What you pay each month for Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime is a paid membership that gives you faster shipping on orders, access to streaming video and music, and other perks. You pay a monthly fee charged to your credit card or debit card on the same day each month. The monthly price varies depending on whether you choose the standard Prime membership or Prime Video (video streaming only), and Amazon adjusts these prices periodically.
When you sign up, Amazon will tell you the exact amount before you confirm. The charge appears on your card statement as "AMAZON.COM" or "AMAZON PRIME." If you cancel before the next billing date, you are not charged again.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon Prime membership renews automatically each month on your billing date, and you can cancel anytime without penalty.
- The monthly cost covers faster shipping, Prime Video streaming, Prime Music, and other benefits that vary by membership tier.
- You can pause your membership for up to three months instead of canceling, which holds your benefits without charging you.
- Amazon offers a free trial period before your first charge, so you can test the service before committing to payment.
- Your billing date is the same each month, and you can change your payment method or cancel in your Amazon account settings anytime.
How to start a monthly Prime membership
Go to amazon.com and click "Try Prime" or "Start your free trial" from the homepage. Amazon will ask you to sign in with your account or create one. You will need a valid credit card, debit card, or other payment method on file.
Amazon offers a free trial that lasts 30 days (the length may vary by region or promotion). During this period, you get full access to all Prime benefits with no charge. On the 30th day, your first monthly payment is charged automatically. You can cancel anytime during the trial and pay nothing.
After the trial ends, your membership renews on the same calendar day each month. For example, if your trial ends on the 15th, you will be charged on the 15th of every following month.
What is included in a monthly Prime membership
Shipping benefits are the core of Prime. Orders marked "Prime may be able to access" ship free and arrive in two business days (or faster in some areas). You also get free one-day and same-day delivery on many items in select locations. Prime members can return most items for free within 30 days.
Prime Video is included with standard Prime membership. You can stream thousands of movies and TV shows on any device with an internet connection. New content is added regularly, and you can read some titles to watch offline.
Prime Music gives you access to a catalog of songs and playlists you can stream ad-free. This is different from Amazon Music Unlimited, which is a separate subscription with a larger catalog.
Standard Prime also includes Prime Reading (access to a rotating selection of books, magazines, and newspapers), Prime Photos (unlimited photo storage in the cloud), and other rotating perks. Prime Video-only membership includes only the video streaming service and does not cover shipping or the other benefits.
How to manage your billing and payment method
Log into your Amazon account and go to "Account" or "Your Account." Look for "Prime membership" or "Memberships & subscriptions." From there, you can see your next billing date, your current payment method, and options to change or update it.
To change your payment method, select "Update payment method" and enter a new credit card, debit card, or other option. Amazon will use the new method for your next charge. If a payment fails (for example, if your card is declined), Amazon will retry it a few times and send you an email. If payment continues to fail, your membership will be paused until you update your payment information.
You can also set a reminder before your billing date so you do not forget when the charge occurs. Some people use this to decide whether to cancel or keep their membership each month.
How to pause or cancel your membership
If you want to stop paying but might return later, you can pause your membership instead of canceling. Go to your Prime membership settings and select "Pause membership." Amazon lets you pause for up to three months at a time. During a pause, you will not be charged, but you also cannot use Prime benefits. After the pause ends, your membership resumes and billing starts again.
To cancel permanently, go to the same settings page and select "Cancel membership." Amazon will ask why you are leaving and may offer you a discount to stay. If you confirm the cancellation, your membership ends when ready and you will not be charged again. You keep access to Prime benefits through the end of your current billing period.
If you cancel mid-month, you do not get a refund for the unused time. However, you can rejoin Prime at any time, and a new free trial may be available depending on your account history.
What happens if your payment method fails
If Amazon cannot charge your payment method on your billing date, it will try again over the next few days. You will receive an email letting you know the charge failed. Log into your account and update your payment information as soon as you see this email.
If payment is not successful after several attempts, Amazon will pause your Prime membership. You will lose access to Prime benefits (shipping, video streaming, and others) until you add a working payment method. Once you update your payment information, your membership resumes and you are charged for the next month.
Comparing monthly Prime to annual Prime
Amazon also offers an annual Prime membership where you pay once per year instead of monthly. The annual option usually costs less per month than paying monthly, but it requires a larger upfront payment. Some people choose monthly if they are unsure whether they will use Prime for a full year, or if they want to cancel without waiting for a renewal date.
You can switch between monthly and annual billing anytime. If you switch from monthly to annual mid-cycle, Amazon will credit your remaining monthly balance toward the annual price. If you switch from annual to monthly, your annual membership ends and a new monthly membership begins on your next billing date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I cancel Prime mid-month?
No. Amazon does not refund unused time when you cancel a monthly membership. Your membership ends when ready, but you keep access to Prime benefits through the end of your current billing period. If you want to avoid paying for a month you will not use, cancel a few days before your next billing date.
What if I want to cancel but Amazon keeps charging me?
Log into your Amazon account, go to your Prime membership settings, and confirm that your membership shows as "Canceled" or "Paused." If you are still being charged after canceling, contact Amazon customer service with your account details and billing statements. Keep records of your cancellation confirmation and any charges after that date.
Does the free trial require a credit card?
Yes. Amazon requires a valid payment method to start a free trial, even though you will not be charged during the trial period. This ensures they can charge you automatically when the trial ends. You can cancel anytime during the trial to avoid the first charge.
Can I use the same Prime membership on multiple devices?
Yes. You can stream Prime Video and access other Prime benefits on any device where you sign into your Amazon account. However, Prime Video has limits on how many people can watch at the same time (usually two or three streams depending on your plan). Sharing your account password with people outside your household may violate Amazon's terms.
What if I have a student discount for Prime?
Amazon offers Prime Student, which is a discounted membership for may be able to access college students. The monthly cost is lower than standard Prime, and it includes the same benefits. You can switch between Prime Student and standard Prime in your account settings, and the price will adjust on your next billing date.