Amazon Prime is a subscription service offering a range of benefits. It includes free delivery, streaming access, and exclusive discounts. But the cost raises questions about whether it’s worth the money.
What Is Amazon Prime?
Amazon Prime is a paid membership to Amazon. It gives users access to services not available to regular customers.
How Much Does It Cost?
Amazon Prime has several pricing options:
- Annual membership: £95 per year.
- Monthly subscription: £8.99 per month.
- Student discount: £47.49 per year for those aged 18–24, with six months free.
- Monthly student rate: £4.49 per month.
Free trials are available for 30 days. Each household member can take one trial. Trials can be repeated after a year, offering flexibility.
What You Get with Amazon Prime
Prime members receive several key benefits:
- Free next-day or same-day delivery: No minimum spend for most items. Same-day delivery requires a £20 minimum or a £1.99 fee.
- Two cinema tickets per month: One Odeon ticket for £10 or one Luxe recliner ticket for £15, available Monday to Thursday.
- Exclusive access to Prime Day and Big Deals Days: Major sales events with discounts on products like Kindles and Fire TV.
- Early access to Lightning Deals: Prime members can buy daily deals 30 minutes earlier than others.
These perks are most valuable during events like Prime Day and Black Friday.
What You Don’t Get
Prime does not include:
- Access to all Amazon products — some items are not eligible for free delivery.
- Streaming access beyond Prime Video — other services require separate subscriptions.
Delivery savings only offset the £95 fee if you make frequent small orders.
Is Amazon Prime Worth It?
It depends on your shopping habits. If you shop frequently at Amazon, especially for small items, the free delivery can justify the cost.
However, if you buy more due to Prime, you may spend more overall. The service does not prevent overspending.
For most people, the free delivery and Prime Day discounts offer good value. But the benefit is limited if you shop elsewhere or only use Prime occasionally.
Andy’s Year Without Amazon
Andy, a contributor, cancelled his Prime membership in 2021. He did so to support local retailers and reduce Amazon’s tax avoidance.
He found it easier than expected. He bought less and noticed prices were lower elsewhere. His experience suggests that cutting back on Amazon can save money.
His story highlights a key point: you don’t need Prime to shop or stream. Alternatives exist.
How to Cancel Amazon Prime
You can cancel your membership anytime through your Amazon account. A video guide is available on the Be Clever With Your Cash site.
Other Ways to Save at Amazon
Check out Be Clever With Your Cash for deals and offers. These can help reduce spending even without Prime.
Ultimately, Amazon Prime is worth it only if you use multiple services regularly. If you shop at Amazon often, especially for small items, the free delivery helps. Otherwise, it may not be worth the cost.
Sources & further reading
Featured image: Amazon Prime Video example screenshot.png by Amazon, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Image source
