Amazon Expands Faster Delivery Options for US Customers

New 1-hour and 3-hour delivery services come with additional fees.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 5:09pm

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Amazon has announced the expansion of its faster delivery options for customers in the United States. Customers can now choose to have orders from a selection of 90,000 items delivered in 3 hours for a fee of $4.99 for Prime members and $14.99 for non-members. One-hour delivery is also available in hundreds of locations, costing $9.99 for Prime members and $19.99 for non-members.

Why it matters

This move by Amazon aims to further improve the convenience and speed of its delivery services, which have been a key competitive advantage for the e-commerce giant. Faster delivery options could help Amazon attract and retain customers, especially Prime members, in an increasingly competitive retail landscape.

The details

Amazon said it started testing the express delivery service late last year and has been expanding it this month. The company has used robotics and artificial intelligence technology to speed up order fulfillment, and regionalizing its U.S. delivery network into eight areas has also helped reduce delivery times. Amazon is also testing an ultra-fast service for deliveries in 30 minutes or less, called Amazon Now, which is available in various cities in India, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates, and is being tested in several communities in the U.S. and the UK.

  • Amazon started testing the express delivery service late last year.
  • Amazon has been expanding the express delivery service this month.

The players

Amazon

An e-commerce company that offers a wide range of products and services, including its Prime membership program that provides free two-day shipping and other benefits.

Udit Madan

The senior vice president of worldwide operations at Amazon.

Walmart

A major retail chain that has also been focusing on faster deliveries, offering same-day deliveries in under three hours to 95% of the U.S. population.

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What they’re saying

“We saw an opportunity to use our unique operational expertise and delivery network to help make customers' lives a little easier while unlocking even more value for Prime members.”

— Udit Madan, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations at Amazon

What’s next

Amazon is likely to continue expanding its faster delivery options, including the ultra-fast 30-minute delivery service, to stay competitive in the e-commerce market and provide more convenience to its customers.

The takeaway

Amazon's move to offer faster delivery options, including 1-hour and 3-hour deliveries for an additional fee, demonstrates the company's ongoing efforts to improve the customer experience and maintain its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape.