salehunter.net Amazon Prime has become synonymous with convenience and value, offering a vast array of benefits to its members. From free two-day shipping to streaming movies and music, Prime membership is a staple in many American households. However, the full price of membership can sometimes feel a little steep. Fortunately, there are several legitimate ways to snag an Amazon Prime membership discount, making the service even more appealing. This guide dives deep into the various discounts available, who qualifies, and how to take advantage of them.
Prime membership benefits: Is it worth the cost, even with a discount?
Before exploring the discounts, it’s worth examining whether Prime membership is truly valuable. The answer, for most people, is a resounding yes. Consider these core benefits:
- Free, fast shipping: This is arguably the most popular perk. Get free two-day shipping on millions of eligible items, and in many areas, even same-day or one-day delivery.
- Prime Video: Access a massive library of movies, TV shows, and original content, including critically acclaimed series.
- Prime Music: Enjoy ad-free listening to millions of songs and curated playlists.
- Prime Reading: Borrow ebooks, magazines, and comics from a rotating selection.
- Prime Photos: Unlimited photo storage in Amazon Cloud Drive.
- Prime Gaming: Free games, in-game content, and a monthly Twitch channel subscription.
- Early access to deals: Get a head start on Lightning Deals and exclusive access to Prime Day sales.
- Grocery benefits: Discounts and delivery options at Whole Foods Market and Amazon Fresh.
- Prescription savings: Amazon Pharmacy offers savings on prescription medications.
- Try Before You Buy: Try on clothes and shoes at home before committing to buy.
Even with a discount, you’re getting a considerable package of benefits. If you frequently shop online, stream content, or utilize any of the other perks, the membership fee can quickly pay for itself.
The standard cost of Amazon Prime
Currently, a standard Amazon Prime membership costs $139 per year, or $14.99 per month if you choose to pay monthly. While the annual membership offers a better value overall, the monthly option provides flexibility for those who may only want Prime benefits for a specific period, like the holiday shopping season.
Discount options: Unveiling the savings
Now, let’s delve into the specific ways to reduce the cost of your Prime membership:
Student discounts: Prime Student
Amazon offers a significantly discounted membership plan specifically for students, called Prime Student. This is arguably the most substantial discount available.
Eligibility: You must be enrolled in at least one course at a college or university located in the United States (including Puerto Rico) and have a valid .edu email address. You may also need to provide proof of enrollment, such as a student ID or transcript.
Benefits: Prime Student includes all the core benefits of a regular Prime membership, plus some student-specific perks, such as discounts on textbooks and deals on student-related products.
Cost: After a six-month free trial, Prime Student costs $7.49 per month or $69 per year. This is significantly less than the standard Prime membership price. The student discount is good for 4 years, or when ever you graduate from college.
How to get it: Sign up for Prime Student on the Amazon website using your .edu email address and provide any required documentation.
Government assistance discounts: EBT and Medicaid
Amazon offers a discounted Prime membership to individuals who qualify for certain government assistance programs.
Eligibility: You must have a valid EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card or be enrolled in Medicaid. You may need to provide documentation to verify your eligibility.
Benefits: This discounted membership provides all the standard Prime benefits.
Cost: The discounted rate is $6.99 per month. Unlike the student discount, there is no annual option at a further reduced price.
How to get it: Visit the Amazon website and navigate to the section dedicated to discounted Prime memberships for those with EBT or Medicaid. You’ll need to upload a photo of your card and provide other relevant information.
Promotional offers and limited-time deals
Occasionally, Amazon offers promotional discounts on Prime memberships, often around major shopping events like Prime Day or Black Friday. These discounts can be in the form of a reduced annual fee, a free trial extension, or bonus perks. These offers are usually heavily advertised on the Amazon website and through various media outlets.
Eligibility: These offers are typically open to new Prime members or those who haven’t had a Prime membership in the past 12 months.
Benefits: The benefits depend on the specific promotion but usually include a discounted membership fee for a certain period.
Cost: The cost varies depending on the promotion.
How to get it: Keep an eye on the Amazon website and other media outlets for announcements of promotional offers.
Bundling with other services
Sometimes, other companies offer Amazon Prime as a bundled perk with their services. For example, some mobile phone carriers might include a Prime membership with certain plans. These offers can change frequently, so it’s worth checking with your current service providers to see if any such bundles are available.
Sprint, now part of T-Mobile: T-Mobile, after merging with Sprint, continues to offer select plans that may include Amazon Prime benefits. Check the current T-Mobile plans for the most up-to-date information.
Using Amazon Household to share benefits
While not technically a discount, Amazon Household allows you to share certain Prime benefits with another adult in your household, as well as with up to four children. This effectively splits the cost of a single Prime membership between two adults. Note that not all Prime benefits can be shared, but core features like free shipping and Prime Video are included.
Eligibility: You must live at the same address as the other adult you want to share benefits with. You both need to have Amazon accounts.
Benefits: Sharing core Prime benefits without needing separate memberships.
Cost: The cost of a single standard Prime membership.
How to get it: Set up Amazon Household through your Amazon account settings.
Gift cards
Purchase Amazon gift cards at a discount from various websites or warehouse stores. These gift cards can then be used to pay for your Prime membership, effectively lowering the out-of-pocket cost.
Credit card rewards
Some credit cards offer cash back or rewards points on Amazon purchases. Use one of these cards to pay for your Prime membership and redeem the rewards to offset the cost. Look into cards like the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card, which offers 5% back on Amazon.com and Whole Foods Market purchases, or other cash-back cards that provide bonus rewards on online shopping.
Is it possible to get a completely free Amazon prime account?
While a completely and perpetually free Prime membership isn’t generally available, combining a free trial (either the standard 30-day trial or the 6-month Prime Student trial) with strategic use of discounted gift cards, credit card rewards, and shared household benefits can significantly reduce the cost, potentially to near zero for a limited time.
Making the most of your discounted Prime membership
Once you’ve secured your discounted Prime membership, be sure to take full advantage of all the benefits it offers. Explore the Prime Video and Prime Music catalogs, take advantage of free shipping, and keep an eye out for exclusive deals and promotions. The more you utilize the various Prime services, the greater the value you’ll receive from your membership, making even a discounted price feel like a steal.
