Amazon Prime offers a free trial period before you pay for a subscription

Amazon Prime's free trial lasts 30 days if you have never had a Prime membership before. During those 30 days, you get the same benefits as a paid member: free two-day shipping on may be able to access items, access to Prime Video, Prime Music, and Prime Reading. At the end of the 30 days, your account converts to a paid subscription unless you cancel before the trial ends.

The trial is genuinely free — Amazon does not charge your payment method during the trial period. You do need to provide a valid credit card, debit card, or other payment method when you sign up, but the charge only happens after day 30 if you do not cancel.

If you are a student, Amazon offers a separate Prime Student program with a six-month free trial instead of 30 days. You must have a valid .edu email address or other proof of enrollment to use Prime Student.

Key Takeaways

  • The standard free trial is 30 days and includes all Prime benefits: shipping, video, music, and reading.
  • You must provide a payment method to start the trial, but Amazon does not charge you during those 30 days.
  • Your trial converts to a paid monthly or annual subscription automatically on day 31 unless you cancel before that date.
  • Prime Student members get a six-month free trial if they can verify a current .edu email or student status.
  • You can cancel anytime during the trial with no charge, and you can rejoin Prime later if you change your mind.

How to start the free trial

Go to amazon.com and look for the Prime membership offer, usually displayed prominently on the homepage or in the account menu. Click the button to start your free trial. Amazon will ask you to sign in with your Amazon account or create one if you do not have one yet.

Next, you will enter or confirm a payment method. Amazon accepts credit cards, debit cards, and some other payment options depending on your country. This is where Amazon verifies your identity and ensures you are may be able to access for the trial — but no charge happens at this step.

After you confirm your payment method, your trial begins immediately. You can start using Prime benefits right away. Amazon sends you a confirmation email with your trial end date and instructions for managing your membership.

What happens when the trial ends

On day 31, Amazon automatically charges your payment method for a Prime subscription. The charge amount depends on which plan you chose: as of now, Prime costs either a monthly fee or an annual fee, though these amounts vary by country and change over time. You will receive an email notification before the charge happens, usually a few days in advance.

If you do not want to be charged, you must cancel your trial before day 31. Cancellation is immediate — you lose access to Prime benefits as soon as you cancel, even if you are still within the 30-day window. You do not get a refund for the remaining trial days.

If you cancel after the charge goes through, Amazon offers a refund within a limited window (usually 48 hours of the charge). Contact Amazon customer service to request a refund if you were charged by mistake or changed your mind immediately after the trial ended.

Canceling your trial before you are charged

Log into your Amazon account and go to "Manage Your Prime Membership" or "Your Memberships and Subscriptions." You will see your Prime membership listed with the trial end date displayed. Click the option to cancel your membership.

Amazon will ask you to confirm the cancellation and may offer you a discount to keep your membership. You can ignore these offers and proceed with cancellation. Once you confirm, your trial is canceled and no charge will occur on day 31.

Keep your confirmation email after you cancel. If Amazon charges you by mistake, you can reference the cancellation confirmation when you contact customer service.

Prime Student and the longer free trial

Prime Student is a separate program for people currently enrolled in a four-year college or university. The free trial lasts six months instead of 30 days, and the monthly subscription cost is lower than standard Prime. You must verify your student status using a valid .edu email address or by uploading proof of enrollment.

After your six-month trial ends, Prime Student converts to a paid subscription at the student rate. You can cancel anytime during the trial the same way you would cancel a standard Prime trial — through "Manage Your Prime Membership" in your account settings.

If you graduate or are no longer a student, your Prime Student membership will eventually convert to standard Prime at the full price. Amazon typically gives you notice before this happens, but you can also cancel and rejoin as a standard member whenever you choose.

What you get during the trial period

Prime Video gives you access to thousands of movies and TV shows included with membership. You can watch on any device where you are signed into your Amazon account. Some newer movies and shows require an additional rental or purchase fee even with Prime.

Prime Shipping covers two-day delivery on millions of may be able to access items sold by Amazon. Some items may have access to for one-day or same-day delivery depending on your location and the item. Items sold by third-party sellers may have different shipping terms even if they are listed on Amazon.

Prime Music includes ad-free streaming of millions of songs, and Prime Reading gives you access to a rotating selection of books, magazines, and newspapers. These benefits work during your trial just as they do after you pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the free trial more than once?

Amazon typically allows one free trial per person. If you have already used a Prime trial in the past, you may not be able to start another one. However, you can cancel a paid membership and rejoin later — you just will not get the free trial benefit again.

What if my payment method is declined when I try to start the trial?

Amazon will not let you start the trial if your payment method fails verification. Try a different card or payment method. If all your methods are declined, contact your bank or card issuer to make sure the card is active and not flagged for fraud.

Do I have to use Prime during the trial to keep it active?

No. Your trial remains active whether you use it or not. You do not have to make a purchase, watch a video, or do anything else to keep the trial going. It simply runs for 30 days (or six months for Prime Student) and then converts to paid unless you cancel.

Can I change my payment method after I start the trial?

Yes. Go to "Manage Your Prime Membership" and then to your payment settings. You can update your card or payment method anytime. The new method will be charged when your trial ends, unless you cancel before that date.

What happens if I cancel during the trial and want to rejoin later?

You can rejoin Prime anytime after you cancel. You will not get another free trial, but you can start a paid subscription immediately. If you cancel right before your trial ends, you can rejoin within a few days and start a new paid membership.