Amazon Prime Perks Every Member Should Know About

Most everyone has heard of Amazon Prime.  But, do you really know what Amazon Prime is and the perks that come with Amazon Prime?

If you shop a lot at Amazon.com, then learning about these perks can help you save money on your Amazon purchases.

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WHAT IS AMAZON PRIME?

Amazon Prime is a subscription-based membership offered by Amazon.com at a monthly or yearly subscription rate.

Amazon Prime customers get access to streaming video, music, e-books, free shipping and much more.  An Amazon Prime annual membership costs $119.  If you don’t want to subscribe to a full year membership, the monthly subscription rate is $12.99.

There are a couple of ways you can get a discounted Prime Membership. If you have an EBT or Medicaid card, you can get a Prime membership for $5.99 a month and students can get a Prime Membership for just $6.49 a month.

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AMAZON PRIME MONEY SAVING PERKS

There are so many perks that come with an Amazon Prime membership.  It’s not just about the free shipping anymore.  So we made a list of the very best perks that we love about being a Prime member.

Prime Shipping Perks

Back in the day when Prime started, one of the best perks about Prime was the shipping. People love, love, love it when they can order something and get the shipping at a discounted price or even better FREE!

As Prime grew in popularity, the shipping perks kept getting better and better!

Free 1-Day Shipping: Free 1-Day shipping is available on select items.

Free 2-Day Shipping: This is the best known of all the Amazon shipping perks and applies to just about everything on the Amazon site. Just look for the Prime logo on the items you are ordering.

Same-Day Shipping: Same-Day Shipping is available in certain areas with qualifying orders over $35. You can check to see if Same-Day Shipping is available in your area. It will cost $12.99 for people that do not have a Prime membership and have a qualifying order in the Same-Day Shipping area.

Key by Amazon: Available to Prime Members in select areas. Key by Amazon is available in three kits. They are:

• Key by Amazon Smart Garage — Must have a compatible garage door and a Prime membership. For more information on this feature, please check out the Key by Amazon Smart Garage page.
• Key by Amazon Smart Lock — Must have a compatible door and also be a Prime membership. For more information on this feature, please check out the Key by Amazon Smart Lock page. (Update: This feature has been suspended due the COVID-19 pandemic.)
• Key by Amazon In-Car Delivery: You do not have to buy a special kit in order to use this option. For more information on this feature, please check out the Key by Amazon Car Delivery page. (Update: This feature has been suspended due the COVID-19 pandemic.)
• Key by Amazon In-Gate Delivery: To use the In-Gate Delivery, you will need to purchase a Ring Access Controller Pro and schedule a professional installation. Once installed you can receive your packages safely in a gated area out of site from passerby’s. For more information, please check out the Key In-Gate Delivery page.

No-Rush Shipping: If you are not in a “Rush” for your order, you can select this option and get a discount or promotional reward toward a future order.  If you cancel your No-Rush Shipping order or change the shipping speed, you will not be eligible for the discount or promotional reward. To see all the terms and conditions for No-Rush Shipping, check out this page.

There are so many different choices available now.

One of our favorites is “Free release-date delivery.” With this option, you can preorder a new book or tech product that has not been released yet and receive it on the exact date that it is released! The one drawback of this perk is that it doesn’t apply to all items — only certain ones are eligible.

You can find out more information about Amazon Prime Shipping Benefits and which items are eligible here.

Unlimited Photo Storage

Do you have lots of photos that you want to keep safe?  Prime members have access to unlimited photo storage and 5 GB of storage for videos, documents and other files for themselves.  It can also be shared with up to 5 additional people through the Family Vault.  There are some exceptions to the access to Prime Photos.  People who are only invited to share shipping benefits with a Prime member do not have access to Prime Photos.  Visit “About Prime Photos” for more information.

Share Prime with others

Amazon Prime Benefits can be shared with two adults in an Amazon household.  To share benefits, both adults link their accounts in an Amazon Household and then agree to share payment methods.  The Prime benefits that can be shared include shipping, digital, discounts, and exclusives.  Visit “Share Your Amazon Prime Benefits” for more information.

30-minute early access to select Amazon Lightning Deals

Prime members get 30-minute early access to Lightning Deals.   It is easy to tell if a Lightning Deal is a Prime Early Access deal.  It will say “Prime Early Access” on pages other than the product page and it will also say so on the “Add to Cart” box on the product page.  Visit “About Prime Early Access” for more information.

Ad-Free Music Streaming

If you love listening to music, then you are going to love this perk!  Prime members can listen to ad-free music streaming on Prime Music!  Members can select from Prime Playlists that are handcrafted collections of songs from the Prime Music catalog.  Personal playlists and personalized Prime stations allow members to enjoy uninterrupted music and unlimited skips.

There is a huge list of compatible devices that support Amazon Music.  If you have the Amazon Music app installed on your phone and tablet, you can download Prime Music for online playback within the Amazon Music app.  Visit “Prime Music” for more information.

Book Lending

Love reading books from the library but hate the return due dates?  You will love this perk!  Each calendar month, Prime members can borrow one book from Kindle Owners’ Lending Library. The book can be downloaded to “compatible devices registered to the same Amazon account or to the account of adults in the same Amazon Household.”   The available titles may change each calendar month.  Visit “Lend Kindle Books” for more details.

TV and Movie Streaming

Now one of Netflix’s biggest rivals, Amazon Prime Video lets you watch whenever and wherever you want.  It contains thousands of movies and TV shows that the Prime members can stream on compatible TVs, gaming consoles, through the Amazon Video app on phones and tablets (available for both Android and iOS), or through devices such as Fire TV Stick and Fire TV.  Visit “Amazon Video” for more information.

Free Audible Channels

Amazon Prime members can listen to exclusive audio series and playlists that are handcrafted for every interest.  Exclusive Audiobooks are available to members to stream anytime, anywhere at no additional cost.  Visit “Audible Channels” for more information.

Save 20% off Diapers and More with Amazon Family

Diapers can be a huge expense!  One perk Amazon Prime members receive is a 20% savings on diapers subscriptions plus additional family-centric discounts and recommendations.  All this is compliments of Amazon Family which is free for all Prime members. All you have to do is create a child profile during signup to begin.  Visit “Amazon Family” for more information.

Prime Gaming

Prime Gaming is formerly known as Twitch and is available to Amazon Prime Members.  Prime Members get free game content every month and exclusive discounts on new release and preorder video games.  Plus, members get ad-free viewing and a free monthly Twitch channel subscription.  Visit “Twitch Prime” for more information.

Amazon Kids+

Formerly known as “Free Time Unlimited”. With Amazon Kids +, you get unlimited access to thousands of kid-friendly books, movies, TV shows, educational apps, games, and premium kid’s skills. There is, however, an added charge. For Prime members, it starts at $2.99 per month or you can choose the plan for a family with up to four children for $6.99 per month. You can cancel at any time. For more info, check the Amazon Kids+ page.

Prime Book Box

Prime Book Box is a subscription service. Each box contains 2 hardcover books or 4 board books. Every 1, 2, or 3 months you can choose your child’s books. Each box costs $19.99, plus tax. For more information, please check the Prime Book Box FAQ page.

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Are you an Amazon Prime member?  Are you getting the most out of your membership?  What’s your favorite Amazon Prime perk that you use the most?

If you aren’t an Amazon Prime member, what’s stopping you?  The price?  You don’t want to make the commitment?  Didn’t know all the perks?  We’d love to hear from you!

Originally written on October 3, 2017. Updated October 8, 2020.