Everything You Need to Know About Amazon Prime PMTS

Hi, Jessica here! If you’re like me and use Amazon regularly, you’ve probably noticed something a little puzzling on your bank or credit card statement: a charge labeled “Amazon Prime PMTS.” At first, I wasn’t sure what it meant either. Was it a scam? Was I double-charged? After digging deeper, I found out exactly what it is. So today, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Amazon Prime PMTS—what it means, why it shows up, and how to handle it if you weren’t expecting it.

What Does “Amazon Prime PMTS” Mean?

PMTS is simply shorthand for “Payments.” So, when you see Amazon Prime PMTS on your statement, it usually refers to a payment related to your Amazon Prime membership.

Here’s what that could include:

• Your monthly or yearly Amazon Prime subscription fee.
• Charges for Prime Video channels (like HBO, Starz, or Discovery+).
• Payments for in-app subscriptions made through Amazon’s billing system.

So, in most cases, there’s nothing suspicious—it’s just Amazon labeling your Prime-related transaction differently than usual.

Common Reasons You’ll See Amazon Prime PMTS

1. Your Prime Membership Renewal
   If you’re an Amazon Prime member, your subscription automatically renews each month (or once a year, depending on your plan). That renewal charge will often show up as Amazon Prime PMTS.
2. Prime Video Subscriptions
   If you’ve signed up for additional channels through Prime Video (like Showtime or AMC+), those charges might also appear with the PMTS label.
3. Household Sharing Confusion
   If you’re sharing Amazon Prime with your family through the Household feature, sometimes their subscriptions may be charged to the primary account, and the bank statement will still say “PMTS.”
4. Trial Expired
   If you started a free trial for Amazon Prime or a Prime Video channel and forgot to cancel, the first payment after the trial often shows up as PMTS.

How Much is the Amazon Prime PMTS Charge?

The amount depends on your subscription plan:

• Amazon Prime Monthly (U.S.): $14.99 per month.
• Amazon Prime Annual (U.S.): $139 per year.
• Student Prime Monthly: $7.49 per month.
• Prime Video Only: $8.99 per month.
• Extra Prime Video channels: $5.99–$14.99+ per channel, per month.

So, if you see $14.99 or $139 as a PMTS charge, it’s almost certainly your membership fee.

How to Check What the Charge Is For

If you’re still not sure why you got billed, here’s how to investigate:

1. Log in to your Amazon Account.
2. Go to Accounts & Lists → Memberships & Subscriptions.
3. Review your active Prime membership and channel subscriptions.
4. Check your order history to see if a purchase lines up with the charge.

This should help you identify exactly which subscription the PMTS charge is tied to.

What to Do If You Don’t Recognize the Charge

If you truly don’t recognize the payment, here’s what you can do:

1. Check Family Accounts – Sometimes kids or partners subscribe to Prime Video channels without realizing it.
2. Look for Trial Expirations – Many times it’s a free trial that converted into a paid plan.
3. Contact Amazon Support – If it still doesn’t add up, reach out to Amazon’s customer service. They can see all transactions and even refund mistaken charges.

Can You Get a Refund for Amazon Prime PMTS?

Yes, in certain cases. For example:

• If you were charged for Prime but haven’t used it, Amazon often offers a full refund.
• If you were double charged, Amazon will reverse one of the payments.
• If a family member accidentally subscribed to a channel, you can request a refund (as long as you haven’t streamed the content yet).

Amazon is usually pretty flexible with Prime-related refunds as long as you reach out quickly.

How to Prevent Unwanted Amazon Prime PMTS Charges

• Set a Reminder for trial expirations so you can cancel before renewal.
• Review Subscriptions Monthly in your Amazon account to catch anything extra you don’t need.
• Turn Off 1-Click Purchases or add a password requirement if kids use your account.
• Use Amazon Household Carefully—know who’s linked to your membership.

Final Thoughts

At first glance, the phrase Amazon Prime PMTS on your bank statement can feel confusing, but it’s simply Amazon’s way of labeling your Prime-related payments. In most cases, it’s your membership renewal, a Prime Video channel, or a trial that rolled into a subscription.

If you’re ever unsure, just log in to your account or call Amazon support—they’ll quickly explain and, if necessary, refund the charge. For me, keeping an eye on my subscriptions has saved me from unwanted renewals, and I’d suggest doing the same.

So, don’t panic if you see Amazon Prime PMTS—it’s almost always legit, and now you know exactly what it mean.