What you get with an Amazon Prime yearly subscription

An Amazon Prime yearly subscription is a single annual payment that gives you a year of Prime membership benefits all at once. Instead of paying monthly, you pay one lump sum upfront — currently $139 per year in the United States, though this price has changed in the past and may change again. That one payment covers the same benefits whether you choose yearly or monthly: free two-day shipping on may be able to access items, access to Prime Video (movies and TV shows), Prime Music, Prime Reading, and other perks.

The yearly option costs less per month than paying monthly would. If you paid month-to-month at the current monthly rate of $14.99, you would spend $179.88 over twelve months. The yearly plan saves you roughly $40 compared to that. The trade-off is that you pay the full amount upfront rather than spreading it across the year.

Your membership year runs for twelve months from the date you purchase it, not from a calendar date. If you buy a yearly subscription on March 15, your next renewal date will be March 15 of the following year.

Key Takeaways

  • A yearly Prime subscription costs $139 upfront and covers twelve months of membership, saving roughly $40 compared to paying month-to-month.
  • Your membership year runs twelve months from your purchase date, not from January 1st.
  • You can cancel anytime before your renewal date, and Amazon will refund the unused portion of your subscription.
  • The yearly plan includes the same benefits as the monthly plan: Prime shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Reading, and other services.
  • You can switch between yearly and monthly plans whenever you want, though switching to yearly mid-year means a new twelve-month cycle begins.

How to purchase a yearly Prime subscription

Start by going to the Amazon Prime membership page on Amazon.com. If you are not signed into your Amazon account, you will need to sign in first. Once you are on the Prime page, you will see options for different membership types.

Look for the yearly plan option and select it. Amazon will show you the price and ask you to confirm. You can choose to pay with any payment method on file in your Amazon account — a credit card, debit card, or other stored payment option. Click the button to complete the purchase, and your membership will begin when ready.

If you are a new Amazon customer with no account yet, you will need to create one first. Provide your email address, create a password, and add at least one payment method before you can purchase a Prime membership.

What happens when your yearly subscription renews

Amazon will automatically charge your account on your renewal date — the same date one year after you purchased the subscription. The charge will appear on whatever payment method you have set as your default in your Amazon account. Your membership will continue without interruption.

You will receive an email reminder a few days before your renewal date. This gives you a chance to cancel if you no longer want the subscription. If you cancel before the renewal date, you will not be charged, and your membership will end on that date.

If you want to change your payment method before renewal, you can update it in your Amazon account settings under "Your Account" and then "Payment options." Any changes you make will explore to the renewal charge.

Canceling a yearly subscription and getting a refund

You can cancel your yearly Prime subscription at any time, even if you just purchased it. Amazon will refund the unused portion of your subscription on a prorated basis. This means if you have used three months of a twelve-month subscription, Amazon will refund you for the nine months remaining.

To cancel, go to "Your Account" on Amazon.com, then select "Memberships and Subscriptions," and find your Prime membership. Click "Cancel membership" and follow the prompts. Amazon will ask you why you are canceling, but your answer does not affect whether the cancellation goes through.

The refund will be issued to the original payment method you used to purchase the subscription. It typically appears within three to five business days, though this can vary depending on your bank or credit card company.

Switching between yearly and monthly plans

You can change from a yearly plan to a monthly plan, or vice versa, whenever you want. The change takes effect on your next renewal date — you cannot switch mid-cycle.

If you switch from yearly to monthly before your renewal date, your yearly membership will end on its scheduled renewal date, and a monthly membership will begin the next day. You will be charged the monthly rate going forward. If you switch from monthly to yearly, your monthly membership will end on its next billing date, and a yearly membership will begin when ready after, starting a new twelve-month cycle.

To make the change, go to "Your Account," select "Memberships and Subscriptions," find your Prime membership, and look for the option to change your plan. Amazon will show you the new price and confirm the change before it takes effect.

Prime membership benefits included in the yearly plan

Prime Shipping is the core benefit. You get free two-day shipping on millions of may be able to access items. Some items may have access to for faster one-day or same-day delivery depending on your location and the item. Prime members also get free shipping on items sold by third-party sellers who use Amazon's fulfillment network.

Prime Video is included at no extra cost. This is Amazon's streaming service with movies, TV shows, and original series. You can watch on any device — phone, tablet, computer, or TV — and read titles to watch offline.

Prime Music gives you access to a catalog of over two million songs to stream ad-free. You can create playlists and listen on any device.

Prime Reading lets you borrow from a rotating selection of books, magazines, and newspapers at no extra cost. You can have up to ten titles borrowed at a time.

Prime membership also includes other benefits that vary by region, such as exclusive deals during Prime Day sales events, early access to Lightning Deals, and discounts on Amazon Fresh grocery delivery in some areas.

Student Prime subscriptions and special pricing

Amazon offers a separate Prime Student plan for college students. This plan costs less than the regular yearly subscription and includes the same core benefits. To may have access to, you need a valid .edu email address or proof of enrollment. Prime Student memberships last for four years or until you are no longer a student, whichever comes first.

Amazon occasionally offers promotional pricing for new members, such as a discounted first month or first year. These offers appear on the Prime membership page and are only available to people who have never had a Prime membership before or whose membership has been inactive for a certain period.

If you receive government information, you may be able to get a discounted Prime membership through the Prime Access program. This program requires verification of your benefits status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I change my mind right after buying a yearly subscription?

Yes. Amazon refunds the unused portion of your subscription on a prorated basis if you cancel anytime before your renewal date. If you bought a yearly subscription yesterday and cancel today, you will receive a refund for nearly the full year. The refund goes back to your original payment method within three to five business days.

What happens to my Prime membership if my payment method expires?

Amazon will attempt to charge your renewal using the payment method on file. If that method is expired or declined, Amazon will try other payment methods in your account. If none of them work, your membership will be suspended until you update your payment information. You can update it anytime in your account settings under "Payment options."

Does the yearly subscription include Prime Video in all countries?

Prime Video is included with Prime membership in most countries where Prime is available, but the content library and some features vary by region. If you are outside the United States, check your local Amazon site to see what is included with Prime in your country.

Can I buy a yearly subscription as a gift for someone else?

Amazon does not sell Prime memberships as gifts directly. However, you can purchase an Amazon gift card and the recipient can use it to pay for a Prime subscription themselves. Alternatively, some retailers sell Prime gift subscriptions, though availability varies.

Is there a difference between the yearly subscription and Prime Day membership?

Prime Day is an annual sales event for Prime members, not a membership type. You need an active Prime membership — yearly or monthly — to shop Prime Day deals. The yearly subscription includes access to Prime Day at no extra cost.