Amazon Prime membership costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year in the US

The standard Amazon Prime membership in the United States runs $14.99 monthly or $139 annually. If you pay monthly, you can cancel anytime without penalty. The annual plan saves you about $40 compared to paying month-to-month, which works out to roughly $11.58 per month if you keep it for the full year.

Amazon also offers a discounted Prime membership at $6.99 per month for people who receive certain government benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), SNAP, or TANF. This reduced rate requires you to verify your benefit status through Amazon's system, and it includes the same shipping and video benefits as the standard plan.

Students can get Prime for $7.49 per month (or $69 annually) through Prime Student, which requires a valid .edu email address. Prime Student includes the same shipping and video perks but excludes some features like Prime Music and Whole Foods discounts.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Prime costs $139 per year or $14.99 per month, with no commitment required on the monthly plan.
  • A discounted rate of $6.99 per month is available if you receive SSI, SNAP, or TANF benefits and can verify your status with Amazon.
  • Prime Student members pay $7.49 monthly or $69 annually and need a valid university email address to join.
  • All membership tiers include two-day shipping on may be able to access items, Prime Video streaming, and Prime Music, though some features vary by tier.

What's included with any Prime membership

Every Prime membership tier includes fast shipping on millions of items sold by Amazon itself. Two-day shipping is the baseline, though many items ship faster. You also get Prime Video, which streams movies and TV shows at no additional cost beyond your membership fee. Prime Music lets you stream over 2 million songs ad-free.

Prime members also receive exclusive deals during Prime Day (usually in July) and early access to other sales. You get free reading through Prime Reading, which rotates a selection of books, magazines, and newspapers. Amazon Photos gives you unlimited photo storage in original quality, plus 5 GB of video storage.

The standard and student plans include Whole Foods discounts if you have a Whole Foods Market nearby. The discounted government-benefits plan does not include Whole Foods discounts or Prime Music, though it does include shipping, Prime Video, and Prime Reading.

How to check your current membership status

To see what you're paying and when your membership renews, go to Amazon.com and sign in. Click the account menu in the top right corner and select "Your Account." Look for "Memberships and Subscriptions" or "Prime Membership" — the exact label varies depending on your account type.

From there you can see your current plan (monthly or annual), the renewal date, and your payment method. You can also pause your membership for up to three months without losing your benefits, or cancel it outright. If you cancel mid-month on a monthly plan, you keep access until the next billing date.

Comparing monthly versus annual payment

Paying annually saves money if you plan to keep Prime for the full year. The annual plan costs $139 versus $179.88 if you pay $14.99 monthly for twelve months — a difference of about $41. However, the monthly option gives you flexibility: you can cancel anytime without losing money to an unused portion of a yearly fee.

If you're unsure whether you'll use Prime regularly, the monthly plan lets you try it for a few months and decide. Many people find they use Prime Video or the shipping benefits enough to justify the cost, but only your own usage pattern determines the real value.

Regional and international pricing

Amazon Prime pricing varies by country. In Canada, Prime costs CAD $16.49 monthly or CAD $179 annually. In the United Kingdom, it's £8.99 per month or £95 per year. In Australia, it's AUD $9.99 monthly or AUD $119 annually. Japan, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and Brazil all have their own pricing structures.

The benefits included also vary by region. For example, Prime Video content differs by country due to licensing agreements, and some services like Whole Foods discounts don't exist in all markets. If you travel or move internationally, check Amazon's site for your new country to understand what you'll have access to.

Free trials and promotional offers

Amazon occasionally offers a free 30-day Prime trial for new members who have never had Prime before. This trial gives you full access to all standard Prime benefits. After the trial ends, your membership converts to a paid plan unless you cancel before the trial period closes.

Some credit card companies and phone carriers offer promotional Prime memberships as a cardholder or customer benefit. For example, certain Chase credit cards include a complimentary Prime membership. Check with your bank or wireless provider to see if you have this benefit available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pause my Prime membership instead of canceling?

Yes. You can pause Prime for up to three months without losing your membership. During the pause, you won't be charged, but you also won't have access to Prime benefits. After the pause ends, your membership resumes automatically unless you cancel it.

Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-month?

If you're on a monthly plan, you keep access to Prime through the end of your billing cycle even after you cancel. You won't be charged again. If you're on an annual plan and cancel partway through, Amazon may refund the unused portion, but this depends on how long you've had the membership and your account history.

Is Prime Video included in the discounted government-benefits plan?

Yes. The $6.99 monthly plan for SSI, SNAP, and TANF recipients includes Prime Video, Prime Reading, and two-day shipping. It does not include Prime Music or Whole Foods discounts, but the core streaming and shipping benefits are the same as the standard plan.

What happens to my Prime membership if I change my payment method?

Your membership continues uninterrupted. You can update your payment method in your account settings anytime. Amazon will charge your new payment method on your next billing date. If the new payment method fails, Amazon will attempt to charge you again before suspending your membership.

Can I share my Prime membership with family members?

Amazon offers Amazon Household, which lets you link up to two adults and up to four teens or children to one Prime membership. Each person gets their own account and can use Prime benefits independently. Household members must live at the same address, and you can manage who has access through your account settings.