Thousands of Airtel customers who took advantage of the operator’s complimentary one-year Perplexity Pro subscription are now seeing a ‘paused’ status on their accounts. While this may cause concern, it does not mean the subscription has been canceled. Instead, it indicates that the promotional period has ended, and users need to decide whether to upgrade to a paid plan.
Why the Subscription Appears Paused
Airtel’s limited-time offer, launched in partnership with Perplexity in July 2025, provided eligible prepaid, postpaid, broadband, and DTH customers with a free one-year Perplexity Pro subscription valued at approximately Rs. 17,000. The offer is now closed to new users. Those who activated it before the deadline retain access until their 12-month subscription expires.
A paused subscription signals that the promotional period has ended. To continue using premium AI services, users must provide a valid payment method and pay for a monthly or yearly plan. The account remains intact; subscribing again will restore access to the Pro version.
How to Avoid Unwanted Renewal Charges
Users who do not intend to upgrade should check their account settings before the trial ends. If a payment method was added, they must cancel automatic renewal via the Billing or Subscriptions section. This prevents any charges after the trial period concludes.
According to Airtel’s FAQs, subscriptions may automatically renew depending on the billing cycle selected after the trial period, unless the user cancels automatic renewal beforehand. The promotion for new activations has stopped, but existing users retain access until their 12-month validity expires.
What to Do Next
- If you want to continue using Perplexity Pro, choose a paid subscription plan and add a payment method.
- If you do not wish to continue, cancel automatic renewal immediately to avoid charges.
- Be aware that your account and data are not deleted; you can resubscribe later if needed.
Stay informed about your subscription status to make the best decision for your needs.