Cancel Subscription - Does not remove Chars?

I want to end my current credit card payment, even though it is not at or near the end of the time i payed for (I am on a 3 month recurring). I have read up on the literature regarding this, but I am still a bit confused. As I think I understand, I click "Cancel Subscription" on the bottom of my Account Management Page to end the current term.

Now, The reason I ask here is to be absolutely certain that this does not "delete" or somehow permanently disable my characters. I want to take a break from WoW for a few months, and I would like to come back to my characters as I left them.

Can someone confirm that "Cancel Subscription" ONLY cancels payment? And can someone also answer if the amount payed by credit card (not debit) that has not been "used" yet will be refunded, or if the amount I payed ($41.97 for three months, ending May 3rd) is considered spent?

Please take your time answering this, I'm in no rush and I am sure you are quite busy.