Amazon Ends Prime Invitee Program, Shifts Focus to Amazon Family

Amazon is discontinuing its Prime Invitee Program, which allowed members to extend free shipping benefits to individuals outside their household. The program will cease operations on October 1, with affected users notified by September 5. Shares of Amazon (AMZN) fell 1.60% to $225 following the announcement.

The company is steering users toward Amazon Family, a plan permitting one adult, four children, and up to four teens in the same household to share Prime benefits like shipping, video, and music. All members must reside at the same primary address—a shift from the previous policy that allowed two-day shipping for an adult living elsewhere. Starting next month, non-household members will need their own Prime subscription.

Existing Amazon Family members enrolled before April 7, 2025, will retain their benefits if they meet the household criteria. The MOVE follows reports of Amazon tightening Prime membership controls, signaling a strategic pivot toward consolidated household accounts.