NEW YORK CITY, New York: Amazon Prime members will soon lose the ability to extend their free shipping perks to friends or relatives living outside their home.

The company said it is shutting down the “Prime Invitee” program on October 1 and replacing it with Amazon Family. This program restricts benefit sharing to one other adult in the same household, up to four teens (if added before April 7), and four children’s profiles.

The shift means only those under the same roof — such as a spouse, family member, or roommate — will be able to use a Prime member’s free two-day shipping and other benefits like exclusive deals and Prime Video access.

Amazon is offering a temporary discount to encourage those affected to sign up on their own: US$14.99 for a full year of Prime, after which membership reverts to the standard $14.99 per month or $139 annually. The promotion begins on September 5 and runs through December 31, 2025.

The change comes as Amazon invests billions in expanding its logistics network to reach customers in smaller U.S. towns and rural areas. By the end of this year, it expects to bring faster delivery to 1,000 of more than 4,000 targeted communities.