You pay for Amazon Prime every month or year, but no longer use the fast delivery or video catalog. Canceling is simple, quick, and doesn’t require a phone call. Since June 2023, the law has required online services to let customers cancel electronically and receive confirmation. Here’s how to do it, what you can get back after canceling, and what to watch out for.
Canceling an online subscription: what French law requires
Before clicking through Amazon’s menus, here’s a useful reminder. Any service subscribed to online must also be cancellable online, with written confirmation and a clearly stated end date. This requirement came into effect on June 1, 2023.
In practice, Amazon cannot redirect you to a paper form or phone number to block your request. If the online process fails or you don’t receive confirmation, save screenshots. They can serve as evidence in the event of a dispute.
Another often-overlooked point: automatic renewal must be disclosed in advance. The French Consumer Code requires businesses to inform consumers that they can choose not to renew their contract. If this information wasn’t provided as required, you can end the contract after it renews and request a refund of the amounts paid for the relevant period, minus the value of any services already used.
If you want to cancel your Prime subscription with peace of mind, keep these two legal protections in mind before starting the process.
Cancel Amazon Prime on a computer: the complete process
You can cancel from your Amazon.fr account without downloading anything. Here are the exact steps to follow.
- Sign in to Amazon.fr, then hover over or click “Account & Lists” at the top right of the page.
- Select “Your Account,” then look for the “Prime” or “Manage My Prime Membership” section.
- Click “Manage Membership,” then “End Membership” or “Cancel Membership.”
- Amazon will then show you several confirmation screens with retention offers. Confirm each step until you reach the final confirmation.
You’ll receive an email confirming your subscription’s end date. You’ll continue to have access to Prime benefits until that date, even after clicking “cancel.” You won’t lose access right away.
Amazon sometimes displays three or four intermediate screens before confirming the cancellation. This isn’t a bug—it’s a standard retention tactic. Read each screen and select the option confirming cancellation at every step.
Cancel Prime on a mobile device: what’s different
The process in the Amazon app is slightly different. Tap the profile icon (at the bottom right in most versions), then go to “Your Account.” The “Prime” or “Manage Prime Membership” section appears in the settings list.
The rest of the process is the same as on a computer: several confirmation screens, followed by a summary email. On mobile, the confirmation buttons can be less visible than the “Keep my membership” buttons, which are often highlighted with a prominent color. Take the time to find the right link at each step.
Special case: canceling Prime Video only
If you’re subscribed to Prime Video only (and not to Amazon Prime as a whole), you’ll need to cancel through the Prime Video page itself. Go to your Prime Video account settings, open the “Subscriptions” section, then follow the same confirmation steps. The two subscriptions are separate: canceling Prime doesn’t necessarily cancel a separately purchased Prime Video subscription, and vice versa.
Amazon Prime cancellation refund: what you may be able to get back
Not sure whether you’ll get some of your payment back? It depends on how you’ve used your membership.
If you haven’t used any Prime benefits during the current billing period, Amazon will issue a full refund. If you’ve used fast delivery or the video catalog, your refund will be partial and calculated in proportion to the services you’ve used.
Refund processing times vary depending on your payment method. It generally takes two to four weeks for the amount to appear on your bank statement or in your Amazon balance.
Right of withdrawal and cancellation: two different processes
A common mistake is to confuse the two. The right of withdrawal applies within 14 days of signing up remotely. After that period, standard cancellation is the only option, subject to the refund terms described above.
If you were signed up for Prime without explicitly requesting it (for example, by completing an order too quickly), withdrawing from the contract is still your best option for getting a full refund, provided you act within 14 days.
Common mistakes when canceling Prime
A few situations come up regularly and are worth keeping in mind.
- Confusing “pause” with “cancel”: Amazon sometimes offers to temporarily pause your membership. This option delays the charge but doesn’t end the contract.
- Forgetting a linked subscription: if you subscribed to paid channels through Prime Video (add-on subscriptions), you may continue to be charged for them after canceling Prime. Check the “Subscriptions” section of your account.
- Failing to keep the confirmation: the confirmation email is your only proof. Archive it and take a screenshot of the confirmation page displayed on screen.
Canceling Amazon Prime takes less than five minutes, whether you’re using a computer or a mobile device. The most important thing to remember: check your add-on subscriptions and keep the confirmation. You’ll retain access until the end of your paid period, and you may be eligible for a partial or full refund depending on your circumstances.
