Securing Amazon Prime for the absolute lowest cost is less about finding a single magic trick and more about strategically combining eligibility requirements, temporary offers, and alternative membership models. For many, the standard monthly or annual fee feels steep, but the ecosystem of fast, free shipping and access to Prime Video is often worth the investment. This guide breaks down the most effective methods to drastically reduce that price tag without sacrificing the core benefits you expect from a Prime membership.
Leverage the Free 30-Day Trial
The most immediate and legitimate way to get Amazon Prime cheap is to start with the free 30-day trial. This is perfect for new customers who have never used Prime and can effectively "test drive" the service. During this period, you enjoy full access to shipping benefits and Prime Video, allowing you to evaluate if the membership genuinely fits your lifestyle. The key is to cancel before the trial ends, ensuring you are not charged the monthly fee, making this one of the cheapest ways to get Amazon Prime for a short-term need.
Utilize EBT or Medicaid for an Official Discount
Amazon offers a substantial, ongoing discount for individuals enrolled in government assistance programs, making it one of the most reliable cheap ways to get Amazon Prime. If you qualify for programs like EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) or Medicaid, you can access Prime for just a fraction of the standard cost. This official program provides a continuous discount that renews automatically, ensuring you maintain your benefits without the financial burden of the full price.
Check Eligibility Requirements Carefully
To qualify for this discount, you must meet specific criteria related to your enrollment in SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, or similar state-run assistance programs. Amazon verifies this status securely through a third-party provider, so ensuring your government documentation is current and valid is essential for a smooth application process.
Share a Household Membership
Another strategy for reducing cost involves sharing an existing Prime membership across a household or family unit. The Amazon Household feature allows the primary account holder to share Prime benefits with another adult and up to four children at no additional charge. If you have family or a trusted partner who already has Prime, this collaborative approach effectively eliminates your personal cost, representing one of the most social cheap ways to get Amazon Prime.
Maximizing the Shared Benefits
When setting up a Household plan, coordination is key. All linked accounts can shop with Prime benefits, and children’s accounts come with a curated selection of content and shopping privileges. This structure works best for families or close-knit groups who already share physical addresses and common purchasing habits.
Look Out for Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses
Certain premium credit cards include Amazon Prime memberships as part of their welcome bonus or ongoing rewards. If you are planning to apply for a new card that offers this specific perk, you can essentially get a year or more of Prime for the cost of the annual fee—or sometimes with no fee at all. This method requires a bit of financial diligence but is a powerful way to score cheap ways to get Amazon Prime over the long term.
Read the Fine Print
Always verify the exact nature of the Prime benefit. Some cards provide a statement credit toward the membership fee rather than a direct free subscription. Calculating the long-term value versus the card's annual fee is crucial to ensure this tactic truly results in a net savings.
Consider Prime Student for Current Enrolled Students
For individuals actively pursuing higher education, Prime Student is a specialized program offering significant savings. This plan provides all the core Prime benefits at a heavily discounted rate, typically costing just a fraction of the standard monthly price for up to four years. If you are a currently enrolled student, this is arguably the cheapest way to get Amazon Prime while managing educational expenses.
