5 Ways to Avoid Paying $139 for Amazon Prime

Amazon’s Prime subscription service has seen a number of worth hikes through the years, from $79 to $99 per yr in 2014, once more to $119 in 2018, and most lately to $139.

Prime is free to hitch for 30 days(Opens in a brand new window) for first-time subscribers, so you may attempt it with out making a year-long dedication. Enroll forward of Prime Day or on the holidays to get free transport on present purchases after which cancel, for instance. There’s additionally a month-to-month Prime subscription at $14.99, although should you plan to make use of it for any size of time, an annual price is a greater deal.

The primary Prime perk is free, two-day transport, however Prime members additionally get Prime Video streaming, Prime Music, Prime Studying, and Amazon Pictures. Should you’re an everyday Amazon consumer, Prime is a reasonably whole lot. However maybe you are on a funds and are on the lookout for methods to pay lower than $139 for Amazon Prime free transport and different perks. Listed here are some choices.

1. Be part of Amazon Scholar

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College students who join Prime Scholar(Opens in a brand new window) get a six-month trial that features free, two-day transport on Prime gadgets, free same-day supply in sure areas, and two-hour grocery supply, in addition to entry to Prime Video, Prime Music, Amazon Pictures, Prime Studying, and Amazon Pictures. Different perks embody discounted entry to streaming add-ons and providers like LinkedIn Premium, Calm, and Course Hero. (The lately introduced Grubhub+ free supply promotion additionally applies right here.)As soon as the six-month trial is up, Amazon fees $59 per yr or $6.49 per thirty days for 4 years or till commencement, no matter comes first. To qualify, you will want a .edu e mail handle.

2. Get an EBT or Medicaid Low cost

In case you have a legitimate Digital Advantages Switch (EBT) or Medicaid card, you may join Amazon Prime for $6.99 per thirty days(Opens in a brand new window) for as much as 4 years. After Amazon verifies your accounts, you are eligible without cost, two-day transport, Prime Video, Amazon Pictures, and extra. EBT/Medicaid standing must be verified each 12 months; Amazon will e mail you to re-verify.

3. Spend $25 or Extra

If free transport is your sport, Amazon affords free transport on orders of $25 or extra(Opens in a brand new window) for these with out Prime, with supply in 5-8 enterprise days. With tens of millions of things, it is not laborious to rack up sufficient gadgets to hit the $25 mark. Some gadgets aren’t eligible; search for “FREE Transport” messaging on the product element web page to see in case your merchandise qualifies. You may get free, one-day transport when shopping for present playing cards, however they do not apply to the $25 complete, Amazon says. Should you’re simply shy of $25, choose an affordable, add-on merchandise(Opens in a brand new window).

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4. Get a Subscribe & Save Membership

Equally, buyers who have a tendency to purchase the identical issues ought to look right into a Subscribe & Save Membership(Opens in a brand new window). Though it doesn’t cowl the whole lot on the positioning, members can save as much as 15% on orders and obtain free transport on each Subscribe & Save order. Members should choose eligible gadgets, and select a supply schedule to subscribe. Whereas it is not as expansive(Opens in a brand new window) as an Amazon Prime membership, it’s handy and value a glance.

5. Swap Amazon Prime for Walmart+

Amazon is not the one transport big with a subscription service; Walmart+ debuted in 2020 and at $98 per yr, it is now greater than $40 cheaper than Amazon Prime. There are related perks, like free transport and early entry to particular offers, plus prescription and gasoline reductions. There isn’t any free video-streaming service, although. And categorical supply choices aren’t as strong as these discovered on Amazon, so double-check that Walmart has a presence in your space if one thing like grocery supply is a precedence.