Amazon Discontinues Prime Invitee: What This Means for Your Free Shipping Perks

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Amazon Discontinues Prime Invitee: What This Means for Your Free Shipping Perks

Amazon is making a big change to its Prime membership. Starting October 1, the company will end a program that allowed Prime members to share free shipping benefits with friends or family who don’t live with them. Instead, those users are encouraged to get their own Prime subscription for just $14.99 for the first year.

Previously, Amazon raised its Prime membership fee in 2022 from $119 to $139. By ending the Prime Invitee program, Amazon aims to move users towards individual subscriptions. As an Amazon spokesperson noted, members can now use the Amazon Family feature to share benefits, but only within their household.

What’s the New Offer?

People who were using the Prime sharing feature can sign up for a special offer of one year for $14.99. After that, the price will go up to $14.99 monthly or $139 annually. This offer runs until December 31, 2025.

How Does the New Program Work?

The Prime Invitee program is being replaced by Amazon Family. This lets account holders share benefits with one other adult in their household, along with options for teens and children. While the Invitee program was limited to free shipping, Amazon Family expands these benefits to include Prime Video, Amazon Music, and more.

Impact on Customers

This shift comes as Amazon focuses on faster delivery, even in smaller towns and rural areas. The company plans to reach over 1,000 of these communities by the end of the year, which could increase their customer base significantly.

User Reactions

Social media users have mixed feelings about this change. Some appreciate the new offers, while others feel frustrated by the loss of the sharing feature. It shows how crucial subscription models are becoming in today’s digital landscape.

This trend of restricting shared benefits isn’t unique to Amazon; similar changes have been observed in other subscription services. As more companies look for ways to boost revenue, consumers will need to adapt.

For the latest updates or more information about Amazon’s policies, you can check their official announcement here.



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