Thanks for signing up!
Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go.
All the perks you get when you sign up for Amazon Prime
Last week, Amazon hiked the amount of money customers need to spend in order to qualify for free shipping.
Advertisement
Previously, $35 worth of products would qualify an order for free shipping, but now customers will need to spend at least $50.
That means that there's another reason to sign up for Prime, the $99 loyalty program that includes free two-day shipping on millions of items.
Although most people probably sign up for Prime because of the shipping, there are a lot of other perks.
Here's an overview of everything you now get as a member of Amazon Prime.
Prime subscribers can stream content from Prime Video, Amazon's Netflix-like streaming service. It's mostly older shows and movies, but it has a mix of newer programming, original content, and even a back catalogue of HBO shows.
Noteworthy original shows that you can't stream anywhere else include "Transparent," "The Man in the High Castle," and "Mozart in the Jungle." You also have access to movies and TV shows.
Prime subscribers can add additional video services to their Prime accounts. They're not free, but some are discounted. A subscription to Showtime's standalone service, for example, is regularly $10.99 per month but Amazon discounts it to $8.99.
Amazon Prime also gives you access to the company's streaming-music catalog. It doesn't have the selection that Spotify or Apple Music has, but it's a great perk that's included with Prime, especially if you haven't bought into any of those premium music services that cost $10 a month.
Prime members get unlimited photo storage. You can upload photos from your computer or phone and access them whenever you want.
Amazon's lending library lets Kindle owners borrow one book a month for free. Kindle First also gives Prime members early access to books before they're published.
Prime members get a 30-minute head start on Amazon's Lightning Deals and sales at the Amazon-owned deals site MyHabit.com. Prime members also get discounted diaper subscriptions through Amazon Family.
Prime members now not only get 20% off any new video games within the first two weeks they come out, but also on any video games they pre-order.
Prime members get access to Amazon Elements, the company's line of environmentally friendly household and baby goods. Currently, however, baby wipes are the only Elements product, as the company stopped selling its diapers last year.
Prime Pantry is a grocery- and household-product delivery service, though it works in a unique way: You fill a box with various products, and shipping is a flat $5.99 per box.
The Prime Store Card offers 5% cash back on purchases made on Amazon.com.
Prime members get free same-day shipping on certain products, as long as they order by the day's cut-off time and spend at least $35.
For now, it's only available in parts of Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle/Tacoma, Tampa Bay Area, and Washington, D.C.
This is the perk that started it all: free two-day shipping on millions of items on Amazon.com. If you regularly purchase goods via Amazon, this perk alone can save you hundreds of dollars every year.
Advertisement