Why Pay Full Price When These Free (and Almost-Free) Hacks Exist?
Still Paying $14.99 a Month for Amazon Prime?
That’s like paying full fare on a train you could’ve boarded for free.Every month, millions of people swipe their cards for Amazon Prime without realizing they could get the exact same benefits without spending a dollar. That’s right—same-day shipping, Prime Video, ad-free music, books, gaming perks… all free (or ridiculously discounted) if you know where to look.
This guide shows you how to unlock Amazon Prime without paying. Whether you're a college student, living with roommates, on a tight budget, or just love saving money, these 7 proven strategies will show you how to get Prime for free—legit, safe, and totally above board.
Get Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial
1. Activate the Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial
A Full Month of Prime — No Catch
This is Amazon’s most straightforward offer: 30 days of Prime, totally free. No fine print. No feature limitations.Sign up, use every single benefit, and if you cancel before the 30 days are up, you pay nothing.
Included during the trial:
- Free 2-day shipping on most items
- Prime Video for movies, series, and Amazon Originals
- Ad-free music with Prime Music
- Prime Reading and Prime Gaming
- Free unlimited photo storage
- Grubhub+ for $0 food delivery fees
It takes less than 2 minutes to set up.
Get Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial
2. Get 6 Months Free with Prime Student
Students Get a Better Deal — Period
Are you in college? Then forget the 30-day trial. Prime Student gives you six full months of Prime for free.You’ll need to prove you’re a student by:
- Using a valid .edu email address, or
- Uploading documentation like a tuition bill or enrollment letter
- 6 months free
- 50% off Prime after that ($7.49/month)
- All the same benefits: fast shipping, Prime Video, deals, and more
- Extra student-only discounts and offers
Get Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial
3. Share Prime with a Family Member or Roommate
Two for the Price of One? Yes, Please.
Amazon Household lets two adults share one Prime membership. That means if someone you live with already pays for Prime, they can invite you—and you’ll get most of the same benefits for free.Here’s what the invited person gets:
- Free Prime delivery
- Access to Prime Video
- Prime Reading
- Prime Music
- Early access to Lightning Deals
- Visit Amazon Household from your account
- Send an invite to another adult
- Accept and start using shared benefits
Get Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial
4. Qualify for Prime Access at a Discounted Rate
If You’re on EBT or Medicaid, Don’t Miss This
Amazon offers Prime Access—a steep discount on Prime—for anyone receiving government assistance.Eligibility includes:
- EBT (food stamps/SNAP)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- WIC
- TANF and other support programs
You get:
- Full Prime benefits
- Same speed and service
- No difference from standard Prime
If you’re not sure you’ll qualify—or you’re waiting to be approved—start with the free trial first.
Get Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial
5. Use Reward Apps to Pay for Prime
Make Prime Free by Stacking Gift Cards
Here’s the hustle: use apps that pay you in Amazon gift cards, then apply that credit toward a Prime membership.Top reward apps that work:
- Swagbucks – earn points for surveys, games, and shopping
- InboxDollars – similar tasks, quick payouts
- Fetch Rewards – scan your grocery receipts
- Microsoft Rewards – just use Bing and earn points
- Survey Junkie – take simple surveys for Amazon credit
Even if it takes a few weeks, this is ideal if you're unemployed, a student, or just frugal and patient.
6. Watch for Seasonal and Limited-Time Prime Deals
Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday = Freebies
Throughout the year, Amazon drops surprise Prime promotions tied to:- Prime Day
- Black Friday / Cyber Monday
- Back to School
- Holiday sales events
- Bonus trial extensions
- Gift cards with Prime sign-up
- Prime included with select product purchases
- Partner bundles (like Fire TV or Echo discounts)
The trick? Always check the homepage and your inbox during major shopping seasons.
7. Get Prime Through Your Cell Plan or Credit Card
These Brands Are Paying Your Prime Bill
Did you know some mobile providers and credit cards offer free Amazon Prime as part of their perks?Examples:
- Metro by T-Mobile – some unlimited plans include Prime
- Sprint/T-Mobile Legacy Accounts – seasonal promos
- American Express Prime Card – often includes sign-up credits
- Chase Amazon Rewards Visa – may offer annual credit toward Prime
Final Thoughts: Don’t Pay for Prime Until You’ve Tried These First
There are so many ways to access Amazon Prime without paying full price—or anything at all.To recap:
- Use the 30-day free trial to get started
- Switch to Prime Student for 6 months free
- Share Prime through Amazon Household
- Apply for Prime Access if you qualify
- Stack free gift cards using reward apps
- Look for seasonal Prime promos
- Check if your mobile or credit card provider covers Prime
So before you pay another $14.99 for something someone else is getting for free, run through this list—and start with the easiest win of them all.