Prime made joining easy. Leaving became a case file.

The US Federal Trade Commission says Amazon’s settlement over Prime enrolment and cancellation practices totals US$2.5 billion: US$1.5 billion for refunds and a US$1 billion civil penalty. The refund process began with automatic payments in late 2025 and earlier claim notices, but the September 2026 revised order makes remaining eligible payments automatic. A new claim form is not required.

According to the FTC, the challenged conduct involved enrolling tens of millions of customers into Prime without their knowledge or consent and making online cancellation difficult. The settlement also requires Amazon to stop unlawful enrolment and cancellation practices. The refund process is limited to eligible US customers and specified time periods; it is not a universal Prime refund.

In September 2026, a revised court order expanded the refund program. The FTC says additional eligible US customers who used between 11 and 20 Prime benefits in a one-year period are due automatic payments starting 1 October 2026. Eligible payments will continue through April 2027, and the maximum total refund may reach US$200. The FTC says it is not contacting consumers about these refunds; nobody should pay a fee or share account credentials to obtain one.

Convenience is not consent

Prime is the classic platform bundle: shipping, video, music and other benefits reinforce one another until the recurring payment becomes part of the background. That convenience is precisely why the joining and leaving screens matter. A customer who cannot tell whether a click starts the bundle, or cannot easily end it, is not making a recurring choice on equal terms.

If you are an eligible US customer, the revised order says no action is needed to receive a refund. Check the FTC’s official refund page for eligibility and payment help; do not pay anyone who offers to unlock a refund. More broadly, keep membership confirmations and cancellation records. A recurring product should leave a clear trail showing when the customer agreed, what was included and when billing was meant to end.