What to know about Amazon Prime cracking down on free shipping, how changes will impact members
Amazon is cracking down on its free shipping benefits.
Amazon customers have long favored the convenience factor of fast, free shipping benefits from the multibillion dollar tech conglomerate to justify against the time and cost of buying goods at a local brick and mortar retailer.
What is changing with Amazon shipping?
Now, the company is shifting away from the policy that launched in 2009, which will impact members who extend their free shipping to people outside their household or don't live at the same address.
"The Invitee Program, which enabled sharing of the Prime shipping benefit only, is being phased out," a representative for Amazon said in an emailed statement to ABC News.
When does Amazon Prime Invitee program change?
The company has sent email notices to its users with information about the plans for the Prime Invitee Program, which will end Oct. 1.
The notice reads, "We are writing to inform you that the Prime Invitee Program, which allowed sharing Prime's fast, free delivery with others, will end on October 1, 2025. Your invited guests will be notified directly about this change by September 5, 2025."
What is Amazon Family?
Prime members will still be able to "share a broad range of Prime benefits with Amazon Family," which includes access to deals, shopping events like Prime Day, Prime Video, Amazon Music, free Grubhub+ membership, and fuel savings at Amoco.
Amazon Family, which used to be called Amazon Household, "enables Prime members to share a range of benefits with one adult -- whether that is a spouse, family member, or roommate -- and Prime Video and additional digital content like Kindle eBooks, audiobooks, and games, with up to four children in their household," Amazon stated.
How much is an Amazon Prime membership?
The annual cost of an Amazon Prime membership is $139, or $14.99 per month.
