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Prime Big Deal Days are coming, and if you want to enjoy the best savings during Amazon's October sales event, you'll need a Prime membership. Amazon's Prime subscription service costs $139 per year or $14.99 per month. If you're a frequent Amazon shopper, signing up for an annual Prime membership is the best deal. But if you're on a budget and can't stomach the $139 annual fee, you've got some options.
1. Sign Up for a 30-Day Free Trial
Prime is free to join for 30 days for first-time subscribers, so you can try it without making a year-long commitment. Sign up ahead of the holidays or shopping events like the upcoming fall Prime Day, get free shipping, and then cancel, for example.
2. Join Prime for Young Adults
Prime for Young Adults offers students and those aged 18 to 24 a six-month trial that includes free, two-day shipping on Prime items, free same-day delivery in certain areas, and two-hour grocery delivery, as well as 5% cash back on eligible purchases, Prime Video, Prime Gaming, Prime Reading, and Amazon Photos. Other perks include discounted access to services like Grubhub+ and savings on gas. Once the six-month trial is up, Amazon charges $69 per year or $7.49 per month.
3. Get Prime Access
If you have a valid Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) or Medicaid card, you can sign up for Amazon Prime Access for $6.99 per month for up to four years. After Amazon verifies your accounts, you're eligible for free, two-day shipping, Prime Video, Amazon Photos, and more.
4. Spend $35 or More
If free shipping is all you're interested in, Amazon offers free shipping on select orders. On its website, Amazon says: "Free shipping is available...on eligible orders of $35 or more." With millions of items, it's not hard to rack up enough items to hit the $35 mark, though some items are not eligible; look for items that "Ship from Amazon" and choose "FREE Shipping" at checkout. You can get free, one-day shipping when buying gift cards, but they don't apply to the $35 total, Amazon says. If you're just shy of $35, select a cheap add-on item.
5. Get a Subscribe & Save Membership
Similarly, shoppers who tend to buy the same things should look into a Subscribe & Save Membership. Although it does not cover everything on the site, members can save up to 15% on orders and receive free shipping on every Subscribe & Save order. Members must select eligible items, and choose a delivery schedule to subscribe. While it's not as expansive as an Amazon Prime membership, it is convenient and worth a look.
6. Swap Amazon Prime for Walmart+
Amazon isn't the only shipping giant with a subscription service; Walmart+ debuted in 2020 and at $98 per year, it's more than $40 cheaper than Amazon Prime. There are similar perks, like free shipping and early access to special deals, plus gas discounts. For video streaming, Walmart offers free access to the ad-supported Paramount+ Essential Plan or Peacock Premium. Express delivery options are not as robust as those found on Amazon, so double-check that Walmart has a presence in your area if something like grocery delivery is a priority.
About Our Expert
I started out covering tech policy in DC for The National Journal, where my beat included state-level tech news and all the congressional hearings and FCC meetings I could handle. I later covered Wall Street trading tech before switching gears to consumer tech. I now lead PCMag's news coverage.
Getting my start in DC means I still have a soft spot for tech policy; Congressional hearings can sometimes be as entertaining as a Bravo reality show, for better or worse. But PCMag is all about the technology we use every day, as well as keeping an eye out for the trends that will shape the industry in the years ahead (or flop on arrival). I've covered the rise of social media, the iOS vs. Android wars, the cord-cutting revolution that's now left us with hefty streaming bills, and the effort to stuff artificial intelligence into every product you could imagine. This job has taken me to CES in Vegas (one too many times), IFA in Berlin, and MWC in Barcelona. I also drove a Tesla 1,000 miles out west as part of our Best Mobile Networks project. Of late, my focus is on our hard-working team of reporters at PCMag, guiding and editing their robust coverage.
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