5 Amazon Prime Membership Benefits You’ll Actually Use

What Do You Really Get with Amazon Prime?

Amazon Prime is best known for fast, free shipping, but that’s only part of what comes with a membership. Prime also includes entertainment, exclusive shopping benefits, reading perks and several extras that are easy to overlook.

The trick is actually using the benefits you’re paying for.

We’ve been shopping Amazon and sharing Amazon deals with Fabulessly Frugal readers for years, and these are the five Amazon Prime membership benefits we think are most useful to know about—plus a few extras that might save you money.

5 Things to Know About Amazon Prime Membership Benefits

1. Free and Fast Delivery
2. Streaming and Entertainment
3. Exclusive Shopping Deals
4. Reading, Photos and Digital Benefits
5. Surprising Prime Extras

1. Free and Fast Delivery

This is still one of the biggest reasons people sign up for Amazon Prime.

Prime members get fast, free delivery on millions of eligible items, with Same-Day, One-Day and Two-Day delivery available depending on the product and your location.

That’s particularly convenient for household essentials, gifts, school supplies, pantry staples and those things you suddenly realize you need tomorrow.

Some areas also have even faster delivery options on eligible products.

One thing we’ve learned from years of sharing Amazon deals: don’t assume Prime automatically means you’re getting the lowest price. Check the final price and compare it with other retailers when you’re making a larger purchase.

2. Streaming and Entertainment

Prime includes several entertainment benefits that can be easy to forget when you’re thinking of it primarily as a shipping membership.

Prime Video

Prime Video includes a large selection of movies, TV shows, Amazon Originals and live programming.

You can watch on compatible TVs, streaming devices, phones, tablets and computers.

Just remember that not everything you see inside Prime Video is included with Prime. Some movies and shows require a rental or purchase, and premium channels are separate subscriptions.

Amazon Music Prime

Amazon Music Prime is also included with your membership and offers ad-free music and podcasts.

This isn’t the same as Amazon Music Unlimited, which is a separate paid subscription. But if you’re already paying for another music service, it’s worth seeing whether the music benefit included with Prime meets your needs before paying for both.

Amazon Luna

Prime also includes gaming benefits through Amazon Luna, Amazon’s cloud gaming service. The selection of included games can change, but it’s another benefit worth checking if someone in your household plays games.

3. Exclusive Shopping Deals

Prime members get access to Prime-exclusive prices, offers and shopping events throughout the year.

That includes Amazon’s major Prime Day shopping events, along with member-only deals that appear throughout the year.

We spend a lot of time tracking Amazon prices at Fabulessly Frugal, and this is one area where it’s important to remember:

A Prime-exclusive badge doesn’t automatically make something a great deal.

We recommend looking at the actual price, comparing it with other retailers and buying because the price is good—not simply because Amazon labels it as a sale.

If you’re getting ready for one of Amazon’s big shopping events, see our Prime Day shopping tips before you start filling your cart.

4. Reading, Photos and Digital Benefits

Several useful Prime benefits are hiding outside Amazon’s regular shopping pages.

Prime Reading

Prime Reading gives members access to a rotating selection of eligible eBooks, magazines, comics and other reading material.

You can read eligible titles on a Kindle or through the Kindle app on compatible phones and tablets.

Amazon First Reads

Amazon First Reads gives Prime members early access to select upcoming books from Amazon Publishing.

If you enjoy reading, it’s worth checking both Prime Reading and First Reads before paying for another book.

Note: Kindle Unlimited is a separate paid subscription and isn’t automatically included with Prime.

Amazon Photos

Another benefit many members overlook is Amazon Photos.

Prime includes unlimited full-resolution photo storage, subject to Amazon’s current terms, along with additional video storage.

If you’re paying another company specifically for photo storage, check what you’re already getting through Prime before purchasing more space elsewhere.

5. Surprising Prime Extras

This is where Prime becomes more interesting because several benefits have very little to do with ordering packages.

Grubhub+

Prime members can activate Grubhub+ at no additional membership cost, subject to current Grubhub terms.

Benefits can include $0 delivery fees on eligible orders, lower service fees and member offers at participating restaurants.

If you already order restaurant delivery, this is definitely one to check before paying separately for another delivery membership.

Fuel Savings

Prime members can receive fuel savings at participating bp, Amoco and ampm locations after connecting the applicable loyalty account.

Participation varies by location, but this can be a surprisingly useful Prime benefit for households that drive frequently.

Amazon Pharmacy Savings

Prime also includes benefits through Amazon Pharmacy, including eligible prescription delivery and prescription savings.

Healthcare services and separate subscriptions can have their own costs and eligibility requirements, so always check the specific terms rather than assuming every Amazon health service is included free with Prime.

Alexa+

Alexa+, Amazon’s newer AI-powered Alexa experience, is included for eligible Prime members.

Features and device availability can vary, but Prime members with compatible Alexa devices should check whether they’re already eligible rather than paying for a separate service.

Amazon Family

If two adults in your home use Amazon, this one could potentially save you from paying for two separate memberships.

Amazon Family allows a Prime member to share eligible Prime benefits with one other adult who lives at the same primary residential address.

There are important rules about household eligibility and payment sharing, so read our Amazon Family sharing guide before setting it up.

How Much Does Amazon Prime Cost?

Amazon offers monthly and annual standard Prime membership options.

Before signing up at the standard rate, however, we recommend checking whether you’re eligible for one of Amazon’s free or discounted membership options.

• Amazon Prime Free Trial — for eligible customers
• Prime for Young Adults — for eligible higher-education students and young adults
• Prime Access — discounted Prime for qualifying customers

We’ve put the options together in our Amazon Prime Free & Discounted Membership Guide.

Is Amazon Prime Worth It?

Whether Prime is worth paying for depends on which benefits you’ll actually use.

If you regularly order from Amazon and also use things like Prime Video, Amazon Photos, Grubhub+, fuel savings or the other included benefits, it can be much easier to justify the membership cost.

If you rarely order from Amazon and already pay for other services you prefer for streaming, music, food delivery and photo storage, you may not get nearly as much value from it.

Before deciding, ask yourself:

• How often do I actually order from Amazon?
• Would I otherwise pay for shipping?
• Do I use Prime Video?
• Could Amazon Music replace another service I’m paying for?
• Would I use Grubhub+?
• Can I use the Prime fuel benefit near me?
• Would I use Amazon Photos?
• Do I regularly shop Prime-exclusive sales?
• Can I share eligible benefits with another adult in my household?
• Do I qualify for a free or discounted Prime membership?

You don’t need to use every benefit for Prime to make sense. The question is whether the benefits you actually use provide enough value to justify what you’re paying.

And if you’re on the fence, read our reasons to cancel Amazon Prime too. We’d rather help you make the choice that actually saves you money.

Amazon Prime Membership Benefits FAQ

What benefits do you get with Amazon Prime?

Prime includes benefits such as fast, free delivery on eligible purchases, Prime Video, Amazon Music Prime, Prime Reading, Amazon Photos, gaming through Amazon Luna, eligible Grubhub+ benefits, fuel savings, prescription savings and access to Prime-exclusive shopping events.

Does Amazon Prime include Prime Video?

Yes. Prime Video is included with Prime, although some rentals, purchases, premium channels and other content cost extra.

Does Amazon Prime include Amazon Music?

Amazon Music Prime is included. Amazon Music Unlimited is a separate paid subscription.

Does Prime include Grubhub+?

Prime members can currently activate Grubhub+ without paying a separate Grubhub+ membership fee, subject to the current program terms.

Can I share my Amazon Prime membership?

You can share eligible Prime benefits with one other adult living at your same primary residential address through Amazon Family. See our Amazon Family guide for the sharing rules.

Do I need Prime to shop Amazon?

No. You can shop Amazon without Prime. Prime adds eligible shipping, entertainment, shopping and other membership benefits, but you don’t need a Prime membership simply to place an Amazon order.

Bottom Line

If you already have Amazon Prime, take a few minutes to look through these benefits and make sure you’re actually using what you’re paying for.

You may discover a service Prime already includes that you’re paying for somewhere else.

If you’re considering joining, check for a free or discounted membership before paying the standard rate.

SEE ALL PRIME MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS →

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