You canceled your subscription.
You received confirmation.
But then — one more charge appears.
It feels like the cancellation failed.
In many cases, the final charge was already locked before cancellation.
Why a Final Charge Still Happens
- Billing cycle already renewed
- Charge was pre-authorized
- Invoice was generated before cancellation
- Grace period access remained active
Cancellation stops future renewals — not past billing commitments.
Subscription Billing Timing Explained
- Renewal invoices generate in advance
- Payment authorizations trigger before billing dates
- System locks charges before processing
Once invoiced, cancellation may not void the cycle.
When You Can Request a Refund
- If cancellation occurred before renewal date
- If no service usage occurred
- If local refund laws apply
Some platforms offer goodwill reversals.
How to Prevent Future Charges
- Cancel before renewal invoice date
- Disable auto-renew in billing settings
- Confirm cancellation email receipt
Timing matters more than the cancellation action itself.
Final charges feel unfair — but often follow billing lock rules.