How to end your Amazon Video subscription in the UK

About Amazon Video

Amazon Video, also known as Prime Video, is one of the UK's leading streaming platforms, offering thousands of films, television series, and original content to subscribers across the country. As part of the broader Amazon Prime membership or available as a standalone service, Amazon Video has become a household name for British viewers seeking entertainment on demand. The platform provides access to award-winning original series, blockbuster films, and exclusive content that cannot be found elsewhere.

The service operates through various devices including smart televisions, tablets, smartphones, and streaming devices, making it convenient for users to watch content wherever they are. Amazon Video competes directly with other major streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, and NOW TV in the increasingly crowded UK streaming market. The platform distinguishes itself through its integration with Amazon's wider ecosystem and its investment in high-quality original programming.

Understanding your rights as a consumer when subscribing to Amazon Video is essential, particularly when circumstances change and you need to cancel your subscription. Many UK consumers are unaware that they have robust legal protections under consumer law, including clear cancellation rights and specific notice periods that service providers must honour. This means you are entitled to cancel your subscription in a way that provides you with proper documentation and proof of your cancellation request.

While many streaming services encourage online cancellation methods, sending your cancellation request by post using Recorded Delivery offers significant advantages. This method provides you with tangible proof that your cancellation notice was sent and received, which can be invaluable if any disputes arise regarding billing or subscription continuation. In practice, postal cancellation creates a paper trail that protects your consumer rights more effectively than digital methods that may not provide adequate confirmation.

Subscription plans and pricing

Amazon Video operates through two primary subscription models in the UK, each designed to cater to different consumer needs and viewing preferences. Understanding these options is crucial before making any cancellation decision, as the terms and benefits vary between the different membership types.

Prime Video standalone subscription

The standalone Prime Video subscription is available for consumers who wish to access the streaming service without the additional benefits of full Amazon Prime membership. This option costs £5.99 per month and provides complete access to the entire Prime Video catalogue, including all original series, films, and exclusive content. This means subscribers can enjoy the same viewing experience as full Prime members but without the delivery benefits, music streaming, or other Prime perks.

This subscription model appeals to viewers who primarily want entertainment content and do not frequently shop on Amazon or use other Prime services. The monthly billing cycle makes it flexible for those who prefer not to commit to annual payments, though this does mean paying slightly more over the course of a year compared to annual subscription options.

Amazon Prime full membership

The full Amazon Prime membership includes Prime Video as part of a comprehensive package of benefits. UK consumers can choose between monthly payments of £8.99 or an annual subscription of £95, which works out more economical for long-term users. This membership provides access to Prime Video alongside free next-day delivery on eligible items, Prime Music, Prime Reading, and exclusive shopping deals.

Therefore, many subscribers find themselves paying for Prime primarily for the delivery benefits whilst also enjoying the streaming service as an added bonus. However, if your shopping habits change or you find you are not utilising the delivery benefits sufficiently, the full membership may no longer represent good value, making cancellation a sensible financial decision.

Additional costs and channels

Beyond the standard subscription, Amazon Video offers Prime Video Channels, which are additional subscription services that can be added to your account for extra monthly fees. These channels include services such as Discovery+, Paramount+, and various sports packages, each with their own pricing structure ranging from £2.99 to £9.99 per month depending on the channel.

As a result of this pricing structure, some consumers find their monthly entertainment costs escalating beyond their initial budget, particularly when multiple channels are added. This represents one of the most common reasons subscribers choose to cancel their Amazon Video service.

Cancellation terms and conditions

Understanding the legal framework surrounding your cancellation rights is fundamental to protecting yourself as a consumer. UK law provides robust protections that ensure you can cancel subscription services fairly and without unreasonable penalties.

Your legal rights under UK consumer law

Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, UK consumers have specific rights when purchasing services online or at a distance, which includes streaming subscriptions like Amazon Video. These regulations grant you a 14-day cooling-off period from the date you subscribe, during which you can cancel without providing any reason and receive a full refund for any unused service period.

This means that if you have recently subscribed to Amazon Video and change your mind within two weeks, you are legally entitled to a complete refund. However, if you have already started using the service during this cooling-off period, the provider may deduct a proportionate amount for the service you have used. In practice, this legal protection ensures that consumers are not locked into subscriptions they do not want.

Notice periods and billing cycles

Beyond the initial cooling-off period, Amazon Video operates on a rolling subscription basis with specific notice requirements. For monthly subscriptions, you must cancel before your next billing date to avoid being charged for another month. The service will continue until the end of your current billing period, meaning you retain access to content until the date you have already paid for.

Therefore, timing your cancellation appropriately is essential to avoid unnecessary charges. If you cancel on the 15th of the month but your billing date is the 20th, you will continue to have access until the 20th, and no further charges will be applied. This represents fair treatment of consumers, as you receive the full value of what you have already paid.

Annual subscription cancellations

For those who have paid for an annual Amazon Prime membership that includes Prime Video, the cancellation process works differently. If you cancel an annual subscription, you typically retain access to all Prime benefits, including Prime Video, until the end of your paid year. However, if you have used few or none of the Prime benefits, Amazon may offer a partial refund based on the number of months remaining.

This policy demonstrates consumer-friendly practices, as it recognises that circumstances change and subscribers should not be penalised for cancelling services they no longer need. In practice, this means carefully reviewing your usage before cancelling to understand whether you might be eligible for any refund.

Automatic renewals and continuous payment authority

Amazon Video subscriptions automatically renew unless you actively cancel them, which is standard practice across the streaming industry. This automatic renewal operates through continuous payment authority, where Amazon has permission to take payments from your payment method on each billing date. As a result, simply removing your payment details may not be sufficient to cancel your subscription properly.

Proper cancellation requires explicit notification to Amazon that you wish to terminate your subscription. This is precisely why postal cancellation using Recorded Delivery is so valuable—it provides indisputable evidence that you have formally notified Amazon of your intention to cancel, protecting you from any future billing disputes.

How to cancel Amazon Video by post

Cancelling your Amazon Video subscription by post offers the most reliable method of ensuring your cancellation is properly documented and legally binding. This approach provides you with concrete proof of your cancellation request, which can be essential if any disputes arise regarding continued billing or subscription status.

Why postal cancellation is recommended

Whilst online cancellation methods may seem more convenient, postal cancellation using Recorded Delivery provides several significant advantages that protect your consumer rights more effectively. Firstly, you receive a certificate of posting and tracking information that proves exactly when your letter was sent and when it was delivered to Amazon. This documentation is invaluable if the company claims they never received your cancellation request.

Secondly, a formal letter creates a permanent record of your cancellation that cannot be disputed or deleted, unlike online forms or account settings that may not provide adequate confirmation. In practice, many consumers have found that postal cancellation eliminates the confusion that can sometimes occur with digital cancellation methods, where account interfaces change or confirmation emails go missing.

Furthermore, postal cancellation demonstrates that you have taken your cancellation seriously and followed proper procedures, which strengthens your position if you need to escalate any disputes to your bank, payment provider, or consumer protection organisations. Therefore, despite requiring slightly more effort than clicking a button online, postal cancellation represents the gold standard for protecting your consumer rights.

Preparing your cancellation letter

Your cancellation letter should be clear, concise, and include all necessary information to identify your account and process your cancellation efficiently. The letter must include your full name as it appears on your Amazon account, your account email address, and your customer reference number or account number if available. This information ensures Amazon can locate your account quickly and process your cancellation without delays.

Additionally, clearly state your intention to cancel your Amazon Video or Amazon Prime subscription, specifying which service you are cancelling if you have multiple subscriptions. Include the date from which you wish the cancellation to take effect, though remember that you will typically retain access until the end of your current billing period. Request written confirmation of your cancellation, including confirmation that no further payments will be taken from your account.

As a result of including all this information, you create a comprehensive record that leaves no room for ambiguity about your intentions. This means Amazon has everything they need to process your request efficiently, reducing the likelihood of administrative errors or delays.

Where to send your cancellation letter

Sending your cancellation letter to the correct address is absolutely critical for ensuring your request is received and processed by the appropriate department. Amazon operates multiple offices and facilities, but cancellation requests should be sent to their official UK customer service address.

Send your cancellation letter to:

• Amazon EU S.à.r.l
• Customer Services
• 1 Principal Place
• Worship Street
• London
• EC2A 2FA
• United Kingdom

This address represents Amazon's official UK customer service location where subscription cancellations are processed. Ensure you copy this address exactly as shown, as any errors could result in your letter being delayed or misdirected, potentially affecting your cancellation timeline.

Using Recorded Delivery for proof

Sending your cancellation letter via Royal Mail Recorded Delivery is essential for obtaining proof of postage and delivery. This service costs approximately £3.35 and provides you with a unique tracking number that allows you to monitor your letter's progress online. More importantly, it provides a signature upon delivery, creating indisputable evidence that Amazon received your cancellation request.

Therefore, this small investment provides significant peace of mind and legal protection. Keep your proof of postage certificate and tracking number in a safe place, along with a copy of your cancellation letter. This documentation becomes your evidence if any disputes arise about whether your cancellation was received or when it was submitted.

How Postclic simplifies the process

For consumers who want the security of postal cancellation without the inconvenience of printing letters, finding envelopes, and visiting the post office, services like Postclic offer a practical solution. Postclic allows you to create your cancellation letter digitally, and they handle the printing, enveloping, and sending via tracked postal services on your behalf.

This means you receive all the benefits of postal cancellation—proof of delivery, formal documentation, and legal protection—without leaving your home. The service provides digital tracking so you can monitor your letter's progress, and you receive confirmation when it has been delivered to Amazon. As a result, Postclic combines the reliability of traditional postal cancellation with modern convenience, making it an excellent option for busy consumers who want to protect their rights efficiently.

Timeline and what to expect

Once you have sent your cancellation letter via Recorded Delivery, Royal Mail typically delivers it within one to two working days. Amazon should process your cancellation within a few working days of receiving your letter, though their terms and conditions may allow up to 14 days for processing subscription changes.

In practice, you should receive written confirmation of your cancellation within two weeks of sending your letter. This confirmation should specify that your subscription has been cancelled and confirm the date when your access will end and no further payments will be taken. If you do not receive confirmation within three weeks, contact Amazon's customer service using your tracking information as proof that they received your cancellation request.

Customer reviews and tips

Understanding why other consumers cancel Amazon Video and learning from their experiences can help you navigate the cancellation process more effectively whilst avoiding common pitfalls.

Common reasons for cancellation

UK consumers cancel Amazon Video for various reasons, with cost being one of the most frequently cited factors. As streaming services proliferate and household budgets tighten, many subscribers find they cannot justify paying for multiple platforms simultaneously. Therefore, they evaluate which services provide the best value for their viewing habits and cancel those they use least frequently.

Content availability represents another significant cancellation driver. Some subscribers find that Amazon Video's library does not align with their preferences or that specific shows they wanted to watch are no longer available on the platform. This is particularly common when licensing agreements change and popular content moves to competing services, leaving subscribers feeling the platform no longer meets their needs.

Technical issues and user experience concerns also prompt cancellations. Some users report frustration with the platform's interface, particularly the integration of paid rental content alongside included subscription content, which can make navigation confusing. Others experience streaming quality problems or compatibility issues with their devices, leading them to seek alternatives that work more reliably with their home entertainment setup.

Tips from experienced consumers

Consumers who have successfully cancelled Amazon Video subscriptions offer valuable advice for others considering the same step. Firstly, always check whether you are cancelling just Prime Video or your entire Amazon Prime membership, as the processes and implications differ significantly. Many people accidentally cancel their full Prime membership when they only intended to stop using the video service, losing access to delivery benefits they still valued.

Secondly, review any Prime Video Channels you have subscribed to separately, as these may require individual cancellation and will not automatically terminate when you cancel your main subscription. This oversight has caught many consumers off guard, resulting in continued charges for channels they thought they had cancelled.

Additionally, experienced consumers recommend cancelling well before your next billing date rather than waiting until the last minute. This provides a buffer period in case any issues arise with processing your cancellation, preventing unwanted charges. As a result, cancelling at least a week before your billing date gives you time to follow up if necessary and ensures your cancellation is processed before the next payment is taken.

Protecting yourself from unwanted charges

After cancelling, monitor your bank statements carefully for at least two billing cycles to ensure no further payments are taken. If you notice any charges after your cancellation should have taken effect, contact your bank immediately to dispute the transaction and provide them with your proof of postage and cancellation letter as evidence.

Therefore, keeping comprehensive records of your cancellation—including copies of your letter, proof of postage, tracking information, and any confirmation from Amazon—is essential. These documents become your evidence if you need to dispute charges or prove that you cancelled your subscription properly and in a timely manner.

Alternative options before cancelling

Before proceeding with cancellation, consider whether any alternative arrangements might better suit your circumstances. Amazon occasionally offers discounted membership rates for students, young adults, or those receiving certain benefits, which could make the subscription more affordable if cost is your primary concern.

Additionally, if you are cancelling because you have finished watching specific content, consider whether pausing your subscription might be more appropriate than cancelling entirely. Whilst Amazon does not offer an official pause feature, you can cancel and then resubscribe later when new content you want to watch becomes available, though this may affect any annual subscription benefits you currently enjoy.

What happens to your purchased content

An important consideration that many consumers overlook is the difference between subscription content and purchased or rented content on Amazon Video. If you have bought films or television series outright through Amazon Video, these purchases remain accessible even after you cancel your Prime Video subscription, as they are tied to your Amazon account rather than your subscription status.

This means you do not lose access to content you have purchased, providing some reassurance for consumers who have built up a digital library through Amazon. However, any content you have added to your watchlist or started watching through your subscription will become inaccessible once your subscription ends, so plan accordingly if you have partially watched series you wish to complete.

Consumer protection resources

If you encounter difficulties cancelling your Amazon Video subscription or face disputes about billing after cancellation, several UK consumer protection organisations can provide assistance. Citizens Advice offers free, impartial guidance on consumer rights and can advise you on the appropriate steps to resolve subscription disputes.

The Financial Ombudsman Service can investigate complaints about payment issues if you have been unable to resolve them directly with Amazon or your bank. Additionally, if you paid for your subscription using a credit card, Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act may provide additional protection and recourse if services are not provided as promised or billing issues arise.

As a result, you have multiple avenues for support if problems occur, reinforcing the importance of maintaining thorough documentation of your cancellation. Your proof of postage and cancellation letter serve as the foundation of any complaint or dispute, demonstrating that you followed proper procedures and exercised your consumer rights appropriately.

Understanding your rights and following the proper cancellation procedures protects you from unwanted charges and ensures you can terminate your Amazon Video subscription on your terms. Postal cancellation via Recorded Delivery remains the most reliable method for documenting your cancellation request, providing peace of mind and legal protection that digital methods cannot match. By taking control of your subscriptions and cancelling services you no longer need, you exercise your consumer rights whilst managing your household budget effectively, ensuring your entertainment spending aligns with your current needs and priorities.