Ever since the launch of Amazon Prime in 2005, the subscription service from the world’s largest online retailer has grown from a modest offering to one of the most popular services that offers essentially anything and everything someone could possibly imagine. But with that being said, there are still some out there who have yet to subscribe to the service and might be on the fence about adding it to their collection.
For those who fall into that camp and want to know more about an Amazon Prime subscription (which includes access to the best movies on Amazon Prime Video and all those great Prime original TV Shows), sit back, relax, and check out some of the amazing perks that make case for it being one of the best all-around services on the web.
How Much An Amazon Prime Subscription Costs
When it comes to the price of a subscription, Amazon Prime gives members multiple options to choose from.
As of May 2024, a standard Amazon Prime subscription costs $14.99 per month for new subscribers, though there is the option to pay a one-time annual fee of $139 which ends up being around $11.58 per month. For those who are only interested in watching movies and shows on Prime Video and don’t care for all the other perks (which will be detailed below), a Prime Video membership runs $8.99 per month.
Amazon offers a discounted version of its subscription service for college students which costs $7.49 per month or $69 annually for those who sign up for an entire year. It should be noted that an email address ending with .edu is required for the Amazon Prime Student membership.
In January 2024, Prime Video started including small ad breaks for shows and movies, but subscribers can pay an additional $2.99 per month if they would like to keep things ad-free.
Amazon Prime Members Get Free Shipping With Eligible Purchases
One of the best Amazon Prime perks is the fact that members can get free shipping for millions of eligible products, most of which are available with no minimum purchase. The most common delivery option for Amazon Prime purchases is two-day shipping, which is honestly a game-changer, especially when it comes to everyday products or those on-a-whim random purchases. Next up is free one-day delivery which is available for more than 10 million items and is perfect for some of those last-minute purchases. But here is where things get even better…
Amazon Prime members in select areas can not only get free two-day and one-day delivery, they can also get their items delivered the same day they are purchased. Basically, if someone orders something in the morning (and they live in an area with this option), they could have that item by that night. Please note, a minimum purchase of $25 is required for this benefit. Prime members who don’t meet the threshold can pay up to $2.99 in delivery fees while non-members can get same-day shipping by paying as much as $12.99 per order, according to Amazon’s help page.
Amazon Prime members in select areas also have access to two-hour grocery delivery including both fresh needs and shelf-stable items. Now we just need the Amazon Prime air shipping to come to fruition.
Amazon Prime Members Can Get Digital Discounts If They Choose No-Rush Shipping
But what if someone buys something but isn’t really in a big rush for it to get there? Well, Amazon Prime members can build up digital discounts whenever they choose the “no-rush shipping” option at checkout. This perk basically credits members with a $1 digital coupon that can then be applied to movie rentals/purchases, ebooks, and a variety of other digital services offered by Amazon Prime.
Amazon Prime Members Have Access To Prime Video And All Its Exclusives
Besides all the great shopping options that instantly become available with an Amazon Prime subscription, members also get access to thousands of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and more through Prime Video. Whether someone is looking for some of the best motion pictures from yesterday and today, binge-worthy shows, or all the original offerings like The Boys, A Very British Scandal, The Summer I Turned Pretty, and Emergency, there’s a little something for just about everyone.
Another great benefit of Prime Video is the availability of add-on channels that, for an additional cost, give Amazon Prime members access to a wide range of content. This includes premium cable channels like Showtime, Starz, and Cinemax, as well as more niche streaming services like BritBox, Shudder, and Mubi.
Prime Video members also have access to the free, ad-supported streaming services IMDbTV and Freevee add-ons.
On top of all of that, Amazon subscribers have access to live sporting events like NFL games, MLB matchups, and much more, making it a great streaming option for sports fans.
The Annual Prime Day Deals Are Included With The Amazon Subscription
Each year, Amazon Prime members are given access to exclusive and short-term deals in a two-day shopping event. The annual Prime Day event, which was first held in 2015, features deep discounts on millions of items with some deals being right up there with the online retailer’s Black Friday offerings. In the past, Prime Day deals have given members great savings on a slew of Amazon products like tablets, streaming sticks, and more, as well as on movie and TV collections that sometimes seem too good to be true.
Alexa Devices Can Be Synced Up With An Amazon Prime Account For Easy Purchases And More
The integration of an Amazon Prime subscription with an Alexa-enabled device could be a blessing or a curse depending on the circumstances. It's easy to make last-minute purchases, access news stories, or listen to everything from music to audiobooks with nothing more than a few words. This setup also gives Prime members the power to order items from the Amazon store, which is especially handy when it comes to ordering more laundry detergent, paper towels, or bulk-size candy.
Prime Reading And Prime Music Grants Members Access To Books And Songs
When Amazon was founded more than a quarter-century ago, it primarily sold books. And while a lot has changed in the 28 years since Jeff Bezos started the world’s most recognizable online retailer, Amazon continues to boast a massive collection for lovers of the written word. One of the best perks that comes with an Amazon Prime subscription is Prime Reading service, which grants members access to thousands of audiobooks, ebooks, magazines, comics, and more for no extra charge. Some of the titles can be enjoyed on the Amazon website, but a Kindle device is also an option, as well as the Kindle App.
And then there is Amazon Music Prime, which gives members access to millions of songs and podcasts. Not only can this service be used with Alexa-enabled devices like the Echo for touch-free listening, it's also ad-free and comes at no extra charge. There is also the Music Unlimited option, which offers even more music, for those who don't mind spending an extra $7.99 per month.
Amazon Subscribers Have Access To Prime Gaming
One of the best benefits available to Amazon subscribers is Prime Gaming, which grants members access to free in-game content for some of the most popular PC and console games like Roblox, Assassins Creed Valhalla, and Grand Theft Auto Online, a rotating list of free games each month, and a ton of other perks.
This also includes a special membership to Twitch, the popular video game streaming site Amazon purchased for $970 million back in 2014. With Twitch Prime (the name of the service once you link your Twitch and Amazon accounts) you can gift a monthly channel subscription to your favorite streamers which equals out to $4.99 per month.
Amazon Prime Benefits Can Be Shared With Your Household
All of these benefits are great, but what makes it all even better is the fact you can share these perks with other members of your household. Through the Amazon Household program, two adults, up to four teens, and four child profiles can be linked together without having to purchase additional subscriptions.
There are some parental controls to make the whole ordeal safer for the family, including parental-approval on purchases made by teens and controls on the type of content children watch on their supported devices. You can learn more about the program and everything that comes with it on the Amazon Household page.
Hopefully all of this helps the decision process a little easier when deciding if you want to add an Amazon subscription to your collection of services. And with new programs, perks, and other benefits being added all the time, there are plenty of other reasons to give it a shot, including some of the most anticipated 2024 TV shows.
