The Amazon Prime Price Increase Has Officially Gone Up By $20
Amazon just increase its annual Prime Membership price to $139 — here’s what to know…
Oh, Amazon – say it ain’t so! 😭
The price to purchase a new Amazon Prime Yearly Membership has officially been increased from $119 to $139 per year. Existing members will see the increase reflected in their renewal price starting March 25th.
HIP TIP – Read more about the Amazon Prime price changes on Amazon’s customer service page.
Apparently, the trend has been for the rates to increase every four years as we saw the last $20 increase – from $99 to $119 – back in 2018, and prior to that, the price for an Amazon Prime membership jumped from $79 to $99 back in 2014.
Monthly memberships have also been affected with a $2 increase in price from $12.99 to $14.99. There was also a jump in the discounted Amazon Prime membership programs for Students (now $7.49 from $6.49). Recipients of EBT benefits or government assistance had a small increase as well to the new discounted monthly price of $6.99.
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Unfortunately, this isn’t the first price increase that’s happened recently (and sadly probably won’t be the last). Starbucks, IKEA, and even Dollar Tree have all announced that they are raising prices – but the price increase for an Amazon Prime membership is the one we think we’ll notice the most.
Considering breaking up with Prime over the latest price increase? Don’t forget about all these great benefits!
What are some Amazon perks that justify this price?
The biggest thing we’ve always loved about Prime is its convenience. They offer FREE two-day shipping, and in many cases one-day shipping, on millions of items. You also get no-rush shipping credits, and sometimes, they even offer credit on certain items you purchase.
There’s also the entertainment portion we know and love. You get thousands of shows and movies with Prime Video, and you have access to millions of songs with Prime Music. For bookworms, Amazon also gives access to thousands of FREE Kindle eBooks. Even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can still access these perks through the Kindle app.
Did you know Amazon also gives you free unlimited cloud photo storage? That’s something we all could use more of!
Amazon Pharmacy has been another underrated lifesaver Amazon gives its Prime members. In addition to having the option to directly mail your prescriptions to your house at your convenience, the Prime Rx Card is the real kicker! If you don’t have insurance, show this to your pharmacist and you can get up to 80% off your medication.
Even if you do have insurance like myself, I’ve seen better rates with an Rx Card than I have with my own insurance! We have a full product review on this if you want to dive deeper.
Still not feeling it? Check out these competitors to consider replacing Amazon Prime.
At only $12.95/month or $98/year, Walmart+ is a service that has been directly compared to Prime. On top of getting free grocery delivery, you’ll get early access to special promotions and events before the general public, which includes Black Friday deals and product releases. You also get free shipping on every order with no minimum requirement, save 5¢ per gallon on gas, and even offer a prescription service that can save you up to 85%. Take advantage of the 30-day free trial now!
Another service to consider is Shipt. Shipt is owned by Target, and it’s the service Target uses to guarantee you same-day delivery, in sometimes as little as an hour, for all major city metropolitan areas in the US. From food to electronics, you’ll be able to choose whatever you need, and a reliable Shipt shopper will deliver it directly to your door.
Shipt is $9.99 per order, or you can get a $8.25/month or $99/year membership. Orders under $35 and alcohol both include an additional $7 fee.
We want to hear from you! Will you still be keeping your membership?
What’s the easiest way to earn a FREE $10 Amazon gift card? Share your frugal story as a part of our Happy Friday series!
😑 can you tell these companies to raise my wage also lol
I’m sorry but I don’t think it’s worth $139 for what you get. Most movies we want to see still require a fee to rent, we don’t use Kindle and even the shipping on most items takes 4-5 days lately, instead of 2. Also almost everything I buy lately comes damaged. They need to make all movies free and work on their quality control before raising the price.
I agree. And what ships and arrives in 2 days? I’ve not gotten anything in 2 days in the last 2 years.
I think it depends on where you live and maybe your proximity to a distribution center. I receive packages through prime sometimes in less than 24 hours. For me, it has been well worth it
I live 4 miles from a distribution center and nothing takes less than three days and most often a week.
Same here.
I live 10 minutes away from the Lexington, KY distribution center (the original) & I still don’t get most items in 2 days. Before Prime, I would get my items in 24 hrs. “I ain’t doin’ it” anymore.
If you have a Amazon locker near you just get it shipped to there. When I do it normally arrives next day compared to my mail box which takes 2 to 4 days. It’s insane since the Amazon locker I use is only 2 to 4 minutes depending on traffic away from my mail box. 🤦♀️
I agree. Amazon always seems to want me to rent anything I am interested in and $139 + tax here is $152! Walmart+ is looking better.
This is what I am thinking too! It may be for some people but i don’t think it’s worth the price increase . We are planning on canceling.
I just renewed mine last month. I will cancel prime next year. Amazon doesn’t treat worker nicely. I think I’m done. But I will be missing prime day discount.
Agree. Not worth it.
I had an Amazon driver deliver me an empty white Amazon enveloped. I heard him scan the item at my front door so I opened the door. Saw the Amazon man take off to his truck. Picked up the envelope at my front door & it felt light. I cut it open anyway & it was just an empty envelope. Then I noticed the seal on the envelope had been open. I didn’t even need to cut the envelope as the sealed sticky part wasn’t even sealed. I’ve gotten empty packages from Amazon before & thought it was my neighbors who stole my stuff & left me an empty boxes. Turns out it’s the Amazon driver that took my items. He delivered an empty envelope so I called him as the envelope seem light when I picked it up. He just ran off as I kept saying “excuse me”….. this time I actually caught him in action & know it’s not my neighbors but it’s actually the delivery man as he just scanned my package & I opened the door right away. I even saw him take off despite I yelled excuse me. Nobody could’ve touched the package besides the Amazon delivery man bc I opened the door right as soon as I heard him scan/take pic of proof that the package was left at my front door. Even delivery picture proof looked like the envelope was empty. It’s petty of him to pretend to take a pic to let Amazon know he delivered the package but it’s empty as he took the item out of the package. Now I feel bad for assuming it was my mean neighbors who stole my packages before. It’s actually the delivery man & this whole time he pretend to take a pic as delivery confrontation 😂
I had always received empty packages when I come home but this time I was actually home & witnessed Amazon delivered empty boxes/envelopes to my doorstep & pretend to take pics! When I report the problem to Amazon, they blame it on me. Customers never complain if there isn’t a valid reason. If I receive my item like suppose to. I go on my way, I don’t have time to complain unless I didn’t receive the item, AMAZON!
Judy, what state do you live in?
Take the time otherwise the drive will do it to other people too.
This same thing happened to me (Indianapolis)! The envelope was cut open and the contents was gone. I had to call Amazon 3 times, and go through the whole story before I got a refund a month later. The service has definitely gone down.
ive had that happen as well, but I’m more apt to believe that the warehouse workers are taking stuff..i received a empty mascara glue box, they took the item out but put the box in the envelope and sealed it up, i don’t think my driver took it, i also ordered a drum set that came with a dead dried up lizard in it.
$2/month won’t make me cancel. If they don’t go back to their old delivery times I will. One of the main advantages for me is the 2-day delivery. There have been a couple times recently that I needed something quickly and Amazon’s shipping estimates (even on in stock, Prime eligible items) were five days out. One item promised 2 days but was delayed over a week. At that point I may as well shop at other websites and pick up items I need immediately at a local store.
I agree with you MommySpendsLess. I cannot see myself canceling the membership because of an extra $20 because I do receive my packages with a day or two 99% of the times and it saves me the hassle of having to drive to pick up that one item at the store. I also love my monthly subscribe and save because to me the savings are worth it. For me personally, it’s worth every penny because I literally order every other day and sometimes daily. I think it really depends how much you order from Amazon to make it worth it for each individual person. Have a blessed day everyone! 🙂
I Couldn’t agree more. I just ordered shoes. They’ll be here in 5 days. I ordered a birthday gift, it’ll be here in 7-10 days. Where’s the prime and what are we paying for? Unfortunately for us, we plan to ditch them too. It’s no longer “prime” so why pay more for less?
I agree completely. Not really worth it anymore. I had so many issues last year with orders that when my renewal came due in September I decided not to continue. I figured that if I needed anything, I would just order $25 worth. I am happy I canceled.
Right now, my membership doesn’t expire until December. So I’m going to wait it out to see what happens. I might have missed it, but I don’t see anything/anyone about sharing your membership. I “share” mine with my daughter and we split the cost. Also, shipping where I live has been off as well. BUT, I rarely order things I absolutely need asap. I look for deals year round for gifts, birthdays and Christmas. So the shipping isn’t a huge concern. Prices are for me. I usually will price compare with Walmart and go from there. The cost of gas and time is also a factor. And Amazon Warehouse has saved me a ton as well. As far as CEO’s, they ALL do the same thing. If you worry so much about that, then buy only local. I try as much as I can, especially eating out. We ONLY go to local restaurants.
So if your membership already renewed for the year, you wouldn’t pay the increase until next year?
That is correct!
So if mine is set to renew on Feb. 24, it will renew at $119? Since for current Prime members the rate increase doesn’t go in effect until March? Am I understanding that correctly?!
yes
Nope! Amazon Prime is not worth $139 annually,
Someone’s gotta pay for bozos yacht and bridge dismantle.
Just saw that too! guess he’ll need the extra $ to pay the fuel on his $450M super yacht!!!
I am hoping that money goes to the workers. I am sure I am just living in a dream land.
I’m curious, how long do you have to use the Gift Membership? I can’t seem to find those details even though I can get it in my cart. Thanks for the heads-up.
I have been looking all over and can’t find those details either. I’m so sorry! 😢
I googled and found that the Gift of Prime Membership does not expire. I hope it’s true!
The details seem sketchy on the gift membership since it says if the person is already a prime member that a gift card for the amount will be given to the member. Is that amount for the amount paid for the gift membership or the going rate from Prime (even when it goes up)? I think Amazon already anticipated that loophole and aren’t allowing it to happen…
Can I buy the gift one if mine just renewed last month? 😉 so I wouldn’t have to renew until 2024 at that new rate?
I’m not sure how long the gift will last or if there is an expiration date. I’m sorry, but I’ve been reading all the details and I just don’t have a clear answer for you, Suzmorea!
Do they have a discount for teachers and senior citizens??
Teachers can use their .edu email for a discount but seniors are just gonna have to pony up if they want Prime.
This is absolutely bogus. Most of our items have been shipping after 5 days and take up to a week to get here. And 95% of them are going through the postal service which refuses to drop off packages (for fear they might get stolen 🙄). All of these companies are charging more and more for their products or services and we are not making more. The amount of profit these companies have made since the beginning of the pandemic is beyond outrageous, but we have to pay more and don’t make more. I’m in education and we aren’t getting raises so we are paying more and making the same….
Thanks for the heads up, time to cancel. It takes 6+ days for us to get any of our prime packages, our area no longer has Amazon delivering, but USPS and it’s not worth the cost for our family.
You’re welcome, Jewel. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us! Sorry to hear it has been taking longer to receive your orders. 💖
The price increase it will still worth it for our family. We live 30 minutes from a walmart from every direction and no local stores.
We live 30 minutes to an hour from most stores. What I’m finding is that even without prime, you’ll get the same crappy shipping with amazon. Target will deliver for free if you spend more than $35 and for us, that’s worth it. What exactly is included in the prime? 5-7 day shipping seems to be average.
I canceled mine years ago when I started having a lot of issues with packages and customer service taking a huge nosedive. It’s actually helped me cut my Amazon spending so much. I stopped buying every little good deal I see and instead add things to my cart until I have enough for free shipping ($25 is not hard!). Often change my mind on items I was really only buying bc of the good deal. They also started awhile ago giving you 24 hours after you place an order that qualifies for free shipping to have free shipping without a minimum.
I’m sure it’s still worth it for some but not too sure for me. 🙁
It’s says monthly price will increase to $14.99. Mine is already $14.03 a month and has been for a while. So I can only imagine.
Someone has to pay for the world’s largest yacht Jeff Bezos is currently building. 🤦🏻♀️
I am currently in love with Prime, haha. I will gladly pay extra to have heavy stuff dropped at the door and a big selection of stuff I would not be able to find in local stores. I’ve recently had stuff delivered next day and they let you know if they are running late. You know what is in stock and I have had just two issues with deliveries missing or delivered to the wrong place. I am also tired of dealing with rude people in public. I’d rather spend a little more for these conveniences. The time I don’t spend looking for stuff around town because of supply chain issues has freed up so much time.
I agree with you. I had a lawn mower delivered, a chair, a big mattress…. I don’t have a truck and hate inconveniencing anyone I know that has one (especially because I would also need help with lifting) so having something like that delivered is hugely helpful.
I’m confused. I can’t find a way to turn off my auto renewal, however I can find the cancel now option. But, I still have 3 months remaining on the year I purchased. Amazon is telling me I will lose my prime benefits. I just want to turn off the AutoRenew feature and buy the gift membership now. Can someone tell me how to turn off auto renew? I don’t want to lost the prime months I’ve already prepaid for.
you won’t lose the remainder of your membership. You keep what you’ve paid for.
Hey there! Thanks for asking. Sorry for any confusion. Here are the steps to do that –
SO sorry for any confusion. Here are the steps to do that! We’ll add these details to the post above!
Go here
Click on “Prime – View Benefits & Payment Settings” in upper right
Click on “Manage Membership” in upper right
Check the option that states “Remind me before renewing”
Amazon will then email you 3 days before your Prime membership is set to renew (you could also add a reminder to your personal calendar!).
Hoping this helps! We’ll add these details to the post above!
I am still confused-I did all those steps, but I do not see an auto renew cancellation option. My choices are to keep my benefits or cancel my benefits. When I click “keep”-it just loops around to manage membership.
So sorry, Bridget. You’ll want to opt to end it to find the options pictured above. Hoping that is more helpful!
I’m thinking that you’d have to “End Membership” in order to actually turn off auto-renew. I agree with you, if you select to “Keep your membership”, I don’t see anything that indicates that it’s going to turn off auto-renew…
I grabbed a Gift of Prime and set the delivery date to one day after my membership expires… Dec.1! I’m thinking so many people will do this that Amazon will say they are out of Gift option until the price increase.
It wouldn’t let me pick the day our membership expires. Did you have that experience? It wouldn’t even know bc I didn’t sent it yet but it was very weird I just don’t want to lose everything on our account music/video wise with the day lag
I chose the day after my membership expires.
Funny how Starbucks, Amazon etc made SO much – PROFIT and their ceo raises even in the midst of Covid but here they are, raises prices. 😒
You’ll get an error saying you cannot purchase if you try to buy a gift membership with 1-click ordering. Disable 1-click and the gift purchase will go through.
Thanks for the helpful comment! 🥰
Have never had Amazon Prime and this will not encourage me to get it, but realize I am in the minority. Have family and friends who have it and love it.
If I wasn’t on the Amazon shopper panel I would probably cancel prime but since I earn at least $10 a month in Amazon gift cards from the panel I make most of my money back
Lacey……..Somerlove@verizon.net. Could you please send me more info on being an Amazon shopper? Thank u
It was by invitation only from Amazon
You can just download the app. There was a waitlist when I downloaded but it ended up being only a few days for me.
Hi Kathy! Be sure to check #11 here –> https://hip2save.com/tips/smart-easy-ways-earn-amazon-prime-day-credit/
Hope that helps! 💖
Yes! I do this too, Lacey! Thanks for mentioning that! https://hip2save.com/tips/smart-easy-ways-earn-amazon-prime-day-credit/
I’m not a prime member and I’m part of it. I don’t think that has anything to do with it. It’s a great program though! Easy $10
So my membership expires Aug 13th. There is nowhere to click to “NOT” auto renew. If I purchase this now am I charged now? Will it automatically kick in on Aug 13th? This seems to be a little sketchy. I have it in my basket until I find out more info.
Same , I’m confused. 😕
SO sorry for any confusion. Here are the steps to do that! We’ll add these details to the post above!
Go here
Click on “Prime – View Benefits & Payment Settings” in upper right
Check the option that states “Remind me before renewing”
Amazon will then email you 3 days before your Prime membership is set to renew (you could also add a reminder to your personal calendar!).
How do we apply the gift membership to our own account?
You can do that as soon as your membership expires. Be sure to purchase the gift membership now to save it for when your current membership expires. Hope this helps! 💖
Thanks for the heads up about this! We definitely enjoy prime but not enough to spend almost $150 a year on it! Bye Prime! 🙂 Hooray for Walmart+! 🙂
You’re very welcome. Glad this was helpful!
Don’t like the increase but will still keep the membership. Find so many things I cannot get anywhere else or I would have to drive at least 30 plus minutes on my own time to buy(if it was even in stock). The membership saves me time and gas plus wear and tear on my car(and me). And if I don’t like something I can send it back for free. So yes I will continue to pay for the convenience of having prime.
Not afán of the price increase but still a deal for our family. I send Mom in Puerto Rico some items here and there and shipping is included. I loathe the post office.
I checked my account and it’s set to renew March 13, 2022 for $119. So I think I’m good until 2023. Would you agree?
You can purchase the gift membership now and then save it for when your current membership expires. Hoping that helps! 🥰
Not necessarily. Amazon is just displaying the current price there. That’s not to say when you check in the day after the price raise that they won’t change it there as well so it will renew at the new rate.
Been thinking about canceling even before I seen this post, everything I order is 5 to 7 days out. I truly feel they should lower the price for us that have been prime members for a while as an incentive to ride this out with them. So no thanks on raising the price and waiting a week to get my items.
Amazon chat just told me the gift of membership expires in 3 years
Thank you! Good to know!
Nice! That means I can buy 2 years worth (mine is a July date).
I joined Amazon Shopper Panel (found on the App Store) and only need to scan 10 receipts each month to get a $10.00 Amazon credit, essentially giving me $120.00 each year. It did take a few days before it was activated. I assume they make sure you have Amazon Prime.
We don’t have Prime but live near an Amazon warehouse. So as long as our order is over $25, we get free shipping. And packages usually arrive within 1-2 days.
No need to spend all that money on Prime!
oh man…my membership gets renewed March 8th…hoping Im grandfathered in…ha ha!
They tax the gift membership in Maryland. Thanks for the post.
You’re welcome, Holly! It seems that may vary. Thanks for sharing!
And if you do this you loose all your history with Amazon; purchases over the last 10 years…I use purchase history to stock up on things at certain times
I don’t have Prime but still have my purchase history. Not sure that is correct.
You won’t lose your purchase history at all! Who told you that?
Mine goes back to 2004, and I wasn’t even a prime member until 2015. And I didn’t let it auto renew for the first few years I had prime, and still never lost anything.
Your purchase history has nothing to do with being a Prime member or not. It’s a customer history, just like most other online stores keep a record of your purchases, even though they aren’t memberships.
I have been ambivalent about Amazon for several months because at the end of the day, I would really love to support local, small businesses. However, I just had baby #8, and Subscribe and Save, Prime shipping (albeit 2 days has been a farce in recent months) is truly super convenient for a busy mom. I’m in a quandary. I’ve considered swapping out Prime when it’s due for Walmart Plus, which I haven’t joined yet. I would be happy to hear from other busy moms who can compare the two…or, better yet, I would LOVE for Hip2Save to do a post comparing the two! I realize Walmart Plus wouldn’t fulfill my desire to shop local, but honestly, that desire is so hard with all the moving pieces we have as a large family…well, it’s not impossible, just limited.
Thanks a ton for the request! 🤗🥰I have passed this along to the team!
If we cancel and Re subscribe the next day, does it mess up our subscribe and save?
Hi there! I did reach out to customer service on this and you should not lose that. You can always double check to be certain.
For the past 2+ months, I do not receive my packages within 2 days with Prime Membership. Does anyone else have this issue?
I haven’t received packages in 2 days since well before COVID / March 2020.
No, this isn’t correct. I’ve cancelled prime many times and all of my order history is still there on my account.
We will probably keep it just because we live in a rural area. The closest shopping is a 45 minute drive. Packages take 5-7 days to arrive. Basically we are paying for free shipping and the convenience of home delivery. I use the S&S monthly but have been shopping more and more at Target. They do deliver in 1-2 days.
A free membership came with our cell phone plan that we purchased back in September. Unfortunately, we were paid for a year and the membership isn’t up until March. I am hoping they will still honor it when our year is up. I do have it sent not to renew.
I try to avoid shopping Amazon whenever possible for ethical reasons: they don’t pay their employees as well as they should, resisted unionizing, Bezos is such a rich and selfish CEO. Shop smaller or shop Costco!
Thanks to everyone who commented about the Amazon shopper panel app. I just signed up and was accepted immediately! So if I find it worthwhile I may keep Amazon prime. And I saw Ikea listed as one of the retailers increasing prices. I have been waiting for my store to get Ektorp sofas back in stock. Well they finally have them and the price went from $399 to $579 overnight. A 45% increase. Don’t know about anyone else but my salary hasn’t increased that much!
Our renewal date is 1/12/23. So it looks like my husband just renewed last month. Will the price increase still affect us this year, or are we good till 1/12/23?
Thanks for letting us know..we don’t have a lot of shopping options locally and amazon is a huge blessing…and saving $20?! ummm, yes please!! 🙂 Thankful.
You’re welcome, Jeanette! 💖🤗
I also have the amazon credit card and do get cash back on my purchases…so I think this offsets some of the cost as well.
What is the monthly rate going to be? I only use the shipping benefits.
Great idea! Thanks.
You’re so welcome! 💖
Getting my items in 2 days has not been a thing and the movie thing is ridiculous many I try to watch yes I have To rent. The only thing I really use is the picture storage. No kindle books. I think raising it is a bit much. Unless they were better at doing what it says “prime” 2 days!
They are going to lose a lot of Prime customers, myself included. I get prices are increasing thanks to our stupid politicians, but Bezoz is worth what….$50 trillion or something ridiculous like that. Not smart to raise prices while people are suffering. Not to mention, 2-day shipment is no longer available on most items.