What Amazon Prime membership costs and what you get

Amazon Prime is a paid membership that gives you faster shipping on most items, access to Prime Video (movies and TV shows), Prime Music, and other benefits. The standard membership costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year if you pay upfront — the yearly option saves you about $40. Amazon also offers a discounted Prime membership for students ($7.49 per month or $69 per year) and for people receiving certain government benefits ($6.99 per month).

The main draw for most people is free two-day shipping on may be able to access items, though many items ship faster. You also get free same-day or next-day delivery in some areas depending on where you live and what you order. Prime Video is included and has thousands of movies and TV series. Prime Music lets you stream over 2 million songs ad-free, and Prime Reading gives you access to a rotating selection of books, magazines, and newspapers.

You can try Prime free for 30 days before your first charge. After that, you can cancel anytime and will not be charged again. If you cancel during a paid month, you keep your membership until the end of that billing period.

Key Takeaways

  • You need an Amazon account to sign up for Prime, and you must provide a valid payment method — a credit card, debit card, or bank account.
  • Standard Prime membership is $14.99 per month or $139 per year, with a free 30-day trial before any charge hits your account.
  • Students pay $7.49 per month or $69 per year, and people on certain government benefits pay $6.99 per month.
  • You can cancel your membership at any time through your Amazon account settings, and you will keep access through the end of your current billing period.

How to sign up for a standard Prime membership

Go to amazon.com and sign in to your account. If you do not have an Amazon account yet, create one by entering your email address, creating a password, and providing your name. Once you are signed in, look for the "Prime" link at the top of the page or search for "Amazon Prime" in the search bar.

Click on the Prime membership option and select "Start your 30-day free trial." Amazon will ask you to confirm your payment method — the card or bank account already on file in your account, or a new one if you want to add it. Review the membership details one more time, then click to confirm. You will see a confirmation page, and an email will arrive confirming your trial has started.

Your free trial lasts 30 days from the date you sign up. After 30 days, Amazon will charge you $14.99 for the first month (or $139 for a full year if you chose annual billing). You will receive an email reminder a few days before the charge, so you have time to cancel if you change your mind.

Student Prime membership and discounted rates

If you are a student, you can get Prime for $7.49 per month or $69 per year — roughly half the standard price. To sign up, you need a valid .edu email address or proof of enrollment from your school. Go to amazon.com/student and follow the same steps as a standard membership, but you will see the student pricing.

Student Prime includes all the same benefits as standard Prime: two-day shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music, and the rest. Your student discount lasts for four years from the date you sign up, after which your membership converts to standard pricing unless you cancel.

If you are no longer a student or your .edu email expires, you can update your information in your account settings. Amazon will let you know when your student discount is about to end.

Prime membership for people on government benefits

If you receive benefits through SNAP (food stamps), TANF (Temporary information for Needy Families), SSI (Supplemental Security Income), or certain other programs, you may be able to get Prime for $6.99 per month. This is the lowest-cost Prime option available.

To sign up, go to amazon.com and search for "Prime for less." You will need to verify your benefits by uploading a document — usually a benefits card, letter, or statement showing your name and the program you are enrolled in. The verification process takes a few minutes. Once Amazon confirms your benefits, you can start your membership.

This discounted membership includes all standard Prime benefits. It lasts as long as you remain enrolled in a may have access to benefit program. If your benefits end, you can update your information in your account settings, and your membership will convert to standard pricing.

How to manage your Prime membership and cancel if needed

Once you are a member, you can manage your subscription through your Amazon account. Go to amazon.com, click on "Account" in the top right, and select "Your Prime membership." From there you can see your current plan, your next billing date, and options to change or cancel.

To cancel, click "End membership" on the Prime membership page. Amazon will ask you to confirm and may offer you a discount to stay. If you proceed with cancellation, your membership will end at the end of your current billing period — you will not lose access mid-month. You can rejoin Prime anytime by going through the sign-up process again.

If you want to switch from monthly to annual billing (or vice versa), you can do that on the same page without canceling. Just click "Change membership plan" and select your new option. The change takes effect on your next billing date.

What happens if you share your Prime membership

Amazon allows you to share your Prime membership with people in your household through a feature called Amazon Household. You can add up to four adults and up to four children to your account. Each person gets their own login and access to Prime benefits, though you all share the same payment method.

To set up Household, go to your account settings and select "Amazon Household." You will add family members by their email address or phone number, and they will receive an invitation to join. Once they accept, they can use Prime when ready. You can remove household members anytime through the same settings.

Keep in mind that sharing your Prime membership means sharing your payment method and some account information. If you want to keep your accounts separate, each person would need their own Prime membership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a credit card to sign up for Prime?

You need a valid payment method on file with Amazon, but it does not have to be a credit card. You can use a debit card or link a bank account directly. If you do not have any of these, you cannot sign up for Prime.

Can I get a Prime membership without an Amazon account?

No. You must have an Amazon account to sign up for Prime. Creating an account is free and takes a few minutes — you just need an email address and a password. Once your account is set up, you can then sign up for Prime membership.

What happens to my Prime membership if I do not use it for a while?

Your membership stays active and you will continue to be charged each month or year, even if you do not place any orders. If you do not plan to use Prime, you should cancel it to stop the charges. You can always rejoin later if you change your mind.

Can I change my Prime membership plan after I sign up?

Yes. You can switch between monthly and annual billing, or change from standard Prime to student or discounted Prime if you become may be able to access. Go to your Prime membership settings and click "Change membership plan." The new plan takes effect on your next billing date.

Is there a Prime membership for seniors?

Amazon does not offer a separate senior discount for Prime membership. However, seniors may be able to get the discounted $6.99 per month rate if they receive SSI or another may have access to government benefit. Check the Prime for less page to see if you may have access to.