Millions of additional U.S. consumers who used 11 to 20 Prime benefits in a one-year period may receive automatic payments starting Oct. 1, 2026.
This group was excluded from earlier rounds and now needs to take no action to be paid. The expansion follows a federal settlement over Prime enrollment and cancellation practices. The Federal Trade Commission says its historic $2.5 billion settlement against Amazon resolves allegations Amazon enrolled consumers without consent and hindered cancellation, with $1.5 billion for refunds and a $1 billion penalty.
Table of Contents
- Who is newly eligible?
- What changed in September 2026?
- How much could you receive?
- How do payments arrive?
Who is newly eligible?
The new group covers U.S. consumers who used 11 to 20 Prime benefits during a one-year period. USA Today reports these consumers became eligible for automatic payments beginning Oct.
1, 2026, after exclusion from earlier rounds, in its October coverage of the expanded payments. The original order covered consumers who used fewer than 10 Prime benefits in a one-year period. That earlier group could receive refunds of up to $51, according to USA Today and Money Talks News.
- Used fewer than 10 benefits in one year: covered in the first round
- Used 11 to 20 benefits in one year: added in the October 2026 expansion
- No claim form is required for future payments
What changed in September 2026?
A federal court approved a joint request from the FTC and Amazon to accelerate and expand refunds. The Federal Trade Commission announced the change in its September 17, 2026 update on additional payments.
The order raised the maximum total payment from $51 to $200. It also made all future payments automatic, with no claim required.
How much could you receive?
Eligible consumers can receive an initial automatic payment up to the original $51 limit. A second automatic payment can raise the combined total to $200. The second payment depends on total accepted refunds.
The Federal Trade Commission explains in its September 17, 2026 announcement that if accepted payments do not reach the required threshold by February 2027, consumers who accepted payments receive up to $149 more, starting by April 2027. Amazon had already issued more than $845 million in refunds by September 2026, according to the FTC refunds page. Automatic refunds continue through April 2027 under the revised order.
How do payments arrive?
Eligible consumers need take no action. Payments arrive automatically through the method tied to the refund process.
The FTC says consumers should watch for PayPal, Venmo, or a mailed check. Acceptance matters for the possible second payment, so consumers should accept or cash the first payment when it arrives.
- Watch email, PayPal, and Venmo accounts for payment notices
- Watch mail for a check if electronic payment is not used
- Ignore messages asking for payment or personal information to obtain the refund
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