Liam McCabe RetailCoupons.com Team By Liam McCabe and RetailCoupons.com Team
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  1. What is Amazon Prime?
  2. When is Amazon Prime Day?
  3. How Much is Amazon Prime?
  4. Who Should Get Amazon Prime?
  5. How to Sign Up for Amazon Prime?
  6. How to Cancel Amazon Prime?
  7. FAQs

What is Amazon Prime?

Being an Amazon Prime member provides numerous benefits, such as fast delivery, exclusive shopping deals, streaming movies and shows, access to free books, and more.

Delivery

You can enjoy free two-day and even one-day shipping on millions of items, with no minimum purchase required. In some areas, you can get same-day delivery on qualifying orders if you meet a certain spending threshold. 

Prime offers ultra-fast delivery for groceries like meat, produce, and household items, along with an optional subscription for additional savings. 

You also get a free Grubhub+ membership, which means no delivery fees on food orders. With Amazon Key, eligible members can have packages delivered directly to their garages for added convenience. Wanna save big when you get Grubhub? Check out Grubhub promo codes now.

Prime also lets you receive new video games, books, and movies on their release date if you choose Release-Date Delivery. If you’re not in a hurry, you can pick No-Rush Shipping and earn rewards for future purchases. 

Lastly, Amazon Day allows you to choose a specific day each week for your deliveries to arrive together.

Digital Streaming

Prime Video remains a cornerstone, offering an extensive catalog of movies, TV shows, and Amazon Originals at no extra cost. 

Beyond the included content, Prime members can now enjoy free 7-day trials for popular channels like Paramount+, Apple TV+, and Max directly through Prime Video. For music lovers, Prime Music gives you ad-free access to over 100 million songs in shuffle mode and a massive library of podcasts in All-Access Playlists.

Shopping

The core benefit of fast, free delivery. For convenience, Prime members can also choose Amazon Day, selecting a designated day for weekly deliveries.

Amazon has improved its “Buy with Prime” feature. Now, Prime members can get fast, free delivery and return when shopping on websites of certain direct-to-consumer brands.

You can also save more on groceries and get free fast delivery from Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market.

Reading

Prime Reading gives you unlimited access to a changing selection of thousands of eBooks, magazines, comics, and audiobooks. 

One great benefit is Amazon First Reads. With this, Prime members can read new e-books early and choose one free pre-release e-book each month, and sometimes even two!

Medical Care and Prescriptions

With One Medical, Prime members can get virtual primary care anytime for only $9.99 a month or $99 a year. This is a big savings compared to the regular price. The service includes secure messaging with a doctor and prescription refills.

RxPass is a valuable benefit for Prime members. For only $5 a month, you can get more than 60 common medications delivered right to your door, with free two-day shipping.  While this isn’t insurance, it can help you save money on routine prescriptions, whether you have insurance or not. 

Additionally, with Amazon Pharmacy, Prime members can search and compare prices on prescriptions and save up to 80%, also with free two-day delivery.

You can check out the full list of Prime benefits anytime on the official Amazon website. It’s all laid out clearly, so you know exactly what you’re getting.

When is Amazon Prime Day?

Amazon Prime Day is one of the retailer’s biggest sales events, reserved exclusively for Prime members. It typically runs for two to four days in the summer, most often in July, with thousands of deals across nearly every product category. Amazon usually confirms the exact dates a few weeks ahead, so it is worth checking closer to the event to plan your purchases.

How Much is Amazon Prime?

An Amazon Prime membership is priced at $14.99 per month. For those who prefer an annual commitment, a yearly subscription costs $139, offering a slight discount.

Additionally, if you’re interested in streaming content, a standalone Prime Video membership is available for $8.99 per month.

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How to Avoid Paying Full Price for Amazon Prime?

$139 isn’t a huge amount for most people, but saving money always feels better in the end. The good news is, there are some simple ways to get a discount on Amazon Prime.

  • Prime for Young Adults: Students and individuals aged 18-24 can access a six-month free trial, followed by a discounted rate of $69 per year or $7.49 per month. This includes free two-day shipping, Prime Video, Prime Gaming, Prime Reading, Amazon Photos, and other benefits.
  • Prime Access: If you have a valid Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) or Medicaid card, you might qualify for Amazon Prime Access at $6.99 per month for up to four years, which also includes free two-day shipping, Prime Video, and Amazon Photos.
  • Spend $35 or More: You can get free shipping on eligible orders by spending $35 or more on items that “Ship from Amazon.”
  • Subscribe & Save: For recurring purchases, this membership can offer up to 15% savings and free shipping on eligible items.
  • Consider Walmart+: An alternative is Walmart+, which costs $98 annually (over $40 less than Prime) and provides similar benefits such as free shipping, early access to deals, gas discounts, and free access to the ad-supported Paramount+ Essential Plan.

Who Should Get Amazon Prime?

Have you ever found yourself wondering, “Should I get Amazon Prime or not?” Maybe you actually need it, or maybe it’s just a little FOMO kicking in. You’re not alone. Lots of people ask the same question.

So, who is Prime really for?

Let’s start with the avid online shopper. Sound like you? This is someone who regularly buys household stuff, gadgets, clothes, or gifts on Amazon. If you love convenience and rely on fast, free shipping, sometimes even same-day or next-day in certain areas, then Prime can be a game changer. You’ll probably also love getting access to Prime Day deals and other exclusive discounts.

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Now, what if you’re more of a digital content person? Do you stream shows and movies often, listen to music without ads, or enjoy reading eBooks and magazines? If that’s a yes, Prime might be totally worth it. You get access to Prime Video’s huge library, Prime Music’s ad-free tracks, and a rotating selection of books with Prime Reading.

But let’s be real. Prime isn’t for everyone, and that’s completely okay. If you barely order from Amazon or don’t think you’d use most of the benefits, then the membership probably won’t be worth the cost.

Still on the fence? No worries. Amazon offers a free 30-day trial so you can try it out without committing. Just don’t forget to cancel if you decide it’s not for you.

How to Sign Up for Amazon Prime?

  1. Signing up for Amazon Prime.
  2. Once you’re on the Prime page, look for “Start your free 30-day trial,” “Try Prime,” or “Sign up now.” It’s usually displayed front and center. 
  3. If you already have an Amazon account, go ahead and sign in with your email and password. If you’re new to Amazon, you’ll need to create an account.
  4. After signing in or creating your account, Amazon will ask for a valid payment method. This can be a credit or debit card. Even though the trial is free, your card will be charged automatically when the trial ends, unless you cancel beforehand.
  5. Before finishing, you’ll be shown a summary of your details and membership terms. Review everything, and if it looks right, confirm your subscription.

How to Cancel Amazon Prime?

  1. To cancel your Amazon Prime membership, log in to your Amazon account on a desktop and go to “Account & Lists” at the top right. 
  2. Click on “Prime Membership,” then find the “Manage Membership” section and select “Update, Cancel, and More.” 
  3. Choose “End Membership” or “End Trial and Benefits,” depending on your plan. 

Follow the prompts until you see the confirmation that your membership has been canceled.

FAQs

What is the difference between Amazon Prime and Premium?

There isn’t a direct “Amazon Premium” service that stands separately from Amazon Prime in the same way Apple offers a standard and a “Premium” version of some services.

What is the cheapest Amazon Prime subscription?

The cheapest Amazon Prime subscription is typically Prime Access, available for eligible individuals with a valid EBT or Medicaid card, priced at $6.99 per month. For students, Prime Student offers a discounted rate of $7.49 per month (or $69 per year), which is the next cheapest option after Prime Access. It’s also worth noting that new members can often start with a 30-day free trial.

Can I share my Amazon Prime membership with family members?

Yes, you can share your Amazon Prime membership with family members! Amazon allows you to share your shipping benefits and select digital content with one other adult in your household, and up to four children, through what they call an Amazon Household.

Is Amazon Prime worth it for me?

To determine if Amazon Prime is worth it for you, consider your Amazon shopping frequency and reliance on fast, free shipping. Evaluate if you’d extensively use the digital benefits like Prime Video, Prime Music, or Prime Reading, as well as the new healthcare perks such as RxPass and a discounted One Medical membership. You can use a 30-day free trial to be sure.

About the Author

Liam McCabe
Liam McCabe

Liam McCabe is a senior editor for RetailCoupons.com covering deals and coupons. Tests and reviews the best tech, appliances, gear, and more.

RetailCoupons.com Team
RetailCoupons.com Team

The RetailCoupons.com Team curates verified coupons, promo codes, and deals from thousands of stores to help U.S. shoppers save on everyday purchases. The team focuses on accurate, up-to-date offers and clear recommendations you can trust.

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