Amazon is making a big change to how Prime members share certain benefits. As of October 1, 2025, the company is ending its long‐running Prime Invitee program. That program allowed Prime members to share free shipping with someone who lived at a different address. Amazon is now replacing it with a new system called Amazon Family.
Here is what you need to know.
What Is Changing
- No more sharing with non-household members
After October 1, you will no longer be able to share Amazon Prime free shipping with someone who does not live at your same address. That means invitees who are outside your household lose that privilege. - New “Amazon Family” program
Amazon Family will replace the Invitee program. It will limit benefit sharing to people in the same household: one other adult plus up to four teens or four children. - Requirements for shared accounts
The adults sharing must live at the same address and must have a payment method in common. Some of the benefit sharing (for example, with teens) is only available for those who were added before a certain cutoff date (April 7, 2025) under the old rules. - Discounted first year for affected users
If you are someone who was sharing benefits outside of your household, Amazon is offering a discounted first Prime membership for just $14.99 for the first year, if you sign up between now and the end of 2025. After that the regular Prime rates apply ($14.99/month or $139/year).
Why Amazon Is Making the Change
- To limit Prime benefit sharing to households. The old invitee perk let people share free shipping across addresses, but not other benefits. With Amazon Family Amazon is bundling more benefits together but restricting them to co-residents.
- To encourage more people who have been piggy-backing on Prime benefits via invitees outside their household to get their own membership. The discount is a transition tool toward that.
Implications for Consumers
- If you are currently sharing your Prime free shipping with someone who does not live with you you will need to change. After October 1 that benefit ends.
- The person who was being shared with might need to get their own membership (which Amazon is offering at a reduced rate for a limited time) to keep access.
- In households you can still share many benefits—free shipping, streaming perks, etc.—with up to four teens or children plus one other adult. But the address verification and shared payment method requirements may complicate things for some.
What to Do Now
- Check if you are using the Prime Invitee sharing benefit and whether the person you share with lives with you. If not you will be affected.
- If you are affected decide whether to have the other person sign up for their own Prime now (to take advantage of the discount) or figure out other ways to get needed services.
- If you share Prime within a household, make sure all members who need access are eligible under the new rules (for example teens added before the cutoff).
Bottom Line
Amazon is tightening the rules around sharing Prime benefits. The Prime Invitee program is being discontinued. Amazon Family takes its place with stricter sharing limits but broader benefit coverage for those within a household. If you are currently sharing with non-household members you should act before October 1 to adjust to these changes.
