What a Des Moines Register subscription includes
A Des Moines Register subscription gives you access to news, sports, and opinion coverage of Iowa and the Des Moines area. The Register offers several subscription tiers: digital-only access to their website and app, print delivery to your home, or a combination of both. Which option you choose depends on how you prefer to read and what you're willing to pay.
Digital subscriptions let you read stories on any device with internet access. Print subscriptions deliver the physical newspaper to your address on the days it publishes. Bundled subscriptions combine both, usually at a lower total cost than buying them separately. The Register also offers a limited free tier that lets you read a few articles per month before hitting a paywall.
Subscription pricing varies based on the plan you choose and any promotional offers running at the time you sign up. The Register frequently runs discounted introductory rates for new subscribers, especially for digital plans. Once your introductory period ends, your rate moves to the standard price unless you cancel or negotiate a different rate.
Key Takeaways
- The Des Moines Register offers digital-only, print-only, and bundled subscriptions, each with different costs and access levels.
- New subscribers often receive promotional pricing for the first few weeks or months before the standard rate takes effect.
- You can manage your subscription, pause delivery, or make changes to your plan through your online account dashboard.
- If you have billing problems or questions about your subscription, the Register's customer service team can be reached through their website or by phone.
- Print subscribers can request a vacation hold to pause delivery temporarily without losing their subscription.
How to start a digital subscription
To begin a digital subscription, go to the Des Moines Register's website and look for the subscription option, usually displayed prominently on the homepage or in the top navigation. Click through to their subscription page, where you'll see the available plans and current pricing. Select the plan that fits your needs and click to proceed.
You'll be asked to create an account or sign in if you already have one. Provide your email address and create a password. Then enter your payment information—the Register accepts major credit cards and may offer other payment methods. Review the plan details, including the introductory price and when it will change to the standard rate, before confirming your purchase.
After your payment processes, you should receive a confirmation email. Your digital access begins immediately, and you can start reading on the website or by downloading the Register's mobile app and logging in with your new account credentials.
How to start a print subscription
To order print delivery, visit the Register's subscription page and select the print option. You'll enter your delivery address, choose which days you want the newspaper delivered (typically Monday through Sunday, though some areas may have limited options), and select your payment method.
Print subscriptions usually have a longer setup time than digital ones—delivery typically begins within three to five business days of your order. You'll receive a confirmation email with your account number and delivery start date. If you don't receive your first paper on the expected date, contact customer service with your account number and address.
Print subscribers can request a vacation hold through their account or by calling customer service. This pauses your delivery for a set period without canceling your subscription, so you won't be charged for those days and your subscription resumes automatically when you return.
Managing your subscription and making changes
Once you have an active subscription, log into your account on the Des Moines Register website to view and manage your plan. Your account dashboard shows your current subscription type, billing date, and payment method. From there you can update your payment information, change your plan (for example, upgrading from digital-only to a bundle), or pause your subscription temporarily.
If you want to change your delivery days for a print subscription, you can usually do this through your account settings or by contacting customer service. Some changes take effect immediately, while others may require a billing cycle to process. The Register will send you a confirmation email whenever you make changes to your account.
If you're having trouble accessing your account or making changes online, customer service can help you over the phone or through email. Having your account number or the email address associated with your subscription ready will speed up the process.
Billing, payment, and promotional offers
The Des Moines Register charges your payment method on a regular schedule—usually weekly, monthly, or annually depending on your plan. Your billing date is shown in your account, and you'll receive an email receipt each time you're charged. If a charge appears incorrect or you don't recognize it, contact customer service with your account number and the date of the charge.
The Register runs frequent promotional offers for new subscribers, such as reduced rates for the first month or a discounted rate for the first three months. These offers are time-limited and vary. When you sign up, the promotion details and the date your standard rate begins are shown before you complete your purchase. After the promotional period ends, you'll be charged the full subscription rate unless you cancel.
If you've been a subscriber for a while and your rate has increased, you may be able to negotiate a lower rate by contacting customer service. Long-term subscribers sometimes receive retention offers, especially if they mention they're considering canceling. There's no harm in asking what options are available.
Troubleshooting access and technical issues
If you're having trouble logging into your account, start by using the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset your password. Make sure you're using the email address associated with your subscription. If you still can't log in after resetting your password, contact customer service—they can verify your account and help you regain access.
If you're seeing a paywall message even though you have an active subscription, try logging out completely and logging back in. Clear your browser's cache and cookies, then try again. If you're using the mobile app, try logging out of the app, closing it completely, and reopening it to log back in. These steps often resolve temporary access issues.
If you're a print subscriber and your newspaper isn't arriving, check your account to confirm your delivery address is correct and your subscription is active. If everything looks right, contact customer service with your account number and the dates you missed delivery. They can investigate the issue and may credit your account or redeliver the missed papers.
Canceling your subscription
You can cancel your Des Moines Register subscription through your online account at any time. Log in, go to your subscription settings, and look for the cancel option. You'll be asked to confirm the cancellation and may see a retention offer—a discounted rate to keep your subscription. If you don't want to accept the offer, proceed with the cancellation.
Your access ends on the date shown in the cancellation confirmation. If you have a print subscription, your final delivery will occur on that date. If you cancel mid-billing cycle, you may receive a refund for unused time, depending on the Register's refund policy at the time of cancellation.
If you want to cancel but are unsure, you can pause your subscription instead for a temporary break without losing your account. This is especially useful for print subscribers who can request a vacation hold. You can reactivate a paused subscription whenever you're ready to resume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read the Des Moines Register for free?
The Register allows free readers to view a limited number of articles per month before the paywall appears. After that, you need a subscription to continue reading. Some articles, like breaking news or obituaries, may be free even for non-subscribers, but most content requires a paid subscription.
What's the difference between the digital and print subscriptions?
Digital subscriptions give you access to all stories on the website and mobile app, updated throughout the day. Print subscriptions deliver the physical newspaper on your chosen days. A bundled subscription includes both, usually at a lower combined price than buying them separately.
How do I pause my subscription without canceling?
Log into your account and look for the pause or vacation hold option in your subscription settings. For print subscribers, you can also call customer service to request a hold. Your subscription resumes automatically on the date you specify, and you won't be charged during the pause period.
What should I do if I'm charged twice in one month?
Contact customer service right away with your account number and the dates of both charges. They can review your billing history, determine what happened, and issue a refund if you were overcharged. Keep your payment statements handy so you can provide specific dates and amounts.
Can I change my subscription plan after I've signed up?
Yes. Log into your account and select the option to upgrade, downgrade, or change your plan. Changes usually take effect on your next billing date. If you're upgrading mid-cycle, you may be charged a prorated amount for the remainder of the current billing period.