Canceling Directv

Yes, it is still true that DTV no longer prorates the final bill,  You pay for and receive service until the end of your billing cycle regardless of when you cancel. You are not paying in advance, your billing cycle started the day you where installed, on day 2 the bill is made and sent unless you are on auto pay that will pay it then, on day 20 the bill is do.

@Does that mean I need to pay my bills on time?

If I pay my bill tomorrow, then I will be paying for services from the 6th. of October until the 5th. of November. If I cancel tomorrow, then technically I will be paying in advance for a service I have canceled. While I understand your reply, Directv's policy is that I haven't really canceled until the new billing cycle. So how does that policy affect my account if I change the tier of service. Normally the changes take effect immediately if I ADD a service (HBO for instance) and will be billed for it from the day it is activated on my system. Does the same apply if I downgrade durning the month and services are reduced?

Changing the package mid-cycle does prorate as that changes what you are subscribed to for those days. But like other companies, they do not shut off service and billing completely mid-cycle. Not prorating the time of service (i.e. final bill) has been standard in the industry for a few years now.

"Please read this if you receive DIRECTV, AT&T U-verse® TV, AT&T Internet, AT&T Phone, and/or AT&T Fixed Wireless service(s). We want to remind you that you’re billed in advance for recurring service(s) and/or programming charges and applicable fees based on the terms of your current service agreement(s) with us. Starting January 14, 2019, subject to applicable laws, we’re updating your agreement(s) to include your recurring service(s)/programming charges and fees won’t be prorated if you cancel the above service(s) on any day other than the last day of your billing cycle. Your service(s) will continue until the end of your billing cycle but you won’t get a refund (prorated credits) for any remaining days left in your billing cycle. For products not listed above, refer to their terms of service for more information."

AFAIK you have already been billed for Oct 6-Nov 5 so changing the package will not change it.  The cancellation goes into affect on Nov 5.

Whenever there is a package change, the following bill shows the adjustment confirming which days you were on which package by credits and charges.

That still covers the entire cycle.

As stated earlier, I understand that the bill I paid yesterday is for current service that runs thru Nov 5th. I will be canceling prior to the start of next month's cycle. But, if I downgrade my tier of service now, I will receive a final bill (after equipment returned) that will reflect the number of days (approximately 19) used at a reduced rate. Therefore creating a credit since I paid the full bill for the month. I would expect a refund of this amount after termination.

Good luck with that.

@OttoMadik 

Yes, the following bill would show the proration for the old package (credit) and new one (charge), which since you are lowering package would expect to leave a credit balance (since this is after you paid the bill) as long as there is nothing else to account for (unbilled PPVs, Early Cancellation Fee, Non Return Fee, etc.). Traditionally they issue a refund (by prepaid card) within 30 days from the cycle ending.

You would still receive a courtesy statement the month after that. After all with issuing a refund they must show that it left the account at a $0 balance with that final transaction.