Amazon will shut down its Prime Invitee program on October 1, 2025, ending a perk that let Prime members share free shipping with non-household users.
The program gave friends and relatives outside the same address access to Prime delivery without paying for a membership. In its place, Amazon will offer Amazon Family, which is free for Prime members but far more restrictive.
Amazon Family allows one additional adult and up to four children to share benefits, but all must live at the same primary address and use the same payment method. To ease the transition, Amazon is offering affected Invitee users a discounted Prime membership.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
What the end of the Amazon Invitee program means
Amazon began sending notices to Prime users this week, explaining the end of the Invitee program. The updated Help & Customer Service page also describes the program’s end.
"Prime benefit sharing through the Prime Invitee program will end on Oct. 1, 2025," the page states. "Prime invitees will lose access to the shared Prime delivery benefit, but can use Amazon Family instead."
The change affects Amazon customers who were getting free shipping without paying for Prime. The Invitee program let subscribers extend delivery perks to people outside their household, giving those invitees added convenience and savings when shopping.
This doesn’t affect the ability to ship gifts to others or send orders to different addresses. It only ends the option for invitees to place their own orders without a Prime subscription while still enjoying free shipping.
Amazon is offering Invitees a discounted Prime membership at $14.99 for the first year. After that, the regular rate applies — $14.99 a month or $139 annually. The offer runs from September 5 through December 31. Alternatively, some shoppers might still qualify for free shipping through Amazon Family.
How the Amazon Family model works
Amazon Family is free for Prime members, and it allows them to share some Prime benefits with family members, including one additional adult and up to four children. To qualify, all Amazon Family members must live at the same primary address.
Members can enjoy several perks:
- Same-day, one-day and two-day delivery
- The ability to watch Prime Video on separate devices
- Access to exclusive Prime member offers, including events such as Prime Day
- Two family members can enjoy ad-free top podcasts and music
Since Amazon Family requires all family members to live at the same primary address, it might not be a solution for Invitee program users who live at different addresses.
Additionally, Amazon Family members must all share the same payment methods, which Amazon requires to verify that the users are all members of the same household.
Additional ways to save on Amazon Prime
Amazon is offering a discounted rate for former Invitee users, but there are other ways to save on a Prime membership even if you weren’t part of the program.
The Amazon Prime Access program gives eligible households a 50% discount if their income is within 150% of the federal poverty guideline. Qualifying customers include those enrolled in programs such as SNAP or Medicaid. Enrollment requires online verification, such as a tax transcript or EBT card.
Through Amazon Prime for Young Adults, individuals ages 18 to 24 and students can start with a free trial. After the trial, they qualify for a discounted Prime membership. Perks include Prime Video channel subscriptions for 99 cents a month, two months of free Kindle Unlimited and other benefits.
How to save on Amazon shipping
While Prime offers perks such as exclusive events, Prime Video and free delivery, you don’t always need a membership to skip shipping fees.
Orders of $35 or more qualify for free shipping if they’re fulfilled by Amazon. Planning ahead and bundling purchases can help you reach the threshold without paying for Prime.
RELATED CONTENT
-
How Different Generations Invest and What They Can Teach YouBoomers, Gen Xers, millennials and Gen Zers are taking varying approaches to investing. Here's what they're doing and key lessons you can learn from them.
-
What One Widow's Ordeal Teaches Us About Marriage and MoneyA man charmed a 72-year-old widow into marriage, and then her accounts were seized to pay off his debts, highlighting the importance of background checks on potential spouses as well as prenuptial agreements.
-
How to Navigate Your Finances After Losing Your Spouse: Thoughts From a Financial PlannerIt's important you get involved in financial planning now so you're prepared and confident to make decisions when you potentially become your own financial manager.
-
The Five Best Cruise Lines for RetireesRetirement is an ideal time for cruising. Check out the five best cruise lines for comfort, ease, and unforgettable experiences.
-
My First $1 Million: Oil and Gas Retiree, 67, Round Rock, TexasEver wonder how someone who's made a million dollars or more did it? Kiplinger's My First $1 Million series uncovers the answers.
-
Why Jerry Quits Ben & Jerry's: 5 Signs It May Be Time for You to Do the SameAfter 47 years with Ben & Jerry's, co-founder Jerry Greenfield has stepped down. His decision highlights an important truth: sometimes it's not about waiting for retirement — it's about recognizing the signs that it's time to quit.
-
Amex Platinum Just Got More Expensive: $895 Fee and $3,500 in Perks ExplainedAmerican Express raises the Platinum Card’s annual fee to $895 and expands its perks. We break down the changes so you don’t have to.
-
Falling Interest Rates: What They Mean for Homeowners, Savers and InvestorsAs interest rates fall, homeowners may celebrate while savers feel the pinch. Here’s what the change could mean for your money.
-
Refinance Applications Surge as Mortgage Rates TumbleThe window to refinance is reopening as mortgage rates hit their lowest level in nearly a year. Here’s what the market shift means for homeowners.
-
Average Spending by Age for Those 55 and Up: Are You Thrifty?Everybody has their own number for how much they’ll spend in retirement. See if your's is in line with the averages.
