Where New York Times discounts actually come from
The New York Times does not publish a single discount code that works for everyone. Instead, discounts appear through specific channels: bundled offers with other services, promotional rates tied to your payment method or internet provider, student and educator programs, and limited-time offers that rotate. The rate you see advertised on the Times website is not the only rate available — it depends on how you sign up and what you already subscribe to elsewhere.
Most discounts are not advertised on the main subscription page. They live in partner offers, email campaigns sent to lapsed subscribers, and pages you reach through specific links. If you search "New York Times discount code" on Google, you will find expired codes and affiliate sites; those do not work. The working discounts are the ones the Times controls directly.
Key Takeaways
- The Times offers lower introductory rates (often $1 for the first month or $2 per week for the first 12 weeks) through its main website, but only if you have not subscribed in the past 30 days.
- Bundle discounts are available if you subscribe to Audible, Apple News+, or certain internet providers like Verizon or Optimum, and these often cost less than a standalone Times subscription.
- Students and educators can access the Times through institutional subscriptions via their school or university, which may be free or deeply discounted.
- The Times sends promotional offers to people who have cancelled or let a subscription lapse, and these offers are often better than the standard rate.
- Discount codes from third-party sites and email forwards rarely work; the Times only honors codes it distributes directly.
Introductory rates for new subscribers
When you visit nytimes.com/subscription and start a new account, you will see an introductory offer. This is usually $1 for your first month, then the full price after that. The offer changes periodically — sometimes it is $2 per week for 12 weeks, sometimes a longer period at a reduced rate. The exact terms depend on when you sign up and what device you use.
To see the current offer, go directly to nytimes.com/subscription. Do not click through from an email or search result, because those links sometimes show different rates. The introductory rate applies only if you have not had a Times subscription in the past 30 days. If you cancelled within the last month, you will not see the new-subscriber offer; instead, you may receive a separate "win-back" offer by email.
After the introductory period ends, your subscription will renew at the standard rate. The Times will email you before the renewal date to tell you the price. You can cancel before that date if you do not want to pay the full rate.
Bundle discounts through other services
If you already pay for certain other subscriptions, you may be able to add the Times at a discount or for free. Apple News+ includes access to the Times' full archive and most articles (though some opinion and breaking news sections are excluded). The cost is $9.99 per month as part of Apple News+, or included free if you have an Apple One bundle. You access it through the Apple News app, not nytimes.com.
Audible (Amazon's audiobook service) offers a New York Times subscription discount to members. The discount amount varies, but Audible members typically pay less than the standard rate. Log into your Audible account to see the current offer.
Some internet providers bundle the Times with their service. Verizon Fios and Optimum customers can add a Times subscription at a reduced rate through their provider's app or website. The discount is usually 20 to 30 percent off the standard price. Check your provider's website or call customer service to see if this offer is available to you.
Student and educator access
If you are a student or work at a school or university, you may have free or discounted access to the Times through your institution. Many colleges and universities have site licenses that give all enrolled students and faculty access to the full Times website and archives. Check your school's library website or ask your librarian whether the Times is included.
If your school does not have an institutional subscription, you can still get a student discount directly from the Times. The student rate is lower than the standard subscription price. To verify your student status, you will need a valid .edu email address or a student ID. Visit nytimes.com/student to see the current student offer and verify your status.
Teachers and school librarians may also be able to register for free or discounted access through the Times' educator program. This is separate from the student program and is designed for classroom use. Visit nytimes.com/education to learn more.
Offers for people who have cancelled
If you cancelled your Times subscription, the company will often send you a promotional offer by email within a few weeks. These "win-back" offers are frequently better than the standard rate — sometimes $1 for two months or $2 per week for a longer period. The offer is sent to the email address associated with your cancelled account.
Check your email (including spam and promotions folders) for messages from nytimes.com. If you do not see an offer after a month, you can try logging into your old account at nytimes.com and see if an offer appears there. You can also contact Times customer service to ask whether a promotional offer is available for your account.
These offers usually have an expiration date, typically 30 days from when the email was sent. If you miss the deadline, you can still subscribe at the standard rate, and you may receive another promotional offer later.
What does not work: third-party codes and forwarded offers
Discount codes that circulate on Reddit, deal websites, or forwarded emails almost never work. The Times does not distribute codes through those channels, and codes that worked in the past expire quickly. If you find a code online and try to use it at checkout, you will get an error message.
Offers that are forwarded to you by friends or family also do not transfer. Each promotional offer is tied to a specific email address or account. If someone sends you a link to their offer, it will not work for you — it will either ask you to log into their account or show you the standard rate.
The only codes and offers that work are the ones you reach directly from nytimes.com, through your email from the Times, or through a partner service like Apple News+ or Audible. If you are unsure whether an offer is real, go to nytimes.com/subscription and check what the Times is currently showing.
How to find the best current offer
The easiest way to see what the Times is offering right now is to visit nytimes.com/subscription in an incognito or private browser window. This shows you the offer that would appear to a new subscriber without any cookies or account history affecting the price.
If you have cancelled in the past 30 days, open an incognito window and try to start a new subscription. You will either see the new-subscriber offer or a message saying you are not yet may be able to access. If you are not may be able to access, wait a few more days and try again, or check your email for a win-back offer.
If you have a student email address, visit nytimes.com/student. If you are an Audible or Apple News+ member, check those apps or websites for the Times offer. If you have Verizon Fios or Optimum, log into your provider account and look for the Times in the add-ons or apps section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a discount code I found online?
No. Codes that circulate on deal sites and social media do not work. The Times only honors codes it sends directly to your email or displays on nytimes.com. If you try to use a code from another source, you will get an error at checkout.
What happens to my price after the introductory offer ends?
Your subscription will renew at the standard rate, which the Times will tell you about by email before the renewal date. You can cancel before the renewal if you do not want to pay the full price. You can also contact customer service to ask about promotional rates.
Do I have to pay full price if I let my subscription lapse?
Not necessarily. If you cancelled or let your subscription expire, the Times often sends a promotional offer to your email within a few weeks. These offers are usually better than the standard rate. Check your email, including spam folders, for messages from nytimes.com.
Is the Times free through my school?
Many colleges and universities have institutional subscriptions that give all students and faculty free access. Check your school's library website or ask a librarian. If your school does not have a site license, you may be able to get a student discount by verifying your .edu email address at nytimes.com/student.
How much does the Times cost if I do not get a discount?
The standard rate varies by subscription type. The digital-only subscription (web, app, and email newsletters) is typically around $17 per month when billed monthly, or less if you pay annually. The print-plus-digital bundle costs more. Prices change periodically, so check nytimes.com/subscription for the current rate.