ECONOMIST* Charge (What It Is + Is It Legit?)

The Economist uses a truncated billing descriptor format that combines a shortened version of the magazine's name with an asterisk, a common convention used by subscription billing platforms like Zuora or Vindicia to separate the brand identifier from additional transaction details such as a subscription tier or renewal code. When The Economist processes your monthly $22.00 charge through its payment gateway, the descriptor field has a strict character limit, so "ECONOMIST*" is what gets passed through to your card network and ultimately appears on your bank statement. Recognizing this pattern is helpful because the asterisk signals a recurring digital subscription rather than a one-time purchase, confirming this is your ongoing Economist magazine membership being renewed.

No, this is a legitimate charge from The Economist. However, if you did not authorize this charge or cancelled your subscription, you may be eligible for a refund.

Frequently Asked Questions