>You don't have to "talk" with a CSR online, it's a chat window

You're just splitting hairs - you still have to have a conversation with someone, and the rep in the chat box makes it just as difficult as if you'd called in. When I canceled, the rep kept asking me if I was sure, reminded me multiple times what I would be missing out on if I went through with it, etc.. It took more than 5 minutes to get them to pull the trigger on canceling my account.

>You can cancel with an email to unsubscribe@nytimes.com

But I, and many other users, just want to click on "My Account" and then click a button that says "Cancel Account".

>By disabling auto-renewal the subscription will automatically be canceled at the end of the subscription period

NYT doesn't tell you that that's a method you can use to cancel your account, and not everyone is likely to think of it.

That's a very poor user experience, I agree with much of what you said; I just wanted to add some facts I felt were missing.

>You don't have to "talk" with a CSR online, it's a chat window

What do you consider talking online, if not chat?

I was vague. Talking, as in speaking into a phone, feels more laborious than talking as in typing in a chatbox to me. I more often refer to the latter as "chatting."

From 2014: https://canceltimes.tumblr.com

The pattern has gotten more familiar since then. It also seems like they've improved things.

I think at least some of these options were added because CA law made their prior (phone-only) cancellation process illegal.