Amazon is ending Prime Invitee, a perk that allowed members to share free shipping
Amazon is making changes to its Prime sharing program, ending the option for Prime members to share free shipping benefits with people outside their household. Instead, the company is encouraging non-household users to sign up for their own Prime subscription, offering a discounted rate of $14.99 for the first year.
The Prime sharing program, known as Prime Invitee, will be phased out by October 1, 2025. This move aligns with Amazon’s strategy to push users who do not live with a Prime member to subscribe independently. The company last raised its Prime membership fee in 2022, increasing it from $119 to $139.
In place of the Prime Invitee program, Amazon is introducing Amazon Family. This new program allows account holders to share the free two-day shipping benefit with one other adult in their household, up to four teens (added before April 7), and up to four children’s profiles. In addition to free shipping, Amazon Family members can also share Prime Video, Amazon Music, and other services.
The additional adult added through Amazon Family can be a spouse, family member, or roommate. Amazon is offering a special promotion for users who were previously utilizing the Prime sharing service, allowing them to sign up for a one-year membership at $14.99. After the first year, the subscription will revert to the standard rate of $14.99 per month or $139 annually.
This update comes as Amazon continues to expand its network to provide faster delivery to customers in less populated areas across the US. The company is focused on reaching over 4,000 smaller cities, towns, and rural communities by the end of the year, with 1,000 locations already serviced.
As Amazon transitions away from the Prime Invitee program, users are encouraged to take advantage of the new Amazon Family offering to continue enjoying the benefits of Prime membership. The changes aim to streamline the sharing process and enhance the overall user experience for Prime members and their families.
