Who can get a free Amazon Prime subscription
Amazon Prime is not free for most people, but certain groups can get it at no cost. Students with a valid .edu email address get six months free through Prime Student, then pay a reduced rate after that. Low-income households may be able to get Prime for $6.99 per month (instead of the standard $14.99 monthly or $139 yearly) through a program called Prime Discount Monthly Offering, which requires you to show proof of participation in certain government information programs.
Some people also receive Prime free as part of other services. If you have an Amazon credit card, certain card tiers include a Prime membership. If you subscribe to Amazon Music Unlimited, that subscription includes Prime at no extra charge. Prime Video is sometimes bundled free with other services like Whole Foods membership or certain phone plans, though these bundles vary by provider and change over time.
The most common way people get temporary free access is through a trial period. Amazon typically offers a 30-day free trial to new Prime members who have never had the service before. Some promotions extend this to longer periods, but these are time-limited and not permanent.
Key Takeaways
- College and university students with a .edu email can get six months of Prime Student free, then pay a reduced student rate afterward.
- Households receiving SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or TANF benefits may be able to get Prime for $6.99 per month through the Prime Discount Monthly Offering program.
- A 30-day free trial is available to new Prime members, though you must provide a payment method to start it.
- Prime membership sometimes comes bundled free with other Amazon services or third-party subscriptions, but these offerings change frequently.
How to sign up for Prime Student
To get the six-month free trial through Prime Student, go to amazon.com/primestu and select "Start Your 6-Month Trial." You will need to enter your .edu email address. Amazon will send you a verification email to that address — click the link in that email to confirm you are a student.
After the six-month period ends, your account will automatically move to Prime Student pricing, which is currently half the price of a standard Prime membership. You will be charged monthly or yearly depending on which plan you choose. You can cancel anytime before the six months are up if you do not want to be charged after the trial ends.
Prime Student includes all the same benefits as regular Prime: free two-day shipping on may be able to access items, Prime Video streaming, Prime Music, and access to Prime Day sales. The main difference is the lower price for students.
How to check if you may have access to for Prime Discount Monthly Offering
The Prime Discount Monthly Offering is for households that receive benefits from SNAP (food information), Medicaid, SSI (Supplemental Security Income), or TANF (Temporary information for Needy Families). To see if you are may be able to access, go to amazon.com/primebenefits and select "Check Your may be able to access."
Amazon will ask you to verify your participation in one of these programs. The verification process varies depending on which program you use. For SNAP, you may need to provide your case number or the phone number of your state's SNAP office. For Medicaid, you may need to provide your Medicaid ID number. For SSI or TANF, you may need to provide your Social Security number or case information.
If you are found to be may be able to access, you will pay $6.99 per month instead of the full price. This rate is locked in as long as you remain may be able to access for the underlying benefit program. If your benefits end, your Prime membership will revert to standard pricing unless you cancel.
What happens when a free trial ends
When your free trial period ends, Amazon will charge your payment method on file for the next billing cycle. For a 30-day trial, that charge happens on day 31. For Prime Student's six-month trial, the charge happens on day 181.
You can cancel your membership at any time before the trial ends to avoid being charged. To cancel, go to your Amazon account, select "Manage Prime Membership," and choose "End Membership." You will keep access to Prime benefits through the end of your trial period, even after you cancel.
If you are charged after your trial ends and want a refund, you can contact Amazon Customer Service and request one. Amazon typically refunds the charge if you ask within a few days, though the company does not may provide this.
Prime membership bundled with other services
Some Amazon credit cards include Prime membership at no additional cost. The Amazon Prime Visa Signature card and the Amazon Prime Visa card both come with a complimentary Prime membership. If you already have Prime, the card does not give you a discount — the membership is straightforward included.
Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers receive Prime membership as part of their subscription at no extra charge. If you cancel Music Unlimited, your Prime membership ends as well. Whole Foods Market members who pay for the premium membership tier receive Prime benefits, though this varies by location.
Some wireless carriers and internet providers occasionally bundle Prime with their plans, but these offers change frequently and are not widely available. Check with your provider to see if Prime is included in your current plan.
The 30-day free trial for new members
Amazon offers a 30-day free trial to anyone who has never had a Prime membership before. To start the trial, go to amazon.com/prime and select "Start Your 30-Day Free Trial." You will need to provide a valid payment method — a credit card, debit card, or other accepted payment option.
During the 30 days, you have full access to all Prime benefits: free two-day shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music, and Prime Reading. You can use all of these services without being charged. On day 31, Amazon will charge your payment method for one month of Prime membership unless you cancel before then.
The free trial is a one-time offer per person. If you have had Prime in the past, even if your membership has ended, you may not be may be able to access for another free trial. Some promotions occasionally extend the trial to 60 days or longer, but these are temporary and not always available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a free Prime trial if I had Prime before?
No. The 30-day free trial is only for people who have never had a Prime membership. If you had Prime in the past and let it expire, you are not may be able to access for another free trial. Some special promotions may offer extended trials to returning members, but these are rare and time-limited.
What do I need to prove to get the Prime Discount Monthly Offering?
You need to verify that you receive benefits from SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, or TANF. Amazon will ask for information like your case number, benefit ID, or Social Security number depending on which program you use. The verification happens online through Amazon's website.
Do I have to cancel Prime Student before I graduate?
No, but your student pricing will end when your .edu email address is no longer valid or when you have been on Prime Student for four years, whichever comes first. After that, your membership will convert to standard Prime pricing. You can cancel anytime to avoid being charged the full price.
Can I combine a free trial with Prime Student?
No. If you are may be able to access for Prime Student, you cannot also use the 30-day free trial. Prime Student itself includes a six-month free period, which is longer than the standard trial.
What happens if I cancel during my free trial?
You keep access to Prime benefits for the rest of your trial period. For example, if you cancel on day 15 of a 30-day trial, you can still use Prime until day 30. After the trial ends, your access stops and you will not be charged.