A New York Times gift subscription gives someone access to the Times' news content for a set period, paid for upfront by you
When you buy a gift subscription to the New York Times, you pay for a block of time — usually three months, one year, or two years — and the recipient gets access to the Times' website, app, and daily email newsletters for that duration. The Times sends the gift recipient a code or redemption link they use to activate the subscription on their own account. You choose the gift period and price tier when you purchase, and the Times handles notifying the recipient.
Gift subscriptions differ from a standard personal subscription in one key way: they have an expiration date. When the gift period ends, the subscription stops unless the recipient converts it to a paid subscription themselves. The Times does not automatically renew gift subscriptions or charge the recipient's payment method.
Key Takeaways
- Gift subscriptions come in three-month, one-year, and two-year options, with prices varying by tier and current promotions.
- The recipient receives a redemption code via email and must create or log into a New York Times account to activate it.
- The subscription expires on a specific date; it does not automatically renew unless the recipient sets up their own paid plan.
- You can purchase a gift subscription directly from nytimes.com/gift or through third-party retailers, though pricing and terms may differ.
What tiers and lengths are available
The New York Times offers gift subscriptions at different access levels. The most common tier is All Access, which includes the website, smartphone and tablet apps, the daily email briefing, and the games bundle (crossword, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and others). A second tier, Digital, covers web and app access but excludes some premium features and the full games package.
Gift periods are typically three months, one year, or two years. Pricing varies depending on the tier, the current promotion the Times is running, and whether you purchase directly from the Times or through a third party. The Times frequently runs discounts on gift subscriptions, especially around holidays, so the price you see today may not be the price next month.
How to purchase and send a gift subscription
To buy a gift subscription, go to nytimes.com/gift and select the tier, length, and recipient information. You provide the recipient's email address, and the Times sends them a redemption email with a unique code. The recipient does not need to have a New York Times account yet; they create one during the redemption process.
You can choose to send the gift immediately or schedule it for a future date — useful if you are buying ahead for a birthday or holiday. The Times also allows you to add a personal message that appears in the redemption email. If you prefer not to give the recipient the code directly, you can print a physical gift card from the Times' website and send it by mail.
Some retailers, including Amazon and other online stores, also sell New York Times gift subscriptions. Prices and terms may differ from the Times' own site, so compare before purchasing if cost matters to you.
What happens when the gift period ends
When a gift subscription expires, the recipient's access stops on the expiration date. The Times does not send a surprise bill or automatically charge a payment method. Instead, the recipient sees a message when they log in explaining that their subscription has ended and offering them the option to start their own paid subscription at the current promotional rate.
If the recipient does nothing, they lose access to the Times' paywall content. They can still read a limited number of free articles per month (the Times allows roughly 5 to 10 free articles monthly for non-subscribers, though this varies). If they want to continue reading, they must purchase their own subscription.
Stacking multiple gift subscriptions
If someone receives multiple gift subscriptions — from different people, for example — the Times stacks them. The second gift subscription begins when the first one ends, extending the total access period. This means a recipient could receive a one-year gift in January and a three-month gift in November, and their access would run continuously through the following March without any gap.
If a recipient already has an active paid subscription and receives a gift subscription, the gift period is added to the end of their current subscription rather than replacing it. This is useful to know if you are buying a gift for someone who is already a Times subscriber.
Canceling or changing a gift subscription
If you purchase a gift subscription and need to cancel it before the recipient redeems it, contact the New York Times customer service. The Times' refund policy for gift subscriptions varies depending on how long ago you purchased and whether the recipient has already activated the code. Generally, unredeemed gift subscriptions can be refunded, but once the recipient redeems the code, the purchase is final.
You cannot change the length or tier of a gift subscription after purchase. If you made a mistake, you would need to request a refund and buy a new one with the correct details. The Times' customer service team can walk you through this process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a gift subscription for someone who already subscribes to the Times?
Yes. If the recipient has an active paid subscription, the gift subscription is added to the end of their current plan, extending their access. They do not lose any time or pay twice.
What if the recipient never redeems the gift code?
The code remains valid indefinitely. The recipient can redeem it whenever they choose, and the subscription period begins when they activate it, not when you purchased it. There is no deadline to use the code.
Does the recipient have to pay anything when they redeem a gift subscription?
No. A gift subscription is fully paid for by the person who purchased it. The recipient creates a free account and enters the redemption code; no payment is required from them during the gift period.
Can I see when the recipient redeems the gift or track their usage?
No. Once you send the gift code, you do not receive updates on whether or when the recipient redeems it or how much they use the subscription. The Times does not provide tracking or usage reports to gift givers.
What if I want to give a gift subscription but do not know the recipient's email address?
You can purchase a physical gift card from nytimes.com/gift and mail it to them, or you can buy the subscription and forward the redemption email yourself. You do not have to use the Times' automatic email delivery.