How to Get Free or Discounted Amazon Prime

10 Legit Ways to Save on Amazon Prime Membership

Amazon Prime can absolutely be worth it for fast shipping, Prime Video, exclusive deals, and Prime Day access—but you do not always have to pay full price. There are still several legit ways to get free or discounted Amazon Prime, and some of the best options are better than most shoppers realize.

Below, we rounded up the smartest current ways to save on Prime. Some are true free trial options, some are discounted plans for qualifying shoppers, and some are practical ways to lower your out-of-pocket cost.

Table of Contents for Free or Discounted Amazon Prime Options

1. Start with the Free 30-Day Amazon Prime Trial

The easiest way to get Prime for free is still the standard 30-day Amazon Prime trial. If Amazon is showing the offer on your account, you can use Prime shipping, Prime Video, member-only deals, and other included benefits during the trial period.

This is a great option if you want Prime for a busy shopping month, an upcoming sale event, or a one-time stock-up. Just set a reminder to cancel before renewal if you do not want the paid membership to start automatically.

2. Check for Returning Member Discount Offers

If you already used a free trial before, Amazon may still show you a targeted offer when you go back to rejoin. These offers vary by account, but some shoppers see a discounted multi-month Prime promo instead of another free trial.

This can be one of the easiest ways to save if you recently canceled or let your Prime membership lapse. Amazon does not guarantee the same deal for everyone, so you will need to check your account directly to see what is available.

3. Sign Up for Prime for Young Adults

Amazon’s young adult program is one of the best Prime discounts available. Eligible members ages 18–24, along with qualifying higher-education students, can get a 6-month trial and discounted pricing after that.

If you qualify, this is one of the strongest long-term ways to save because the discount continues after the trial. It is especially helpful if you use Prime regularly for shipping, video streaming, or major shopping events.

4. Use Prime Access if You Qualify

Amazon’s Prime Access program gives qualifying customers a major discount on Prime. If you qualify through SNAP EBT or select government assistance programs, you may be able to get 50% off the regular monthly Prime membership.

This is one of the best year-round savings options because it is not just a short promo. For eligible households, it can cut the cost of Prime in half month after month.

5. Share Prime with Amazon Household

If someone in your household already pays for Prime, you may not need your own separate membership. Amazon Household lets eligible users share key Prime benefits with another adult and additional family members in the same household.

This is one of the smartest ways to lower the real cost of Prime because you are maximizing one paid membership instead of paying for two. For couples and families, it can be one of the best values on this list.

6. Use the Monthly Prime Plan Only When You Need It

If you do not use Prime all year, the monthly plan can be a smart workaround. Instead of paying the full annual fee up front, you can pay month-to-month and only keep Prime active during the times you actually use it most.

This strategy works especially well during major sale events like Prime Day, back-to-school shopping, or the holiday season. It is not the cheapest option if you keep it all year, but it can absolutely be cheaper for seasonal shoppers.

7. Use Business Cards or Accounts That Include Prime Perks

Some business credit cards and premium financial accounts offer Amazon Prime-related perks, but it is important to understand how they work.

• Amazon Business American Express Card: This card does not automatically give a free personal Prime membership. Instead, it may include a complimentary Business Prime membership for eligible account holders, which can be valuable for business purchasing.
• Prime reimbursement cards: Some financial institutions offer a statement credit that reimburses your Amazon Prime membership after you meet spending or account requirements.
• Examples: Offers like Navy Federal’s Flagship Rewards free Amazon Prime benefit, ICCU’s Prime subscription reimbursement, and certain premium banking perks can offset or fully cover the cost of Prime.

These perks are not guaranteed and may change, so always verify current benefits with your card issuer or bank before relying on them.

8. Use Amazon Gift Card Balance Toward Membership

Amazon allows eligible Prime membership payments to be made with Amazon.com Gift Cards. That means if you earn gift cards through rewards programs, birthdays, rebates, cashback redemptions, or surveys, you can use that balance to offset the cost of Prime.

This is not a promotional Prime discount, but it is still a legit way to reduce what comes out of your bank account.

9. Trade In Old Devices for Amazon Credit

Amazon’s Trade-In Program lets you exchange eligible devices and electronics for Amazon gift card credit. That credit can then help cover your Prime membership cost.

This option is especially useful if you have old Amazon devices, tablets, e-readers, or other tech sitting around unused. It will not make Prime free for everyone, but it can lower the cost with very little effort.

10. Write Off Prime for Legit Business Use

If you use Prime or Business Prime for work-related purchases, you may be able to treat the cost as a business expense. While this does not reduce the upfront price, it can lower your effective cost depending on your tax situation.

Always confirm with your tax professional before claiming a deduction, especially if the membership is used for both personal and business purposes.

Bonus Ways Some People Get Amazon Prime Covered

There are also a few less common but valuable ways some users get Prime fully covered:

• Premium banking perks: Some high-tier accounts may reimburse subscription services including Amazon Prime as part of lifestyle benefits.
• Credit union perks: Certain credit unions have offered a free year of Amazon Prime as part of cardholder benefits.
• Statement credit programs: Some cards reimburse subscriptions after hitting monthly or annual spending thresholds.

These are not universal offers, but they are worth checking if you already have premium banking or credit card relationships.

Which Amazon Prime Savings Option Is Best?

The best option depends on your situation:

• If you have never used Prime before, start with the free 30-day trial.
• If you qualify for Prime Access, that is one of the best ongoing discounts.
• If you are 18–24, the young adult plan offers strong long-term savings.
• If someone in your home has Prime, Amazon Household can eliminate the need for your own membership.
• If you only need Prime occasionally, the monthly plan can be more cost-effective.
• If you have the right credit card or bank account, you may be able to get Prime fully reimbursed.

More Easy Ways to Save on Amazon

Once you have Prime, make the most of it by stacking it with coupons, lightning deals, and price drops. You can also browse our latest Amazon deals here.

Bonus: Use the Fabulessly Frugal App to Save Even More

1. Download our free app
2. Select the brands and deals you care about
3. We will alert you when the price drops

Final Thoughts on Free or Discounted Amazon Prime

You do not have to assume full price is your only option. Between trials, targeted offers, Prime Access, household sharing, student and young adult discounts, gift card balance, trade-in credit, and credit card or banking perks, there are still plenty of ways to lower the cost of Prime.

Before you pay full price, it is always worth checking what you already qualify for.