Amazon Prime can be expensive if you’re mainly paying for the streaming service. A standard membership costs $14.99 a month or $139 a year, but there are cheaper ways to watch Prime Video without necessarily paying for the full package.
Amazon offers discounted Prime memberships for qualifying customers and young adults, along with a standalone Prime Video subscription for people who don’t need the shopping perks. Depending on which option you qualify for, you could save money every month while keeping access to movies, TV shows, and live sports.
With the holiday shopping season approaching, it’s a good time to review your subscriptions and see whether you’re paying more than necessary. Here are three ways to save on Amazon Prime and Prime Video, along with what each option includes.
1. Prime Access: Get Amazon Prime for $6.99 a Month
Amazon Prime Access is one of the cheapest ways to get the full Amazon Prime experience. Eligible customers pay $6.99 a month, less than half the standard monthly price of $14.99.
Unlike a video-only subscription, Prime Access includes the full range of Prime benefits. That means you get Prime Video alongside free shipping on eligible purchases, exclusive shopping deals, and other membership perks.
Prime Video gives you access to Amazon’s lineup of original series, movies, and other included programming, plus live sports such as NFL Thursday Night Football. You can also access additional streaming subscriptions through Prime Video for an extra charge.
Who qualifies for Prime Access?
Amazon offers this discounted membership to people who receive benefits through qualifying government assistance programs, including SNAP and Medicaid. Customers may also qualify through Amazon’s income-verification process.
Eligible new members can start with a 30-day free trial before paying $6.99 a month.
How to sign up: Visit Amazon Prime Access to check your eligibility and complete the verification process. Depending on how you qualify, Amazon may request documentation or other information.
For someone who regularly shops on Amazon and watches Prime Video, this option can be an excellent way to cut costs without losing the benefits of a full membership.
2. Prime for Young Adults: Pay $7.49 a Month or $69 a Year
Amazon also offers Prime for Young Adults, a discounted membership for people ages 18 to 24 and eligible higher-education students of any age.
The plan costs $7.49 a month or $69 a year after a six-month introductory trial. That’s roughly half the cost of a standard monthly Prime membership, and it includes the same core Prime benefits, including Prime Video and free shipping on eligible purchases.
The membership is particularly useful for younger adults who want access to streaming entertainment without taking on another full-price subscription. It also includes shopping discounts and other Prime perks that can help with everyday expenses.
Who qualifies for Prime for Young Adults?
People ages 18 to 24 can qualify based on their age. Eligible students attending a higher-education institution can also sign up, including those older than 24.
Keep in mind, Amazon offers eligible new members a six-month free trial. After the trial, you can continue paying $7.49 monthly or switch to the $69 annual plan.
Choosing the annual option saves $20.88 compared with paying $7.49 every month for a year. Meanwhile, the $69 annual price is $70 less than a standard $139 Prime membership.
How to sign up: Visit Prime for Young Adults and follow Amazon’s verification instructions. You may need to confirm your age or provide proof of enrollment.
Even if you aren’t currently in college, it’s worth checking your eligibility if you’re between 18 and 24.
3. Get Prime Video Without Full Amazon Prime for $8.99 a Month
What if you rarely shop on Amazon and only want to watch its streaming library? You may not need to pay for a full Prime membership at all.
Amazon offers a standalone Prime Video subscription for $8.99 a month. This video-only option provides access to Prime Video’s subscription catalog without requiring you to pay for Amazon’s shopping and shipping benefits.
That includes eligible movies and TV shows, Amazon original series, and available live sports. You can watch through the Prime Video app on compatible TVs, streaming devices, phones, tablets, and computers.
However, the standalone subscription doesn’t include Prime’s free shipping, shopping benefits, or other non-video perks. You’ll also need to pay separately for premium add-on subscriptions, movie rentals, and purchases when applicable.
What about ads and 4K streaming?
The standard Prime Video experience includes ads. If you’d rather watch eligible movies and shows without commercial breaks, Amazon offers Prime Video Ultra for an additional $4.99 a month.
Ultra also adds 4K/UHD streaming, Dolby Atmos audio, up to five simultaneous streams, and up to 100 downloads. Some live sports, live events, and other selected content may still include ads.
That means standalone Prime Video plus Ultra would cost $13.98 a month before taxes, just $1.01 less than a standard $14.99 monthly Prime membership. If you want ad-free viewing and premium picture quality, compare the two options before deciding whether the savings are worth giving up Prime’s other benefits.
How to sign up: Visit Prime Video to explore the standalone subscription and available viewing options.
If you don’t want another monthly subscription at all, Prime Video also offers select free, ad-supported content, along with movies and shows available to rent or buy. Just remember that those options won’t give you the same access as a paid subscription.
Another Way to Save: Pay for Amazon Prime Annually
If you don’t qualify for either discounted membership and still want all of Amazon Prime’s benefits, switching to annual billing can reduce your costs.
A standard Prime membership costs $14.99 a month, which adds up to $179.88 over 12 months. The annual plan costs $139, saving you $40.88 a year compared with paying monthly. You still get Prime Video, free shipping on eligible purchases, exclusive shopping deals, and the other standard Prime benefits. Eligible new members may also qualify for a 30-day free trial before their paid membership begins.
Annual billing does require paying more upfront, so it may not be the best choice if you’re trying to manage immediate expenses. However, if you already know you’ll use Prime throughout the year, it costs less overall.
Save on Streaming Before the Holiday Bills Arrive
Amazon Prime is just one subscription worth reviewing before holiday spending picks up. Between gifts, travel, groceries, and other seasonal expenses, finding ways to lower your monthly bills can free up money without forcing you to give up entertainment.
Cord Cutters News has more guides to help you cut costs across streaming, live TV, sports, and other everyday expenses:
Before you renew another subscription, take a look at what you’re paying for and whether you’re using all the benefits. A discounted membership or a switch to a cheaper plan could leave you with more money for the holidays while keeping the shows, movies, and sports you enjoy.
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