Amazon Prime membership starts with a credit card and takes about two minutes

To become an Amazon Prime member, you go to Amazon.com, sign in to your account (or create one), and choose a membership plan. Amazon offers three main options: a monthly plan that renews each month, an annual plan that renews once a year, and a discounted annual plan if you have a valid .edu email address. You enter a payment method — a credit card, debit card, or linked bank account — and your membership begins immediately.

The process is straightforward because Amazon already has your account information if you have ever shopped there. If you are new to Amazon, you will need to provide an email address, create a password, and add a shipping address before you can complete the membership signup. Once your payment method is confirmed, you can start using Prime benefits right away.

Key Takeaways

  • Amazon Prime membership requires a valid payment method and takes effect immediately after you complete signup on Amazon.com.
  • Monthly membership renews automatically each month, while annual membership renews once per year, and both can be canceled anytime.
  • Prime members receive free two-day shipping on millions of items, access to Prime Video streaming, and other benefits included in the membership cost.
  • Students with a valid .edu email address can get a discounted annual rate, and some people may may have access to for a reduced-price plan through government assistance programs.

The three membership plans and their costs

Amazon offers a monthly plan and an annual plan at standard rates, plus a discounted annual option for students. The monthly plan renews on the same date each month and can be canceled before the next renewal date. The annual plan renews once per year and typically costs less per month than paying monthly, though the full amount is charged upfront.

Students with a valid .edu email address can sign up for Prime Student, which costs less than the standard annual rate and includes the same shipping and streaming benefits. Prime Student membership lasts for four years from signup, then converts to a standard plan unless you cancel. Amazon also offers a reduced-price monthly plan for people who receive certain government assistance benefits — you will need to verify your status during signup, and the plan includes the same core benefits as standard Prime.

What you get with a Prime membership

The main benefit most people use is free two-day shipping on millions of items sold by Amazon and third-party sellers. Many items also may have access to for one-day or same-day delivery in areas where Amazon offers it, though these are not may provide on every order. You see the shipping speed for each item before you buy, so you know what to expect.

Prime Video is included with membership — a streaming service with movies, TV shows, and original series. You can watch on any device that has the Prime Video app, including phones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs. Prime Video is separate from other Amazon services like Prime Music (streaming audio) and Prime Reading (rotating selection of books and magazines), which are also included.

Prime members also get access to Prime Day, an annual shopping event with deals on thousands of items, and early access to other Amazon sales. You can shop Prime Day deals only if you have an active membership during the event.

How to sign up step by step

Step 1: Go to Amazon.com and sign in to your account. If you do not have an account, click "Create your Amazon account" and enter your name, email, and a password.

Step 2: Once signed in, go to the Prime membership page. You can find this by searching "Prime membership" in the Amazon search bar or by going to amazon.com/prime.

Step 3: Choose your membership plan — monthly, annual, or Prime Student if you have a .edu email. Click the button for the plan you want.

Step 4: Review your payment method. If you have a card or bank account saved to your Amazon account, you can use that. If not, enter a new payment method.

Step 5: Confirm your membership. Amazon will show you a summary of your plan and the charge amount. Click to confirm, and your membership starts immediately.

Your Prime membership is now active. You will see a "Prime" badge on may be able to access items when you shop, and free two-day shipping is automatically applied at checkout for those items.

Canceling or pausing your membership

You can cancel Prime membership anytime through your Amazon account settings. Go to "Manage Prime Membership" in your account, and you will see an option to end your membership. If you cancel during a billing period, your membership remains active until the end of that period — you are not charged again.

If you want to pause rather than cancel, Amazon does not offer a formal pause feature, but you can cancel and rejoin later without losing any account history. Some people cancel before a renewal date if they know they will not use the benefits for a while, then rejoin when they need it again.

Prime membership for people receiving government assistance

Amazon offers a reduced-price Prime membership plan for people who receive benefits through certain government programs, including SNAP (food assistance), SSI (Supplemental Security Income), or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). The reduced plan includes the same core benefits — free two-day shipping and Prime Video — at a lower monthly cost.

To sign up, you will need to verify your may be able to access during the signup process. Amazon will ask you to confirm your participation in one of the may have access to programs. The verification is done through your Amazon account and does not require you to submit documents to Amazon — you confirm your status, and Amazon handles the verification on its end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I try Prime for free before I pay?

Amazon sometimes offers a free trial period for new members, though this varies and is not always available. Check the Prime membership page to see if a trial is currently offered. If one is available, you can cancel before the trial ends to avoid being charged.

What happens if I cancel Prime in the middle of a month?

Your membership stays active until the end of your current billing period. If you are on a monthly plan and cancel on the 15th of the month, you keep Prime benefits through the end of that month, then it ends. You are not charged again after cancellation.

Can I share my Prime membership with family members?

Amazon offers a feature called Amazon Household that lets you link your account with up to one other adult and up to four children. Household members can share Prime benefits, though some features like Prime Video profiles are separate. Set this up in your account settings under "Manage Your Household."

Do I need Prime to shop on Amazon?

No. You can shop on Amazon without Prime membership. Non-Prime orders typically take longer to ship and may have shipping charges, but Prime is not required to make a purchase.

Is Prime Video included if I have a Prime membership?

Yes. Prime Video access is included with all Prime membership plans — monthly, annual, and Prime Student. You do not pay extra for it.