Amazon Is Killing the Secret Trick You Used to Share Prime Shipping for Free
If you’ve been getting free shipping thanks to a friend or family member outside your home, your benefits now have an expiration date. Amazon is closing the loophole, making Prime accounts more personal – but there's a small consolation prize.
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It was one of the most beloved and useful tricks for online shopping enthusiasts, a "gray area" method to avoid the annual Amazon Prime subscription fee. But now, the retail giant is putting an end to the party. In an email sent to subscribers, Amazon announced it is shutting down its "Prime Invitee" program, a move that will change how millions enjoy free shipping.
What Exactly Is Happening?
Starting October 1, 2025, Amazon will officially terminate the ability to share your free shipping benefits with people who don't live at your address. Until now, the Invitee program allowed a Prime member to "invite" one other person, even if they lived in another city, to enjoy fast deliveries at no extra cost. It was the perfect solution for students, close friends, or distant family members.
But as mentioned, the party's over. Amazon is tightening its belt, and from now on, sharing Prime benefits will only be possible under the strict family umbrella of "Amazon Household."
The New Rules: Who's In and Who's Out?
Under the new policy, only people sharing the same residential address can share a single Prime account. The new structure will allow the primary account holder to share their benefits with:
One other adult (a spouse, roommate, etc.).
Up to four teens (provided they were added before April 7, 2025).
Up to four child profiles.
Anyone outside this structure, your best friend from college, a nephew studying in another state, or parents who live separately, will have to say goodbye to free shipping and start paying for their own account.
The Carrot: Amazon Offers a Small Consolation
To soften the blow for users affected by the change, Amazon is offering them a "parting gift." Anyone who was registered as an "Invitee" can sign up for their own Prime membership for the symbolic price of just $14.99 for the first year. This offer is valid for those who sign up before the end of 2025. After the first year, the subscription will renew at the full price, which is currently $139 per year in the U.S.
Why Is Amazon Doing This?
The answer, as usual, is money. While the company hasn't stated it explicitly, the move is almost certainly intended to grow its base of paying subscribers. In an era where every streaming service (remember Netflix?) is cracking down on password sharing, it was only a matter of time before Amazon followed suit and closed what it sees as a revenue-losing loophole.
So, if you're enjoying free shipping thanks to a friend's generosity, you'd better check your expiration date and start planning your next move. The era of casual Prime sharing is officially coming to an end.