Amazon Prime is the world’s most popular subscription service, with more than 200 million members worldwide. It provides many perks in exchange for the $119-a-year subscription fee, including fast shipping and streaming media.
Members can also save money by using the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library and get free music from Prime Music. In addition, people receiving government assistance can qualify for discounted Prime Access for $6.99 per month.
Free Two-Day Shipping
Launched in 2005 (for $79 a year), Prime’s shipping benefits have long been one of its biggest draws. Today, the membership costs $139 a year and includes a number of other perks.
If you frequently shop online or enjoy streaming entertainment, Amazon Prime is worth the annual fee. It’s easy to make back the cost of a membership with just one or two free shipping orders per month.
The company also spends billions a year on Prime Video, which offers unlimited streaming of popular movies and TV shows—including the acclaimed series “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “The Boys.”
Another benefit is Prime Now, which offers free delivery within 2 hours on eligible items in select cities. And Prime members get access to Amazon’s Lightning Deals, which are limited-time sales that offer some of the lowest prices available. Prime members also get early access to some promotions, such as those during Black Friday and Prime Day. And if you choose the Subscribe & Save option for certain household staples, you can receive automatic deliveries on a schedule you approve—and earn discounts and coupons along the way.
Free Same-Day Delivery
In addition to free two-day shipping, prime members get access to other perks that make online shopping more convenient and enjoyable. These include same-day delivery in select cities (as long as your order is $35 or more) and one-hour delivery with Prime Now from a variety of local restaurants.
To find out if you’re eligible for same-day delivery, enter your ZIP code here. This service is only available to customers that live close enough to a warehouse to receive orders in an hour, so it’s not an option for everyone.
Amazon Prime also gives members the option to choose a specific date in advance when they place an order. This is especially useful for ordering items you know someone will be home to receive, such as groceries or gift cards.
Another perk is the ability to save money on everyday household items through a subscription program called Prime Pantry. This program lets you save up to 15% on items like diapers and baby wipes. If you use the Amazon Prime credit card, you can earn even more discounts and perks.
Unlimited Music Streaming
Prime members have access to an extensive music streaming library as part of their subscription. While it’s not as robust as competitors like Apple Music or Spotify, it’s still a solid option for those who want a wide selection of playlists and on-demand listening.
The free Amazon Prime subscription has 100 million songs included, and you can stream it ad-free. It offers a wide variety of playlists and stations, and the ability to download music for offline playback. It also has an artist page, which helps you connect with fans and promote your music.
If you want more, you can upgrade to the Amazon Music Unlimited tier. It offers the full library of 100 million songs, including a growing catalog of HD and Ultra HD music, as well as ad-free stations and thousands of curated playlists.
The premium service also has a more comprehensive set of features for artists, such as the ability to add songs to their Artist Radio stations and create a custom artist playlist. Additionally, it offers a single-device plan for Echo devices and a student plan with a discounted rate that’s available to currently enrolled college students.
Free Video Streaming
Amazon Prime offers a wide range of free video streaming benefits. For one, it houses thousands of in-house Prime Originals TV shows and movies like Emmy winner The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and satirical superhero drama The Boys. It also boasts live sports broadcasts like Thursday Night Football and a rotating library of studio films including big releases from MGM, Paramount, Sony, Universal, Warner Media and Lionsgate.
Prime members can stream videos on a wide range of devices from their homes, or on the go with the mobile app. They can also download content to watch offline, or get ad-free viewing with Prime Video On Demand. The service includes access to IMDB’s X-Ray, which provides character backstories, behind-the-scenes photos and more while a show or movie is playing.
Members can add on ala carte Amazon Channels subscriptions to their account, such as HBO, Showtime, LMN and Smithsonian Earth. Amazon Prime also offers family-friendly features such as a kid-safe search and parental controls that require a pin to bypass viewing or purchase restrictions. Its Buy with Prime feature enables members to enjoy Amazon’s trusted shopping experience on partner sites that offer the option.
Free Book Lending
The latest addition to Amazon’s Prime program is a new book-borrowing service called Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, which lets subscribers choose a free eBook each month (including more than 100 current and former New York Times bestsellers). They can read these titles on any physical Kindle device connected to their account, as well as on the Kindle app for smartphones and tablets.
Prime members also get a selection of free books and magazines through Amazon Prime First Reads, which gives them access to select pre-released titles a month before they’re officially published. This selection includes a limited number of Kindle books, as well as comic collections like Peanuts and Calvin & Hobbes, and popular magazine titles including People, National Geographic and Sports Illustrated.
Books borrowed from Kindle Owners’ Lending Library are eligible for return within 30 days, though Amazon doesn’t specify what happens to unreturned books after that period. Readers can easily identify eligible titles in the Kindle Store by looking for the Prime badge. Titles available for borrowing will also display a Kindle Borrowing label in the action menu on the right side of their detail page.
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