Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome Gift

If a Welcome Gift is included with a Subscription or Membership offer, this is valid for new UK subscribers or Members only.

How do I change my address?

You can update all personal details by logging into your online account.

To log in go to: https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/Solo/Account/Register

If you are already a user, log on with the below link. https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/Solo/Account/Login

All of your details can be updated in the 'My Account' tab. Hit the 'Edit' button on the section you wish to update, amend the details and hit 'update'.

Still have a question? Click here for details of how to get in touch.

What is my customer number?

Your customer number will either be 10 or 12 digits long. e.g. 010000950302 or 0000950302. This can be found on the piece of paper containing your address label, which you receive with your magazine. Alternatively you can locate your customer number by using the following link: https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/Solo/CustomerNumber/Recovery

Still have a question? Click here for details of how to get in touch.

How do I renew my magazine subscription?

If you paid for your subscription as a one-off payment by using either your credit/debit card, PayPal, or cheque, we will send you a reminder before the end of your subscription.

Please note if you pay by a recurring payment method such as Direct Debit, continuous credit card, or recurring PayPal, you do not need to renew your subscription as your contract will continue until you cancel it with us and your bank.

Whether you are taking a subscription out for yourself or as a gift, nothing will be sent to the recipient unless the subscription expires.

You can check the status of your subscription and renew all your orders here by clicking on the 'Renew' section in your online account. To log in go to: https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/Solo/Account/Login

If you have not yet registered, you can do this by going to: https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/solo/account/register

Still have a question? Click here for details of how to get in touch.

I have a Great Magazines voucher code. How do I use it?

You will be required to enter the voucher code at the checkout during the purchase process. Once you have entered the voucher code, an acceptance notice will be displayed and your discount will be applied and shown at the end before you complete your purchase. E-Vouchers can only be used online at www.greatmagazines.co.uk and are subject to these offer terms and conditions.

What happens once I've purchased a subscription?

We will send you an e-mail acknowledging your purchase; and if you have bought a digital or package subscription this will also contain download instructions.

Once the order has been processed, an e-mail confirmation will be sent to you as well (usually within 24 hours):

  • It will confirm the details of your purchase.
  • It will provide a unique customer number. This number is really important, make a note of it!

For UK print subscriptions: The first issue you receive will arrive within 21-28 working days.

For Overseas print subscriptions: Please click here for delivery information.

For digital & package subscriptions: Please go to: https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/digitalhelp for more information on how to access your digital magazine.

You can check the status of your subscription and manage your account by using our online self-service tool. To register, go to: https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/solo/account/register

If you are already a user, log on with the below link.

https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/Solo/Account/Login

Still have a question? Click here for details of how to get in touch.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept all of the following payment methods for Recurring payments: Direct Debit (UK only), Continuous Credit Card and Recurring Paypal.

We also accept one-off payments by Credit/Debit Card and PayPal.

How can I find out the price in my currency?

All offers are displayed in either: £Pound Sterling, €Euros, $AUD, $CAD or $USD. If your currency for your country is not shown here, the order will be processed in Pounds Sterling and the exchange rate will be applied by your bank.

How secure are my credit card details?

All the information you provide is encrypted (scrambled) using the industry standard SSL (Secure Socket Layer) technology so that when you submit the order from the online form to our computer, nothing can be read as it travels down the secure line. Your details are then applied to our subscription system, which resides in a completely separate, unlinked area away from our internet pages.

How do I update my email address?

You can update all your personal details by logging into your online account.

To register, go to:

www.greatmagazines.co.uk/Solo/Account/Register

If you are already a user, log on with the below link.

www.greatmagazines.co.uk/Solo/Account/login

All of your details can be updated in the 'My Account' tab. Hit the 'Edit' button on the section you wish to update, amend the details and hit 'update'.

Still have a question? Click here for details of how to get in touch.

What are recurring payments?

A Recurring payment is where the payment recurs automatically at the specified period and is usually the cheapest option. We sometimes offer shorter payment terms such as every 3 months (quarterly), splitting the cost across the year as well as paying annually. If you choose to pay by recurring payments the payment times will be specified in your order confirmation. Due to the way in which payments are collected, and depending on your subscription term, you may find we occasionally request more than one payment in a month.


When you take out a subscription via recurring payment, the subscription will continue for a minimum period of 12 months’ even if the frequency of payment is for a shorter period (for example quarterly). We do not send reminders to recurring payment subscribers as the payment is automatic.

Ways to pay by Recurring payment include: Direct Debit (UK only), Continuous Credit Card and Recurring PayPal.

What are one-off payments?
This is where the full payment for the period stated is taken immediately at the time of purchase and no further payments are taken. We sometimes offer a one-off payment for a specified number of issues (this may be less issues than a full year). The number of issues or term will be stated in the payment description and confirmed.

What happens with my personal details?

If we hold your email details you will receive emails from us regarding your subscription. This includes emails about your subscription service plus great reward offers and opportunities for you to get more involved with the brand. If you provide us with a phone number we will only use this to contact you about the service and delivery of your subscription. To see an example of these great offers plus a full list of Bauer Media brands along with our Privacy Policy and details of how to unsubscribe at any time, click here.

What is a ‘Membership’?

Our VIP Membership provides you with more features, more insider news and views, and more curated rewards, discounts, and prizes from brands to help you get the most out of your passion via an app.

What is the difference between a ‘Subscription’ or a ‘Membership’?

Subscription – A subscription provides you with a print or digital magazine or both. The Print Edition will be delivered free of charge direct to your door or the digital magazine can be downloaded either on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis depending on which magazine you have chosen to purchase.

VIP Membership – A VIP Membership provides you with a Print + Digital Edition plus additional exclusive benefits curated by the magazines’ Editorial Team. Please note that each magazine has its own name for the VIP Membership (e.g., Empire VIP Club, MCN Premium, Grazia Beauty Club). You can view more information by clicking on a magazine name via www.greatmagazines.co.uk and select 'See full benefits' to view the full list of benefits.

I want to know more about the available VIP Memberships?

Click on the VIP Membership you’re interested in below for more information:

Can I purchase a Membership if I live overseas?

The print or digital magazine and Print + Digital subscriptions are all available to purchase by overseas customers. Unfortunately, VIP products are currently not available for overseas customers at this time.

How do I access my Empire VIP Club Membership benefits?

How do I activate my Cinema Membership? After the payment is confirmed and cooling off period has passed, we will be in contact with you via email to redeem your Picturehouse or Cineworld Membership. Please note this can take up to 16 days.

How do I claim my Spoiler Special Podcasts subscription? To claim your Spoiler Special Podcast subscription, please click here for your unique link to our partner podcast platform, Supporting Cast and then follow the steps below:

  1. 1. Enter your email and click ‘Get Access’. NB: It is important to enter the same email address connected to your Empire VIP Cub Membership account.
  2. 2. You will see the following flash message ‘Welcome! Please check your email for a link to get started.’
  3. 3. Check your email and follow the link ‘Get started’ to sign into your account
  4. 4. Once you have signed in, you’ll be able to listen to the Spoiler Special Podcast feed within your preferred podcast app. All spoiler specials – past and present – will be available in your feed the moment you subscribe
How do I access my Grazia Beauty Club Membership benefits?

Grazia Beauty Club Box - Included in your Grazia Beauty Club Membership is an annual Grazia Beauty Club Box which includes beauty products worth ££205.99+. The Grazia Beauty Club Box will be sent once payment has been received and after the 14-day cooling off period has passed. Please note it can take up to 28 working days for the gift to be received. If ordering a Grazia Beauty Club Membership as a gift for someone else, the Grazia Beauty Club Box will be sent directly to the recipient of the gift.

Please note once you have received your Grazia Beauty Club Box and have any concerns, please contact us within 28 days.

Invitations to exclusive Grazia Beauty Club events - As part of your Grazia Beauty Club Membership, you will be invited to minimum of 6 x live online events over the course of a year, with some of the beauty world’s leading experts. You will be contacted closer to the date and notified by email of an upcoming live online events. It is important that your email address remains up to date so that you do not miss any event communications we will send.

Monthly Grazia Beauty Club Newsletter - You will receive direct access to Grazia’s Beauty Editors via a monthly ‘Beauty Download’ newsletter, featuring beauty discounts and an edit of their favourite products. It is important that your email address remains up to date so that you do not miss out.

How do I access my MCN Premium Membership benefits?

Keycare SmartFob with tracking app & £10 reward for key finder

You will receive a Keycare SmartFob Bluetooth key tracking device complete with reward and assist scheme; helping you locate your keys quickly if lost or stolen. Your MCN branded Keycare SmartFob and further details on how to set it up will be sent to you in the post within 28 working days. Please note – You will only receive one Keycare SmartFob for the duration of your Membership.

If ordering a MCN Premium Membership as a gift for someone else, the Keycare SmartFob will be sent directly to the recipient of the gift.

If I'm buying as a gift, do you send anything to the recipient?

Yes, if you have the email address of the recipient, we can send an e-card at the time of purchase or on a date of your choice.

Please note that if your gift subscription comes with a welcome gift, the welcome gift will be sent to you to give to the recipient or keep for yourself.

What is a digital magazine subscription?

It is a digital interpretation of a print publication that can be accessed via tablet or smartphone.

A digital magazine covers all the content of its printed counterpart as well as offers editorial teams the facility to add extra interactivity. By this, we mean video content, animations, picture galleries, extra features and so on. Some titles have fully interactive versions available on some platforms while others are replicas of the print version, possibly with some extra videos and/or picture galleries added.

The print version of the magazine has a cover-mounted gift, do I get the same gift with my digital subscription?

Physical gifts attached to the front cover of a print magazine cannot be offered to purchasers of the digital version.

Can I download my digital issues more than once?

After you have purchased a digital magazine subscription, you may download your issues from the app as many times as you like at no additional cost.

Please note if you cancel, from the expiry date of your subscription you will lose access to all content and any related member benefits and rewards.

Note: Customers who purchased a subscription or single issues prior to our major update released in March 2022, should contact our support email if they are unable to access digital content they purchased historically -appsupport_uk@bauermedia.com

What is a Package magazine subscription?

A Package magazine subscription is a subscription that enables you to enjoy having both the digital magazine to download and the print magazine delivered. It offers you the best of both subscriptions at heavily discounted rate. Each issue of the print magazine will be delivered to your door, and when you want to read on the go you will also be able to access the same issue on your compatible mobile or tablet

How soon after placing an order can my digital subscription commence?

As soon as your digital subscription has been confirmed by an email acknowledgement, you will be able to access the latest issue. From that point onwards, you will receive all future issues as long as your subscription remains active. Please note that you will not be able to access any of the issues that came out prior to the start of your subscription.

If I upgrade my print subscription to include digital, what happens if I want to cancel one part of it?

If you wish to downgrade your package subscription, please call our contact our customer service team on +44 (0)1858 438 752

Please note that should you cancel your print subscription, you will not be refunded your upgrade payment. You will not be able to download any more issues, but you will still receive the print issues which you have already paid for.

If you cancel your digital subscription, your print subscription will continue in line with your original contract.

I already subscribe to a print magazine, can I add a digital version to my existing subscription?

Yes, if you are an existing print subscriber, you may upgrade your subscription by adding the digital version at a preferential rate. You can do so by contacting us via email at bauer@subscription.co.uk or click here for our contact us page.

The newsstand edition of the magazine has a cover-mounted gift, do I get the same with my subscription copy?

Unfortunately due to logistics and costs it is not always possible to include the newsstand gift with the subscription issue. To compensate subscribers receive a discount price for their magazines over the year.

Can I purchase a subscription as a gift for someone else?

Yes, when placing an order, you can specify the recipient who you wish to receive the magazine. The order acknowledgement e-mail will be sent to yourself following the purchase. If you have purchased a digital magazine subscription, the order acknowledgement email will contain the download and activation instructions which you will need to pass to the recipient.

I already have a print subscription which was purchased as a gift for someone else and I now want to upgrade them to digital, can I do this?

Yes, if you have previously purchased a print subscription for someone and now wish to upgrade them to include the digital element, you can do so. However, there can only be one recipient per upgrade i.e. you cannot have two different recipients where one receives the print version and another receives digital.

You can do so by contacting us via email at bauer@subscription.co.uk or click here for our contact us page.

I am an existing Print or Digital Subscriber; how do I upgrade to a Print + Digital Subscription or VIP Membership?

All you need to do to upgrade to a Print + Digital Subscription or VIP Membership is follow the steps below OR alternatively call 01858 438 752 to make the switch. *

  1. Login to your account here
  2. Click ‘My Orders’
  3. Select the magazine subscription you want to upgrade
  4. Click ‘Upgrade Today!’ and follow the onscreen instructions
Terms and Conditions apply: *Upgrades are only available on Annual or Monthly recurring payment methods. For a Print +Digital Subscription there is no initial payment on upgrading, you will pay the new rate when you reach the end of your current term. For a VIP Membership an initial payment will be taken to cover the additional costs for any issues/months remaining on your current subscription term, Before auto-renewing onto the full rate. The minimum term length is 12-months. Your Subscription or Membership will continue at the same rate unless you are notified otherwise. You will not receive a renewal reminder and the recurring payments will continue to be taken unless you tell us otherwise.
Deliveries during bank holidays

Due to the closure of postal offices and delivery couriers, we ask you to allow an additional 10 working days for your special edition issue(s) and/or print single issues to arrive over bank holidays.

What if my magazine issue doesn't arrive?

Although we will do our utmost to ensure that your magazine is delivered around the same time it is available in the shops it is possible, on some occasions, it may be unavoidably delayed. We therefore ask that you please allow an extra 5 days for delivery before contacting us. If we are aware of any potential delivery delays we will send an email to all affected subscribers informing them of the delay

If after 5 days you are yet to receive your issue, you can request a replacement issue or a subscription extension by contacting us on bauer@subscription.co.uk.

Delays can be caused by a number of factors including postal delays or adverse weather conditions. Even if weather in your area is not impacted, your magazine may be if it is distributed from an affected area. Please be aware that on such occasions we also experience increased volumes of calls and e-mails into our Customer Services Centre. Unfortunately this may result in increased waiting times.

You can also visit the Royal Mail website for the most up to date information available regarding any potential delays.

How long does it take for magazines to arrive outside of the United Kingdom?

Speed of delivery to subscribers outside the UK depends on the quality of service provided by the various organizations along the way. The following airmail delivery times should be calculated from the date the magazine is published and are approximate: Delivery of print magazines to subscribers outside of the UK takes up to 21 working days (excludes weekends and Public Holidays).

Deliveries to the USA – Deliveries to the USA are made via sea freight. This means that magazines can take between 6-8 weeks to be received from the date of publication.

Delivery to Italy: There is currently a delay with the mailing distribution in Italy. Please allow an additional 4 to 5 days for delivery.

What if a magazine arrives damaged?

We apologise if you have received a damaged issue in the post. Regrettably, this is something that is out of our control. However, you can request a replacement issue or a subscription extension by contacting us on bauer@subscription.co.uk.

How long will it take for my Special/Single issue to arrive?

If you have purchased one of our print magazine specials or single issues your purchase will be processed and delivered within 2-5 working days for orders within the UK and up to 10 working days for orders outside of the UK. In most cases we will deliver your item much quicker but have allowed for bank holidays and weekends.

Single digital issues can be downloaded immediately and details are sent via your order acknowledgement email.

If you have been given this subscription as a gift, you should have also received a gift card with some instructions on. Please visit the URL on this card, enter your unique activation code which is on the same gift card and choose your subscription title.

You will receive an acknowledgement email, advising your order has been processed.

Payment for Greatmagazines gift cards can only be made by credit or debit cards. No other payment methods will be accepted.

Once you have purchased the gift card, delivery should take place between 3-5 working days.

Please call our contact our customer service team on +44 (0)1858 438 752

What platforms/devices are your digital magazines currently available on?

Nearly all of our titles are currently available on both Apple and Google Play APPS.

You can view more info on our digital magazine help pages here.

Please note, you can read your Great Magazines digital magazine subscription on a maximum of FOUR unique devices. If you exceed this, your account may freeze. In the event of this happening, please email bauer@subscription.co.uk for assistance. Please ensure you include your unique customer number as well as which device/operating system you are using and outline the problem you are experiencing. All queries will be responded to within five working days.

Will I still have access to my digital issues if I switch to another device?

Yes, you will. If you switch to another device, simply download the app again and log into your existing account.

When does the latest digital issue become available?

Please note that the latest digital issue may not become available on the same day and/or at the same time as the print copy arrives. The digital issue will be available from the on-sale date.

Can I delete any of my digital issues?

You can reIf you wish to delete any digital issues, tap on the icon in the top left OR the top right of the app. Then click ‘Remove Issues’ to select which issues you would like to delete. You can also tap on ‘Restore All Purchases’ to re-access and download all previously deleted issues at a later date.

What is a 'digital upgrade'?

Digital upgrade is an option that allows you to add a digital magazine to an existing print subscription you have originally purchased for yourself or as a gift at a preferential rate.

Can I stream my digital magazine over a mobile network?

Yes. To do this, just tap the cover and the streaming will commence. Please note that pages may take longer to render doing this. Also, you may incur increased data usage costs from your network provider. We would always recommend downloading your editions via WiFi and never via a mobile network, but the option’s there if you wish.

I have updated my magazine APP and can’t find my previous issues of the magazine

If you have recently updated your magazine APP you will need to download previous issues again to access them. To do this please tap download on all required issues.

Do I need an internet connection to read my digital magazine?

You will need to be on-line to download or stream the issue. However, once downloaded, you will be able to read your magazine offline. Just tap the ‘READ’/‘VIEW’ button.

Will I be able to keep digital content I have purchased after I cancel my Membership?

If your subscription is active, you’ll be able to access all content in the app. But if you cancel, from the expiry date of your subscription you will lose access to all content and any related member benefits and rewards.

Note: Customers who purchased a subscription or single issues prior to our major update released in March 2022, should contact our support email if they are unable to access digital content they purchased historically - appsupport_uk@bauermedia.com

What is a single issue?

A single issue is a past issue of a magazine. If you have not received an issue or are missing one, please contact our customer service team on +44 (0)1858 438 752

How can I order a single issue of a magazine?

We have a selection of titles where single issues are available, and they can be purchased under our 'Single Back Issues' tab on the website.

How long does a Single issue take to deliver?

If you have purchased one of our special editions or single print issues your purchase will be processed and delivered within 2-5 days for orders within the UK and 10 days for orders outside of the UK. In most cases we will deliver your item much quicker but have allowed for bank holidays and weekends.

If you have purchased a single digital issue, you will receive an email acknowledgment shortly which includes details on how to download your issue onto your device.

**Please note that none of our apps are compatible with PC or Apple laptop/ desktop computers, or Nook or Kindle Fire devices.

Do I have access to all back issues of my digital subscription?

When you log in, your back issues will be available to download or stream on your devices for up to two years after the publication date. After two years, the issue will be removed.

Please note if you cancel, from the expiry date of your subscription you will lose access to all content and any related member benefits and rewards.

Note: Customers who purchased a subscription or single issues prior to our major update released in March 2022, should contact our support email if they are unable to access digital content they purchased historically - appsupport_uk@bauermedia.com

Where can I find my customer number?

Your customer number will either be 10 or 12 digits long. e.g. 010000950302 or 0000950302. This can be found on the piece of paper containing your address label, which you receive with your magazine. Alternatively you can locate your customer number by using the following link:

https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/Solo/CustomerNumber/Recovery

Still have a question? Click here for details of how to get in touch.

What is the password criteria?

Passwords must be at least 8 characters long with at least one uppercase character (A-Z) and at least one lowercase character (a-z) and at least one digit character (0-9) and at least one non alpha numeric character (For example: @, $, #)

How do I change my password?

You will firstly need to log in by clicking here. You can then amend all of your details in the 'My Account' tab. Hit the 'Edit' button on the section you wish to update, amend the details and then click 'update'.

How do I change my email address?

You can update all personal details by logging into your online account.

To register, go to:

https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/Solo/Account/Register

If you are already a user, log on with the below link.

https://www.greatmagazines.co.uk/Solo/Account/Login

All of your details can be updated in the 'My Account' tab. Hit the 'Edit' button on the section you wish to update, amend the details and hit 'update'.

Still have a question? Click here for details of how to get in touch.

I have logged in and it is showing my old account information?

Please contact us by filling out a 'contact us form' within your account to have this rectified.

I am trying to register and it says authentication failed.

You may have an old account with the same email address listed please email bauer@subscription.co.uk to have this rectified.

I already have an online account with an old subscription but cannot see my new subscription?

You may need to re-register with your new customer number, please fill out a contact us form so that we can assist you further.

I have logged in but do not see all of my subscriptions?

Your subscriptions may be held under more than one customer number. Please fill out a contact us form to enable us to merge all accounts together.

What personal data do you collect?

The Bauer Media Group collects personal data in a number of ways, such as, when you give us a paper form to subscribe to a magazine, enter a competition, exhibit at an event or provide details at an event or when you interact with us via a website, mobile app or other digital services (“Services”).

This personal data could include:

  • Contact information, your name; postal address; email address; phone number.
  • Comments, photos, videos and other content that you choose to publish or share with us.
  • Payment information for subscriptions or purchases made through our websites, mobile application or other digital services.
  • Your dietary and accessibility requirements if you are attending one of our events.
  • Information you provide when participating in a competition; survey; event or apply for a job.
  • Location information, when you permit the digital service to access device location. To prevent this access, please refer to instructions provided by your mobile service provider.
  • Information we obtain from other sources, such as our business partners, and social media platforms

You may give us information about other people, such as the name and email of a contact if you are attending an event or the name and address of a gift subscription recipient. Please ensure that you are authorised or have the person’s permission to do so.

For more information on what personal data we collect, please read our Privacy Policy.

How do you collect my personal data?

We collect your details when you register on one of our websites; subscribe to our service; place an order on our website; search for a product; correspond with us by phone, e-mail or otherwise; register to attend one of our events; participate in discussion boards or other social media functions on our website; enter a competition or promotion.

We will always be transparent about how we plan to use your data so that you have the choice whether or not to give it to us. We respect your preferences and will do our best to make sure that we keep our promises.

For more information on how we collect your personal data, please read our Privacy Policy.

How do you use my personal data?

We will use your personal data when fulfilling a product or service that you have requested. For example, when you subscribe to a magazine; register to access online content; register to attend an event or when you enter a prize draw/competition.

We will only send you direct marketing when you have either provided consent for example by ticking a box or where we believe we can demonstrate a legitimate interest and have balanced this with your interests and privacy. You can opt out of receiving direct marketing at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link on our emails or emailing our Bauer Data Protection Officer at: dataprotectionofficer@bauermedia.co.uk.

How do I gain access to my personal data?

Please read our Privacy Policy on how to gain access to the personal data that we may have collected about you.

What are cookies?

"Cookies" are small files that contain information that a website sends to your computer, laptop or mobile media device's hard drive while you are viewing a website. Each cookie is unique to your web browser and will contain some anonymous information such as unique identifier and the site name and some digits and numbers. It allows a website to remember things like your preference or what's in your shopping basket.

How do you use cookies?

We use cookies for a number of reasons:

  • To provide you with a more personal and interactive experience on our sites.
  • For statistical purposes to track how many users we have and how often they visit our websites.
  • We use organization to collect anonymous user information so they can analyse how the website is being used and the number of visitors.
  • We and our advertisers may use statistical cookies to track who has seen an advert and clicked on it
  • To show you adverts that you may be interested in and to control the number of time you see them and measures the effectiveness of the ad campaign.
  • We may use ‘Flash’ cookies to store your preference for your media player. If we do not use them, it may not be possible for you to watch some video content.
  • You have the ability to accept or decline cookies, when you use the website for the first time via “see all options” link on the “pop up” banner, but please be aware that for some parts of our sites to work, you will need to accept cookies.

For more information on how we use your cookies, please read our Cookie Policy.

How do I unsubscribe from emails?

You can unsubscribe at any time from any email we send you (excludes subscription service emails) via the unsubscribe link within the email or by emailing our Data Protection Officer at: dataprotectionofficer@bauermedia.co.uk.

For all subscription queries including cancellation please email bauer@subscription.co.uk

Want to contact us?

If you need more assistance or want to contact us about a particular problem please click Here for further details.

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