What is "AMZN PRIME*" on my bank statement?
AMZN PRIME* is usually a legitimate Amazon Prime subscription charge, often with a reference or billing code.
Merchant: Amazon Prime | Category: Subscription
What Is This Charge?
A charge from Amazon Prime reflects a subscription purchase for Amazon’s paid membership service, which launched in 2005 and is offered through Amazon’s online platform rather than physical stores. Amazon is a global e-commerce and digital services company, and Prime charges usually appear when a membership renews, a free trial converts, or a household account is billed. The descriptor AMZN PRIME* often includes a billing code or reference suffix that helps Amazon identify the account or region tied to the charge. This is usually a legitimate recurring subscription charge, not a one-time retail purchase.
Why Does This Charge Appear on My Statement?
This charge appears when an Amazon Prime membership renews automatically after a monthly or annual billing cycle. It also appears when a free trial ends and the account converts to paid status without a cancellation before the renewal date. A second common trigger is a family or household plan where another profile or payment method on the account is billed. In some cases, the charge appears after a payment update, a card replacement, or a regional billing adjustment.
Typical Charge Amounts
A standard Amazon Prime monthly membership in the U.S. is commonly $14.99 per month. A standard Amazon Prime annual membership in the U.S. is commonly $139.00 per year. Prime Video-only plans have also been billed at $8.99 per month in some markets and account types. Small temporary authorization holds of $1.00 or $0.00 may appear during card verification before the final recurring charge posts.
Common Variations
AMZN PRIME* AMZN PRIME*1234 AMZN PRIME*MEMBERSHIP AMZN PRIME*US AMZN PRIME*REF AMZN PRIME*AMZN AMZN PRIME*CA AMZN PRIME*UK AMZN PRIME*AU AMZN PRIME*BILLING
Is This Charge Legitimate?
A legitimate AMZN PRIME* charge should match an active Amazon account, a recent trial, or a renewal date in your billing history. Check your Amazon account at amazon.com or in the Amazon app, then open Account, Memberships & Subscriptions, and Prime Membership to confirm the billing date and payment method. If you do not recognize the charge, review the exact descriptor, the last four digits of the card, and the country code or reference suffix. You can also contact Amazon Customer Service through amazon.com/contact-us or by phone at 1-888-280-4331 to verify the transaction.
How to Dispute or Cancel
1. Sign in to your Amazon account and go to Account, Memberships & Subscriptions, then select Prime Membership and choose End Membership. 2. Review the renewal date before canceling, because Amazon may keep benefits active until the current billing period ends. 3. If you were charged after a free trial or after cancellation, contact Amazon support at 1-888-280-4331 and ask for a refund review. 4. If Amazon does not resolve the issue, contact your bank or card issuer and file a card dispute for the specific AMZN PRIME* transaction while you keep screenshots of the billing page and cancellation confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Amazon Prime charge show as AMZN PRIME*?
AMZN PRIME* is a billing descriptor Amazon uses for Prime membership charges, and the asterisk is often followed by a code that identifies the account, region, or billing record. The charge usually appears when a monthly or annual renewal posts, when a free trial converts to paid status, or when a household account is billed on the same payment method.
How do I cancel my Amazon Prime subscription?
Sign in to Amazon, open Account, then Memberships & Subscriptions, and select Prime Membership to start cancellation. Follow the prompts to confirm the end date, then save the confirmation page or email. If you cannot access the account, call Amazon Customer Service at 1-888-280-4331 and ask them to locate the membership and stop renewal.
Why is my Amazon Prime charge a different amount than expected?
The amount can differ because Amazon bills monthly or annually, and the plan type changes the total. A card may also show a temporary $1.00 or $0.00 verification hold before the final charge posts. If the charge is in a different currency or region, taxes, exchange rates, or a regional Prime plan can also change the final amount.
Can Amazon Prime charges be refunded after renewal?
Yes, a recent Prime renewal may be refundable if you did not use membership benefits after the charge posted. Amazon support can review the account and may issue a prorated or full refund depending on usage and timing. Contact support quickly through amazon.com/contact-us or 1-888-280-4331 and ask for a Prime billing review.
What should I check before disputing an AMZN PRIME* charge with my bank?
Check your Amazon billing history, your renewal date, and the last four digits of the card used for the membership. If the charge matches an active subscription, cancel first so the billing stops before filing a dispute. If the charge is unauthorized or tied to an account you cannot access, save screenshots and then file the bank dispute with the exact transaction date and amount.
Similar Charges
- AMZN PRIME*
- AMZN PRIME*1234
- AMZN PRIME*MEMBERSHIP
- AMZN PRIME*US
- AMZN PRIME*REF