As a datapoint, my annual Prime Membership was set to renew in September. Had a bunch of Amazon Gift Cards so bought myself the gift of Prime on August 31st, only after assurances that after doing so, my account would use the Gift Of Prime Cert. Was informed by Amazon that the only way to renew an existing Prime Membership by using Amazon Gift Cards for payment was to buy a Gift Of Prime for myself.
What ensued was a nightmare.
My primiary credit card on file was still billed for my annual membership, despite having Gift Of Prime. In 2 chat sessions before my renewal date, I informed both CSR’s I didn’t want my credit card to be billed and would be using a Gift Of Prime to renew. Was assured that my credit card would not be renewed.
After my card was billed, again, despite assurances that it wouldn’t happen, I chatted with a CSR to refund the annual Membership and Gift Of Prime. Was assured I’d get a full refund on my credit card, and that things would finally be made right, and Gift Of Prime would be applied.
Nope yet again.
Shocked at the level of incompetence, I escalated this snafu to Executive Leadership at Amazon, as 3 previous attempts, even with a Supervisor were futile to fix things. They finally fixed it— including a refund to my credit card, but took so much work, and effort; it was an incredible hassle.
Be warned if you buy this that you indeed have to cancel your Prime Membership— well assuming you get a competent CSR that knows what they’re doing—not sure if by doing so would remove your grandfathered deal, and then go through hoops of Amazon applying The Gift Of Prime Membership to your account.