Amazon Prime Membership: Cost, Benefits, Free Trials and Savings
Buying guides, news, and the promo code know-how that actually saves you money.
Article summary
Explore Amazon Prime’s benefits, membership costs, free trials, and discounted plans. Find out whether Prime is worth it for you and how to save with exclusive deals and eligible Prime Card rewards.
Amazon Prime is a paid membership that combines fast, free delivery on eligible orders with exclusive deals, streaming entertainment, and everyday savings. In the U.S., it costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year, and eligible new members can start with a 30-day free trial.
If you regularly shop on Amazon or have shopped for Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, Prime may help you save on items you already need. This guide explains what's included, which discounted plans you may qualify for, and how to decide whether the membership is worth keeping.
Check your eligibility for an Amazon Prime free trial.
What Is Amazon Prime?
Amazon Prime is Amazon's subscription membership program. It brings shopping, delivery, entertainment, and other benefits together under one monthly or annual plan.
Members can access Prime-exclusive offers throughout the year, including members-only deals during Prime Day and Prime Big Deal Days. Membership also includes services such as Prime Video, Amazon Music Prime, Amazon Photos, Prime Reading, and Grubhub+.
Benefits and availability vary by location, account, and eligibility. This guide covers U.S. memberships.
What Benefits Are Included With Amazon Prime?
The value of Prime depends on which benefits you use. These are some of the most useful Prime benefits included with a U.S. membership:
- Fast, free delivery: Eligible products may qualify for free Same-Day, One-Day, or Two-Day Delivery, depending on the item and delivery address.
- Prime-exclusive deals: Members can access thousands of exclusive offers throughout the year.
- Prime Day and Prime Big Deal Days: Many of Amazon’s biggest event deals are reserved for Prime members. Before the next event, visit Koupon’s Prime Big Deal Days page to find noteworthy price drops and extra promo codes.
- Prime Video: Stream included movies, series, Amazon Originals, and select live sports. Some content, channels, and ad-free options may cost extra.
- Amazon Music Prime: Listen to more than 100 million songs in shuffle mode, selected All-Access Playlists, and many ad-free podcasts.
- Amazon Photos: Store unlimited full-resolution photos, plus up to 5 GB of video.
- Prime Reading and First Reads: Browse a rotating selection of eBooks, audiobooks, comics, and magazines, and choose selected upcoming Kindle books through Amazon First Reads.
- Grubhub+: Eligible Prime members can activate a complimentary Grubhub+ membership with benefits such as $0 delivery fees on qualifying orders.
- Grocery savings: Members may receive exclusive savings and delivery benefits through Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and eligible grocery orders on Amazon.
- Fuel savings: Members can save at participating bp, Amoco, ampm, and Thorntons locations in the U.S.
Benefit availability and terms may vary by account, location, and eligibility.
For everyday shopping, start with benefits that fit your existing routine: delivery for household essentials, offers on planned purchases, or an included service you already use.
How Much Does Amazon Prime Cost?
As of October 2026, Amazon offers a standard Prime membership and discounted plans for eligible U.S. customers.
Standard Amazon Prime
A standard membership costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year. Eligible new members can start with a 30-day free trial.
The annual plan works out to approximately $11.58 per month, billed annually, and saves $40.88 compared with paying the standard monthly price for 12 months. A monthly plan offers more flexibility if you want to try Prime before committing to a full year.
Prime for Young Adults
Eligible adults ages 18-24 and higher-education students can receive a six-month trial for $0. After the trial, Prime for young adults costs $7.49 per month or $69 per year.
The annual option works out to $5.75 per month, billed annually, and includes the core benefits of standard Prime at about half the standard annual price.
Prime Access
Qualifying government-assistance recipients and income-verified customers can receive Prime Access for $6.99 per month after an eligible 30-day free trial.
Prime Access includes the core benefits of standard Prime for less than half the standard monthly price. Check Amazon's eligibility requirements to see whether you qualify before choosing a standard plan.
Prices, trial offers, and eligibility requirements may change. Review the current price and renewal terms shown by Amazon before joining.
Start your free 30-day trial of Prime Access.
Can Prime Cardholders Earn 10% Back?
Prime can also unlock additional rewards for shoppers with an eligible Amazon Prime credit card. For example, Prime Visa cardholders with an eligible Prime membership normally earn 5% back on qualifying Amazon.com purchases.
Through Prime Card Bonus, eligible cardholders can earn 10% back or more on select products and categories for a limited time. Explore Amazon's current Prime Card Bonus offers to see which purchases qualify.
These offers require an eligible card and qualifying purchase. Joining Prime alone does not unlock card rewards. The advertised percentage is a rewards rate, rather than an immediate discount at checkout; check the eligible payment methods, reward rate, and expiration date before ordering.
Who Is Amazon Prime Best For?
Prime is most likely to be useful if you:
- Shop on Amazon several times a month and regularly pay for shipping.
- Want faster delivery for household essentials, groceries, gifts, or last-minute purchases.
- Shop major events such as Prime Day or Prime Big Deal Days.
- Already pay separately for streaming, food-delivery, photo-storage, or entertainment services that Prime could partially replace.
- Share eligible Prime benefits with another adult in your household through Amazon Family.
- Qualify for Prime for Young Adults or Prime Access.
Eligible Prime for Young Adults members may also earn 5% back on qualifying purchases through a separate rewards program. Participating categories and offers can change. These rewards can be redeemed toward eligible Amazon purchases, subject to redemption requirements and expiration terms.
If you shop on Amazon occasionally, a trial or monthly plan can help you test the benefits before committing to a full year.
Does Amazon Prime Have a Free Trial?
Yes. Eligible new members can receive a 30-day Amazon Prime free trial.
Eligible young adults ages 18–24 and higher-education students can receive a longer six-month trial for $0 through Prime for Young Adults. Prime Access also offers eligible customers a 30-day trial.
Your trial eligibility and available offer are shown during sign-up. An active trial lets you use eligible Prime benefits, including access to members-only shopping offers.
Trials generally renew automatically into a paid membership unless canceled before the trial ends. Check the renewal date and price displayed by Amazon, and set a reminder if you are still deciding whether to continue.
Explore Prime plans and available trial offers.
How to Sign Up for Amazon Prime
- Visit the Amazon Prime sign-up page and sign in to your Amazon account.
- Review the plans and any trial offer available to you. Check whether you qualify for Prime for Young Adults or Prime Access before selecting standard Prime.
- Confirm the price, payment details, and renewal date shown by Amazon, then complete your sign-up.
Once your membership or trial is active, try the benefits that matter to you. Activate services such as Grubhub+ separately when required, and check the delivery options and member prices available on your regular orders.
Can You Use a Prime Free Trial for Prime Day and Prime Big Deal Days?
Yes. Eligible shoppers can use an active Prime free trial to access members-only Prime Big Deal Days offers.
Amazon holds Prime Day in the summer and Prime Big Deal Days in the fall. Starting an eligible trial shortly before an event gives you time to review offers and test Prime’s other benefits afterward
Visit Koupon's Amazon Prime Big Deal Days page to compare offers on your shopping list and find additional promo codes that may combine with sale prices when allowed.
Before ordering, confirm the eligible item or variation, any coupon or code requirements, and the final price at Amazon checkout. Some offers are available to all shoppers, while Prime-exclusive prices require an eligible membership.
Is Amazon Prime Worth It?
Amazon Prime is most likely to be worth the cost if you regularly use its delivery benefits, shop members-only offers on planned purchases, or use included services that replace something you currently pay for.
To assess its value, compare the membership fee with your actual shipping savings, savings on items you intended to buy, and services you genuinely use. An included service you never open adds little value to your membership.
The annual plan costs less than 12 months of standard monthly membership, but the monthly option offers flexibility if you only need Prime for part of the year. Eligible discounted plans can reduce the cost further.
If you are unsure, an eligible free trial can help you decide. Use Prime with your normal shopping habits, then review whether the benefits justify continuing before renewal.
Start your Amazon Prime trial, then visit Koupon’s Prime Big Deal Days page to find the latest deals and additional promo-code savings.
Amazon Prime Membership FAQs
Do I Need Amazon Prime to Use Deals Found on Koupon?
Not every Amazon deal found on Koupon requires Prime. Some offers are available to all shoppers, while Prime-exclusive prices require an eligible Prime membership. Check each deal's requirements and instructions before shopping.
Does Prime Automatically Apply Coupons and Promo Codes?
No. Depending on the offer, you may need to clip an Amazon coupon, manually enter a promo code at checkout, or select Subscribe & Save. Follow the deal instructions and confirm the final price before placing your order.
Do I Need a Prime Credit Card to Join Amazon Prime?
No. Amazon Prime membership and an Amazon Prime credit card are separate products. You do not need a Prime credit card to join Prime or use its core benefits. Prime Card Bonus rewards require an eligible card and qualifying purchases under the offer terms.
Are Amazon Music Unlimited and Kindle Unlimited Included?
No. Prime includes Amazon Music Prime and Prime Reading, but Amazon Music Unlimited and Kindle Unlimited are separate paid subscriptions. Additional trials or promotional offers may be available to eligible customers.
Prices, membership offers, rewards, and benefit availability are subject to change. Review Amazon's current terms before signing up or purchasing. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Koupon.ai is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs. We may earn from qualifying purchases. Content from Amazon and other retailers is provided 'as is' and subject to change. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
