Economist Offers February 2026

More Ways to Save Money at The Economist

The Economist's subscription setup is basically designed for people who like getting more bang for their buck. Whether you're after their signature take on global events or prefer bite-sized daily updates, there are loads of ways to cut costs whilst getting access to some seriously smart journalism. From massive annual discounts to free trials and student rates, here's how to get the best value without compromising on quality.

How to Apply Your The Economist Discount Code

Applying savings at The Economist is pretty straightforward, whether you've got a promotional offer or you're just picking the best-value plan. Here's how to make sure you're getting the best deal available:

1. Head to economist.com and browse their subscription options
2. Pick your preferred plan (the Annual Digital Plan is your best bet for maximum savings at 46% off)
3. If you've got a promotional code, look for the promo code box during checkout
4. Type in your code carefully and hit apply — you should see the discount reflected in your total
5. Fill in your payment details and confirm your subscription
6. Check your email for confirmation and access instructions

If your code isn't playing ball, double-check the spelling and make sure it's still valid. Some offers are only for new subscribers or specific subscription types. You can always contact their customer service team via live chat if you're stuck — they're pretty helpful with promotional offers.

Save 46% with Annual Digital Subscriptions

The Annual Digital Plan is basically The Economist's way of saying "here, have six months for free." At £3.35 per week (that's £174.30 for your first year), you're getting nearly half-price access compared to paying monthly. It's like buying a coffee twice a week and getting world-class analysis thrown in.

This plan gets you everything: over 100 weekly articles, daily news updates, special reports, and their complete digital archive going back to 1997. You'll also get narrated articles for when you're on the go and access to 1843 magazine. After your first year, it auto-renews at £249 annually — still a cracking deal compared to monthly payments.

If you're a regular reader, the annual route's a no-brainer. You save cash, skip the hassle of monthly payments, and can manage everything through "My Account" if your reading habits change.

Get 1 Week Free with the 4-Week Digital Plan

Not ready to commit for a full year? Fair enough. The 4-week plan gives you a proper test run with a full week of free access. After that, it's £6.23 per week (auto-renewing at £24.90 every four weeks), so you've got flexibility to bail if it's not your cup of tea.

The free trial isn't some watered-down version either — you get complete access to everything, so you can properly explore their archive, newsletters, and mobile apps. Just remember, you only get one free trial per account, so make that week count.

To avoid getting charged, you'll need to cancel before the trial ends by contacting customer service or using the subscription tools in "My Account." Easy peasy.

Discounts for Students and Groups

Student Discounts That Actually Matter

Students get special discount rates on digital subscriptions, though The Economist keeps the exact numbers under wraps. These discounts are for individual student subscriptions only, and you'll need to prove you're actually studying during signup.

It's a proper money-saver if you're studying economics, politics, or international relations — basically getting expert analysis that'll help with your coursework without breaking the bank. Think of it as investing in your brain whilst your wallet stays happy.

Team Subscriptions for Groups

Team subscriptions are perfect for small businesses or departments that want shared access. In the UK, these cover 2-17 annual digital subscriptions for companies or organisations. You can't get them if you've already got an organisation-wide subscription or existing agents, but for everyone else, it's often better value per person than individual plans.

Great for research teams, small businesses, or educational departments where everyone needs access to the same quality analysis.

Gift Subscriptions That Keep Giving

Gift subscriptions are brilliant for sharing The Economist's insights whilst potentially saving the recipient money. These start when the person actually redeems them and stay valid for a full year from when you buy them.

You handle all the payments and you're the only one who can get refunds, whilst the recipient gets full access once they activate their gift. Just heads up — once it's redeemed, there's no going back. No cancellations, no refunds.

Perfect for birthdays, graduations, or when you want to give someone access to smart analysis they might not treat themselves to.

Newsletter Perks and Exclusive Offers

Signing up for The Economist's newsletters is like getting a backstage pass to their best deals. You get free content plus exclusive promotional offers that regular punters never see.

Newsletter subscribers often get early access to special promotions and subscriber-only deals — think seasonal discounts, bundle offers, or extended trial periods. It's basically insider access to their best money-saving opportunities.

Plus, the newsletters deliver curated content straight to your inbox, so you stay informed between full magazine issues. You can tweak your newsletter preferences through your account settings anytime.

Flexible Subscription Management

The Economist's subscription system is refreshingly straightforward — no penalty fees or jumping through hoops. You can change your subscription type, update payment methods, or cancel renewals anytime by popping into "My Account" and selecting "Manage subscription."

If you subscribed before November 2024, you've got even more flexibility — you can cancel immediately with pro-rated refunds for unused periods. Newer subscriptions let you cancel renewal anytime before the renewal date.

Prefer talking to a human? Their service centre offers phone and live chat support for subscription changes, billing questions, or technical hiccups.

Customer Support at The Economist

The Economist's customer service team actually knows their stuff and can help with subscription questions, billing issues, and technical problems.

• Live chat support on their website for quick questions
• Dedicated phone line for subscription services
• Email support for non-urgent queries
• Self-service tools through "My Account" for DIY subscription management

For immediate help with subscription changes or cancellations, live chat and phone support usually sort you out fastest.