US Amazon Prime users could get more cash as FTC makes key changes to $2.5 billion settlement payments: Details here

Amazon is set to expand and speed up payments to consumers as part of a $2.5 billion settlement with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), potentially putting as much as $200 back in the reach of more Prime subscribers.

Will Amazon give Prime customers a refund?

The changes were announced to the FTC on September 17, 2026, after a federal court approved a revised order regarding the remaining consumer compensation from the settlement. The updated arrangement expands the number of consumers eligible for automatic payments and increases the maximum total reimbursement from $51 to $200.

The settlement stems from FTC allegations that Amazon enrolled millions of consumers in Prime without their consent and made it difficult for members to cancel their subscriptions. Amazon agreed to a $2.5 billion settlement in September 2025. Of that amount, up to $1.5 billion was earmarked for consumer compensation, while $1 billion was a civil penalty.

In September 2026, Amazon issued more than $845 million in consumer payments, according to the FTC. Court records show about $845.2 million had been issued as of Sept. 9, though the amount consumers accepted was substantially less.

Who is now eligible for a refund from Amazon?

The revised order brings millions more Prime users into the automatic refund process.

Under an earlier deal, consumers who used fewer than 10 Prime benefits in a year could get a refund of up to $51. The latest order extends automatic payments to eligible consumers who have used 11 to 20 Prime benefits in a year.

Payments to this newly eligible group should begin on October 1, 2026.

Consumers will not have to file a new complaint, respond to a notice or fill out additional forms. The FTC said Amazon will send payments electronically through PayPal or Venmo or by check.

The amount each consumer receives will depend on their eligibility for the settlement, which means the $200 amount is the maximum, not a guaranteed payment for everyone.

When could the payment reach $200?

The revised order also provides for additional payments to persons who have already received and accepted a settlement payment.

If payments received by consumers do not reach the required threshold by February 2027, Amazon will make additional automatic payments to consumers who previously received refunds. Those consumers could receive up to an additional $149, bringing their total settlement payment to a maximum of $200. Additional payments are expected to begin in April 2027.

The FTC says consumers don’t have to pay anyone or provide money to get a refund. She also warned of possible settlement fraud. The agency said it does not contact people directly about Amazon refunds, and anyone claiming to represent the FTC and requesting payment is likely a fraud.

Amazon is responsible for administering the remediation program. Eligible consumers should therefore be wary of unsolicited messages requesting bank details, fees or other payments in exchange for access to settlement funds.

The FTC said the revised order aims to more quickly distribute remaining compensation to consumers while expanding payments to people not covered by earlier phases of the program.