Cancel before your trial ends to avoid the first charge
Amazon Prime's free trial lasts 30 days (or sometimes longer during promotional periods). If you cancel before that period ends, you will not be charged. Amazon does not require you to wait until the last day — you can cancel when ready after signing up, and you will keep access to Prime benefits through the end of your trial period.
The cancellation happens in your Amazon account settings, not through a separate email or phone call. You need to log in to the account you used to start the trial, find the membership section, and select the option to cancel. The process takes about two minutes.
Key Takeaways
- You can cancel your Prime free trial at any time during the 30-day period without being charged, even on day one.
- Cancellation happens in your Amazon account under "Memberships & Subscriptions," not through customer service.
- After you cancel, you keep Prime benefits until the trial period ends, then your access stops automatically.
- If you are already charged because the trial ended, you can request a refund within a few days of the charge date.
- Amazon sometimes offers a discounted rate (like $7.99 per month instead of the full price) if you cancel — this is a retention offer, not a requirement.
Steps to cancel on a computer or phone
Log into your Amazon account on any web browser or the Amazon app. Go to your account menu (usually in the top right corner) and select "Account." Look for a section called "Memberships & Subscriptions" or "Your Memberships and Subscriptions." Click or tap on "Amazon Prime" in that list.
On the next screen, you will see a button that says "Cancel Membership" or "End Membership." Click it. Amazon will ask you to confirm the cancellation and may show you a discounted rate offer. You can decline the offer and proceed with cancellation, or you can accept it if the lower price works for you. After you confirm, you will see a message saying your membership has been canceled.
Save or screenshot the confirmation page. You do not need to do anything else — your access will end on the date shown, and you will not be charged.
What happens to your Prime benefits after cancellation
You keep all Prime benefits (free shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music, and others) until the last day of your trial period. On the day after your trial ends, your access stops. You will no longer be able to use Prime Video, place orders with Prime shipping, or access other member features.
If you had a paid Prime membership before the trial started, canceling the trial does not affect your paid membership. The trial straightforward ends, and your regular membership continues as normal.
If you were charged after the trial ended
If your trial period ended and Amazon charged you before you canceled, you can request a refund. Log into your account, go to "Your Orders," find the Prime membership charge, and select "Return or Manage Returns." Choose "I want to return this item" and select "Refund" as the reason.
Amazon typically processes refunds within three to five business days. If the refund option does not appear in your orders, contact Amazon customer service through the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of any Amazon page. Tell them the charge date and ask for a refund of the Prime membership charge. Most refund requests are approved if you ask within a few days of the charge.
Discounted rate offers when you cancel
When you click "Cancel Membership," Amazon often shows you a discounted Prime rate — sometimes $7.99 per month instead of the regular price (which varies by region but is typically around $14.99 per month). This is a retention offer designed to keep you as a member. You are not required to accept it.
If you want to keep Prime at the lower rate, you can select that option during cancellation. If you do not want Prime at any price, decline the offer and complete the cancellation. The discounted rate is not available after you finish canceling, so if you change your mind later, you would pay the regular price to rejoin.
Canceling a trial started through a third-party site
If you started your Prime trial through a different website or app (like through a carrier, bank, or streaming service that offers Prime as a benefit), you may need to cancel through that site instead of through Amazon directly. Check your confirmation email to see where the trial was set up.
If the email says the trial came through a partner company, log into that company's account and look for a memberships or subscriptions section. If you cannot find it, contact that company's customer service and ask them to cancel your Prime trial. They will handle the cancellation on their end, and Amazon will stop charging you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel my Prime trial on the same day I sign up?
Yes. You can cancel when ready after starting the trial, and you will still have access to all Prime benefits through the end of the 30-day period. There is no waiting period or penalty for canceling early.
Will I lose my Prime Video watchlist or saved items if I cancel?
Your watchlist and saved items stay in your Amazon account. If you rejoin Prime later, they will still be there. However, you will not be able to watch Prime Video content while your membership is inactive.
What if I forget to cancel and get charged?
You can request a refund through your Amazon orders page or by contacting customer service. Refunds are usually approved if you ask within a few days of the charge. After you get the refund, make sure to cancel your membership so you are not charged again the following month.
Does canceling Prime affect my regular Amazon account?
No. Canceling Prime only removes the membership benefits. Your Amazon account, order history, saved addresses, and payment methods all stay the same. You can still shop on Amazon — you just will not have Prime shipping or access to Prime Video.
Can I pause my Prime membership instead of canceling it?
Amazon does not offer a pause option. You can cancel and rejoin later, but there is no way to temporarily suspend the membership. If you think you might want Prime again soon, you could decline the cancellation and keep the discounted rate instead.