I Had NO IDEA About These 3 Amazon Prime Member Rules

Shopping with Amazon not only comes with plenty of perks but with some shocking rules, as well.

©Amazon

As an Amazon Prime member, I often wonder what my subscription allows me to do — or what it prohibits me from doing. That’s why I combed through the latest small print of Amazon Prime’s terms of service…and it’s safe to say I found some pretty juicy rules hiding in plain sight. You might already be a member and don’t give these fine details a second thought, or maybe you’re considering signing up. Either way, these three rules are noteworthy and worth thinking about while using this popular online shopping service!

1. You can’t share free shipping with a friend living elsewhere.

We’ve already seen streaming services crack down on password and perk sharing, and it appears Amazon Prime does something similar.

We’re going shopping!

While you might have been quietly “sharing” your Prime free-shipping perk with a friend or relative, this is technically against the rules. In October 2025, Amazon ended its “Invitee” program, which allowed Prime members to extend the free shipping benefit to someone outside their household. Now, if you want free shipping, you’ll have to use the “Amazon Family” model, which lets you share this shipping perk with one more adult (as long as they live at the same address and share payment methods), as well as up to four teen and four child profiles. So, yeah, if your friends want free shipping, have them move in with you and start paying you rent.

2. Amazon can kick you out of Prime if you misuse it — or if they just decide to.

You may be giving Amazon a boatload of money each month and spending a ton of time shopping and streaming, but the membership terms say that Amazon retains the right to suspend or terminate your membership. This also applies to specific benefits.

The jail scene in Pirates of the Caribbean

This can happen if you violate the terms of the agreement, or even for reasons Amazon decides are valid. This is wildly open-ended. It’s fully possible to break a lesser-known rule or violate a rule that was recently (and subtly) changed. I guess it’s important to just stay up-to-date on Amazon Prime’s code of conduct!

3. You can cancel your subscription within three business days for a full refund.

This one is for prospective subscribers! Did you know that when you first sign up for Amazon Prime or convert from a free trial, the terms state that if you cancel within three business days, you’re eligible for a full refund of the membership fee?

©Disney

However, refunds get tricky after that 3-day window. You could be looking at prorated refunds or total denials. Once again, Amazon makes it clear that everything is up to its discretion.

©Amazon

Will these rules stop me from using Amazon Prime? Absolutely not. But it’s important to be familiar with what’s going on in that contract you’re signing, as it could have some serious effects on your shopping capabilities. The main thing I noticed when perusing these rules is that they’re nuanced, and by knowing them, you hold a lot of power.

How has your experience been with Amazon Prime? Are you not yet a member but are thinking of signing up? Let us know and continue to follow us here at DFB for more shopping tips, tricks, and updates!

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What are some Amazon Prime rules that you know about that might be under the radar with most folks? Let us know in the comments!