Could you get a $200 Amazon refund? What to know in $2.5B settlement

Thousands of Amazon Prime customers could still get a refund from a $2.5 billion settlement with the FTC. Some payments have already been sent, but that doesn't mean you won't get one or don't qualify. Here's who is eligible and how much they could get.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, Amazon will pay $1.5 billion in refunds. Another $1 billion went toward a civil penalty.

The court approved an agreement between Amazon and the FTC in September 2026 that sped up payments, made them all automatic and expanded how many people are eligible. It also increased the maximum payment available from $51 to $200.

The company is sending consumer refunds in multiple waves. The first round of automatic payments was issued in late 2025. More automatic payments will be issued through spring 2027, the FTC said.

“The revised order will ensure more consumers who were harmed by Amazon’s deceptive enrollment and cancellation practices benefit from the FTC’s historic settlement,” Christopher Mufarrige, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a news release. “This action underscores the FTC’s commitment to ensuring companies return money to consumers harmed by unlawful and deceptive business practices.”

Here's what we know about who's eligible for a payment, when they could see the money and how much each person can get.

How much could you get from the Amazon settlement?

Customers can receive payments of up to $200.

Amazon might send additional payments of up to $149 per eligible customer to people who were paid before the new agreement.

➤ Zumba settlement to pay users at least $229. See if you're eligible

Who is eligible for an Amazon settlement payment?

According to a court order, Amazon Prime customers who meet the following criteria are eligible:

• Subscribed to Prime between June 23, 2019, and June 23, 2025, through a "challenged enrollment flow" or tried to cancel online but could not during the same time period
• Used Amazon Prime benefits 20 times or less during any 12-month period after enrolling in Prime

The "challenged" flow means any subscription started through certain pages on Amazon's website, including the "Universal Prime Decision Page, the Shipping Option Select Page, Prime Video enrollment flow, or the Single Page Checkout," per the court order.

Do you need to file an Amazon settlement claim?

According to the FTC, if you are eligible, you don't have to do anything to get your payment. Amazon will send automatic payments to the people who qualify.

Previously, customers were asked to file claims. But the recent update changed that.

When will Amazon settlement payments be sent?

According to the settlement website, Amazon will send payments through April 2027.

The money will be available through PayPal, Venmo or mailed checks.

Get more information at  SubscriptionMembershipSettlement.com.

Why is Amazon paying refunds?

In September 2025, Amazon settled a lawsuit that was filed in 2023. The suit argued that the megacorporation got millions of customers to enroll in Amazon Prime. The company was accused of using coercive actions to get people to subscribe. And it was hard for customers to cancel.

Amazon says it has "always followed the law" and denied wrongdoing.

"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," the company said in a statement. "We will continue to do so, and look forward to what we’ll deliver for Prime members in the coming years."

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at [email protected].

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at [email protected].