Shocker: The real price of Amazon Prime
Do you have any idea how much you’re paying for Amazon Prime? If you said, “Probably around $100 a year,” try again. You might be spending over $300 annually and not even realize it. Let me explain.
Priming the pump
Come with me back to Feb. 2, 2005. That’s when Amazon announced that for $79 a year, you could get free two-day shipping on most items with no minimum purchase. The price of Prime remained $79 annually until 2014, when it jumped to $99 a year.
In 2018, Prime membership costs increased again to $119 annually. In November 2019, Amazon raised the price for 100GB of photo storage from $11.99 per year to $19.99 a year. And in 2020, Amazon’s Whole Foods delivery came with a new $9.95 charge.
It doesn’t make cents
In 2022, an Amazon Prime membership jumped $20 more to $139 annually. In 2023, Amazon Fresh grocery delivery minimums skyrocketed from $35 to $150, only to be lowered to $100 later. Amazon Music Unlimited also went up, hitting $99 a year.
Now, ads have crept into Prime Video. If you can’t stand the interruptions, it’ll cost you an extra $2.99 monthly … which doesn’t sound as bad until you realize it’s $36 a year.
Outside of Prime Video, Prime members can subscribe to other major streaming channels, including HBO Max, Showtime and Starz. Each has its own subscription cost (typically around $8.99 to $15.99 per month, depending on the channel).
If you enjoy reading, Amazon Kindle Unlimited will set you back another $9.99 per month. Prefer to listen to books instead? An Audible membership costs $14.95 a month. Got children? Amazon Kids+ gives Prime members kid-friendly books, movies, TV shows and apps … for another $4.99 per month.
Know how much you’re really paying
Here’s how to see your current membership type (monthly or annually), your next renewal date and the price you’re being charged:
- Use this link to see how much you’re paying for Amazon Prime.
- You can also sign into your account on Amazon’s website. Then, hover over Account & Lists at the top right to open the dropdown menu. In the menu, click Prime Membership.
Any add-ons or additional subscriptions through Amazon — think Prime Video cable channels, Kindle Unlimited or Amazon Music Unlimited — are typically listed in a separate section of your account. To check these:
- Use this link to see your subscriptions.
- Otherwise, from Your Account, select Memberships & Subscriptions or Subscribe & Save Items to see a list of your active subscriptions, their costs and renewal dates.
The exact steps may vary slightly depending on whether you’re using a web browser or the Amazon app (or which way the wind is blowing).
Secret to saving money on Amazon Prime
Amazon Household lets you share your Prime benefits with others in your household. Adults in your household will have access to free Prime delivery, Prime Video and all the rest. Click here to set it up.
After you’ve set up Amazon Household, here’s how to add teens and children:
- Under your Amazon Household section, you can add up to four teenagers (ages 13 to 17) and up to four profiles for kids 12 and under.
- Teens can have their own logins and shop with parental controls.
Other ways to save
- Annual vs. monthly: If you can afford to pay upfront, opt for an annual membership instead of monthly. The lump sum is $40 less.
- Student discounts: Prime Student is half the cost of a regular Prime membership, and you get a six-month free trial to boot.
- EBT and government assistance: If you have an EBT or Medicaid card, you may qualify for a discounted Prime membership.
- Share with a friend: Consider splitting the cost of a Household account with a trusted friend or family member. Just remember that this will involve sharing payment methods.
- Use Amazon Prime Rewards: If you shop frequently on Amazon or at Whole Foods, consider the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card. The cash back may offset the cost of your membership.
Share this with your family and friends. I bet they’ll be surprised, too, when they see how much they’re spending on Amazon Prime!
Don’t get left behind – Stay tech ahead
Award-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.
- National radio show: Find your local station or listen to the podcast
- Daily newsletter: Join 575,000 people who read The Current (free!)
- Watch: On Kim’s YouTube channel
- Podcast: “Kim Komando Today” – Listen wherever you get podcasts
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Tags: Amazon, apps, family, kids, money, movies, Music, shipping, shows, video, web browser
Share:
