Amazon Prime yearly membership costs $139 per year in the United States
Amazon Prime is a paid membership that gives you faster shipping, video streaming, music streaming, and other perks. The yearly plan costs $139 and renews automatically each year on your membership anniversary. You can also pay month-to-month for $14.99 per month, which costs more over a full year but lets you cancel anytime without penalty.
The yearly option saves you money if you plan to keep the membership for the full 12 months. The monthly plan is better if you only want Prime for a few months or want to test it first. Both plans give you the exact same benefits — the only difference is how often you pay and when your membership ends.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon Prime yearly membership costs $139 per year and renews automatically on your anniversary date each year.
- The monthly plan costs $14.99 per month and can be canceled anytime, making it $179.88 per year if you keep it for 12 months.
- Both yearly and monthly memberships include the same benefits: two-day shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music, and Prime Reading.
- Students can get Prime for $69 per year through Amazon Prime Student, which includes a six-month free trial.
- You can pause your membership for up to three months without losing your renewal date or being charged.
What's included in your Amazon Prime membership
Prime membership includes fast shipping on millions of items sold by Amazon. Most items ship with two-day delivery at no extra cost. Some items may have access to for one-day or same-day delivery depending on your location and the seller. You also get free shipping on items sold by third-party sellers that are fulfilled by Amazon's warehouses.
Prime Video is included, which is Amazon's streaming service with movies, TV shows, and original series. You can watch on your phone, tablet, computer, or TV. Prime Music gives you access to over two million songs to stream ad-free. Prime Reading lets you borrow books, magazines, and newspapers from a rotating digital library at no extra cost.
Other benefits include Prime Gaming (formerly Twitch Prime), which gives free games and in-game content each month, and exclusive deals during Amazon sales events like Prime Day. You also get early access to Lightning Deals, which are limited-time discounts that start before non-members can see them.
How to start or change your membership plan
To start a Prime membership, go to amazon.com and click "Try Prime" or "Join Prime" at the top of the page. You will need an Amazon account, which you can create with an email address and password. During signup, you choose between yearly ($139) and monthly ($14.99) billing. Amazon will ask for a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or other accepted payment option.
If you already have a monthly membership and want to switch to yearly, sign in to your account and go to "Manage Your Prime Membership" in your account settings. You can change your plan there. The change takes effect immediately, and Amazon will adjust your next charge based on the new plan. If you switch from monthly to yearly mid-cycle, you may get a credit toward your yearly renewal.
To cancel your membership, go to "Manage Your Prime Membership" and select "End Membership." Your access continues until the end of your current billing period. If you cancel a yearly membership before the year is up, you do not get a refund — the membership runs until your anniversary date.
Amazon Prime Student pricing and how it differs
Amazon Prime Student costs $69 per year, which is half the regular price. To join, you must be a current college or university student with a valid .edu email address or proof of enrollment. Amazon verifies your student status through SheerID, a third-party verification service. The verification is free and takes a few minutes.
Prime Student includes all the same benefits as regular Prime: two-day shipping, Prime Video, Prime Music, and Prime Reading. The only difference is the price. Your student membership lasts for four years from the date you join, then converts to a regular Prime membership at the full yearly price unless you cancel.
If you are no longer a student, you can keep your Prime Student membership until your four-year term ends. After that, you will be charged the regular Prime price unless you cancel. Some students use their .edu email to join, then keep the membership even after graduation — Amazon does not re-verify your status after signup.
When your membership renews and how to manage it
Your yearly membership renews automatically on the same date each year. If you joined on March 15, your membership renews on March 15 of the following year. Amazon charges your payment method on that date. You will receive an email reminder a few days before your renewal date.
If you want to avoid the charge, you must cancel before your renewal date. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current membership period, not immediately. If you cancel on March 10 and your membership renews on March 15, you will still be charged on March 15, and your access ends on that date.
You can pause your membership for up to three months without canceling. During a pause, you are not charged, and your renewal date stays the same. After the pause ends, your membership resumes and you are charged on your next renewal date. To pause, go to "Manage Your Prime Membership" and select "Pause Membership."
Comparing yearly versus monthly payment plans
| Plan | Cost per billing cycle | Annual cost if kept 12 months | Cancellation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yearly | $139 once per year | $139 | No refund if canceled before renewal date |
| Monthly | $14.99 per month | $179.88 | Can cancel anytime, access ends at end of current month |
| Prime Student (yearly) | $69 once per year | $69 for four years, then $139 | No refund if canceled before renewal date |
The yearly plan saves $40.88 per year compared to paying monthly. However, the monthly plan gives you more flexibility — you can cancel without losing money if your situation changes. The yearly plan is better if you know you will use Prime for the full year. The monthly plan is better if you are unsure or only want Prime for a specific season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if I cancel my yearly membership early?
No. Amazon does not refund yearly memberships if you cancel before your renewal date. Your access continues until the end of your membership period, but you do not get money back. If you are unsure whether you will use Prime for a full year, the monthly plan is a better choice because you can cancel anytime.
What happens if I switch from monthly to yearly mid-cycle?
Amazon adjusts your billing. If you switch on the 15th of the month and your monthly renewal is on the 20th, Amazon credits the remaining days of your monthly plan toward the yearly membership. Your new yearly renewal date becomes the date you switched, and you are charged the yearly price minus the credit.
Do I have to use my .edu email to keep Prime Student after graduation?
No. Amazon verifies your student status only at signup. Once you join Prime Student, you keep the discounted rate for four years regardless of whether you are still a student. After four years, your membership converts to regular Prime at the full yearly price unless you cancel.
Can I share my Prime membership with family members?
Yes, through Amazon Household. You can add up to four adults and up to four children to your account. Each person gets their own login and access to Prime benefits. Adults share the same Prime membership and payment method, while children have limited access to age-appropriate content.
What payment methods does Amazon accept for Prime membership?
Amazon accepts credit cards, debit cards, and prepaid cards. Some regions also accept digital payment methods like Amazon Pay or local payment options. You can update your payment method anytime in your account settings. If a payment fails, Amazon retries it a few times before suspending your membership.