Last chance for an Amazon refund? Deadline nears to claim up to $51

Time is running out for millions of Amazon Prime customers who may be owed money. A massive federal settlement has opened the door for refunds, but only for a limited window. If you had Prime in recent years, you may still be eligible to file a claim. Here’s what the deadline means and how to know if you qualify.

Amazon is paying refunds of up to $51 to eligible Prime customers following a $2.5 billion FTC settlement. Customers who didn’t receive an automatic refund can now submit a claim. The deadline is approaching, and eligible users must act quickly to receive their payment, as per a report by The Mirror.

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Why is Amazon issuing refunds?

Amazon’s refunds stem from a $2.5 billion settlement reached with the Federal Trade Commission following a 2023 lawsuit. The FTC alleged that Amazon enrolled customers into Prime without clear consent and made the cancellation process difficult. Of that total settlement, $1.5 billion was set aside specifically to refund affected Prime members, as per a report by The Mirror.

The FTC described the issue as involving Amazon’s alleged “unlawful Prime enrollment and cancellation practices.” As part of the agreement, Amazon must also revise how Prime is offered and canceled, including the addition of a “clear and conspicuous button for customers to decline Prime.”

In response, Amazon said in a September statement, "Amazon and our executives have always followed the law and this settlement allows us to move forward and focus on innovating for customers.” The company added, “We work incredibly hard to make it clear and simple for customers to both sign up or cancel their Prime membership, and to offer substantial value for our many millions of loyal Prime members around the world."

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Who qualifies for the settlement payment?

Not every Prime subscriber is eligible. The settlement applies only to U.S.-based Amazon Prime customers who signed up through what the FTC called a “challenged enrollment flow” between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025.

To qualify, customers must also have used more than three but fewer than 10 Prime benefits in any 12-month period during their enrollment. Those who meet these criteria may be eligible for a refund of up to $51.

Amazon has already issued automatic refunds to some customers. Those payments were sent in two stages, beginning on Nov. 12 and continuing through Dec. 24.

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How do you submit a claim before the deadline?

For customers who did not receive an automatic refund, the second phase of payments is now underway. On Jan. 5, 2026, Amazon opened the claims window, allowing eligible Prime members to manually submit a request for their refund, as per a report by The Mirror.

After submitting a claim, customers will be notified of their refund amount by January 23, 2026. Amazon will then send an email offering payment through PayPal or Venmo. Recipients must respond within 15 days.

If no response is received, Amazon will mail a paper check to the default shipping address on file. Any checks issued must be cashed within 60 days.

Amazon has not yet announced a final mailing date for all payments, but for those filing claims, refunds are expected to be issued later in 2026. For eligible customers, the deadline is approaching — and missing it could mean missing out on the refund entirely, as per a report by The Mirror.


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FAQs

Who can still get an Amazon refund?
Eligible U.S. Prime members who didn’t receive an automatic payment can still file a claim.

How much could the refund be?
Qualified customers may receive up to $51, depending on Prime usage.