FILE - Sign on grocery endcap reading Prime Member Deal at a Whole Foods Market grocery store in San Ramon, California, August 15, 2018. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
Amazon is ending a perk that allows Prime members to share their free shipping benefits with people who don’t have the same primary address.
The online retail giant announced the change in an update to the customer service section of its website.
RELATED: Amazon accused of misleading consumers into believing they truly own movies they purchased
Amazon’s free shipping changes
Big picture view:
Amazon is replacing its Prime Invitee program with Amazon Family, which lets account holders share the free two-day shipping perk as well as a broad range of other perks like exclusive deals and movies with only one other adult in their household, up to four teens (who were added before April 7) and up to four profiles for children, according to Amazon’s website. Amazon said that the adult could be a spouse, family member or roommate.
RELATED: Amazon adds fresh groceries to free same-day delivery for Prime members
Timeline:
Amazon said the changes will take effect Oct. 1.
What you can do:
Amazon says users who don’t live with the account holder can subscribe to their own membership at a discounted rate of $14.99 for one year. After that, it’s $14.99 per month or $139 annually. The offer starts this Friday and is valid until Dec. 31, 2025.
Dig deeper:
The news comes as the Seattle-based company is making big investments in expanding its network to bring faster delivery to customers in less densely populated areas across the U.S. The service is available in 1,000 of the more than 4,000 smaller cities, towns and rural communities targeted by year-end, the company said in late July.
The Source: This report includes information from The Associated Press.