Sales & Follow-up Templates

Cancellation Email Templates

A cancellation isn't the end. It's the start of your win-back opportunity.

Cancellation emails are some of the most important emails you'll send. Done right, they preserve goodwill, collect valuable feedback, and create a path back. These templates handle the full lifecycle — from graceful confirmation to effective win-back.

Ready-to-Use Templates

Copy these templates and customize them for your needs. Each includes HTML and plain text versions.

Cancellation Confirmation
Immediate confirmation when a customer cancels
SaaS and subscription businesses
Subject Line

Your {{planName}} subscription has been cancelled

Preview Text

Here's what happens next with your account.

Personalization Variables:
{{companyName}}{{firstName}}{{planName}}{{accessEndDate}}{{dataRetentionPeriod}}{{resubscribeUrl}}{{companyAddress}}
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Feedback Request
Ask why the customer cancelled — sent 24 hours after cancellation
Collecting cancellation insights
Subject Line

Quick question: what could we have done better?

Preview Text

Your feedback helps us improve.

Personalization Variables:
{{companyName}}{{firstName}}{{planName}}{{senderName}}{{companyAddress}}
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Win-Back Offer
Re-engage cancelled customers after 30-60 days
SaaS and subscription win-back campaigns
Subject Line

We've made changes since you left, {{firstName}}

Preview Text

New features and a special offer to come back.

Personalization Variables:
{{companyName}}{{firstName}}{{updateOne}}{{updateTwo}}{{updateThree}}{{discount}}{{discountPeriod}}{{couponCode}}{{resubscribeUrl}}{{expiryDate}}{{companyAddress}}
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Payment Failed Recovery
Prevent involuntary churn from failed payments
Preventing involuntary churn from expired cards
Subject Line

Action needed: your payment didn't go through

Preview Text

Update your card to keep your account active.

Personalization Variables:
{{companyName}}{{firstName}}{{lastFour}}{{planName}}{{amount}}{{updatePaymentUrl}}{{gracePeriodEnd}}{{companyAddress}}
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Best Practices

Confirm the cancellation immediately — don't make customers wonder if it went through.

Make it easy to come back. One-click resubscribe links remove friction.

Collect feedback, but keep it short. One question gets more responses than a survey.

Wait at least 30 days before sending a win-back offer.

For payment failures, be direct and specific. Include the card details and exact amount.

Common Mistakes

Making cancellation difficult to discourage it — this destroys trust and prevents any future return.

Guilt-tripping the customer in the confirmation email.

Sending win-back emails too soon — 48 hours after cancellation feels desperate.

Ignoring failed payments — involuntary churn is often 20-40% of total churn.

Subject Line Examples

Timing & Performance

Best Days
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Best Times
9:00 AM, 2:00 PM
Open Rate
25-35%
Click Rate
3-5%

Personalization Tips

The Graceful Exit Wins Long-Term

Making cancellation easy and respectful is the single best thing you can do for win-back rates. Customers who feel respected when leaving are 3x more likely to return. A hostile exit experience guarantees they never come back.

Involuntary Churn Is Preventable

Up to 40% of churn comes from failed payments, not deliberate cancellations. A simple 3-email dunning sequence that clearly states the problem and gives a one-click fix can recover most of these.

Win-Back Timing Matters

The best win-back window is 30-90 days after cancellation. Too early feels desperate. Too late means the customer has moved on completely. Lead with product improvements, not just discounts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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