How to cancel Amazon Prime and get your money back
You can cancel Amazon Prime at any time through your account settings, and you may receive a refund depending on when you cancel within your billing cycle. Amazon's refund policy differs based on whether you pay monthly or annually, and how far into your current period you are. The cancellation itself takes seconds, but understanding what refund you're may have access to to — and when to expect it — requires knowing the specific rules Amazon applies.
The key is timing: monthly members have a seven-day refund window from each billing date, while annual members have 30 days from their renewal or initial purchase. Outside those windows, you can still cancel but won't receive money back for the current period.
Key Takeaways
- Monthly Prime members can cancel anytime and receive a refund if they cancel within the first seven days of their billing cycle.
- Annual Prime members are may have access to to a refund only if they cancel within 30 days of their most recent renewal or initial purchase.
- Cancellation happens in your Amazon account under "Manage Your Prime Membership" — you do not need to contact customer service unless you're outside the refund window.
- Refunds are issued to your original payment method and typically appear within 3 to 5 business days.
- If you cancel but want to keep Prime benefits through the end of your current billing period, you can choose an end date rather than an immediate cancellation.
When you're may have access to to a refund
Amazon's refund may be able to access depends on your membership type and how long you've had your current subscription. For monthly Prime members, you can cancel within the first seven days of a new billing cycle and receive a full refund. After that seven-day window closes, you lose the right to a refund for that month, though you can still cancel without penalty.
For annual Prime members, the refund window is 30 days from your most recent renewal date or from your initial purchase if you're in your first year. If you're outside that 30-day window, Amazon will not refund your annual fee, but you can still cancel and keep your membership active until your renewal date arrives.
If you've used Prime benefits heavily — particularly video streaming or fast shipping — Amazon may deny a refund even within the window if it determines you've received substantial value. This is rare but possible. The safest approach is to cancel as soon as you know you won't use the service.
How to cancel through your Amazon account
Log into your Amazon account and go to the "Account & Lists" menu in the top right corner. Select "Your Account," then scroll down to find "Memberships and Subscriptions." Click on "Manage Your Prime Membership."
On the next page, you'll see your current membership status and renewal date. Click the button labeled "End Membership" or "Cancel Prime." Amazon will show you your refund status — either confirming you're within the refund window or telling you that no refund is available. Review the information carefully before confirming.
You'll then see two options: cancel immediately or cancel at the end of your current billing period. If you choose to cancel at the end of your period, you'll keep all Prime benefits (free shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music) until that date arrives. If you choose immediate cancellation and you're within the refund window, the refund process begins right away.
What happens after you cancel
Once you confirm cancellation, your Prime membership ends either immediately or on your chosen end date. You'll receive a confirmation email from Amazon. If you're may have access to to a refund, that email will state the refund amount and the expected timeline.
Refunds are issued to your original payment method — the card or account you used to pay for Prime. If you paid with a debit card, the refund may take 3 to 5 business days to appear in your account. If you paid with a credit card, it may take longer depending on your card issuer's processing time. If you paid through a third party (like Apple or Google Play), the refund goes back to that platform, not directly to your bank.
After cancellation, you can still use your Amazon account to shop and make purchases. You simply lose Prime-specific benefits like free two-day shipping and access to Prime Video, Prime Music, and Prime Reading.
If you're outside the refund window
If you cancel after your refund window has closed, you won't receive money back for your current billing period. However, you can still cancel without penalty, and your membership will end on your renewal date. You'll keep all Prime benefits until that date.
If you want to cancel immediately but are outside the refund window, you can do so — you simply won't receive a refund. Some members choose to wait until closer to their renewal date to cancel, so they get the full value of their membership. Others cancel immediately to stop future charges, accepting the loss of the current period's fee.
If you believe you should have received a refund but didn't, or if you were charged after cancellation, contact Amazon Customer Service through your account. Go to "Account & Lists," select "Your Account," scroll to "Contact Us," and choose the issue related to Prime membership. Amazon's customer service team can review your account and issue a refund if there was an error.
Reactivating Prime after cancellation
If you cancel Prime and later change your mind, you can reactivate it at any time. Go back to "Manage Your Prime Membership" and select "Restart Your Prime Membership." You'll be charged the current Prime rate for your membership type (monthly or annual), and your benefits resume immediately.
Amazon sometimes offers discounted reactivation rates to former members, particularly if you've been cancelled for several months. These offers appear in your account or via email, but they're not may provide. If you see a promotional rate, it typically applies only to that specific offer period.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I cancel after my free trial ends?
If you're cancelling your first paid month after a free trial, the same rules apply: monthly members have seven days from their first charge date, and annual members have 30 days. If you cancel outside that window, no refund is issued.
What if I was charged for Prime but didn't authorize it?
Contact Amazon Customer Service immediately through your account. Explain that the charge was unauthorized. Amazon can investigate and issue a refund if they determine the charge was made in error or without your consent. Provide any relevant details about when the charge appeared and your account activity.
Do I lose Prime Video access immediately after cancellation?
If you cancel immediately, Prime Video access ends right away. If you choose to cancel at the end of your billing period, you keep Prime Video and all other Prime benefits until that end date. After your membership fully ends, you can no longer watch Prime Video content unless you reactivate Prime.
Can I cancel Prime on my phone or through the Amazon app?
Yes. Open the Amazon app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), go to "Your Account," then "Memberships and Subscriptions," and select "Manage Your Prime Membership." The cancellation process is identical to the website version.
Will cancelling Prime affect my Amazon shopping account?
No. Your Amazon account remains active and you can continue to shop and make purchases. You simply lose Prime-specific benefits like free two-day shipping. Regular Amazon shipping options and pricing still apply to your orders.