Millions of additional Amazon Prime customers could receive automatic refunds under an expanded $2.5 billion federal settlement covering disputed Prime enrollment and cancellation practices. The revised order broadens eligibility to U.S. customers who used no more than 20 Prime benefits during a 12-month period after enrolling, provided they entered Prime through one of the enrollment processes challenged by regulators or unsuccessfully attempted to cancel between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025. The maximum total refund has also jumped from $51 to $200. Amazon has already distributed more than $845 million of the $1.5 billion designated for consumer restitution, with the remaining payments scheduled to be distributed automatically through April 2027. Customers receiving the new payments do not need to file claims, complete forms, or pay anyone to obtain their money.
Key Takeaways
- The expanded settlement makes millions of additional U.S. Prime customers potentially eligible, including customers who used between 11 and 20 Prime benefits during a qualifying 12-month period.
- Refunds are now capped at $200 per eligible consumer, up substantially from the previous $51 limit, with additional payments of as much as $149 possible for consumers who already received settlement money.
- Future payments are automatic and will be delivered through PayPal, Venmo, or mailed checks. Consumers should be wary of anyone demanding money or personal information in exchange for obtaining a settlement payment.
In-Depth
Amazon’s massive Prime settlement is becoming considerably more favorable to consumers, with federal regulators expanding eligibility and increasing the maximum amount an affected customer can receive.
The $2.5 billion settlement resolved allegations that Amazon enrolled millions of consumers in Prime without adequate consent and created unnecessary obstacles for customers attempting to cancel. Amazon settled without admitting liability. The agreement requires $1.5 billion in consumer refunds and a $1 billion civil penalty.
The revised order significantly expands the restitution program. Eligible U.S. customers generally must have enrolled through one of the challenged Prime enrollment processes or unsuccessfully attempted to cancel between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025. Customers who used no more than 20 Prime benefits during a qualifying 12-month period can now potentially receive money. Previously, considerably tighter usage limits applied.
Beginning October 1, 2026, automatic payments will extend to millions of additional consumers who used between 11 and 20 benefits. No new claim, application, or paperwork is required. Amazon will determine eligibility from its records and distribute payments electronically through PayPal or Venmo or by mailed check.
The maximum total payment has also increased from $51 to $200. If accepted consumer payments have not reached the settlement’s required threshold by February 2027, previously compensated consumers may automatically receive as much as another $149. Those supplemental payments are scheduled to begin by April 2027.
Consumers should remain alert for fraud. Neither Amazon nor federal regulators require payment to receive legitimate settlement funds.
Sources
- https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2026/09/ftc-announces-additional-payments-consumers-stemming-ftcs-amazon-prime-settlement
- https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/refunds/amazon-refunds
- https://www.subscriptionmembershipsettlement.com/
- https://people.com/amazon-prime-customers-may-be-entitled-to-usd200-compensation-heres-how-12128542
- https://www.recordinglaw.com/us-laws/data-breach-settlements/amazon-prime-ftc-settlement/