AMAZON is ending a long-running perk that allowed Prime subscribers to share free delivery with friends and family outside of their household.
The long-running Prime Invitee Program was a popular loophole that saved shoppers heaps.
Amazon says the incentive will end on October 1[/caption]
Amazon stopped people from joining it 10 years ago but let anyone already signed up continue using the benefit for as long as they stayed a Prime member.
But now the bonus incentive is closing at the end of this month.
Users will still be able to share their Prime services with those in their household by using Amazon Family – but you’re banned from sharing it with anyone who lives elsewhere.
“We are writing to inform you that the Prime Invitee Program, which allowed sharing Prime’s fast, free delivery with others, will end on October 1, 2025,” the online shopping giant said in emails to affected users.
“Your invited guests will be notified directly about this change by September 5, 2025.
“We are excited to recommend Amazon Family as an alternative which enables you to share many Prime benefits with one adult and up to four children in your household at no additional cost.”
Shoppers have raged on social media about the move, saying it was the only reason they continued subscribing all these years.
“This was the main reason I retained my Prime subscription,” one person wrote on Reddit.
“I was thinking of leaving, but was sharing with a brother and a close friend,” another commented.
“Now, I guess I’m free to quit. I bet there are lots of people in the same situation.”
A third added: “They have only continued paying for prime all this time because it gives all of us (they also both have their own accounts) free shipping.
“I believe this will turn into 0 prime accounts from my family, not 4 like they are hoping.”
People using accounts through the Prime Invitee Program will be cut off on October 1.
However, Amazon is reportedly offering a discounted rate for those affected to subscribe with their own paid account for a year, at $14.99 in the US.
Top Tips To Nab The Best Shopping Bargains
Finding deals and offers can be tricky if you don’t know where to look.
Here’s a list of hacks you can use to become a bargain-hunting pro and save on your shopping bill:
Join Facebook groups – Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK, Latest Deals and Reduce Your Supermarket Spend are all Facebook groups helping you reduce your spending and find good deals
Get following – Follow your favourite shops on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and sign up to its newsletters to get the latest on any offers
Check hotukdeals – The deal-sharing website lists offers as they’re spotted by savvy shoppers
Use barcode scanners – Retailers such as B&M let shoppers scan the barcodes on its app to see if it’s cheaper than the price listed on the shelf
Image credit: Alamy
