Amazon Prime $2.5B FTC Settlement, How To Claim Your Refund Up To $51 Through SubscriptionMembershipSettlement
Amazon is paying $1.5 billion in refunds to 35 million Prime members as part of a historic $2.5 billion FTC settlement finalized September 2025. Eligible customers who signed up through deceptive enrollment flows between June 2019 and June 2025 can claim refunds up to $51 through the official settlement website at SubscriptionMembershipSettlement.com. Automatic payments went out between November and December 2025, while the claims process for remaining eligible customers opened January 5, 2026.
The Federal Trade Commission alleged Amazon enrolled millions of customers in Prime subscriptions without clear consent and made cancellation deliberately difficult through manipulative design tactics called “dark patterns.”
What Amazon Is Accused Of
The Deceptive Enrollment Allegations
The FTC alleged Amazon enrolled tens of millions of consumers in Prime subscriptions without their knowledge or consent and made it exceedingly difficult for consumers to cancel their Prime subscription. Amazon’s checkout process allegedly used confusing button language, pre-selected Prime enrollment options, and buried the option to purchase items without Prime membership.
Internal Amazon documents revealed executives discussed these practices with awareness of potential legal issues. One employee described subscription tactics as “a bit of a shady world” while another acknowledged leading consumers to unwanted subscriptions was “an unspoken cancer.”
The FTC claimed Amazon violated the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act by failing to obtain express informed consent before charging customers for Prime memberships.
The Cancellation Maze
Beyond deceptive enrollment, Amazon allegedly created a complex, multi-step cancellation process designed to prevent customers from ending their memberships. The company internally code-named this cancellation flow “Iliad”—a reference to Homer’s epic about the decade-long Trojan War.
Amazon created a complex and difficult process for consumers seeking to cancel their Prime subscription, with the goal of preventing consumers from cancelling Prime. Customers had to navigate through multiple retention screens, click past confusing buttons stating “No, I don’t want FREE shipping,” and wade through misleading language designed to discourage cancellation.
The Settlement Announcement
On September 25, 2025, just three days into trial, Amazon agreed to pay a $2.5 billion settlement without admitting liability—$1 billion in civil penalties and $1.5 billion in consumer refunds. This represents the largest civil penalty ever for an FTC rule violation and provides full relief for the estimated 35 million affected consumers.
Who’s Eligible And How To Verify
Automatic Payment Eligibility
Amazon already sent automatic refunds to eligible customers between November 12 and December 24, 2025. Customers who signed up for Prime through a “challenged enrollment flow” or tried to cancel through the online cancellation flow but were unable to do so between June 23, 2019 and June 23, 2025 qualified for automatic payments if they used no more than three Prime benefits in any 12-month period.
“Challenged enrollment flows” include the universal Prime decision page, shipping selection page, single-page checkout, and Prime Video enrollment flow. You don’t need to determine which flow you used—Amazon analyzes this automatically.
Claims Process Eligibility
If you didn’t receive an automatic payment, you may still qualify through the claims process. You may apply for a refund from Amazon if you are an Amazon Prime customer in the United States who signed up through a “challenged enrollment flow” or tried to cancel but were unable to do so between June 23, 2019 and June 23, 2025, and used no more than three Amazon Prime Benefits in any 12-month period.
The claims process covers customers who used between three and ten Prime benefits during any 12-month period of enrollment. In January 2026, Amazon began sending claim notices by mail or email to eligible Prime customers who didn’t get an automatic refund between November 2025 and December 2025.
Refund Amounts
Under the settlement, eligible Prime customers will receive a refund of their Amazon Prime subscription fees, up to a maximum of $51. Your actual refund may be less if you signed up during a promotional period with discounted membership fees.
What You Must Know About Filing Claims
How To Submit Your Claim
If you’re eligible for the claims process, you’ll receive notification by email or postal mail postmarked by January 23, 2026. This notice includes instructions and a claim ID and PIN needed to submit your claim form.
Visit the official settlement website at SubscriptionMembershipSettlement.com to file your claim. The settlement site says you’ll need to provide the requested information, which includes a claim ID and PIN provided in the email or mailing sent to customers. You’ll also have to sign and submit the claim before July 21.
Never pay anyone claiming they can help you get your refund faster. The FTC will never ask you to pay to get a refund. Anyone demanding payment or personal information beyond what’s on the official settlement website is running a scam.
Payment Timeline And Methods
Consumers will have 180 days to submit a claim, and Amazon will review each claim within 30 days of receiving it. Payments should follow shortly after approval of your claims form. For the claims process, Amazon expects to send payments in late 2026.
The refunds will be sent through PayPal, Venmo or mailed checks, according to the settlement site. You can select your preferred payment method when submitting your claim form.
Required Documentation
The claim form on SubscriptionMembershipSettlement.com will request specific information to verify your eligibility. Have your Amazon account email address ready, along with the claim ID and PIN from your notification letter or email.
If you need assistance with your claim form, contact Amazon at [email protected]. This is the only official email address for settlement questions.
What Changes Amazon Must Make
Beyond the $2.5 billion payout, the settlement requires Amazon to implement significant business practice changes. The company must obtain clear, conspicuous consent before enrolling customers in Prime and provide a simple cancellation process without manipulative retention tactics.
Amazon already removed the misleading “No, I don’t want free shipping” button and added a clear button to decline Prime. The company must also provide transparent disclosures about costs, auto-renewal dates, and cancellation procedures at the point of enrollment.
The injunction applies to Amazon for ten years and individually binds Senior Vice President Neil Lindsay and Vice President Jamil Ghani for three years, ensuring sustained compliance with consumer protection laws.
Understanding how government bodies enforce consumer protection laws helps explain why the FTC has authority to pursue cases like this. Similar to the Instacart FTC settlement that addressed deceptive subscription practices, this Amazon case establishes important precedent for regulating online enrollment and cancellation flows across the subscription economy.
FAQ
Is there still time to file a claim for the Amazon Prime FTC settlement?
Yes. If you didn’t receive an automatic refund between November and December 2025, you can file a claim through January 2026 and beyond. Amazon began sending claim notices by email and mail in January 2026, and recipients have 180 days from the date of their notice to submit claims through SubscriptionMembershipSettlement.com.
What is the official website to file Amazon Prime settlement claims?
The official settlement website is SubscriptionMembershipSettlement.com. This is the only legitimate website to submit claims. Beware of fake websites or people claiming they can help you file for a fee—the FTC never charges consumers to receive refunds.
How much money will I get from the Amazon Prime settlement?
Eligible customers can receive refunds up to $51 for their Amazon Prime subscription fees paid during the eligible period. Your actual refund amount depends on how much you paid in Prime membership fees between June 23, 2019 and June 23, 2025. If you signed up during a promotional discount period, your refund may be less than $51.
What if I used Prime frequently—can I still get a refund?
The settlement specifically targets customers who barely used Prime or accidentally enrolled. If you used more than three Prime benefits (like delivery, streaming, or shopping perks) in any 12-month period, you’re not eligible for automatic payments. However, if you used between three and ten Prime benefits annually and meet other eligibility requirements, you may qualify through the claims process.
Do I need to provide proof of my Prime membership to file a claim?
No. Amazon maintains records of Prime memberships and enrollment methods. When you file your claim using the claim ID and PIN provided in your notification, Amazon will verify your eligibility using their internal records. You don’t need to submit receipts, emails, or other documentation.
What happens if I miss the claim deadline?
If you receive a notification with a claim deadline and miss it, you forfeit your right to compensation from this settlement. The deadline is typically 180 days from the date your notification was sent. Check your notification carefully for the specific deadline date and submit your claim well before that date to avoid missing out.
How is this different from other Amazon lawsuits?
This $2.5 billion FTC settlement specifically addresses Prime enrollment and cancellation practices between June 2019 and June 2025. It’s separate from other Amazon legal actions, including lawsuits about removing purchased digital content, adding advertising to Prime Video, or failing to meet two-day delivery promises. Each lawsuit addresses different consumer protection violations. If you’re interested in learning about auto-renewal billing issues across other major companies, the Bumble class action lawsuit over alleged deceptive practices and auto-renewal billing demonstrates similar consumer protection concerns affecting millions of users.
Last Updated: January 21, 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides information only and does not constitute legal advice.
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About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
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