subscribers can also get additional local news coverage through TribLocal or access premium digital content with a Premium Digital subscription.
To place a temporary hold on TribLocal or Premium Digital subscriptions, subscribers need to call the Chicago Tribune Customer Service Center at 312-546-7900. The customer service agents can help pause these additional subscriptions as needed.
For TribLocal specifically, the Chicago Tribune offers two ways to subscribe – either bundled with a print subscription or as a standalone digital subscription. To pause TribLocal in either case, a quick call to customer service is required.
Premium Digital subscriptions allow full digital access to the Chicago Tribune app and website. These subscriptions can also be paused by contacting the customer service line. Subscribers will need to provide their account information to verify their subscription status.
In most cases, the customer service agents can place a vacation hold on TribLocal or Premium Digital subscriptions for a certain period of time as requested. Reactivating the subscriptions simply requires calling back when ready for delivery to resume.
Managing Your Chicago Tribune Account
To manage your Chicago Tribune subscription account online, you can log in to your account on the Chicago Tribune Member Center website at https://membership.chicagotribune.com/. Once logged in, you will have access to the following account management options:
Update personal information such as name, address, phone number, and email address. To change your delivery address for print editions of the newspaper, select “Delivery Settings” under your account profile.
View current billing details and payment history. You can update credit card information, change auto-renewal settings, and make one-time payments. For billing help, contact Chicago Tribune Customer Service.
Monitor your subscription status and expiration date. Activate any available “bonus time” extensions on your account.
Access Chicago Tribune eNewspaper editions and manage newsletter subscriptions.
Review order history of any special offers or additional products purchased.
The Chicago Tribune Member Center provides 24/7 access for subscribers to manage their accounts, review benefits, and find help if needed.
Chicago Tribune Customer Support
For questions about your Chicago Tribune subscription, delivery issues, or technical support, you can contact the Chicago Tribune Customer Service Center directly. The customer service center can be reached by phone at 312-546-7900 or by email at https://membership.chicagotribune.com/contact-us/. The call center is open 7 days a week from 6am to 6pm CT.
When you call the Chicago Tribune customer service number, you will speak to a live representative who can assist with any subscription inquiries. This includes changing your delivery address, reporting a missed newspaper, pausing your subscription, reactivating your subscription after a hold, billing questions, and more. The customer service representatives have access to your account details and can help resolve most issues over the phone.
For technical issues with your online account, the customer service team can also provide support. This includes troubleshooting login problems, accessing your digital subscription, resetting your password, and any other technical questions.
Canceling Your Chicago Tribune Subscription
If you wish to cancel your Chicago Tribune subscription, you can do so by contacting the Chicago Tribune Customer Service Center at 1-800-TRIBUNE (1-800-874-2863) or 312-222-3232. You can also cancel by filling out the online cancellation form.
When canceling your subscription, be aware that you will no longer receive the print or digital edition of the Chicago Tribune. Any unused portion of your subscription will be refunded on a prorated basis. Canceling also means you will lose access to subscriber-only content on chicagotribune.com.
Before canceling completely, consider alternatives like placing your subscription on hold if you will be away, or downgrading to a less frequent delivery option. The Chicago Tribune offers multiple subscription options to fit your needs.
Cancelling your Chicago Tribune subscription means you’ll need to find other sources for Chicago news and information. Be sure to weigh the benefits of continuing your subscription versus cancelling before making a final decision.
Chicago Tribune Subscription FAQs
Many Chicago Tribune readers have questions about managing their print or digital subscriptions. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about pausing, restarting, or canceling a Chicago Tribune subscription:
How do I temporarily pause my Chicago Tribune subscription?
You can place a vacation hold on your Chicago Tribune subscription by calling 1-800-TRIBUNE (1-800-874-2863) and speaking to a customer service representative. Requests can also be made online at https://membership.chicagotribune.com/faq/. Vacation holds allow you to temporarily pause delivery for a set period of time, such as when you are out of town.
What happens when my vacation hold ends?
When the last day of your vacation hold arrives, your Chicago Tribune subscription will automatically restart and delivery will resume. You can also choose to restart it sooner if you return early.
How do I cancel my Chicago Tribune subscription?
To cancel your Chicago Tribune subscription, call 1-800-TRIBUNE (1-800-874-2863) and speak to a customer service agent. You can also cancel online by logging into your account. Be aware that no refunds are given for unused portions of a subscription.
Can I manage my subscription online?
Yes, you can manage your Chicago Tribune print or digital subscription online by logging into your account. Options include pausing delivery, restarting delivery, making a payment, updating billing details, and more. Visit https://www.chicagotribune.com/membership/chi-membership-faq-managingsubscription-htmlstory.html for details.
