10 Amazon Prime Benefits You’re Probably Not Using

Amazon Prime page on mobile phone
Photo by Marques Thomas on Unsplash

Are you getting your money’s worth from your Amazon Prime membership?

If you’re like most people, you might be missing out on some pretty sweet perks. Sure, we all love the free two-day shipping (next day shipping in some areas), but there’s a whole world of benefits hiding just beneath the surface.

And if you’re reading this and you haven’t already subscribed to Prime, the cost is only $139/year or $14.99/month. You can start taking advantage of all these benefits with a Prime free trial which lasts an entire 30 days.

Let’s take a look at 10 Amazon Prime benefits you’re probably not using but should be!


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1. Amazon Prime Reading – Your Personal Library On the Go

woman reading a book with her dog looking on.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

Ever find yourself stuck in a waiting room with nothing to do?

Well, if you’re a Prime member, there’s Amazon Prime Reading. It’s like having a library in your pocket, minus the glares from the librarian when you forget to return a book.

What Is Prime Reading?

Prime Reading gives you access to a rotating selection of over 1,000 e-books, magazines, and comics.

You can borrow up to 10 titles at a time, and there are no due dates. It’s perfect for book lovers who want to read more without breaking the bank.

Prime Reading also includes books with audio narration so that you can switch seamlessly from reading to listening.

It’s great to have access to Prime Reading on a Kindle but you can still enjoy your reads without one. Kindle apps are available for iOS and Android devices

How to Use Prime Reading

To get started with Prime Reading is simple if you’re already a Prime member. Here’s what you do:

  1. Download the Kindle app on your smartphone or tablet.
  2. Browse the Prime Reading catalog on Amazon’s website or in the app.
  3. Select a book and start reading!

Prime Reading Highlights

  • Access to bestsellers and popular magazines
  • No extra cost with your Prime membership
  • Borrow up to 10 books at a time
  • Read on any device with the Kindle app

Pro tip: Keep an eye out for Amazon Original Stories. These short reads are perfect for your commute or when you’re waiting for your coffee to brew.


2. Prime Gaming – Level Up Your Gaming Experience

guy with gaming controls
Photo by cottonbro studio

This Prime benefit is for the gamer in you.

Did you know your Prime membership comes with a treasure trove of gaming goodies? Yes, you can power up your play with Prime Gaming.

What is Prime Gaming?

Prime Gaming (formerly Twitch Prime) offers free games, in-game content, and a subscription to Twitch.tv.

The service allows you to save money you’d otherwise be spending on games. If you’re already a Prime member, you’ll get more value out of Prime Gaming as an additional perk than if you signed up to Prime just to access this service. But then, you’d get all the other perks Prime users get as well.

While you need a Prime membership to access Prime Gaming, you can still get access with a Prime Video-only membership which costs $8.99/month.

How To Use Prime Gaming

You’ll need a Twitch account to get all the free perks that Prime Gaming is offering. Either way you can sign up through Prime Gaming and link your account during the sign-up process.

  1. Link your Amazon account to your Twitch account.
  2. Visit the Prime Gaming website.
  3. Claim your free games and in-game loot.

Prime Gaming Perks

  • Free PC games every month
  • Exclusive in-game content for popular titles
  • Free subscription to one Twitch channel per month

Did you know? Some of the free games you get through Prime Gaming are yours to keep forever, even if you cancel your Prime membership. Talk about a gift that keeps on giving!


3. Amazon Photos – Your Memories, Safe & Sound

photographer managing her photos online storage
Photo by picjumbo.com

In the age of smartphones, we’re all amateur photographers. But where do all those photos go?

If you’re a Prime member, there’s Amazon Photos, your digital photo album in the cloud.

What is Amazon Photos

Amazon Photos offers unlimited, full-resolution photo storage for Prime members and 5GB for video storage.

For everyone else, plans start at $1.99/month for 100GB after the free 5GB for combined photo and video storage.

To access your photos, there are free apps for iOS, Android, and desktop or you can access your photos on the web.

How to Use Amazon Photos

Amazon Photos work like every other photo backup app you might have had on your phone (like Google Photos). Here’s how to start backing up your photos.

  1. Download the Amazon Photos app.
  2. Enable auto-save to back up your photos automatically.
  3. Access your photos from any device.

Amazon Photos Features

  • Unlimited full-resolution photo storage
  • 5 GB of video storage
  • Easy sharing with family and friends

Here’s a fun fact: Amazon Photos can recognize faces in your pictures, making it easy to find all the photos of your dog doing that adorable head tilt.


4. Prime Try Before You Buy – Fashion Risk-free

Women trying on clothes

Wish you could shop like a celebrity with a personal stylist?

Prime Try Before You Buy brings that experience to your living room.

What is Prime Try Before You Buy?

Prime Try Before You Buy used to be called Prime Wardrobe. It’s a Prime-only service that lets you order clothes, shoes, and accessories to try at home before buying.

You add items to your Prime Try Before You Buy cart and check them out separately from other items on Amazon. Eligible store items will have the Try Before You Buy icon.

Eligible items can be anything from women’s, men’s, kids’, and baby clothing, shoes and accessories.

How To Use Prime Try Before You Buy

If you’re ready to use this Amazon Prime perk that you didn’t know you had, here’s how to get started.

  1. Select eligible items and add them to your Try Before You Buy order.
  2. Receive your items and try them on at home.
  3. Keep what you love and return the rest within 7 days.

One thing to remember is that while it’s tempting to order everything, be mindful of what you truly need. It’s still easy to overspend, even when you’re not paying upfront!

Prime Try Before You Buy Benefits

  • No upfront charge
  • Free shipping and returns
  • 7-day try-on period

Pro tip: Use Prime Try Before You Buy to try different sizes of the same item. It’s a game-changer for online shoe shopping!


5. Amazon Household – Sharing Is Caring

Family on their mobile devices
Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

Having a Prime membership is great. It’s not just for shopping as you can see in this article. So why keep all the Prime goodness to yourself?

Amazon Household is a Prime benefit that lets you spread the love to your family members.

What is Amazon Household?

Amazon Household allows you to share your Prime benefits with up to one other adult and four teens or children.

This is a great way to share Prime with another adult in your household so that they don’t have to get an additional membership. And if the other adult already has Prime, you can both still share some benefits.

Teen (13-17 logins allow teens to shop on their own with parents approving their order. Parents can manage their children’s parental controls on their tablets by adding them to the household.

How to Set Up Amazon Household

If you’re ready to share your benefits with family, simply follow the instructions below.

  1. Go to Your Amazon Household page.
  2. Add adult, teen, or child profiles.
  3. Choose which benefits to share.

Amazon Household Perks

  • Share Prime shipping, Prime video, and more
  • Separate accounts for privacy
  • Parental controls for teens and child accounts

Fun fact: You can share your Prime benefits with your roommate or best friend, not just family members. Just don’t tell Amazon that I told you that!


6. Prime Early Access – Be First In Line for Deals

Woman shopping online with credit card
Photo by Mikhail Nilov

Do you love a good deal but hate missing out?

Prime Early Access is your golden ticket to savings.

What is Prime Early Access?

Prime Early Access gives you a 30-minute head start on certain Lightning Deals. It’s like being first in line at a Black Friday sale, but without the risk of being trampled.

With sales events like Prime Day and the holiday shopping deal, Amazon usually have Prime Early Access deals ahead of the official dates for their sales events exclusively for Prime members.

Non-Prime members can still take advantage of Prime Early Access by signing up for a free 30-day trial.

How to Use Prime Early Access

You do not have to do much to take advantage of Prime Early Access. You just have to know how to use the perk. Here’s how:

  1. Look for the Prime Early Access label on eligible deals.
  2. Click “Watch this deal” to get notified when it starts.
  3. Be ready to pounce when the deal goes live!

Prime Early Access Benefits

  • 30-minute head start on select Lightning Deals
  • Better chance of snagging limited-quantity items
  • Access to exclusive Prime member deals

Remember: Lightning Deals are like shooting stars – blink and you might miss them. Set reminders for the deals you’re eyeing!


7. Amazon Fresh – Grocery Shopping In Your PJs

fresh produce vegetable aisle
Photo by Iñigo De la Maza on Unsplash

Do you hate grocery shopping? Wish someone would just bring the food to you?

Say hello to Amazon Fresh, your new best friend in the kitchen.

What is Amazon Fresh?

Amazon Fresh is a grocery delivery service available in select areas. It’s like having a personal shopper, but without the small talk.

Members can shop for fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood, dairy, cheese, eggs, bread, pastry, frozen foods and deli items – things that you don’t really expect to shop for online.

But it’s not just food and perishables. You can also shop for household items you’d normally get at your local grocery store. Toilet paper, snacks, toothpaste, alcohol, baby food and diapers are some of the other items you can get through Amazon Fresh.

How to Use Amazon Fresh

This Amazon Prime member perk is dependent on where you live so not every Prime member will be able to use it.

  1. Check if Amazon Fresh is available in your area.
  2. Add groceries to your cart.
  3. Choose a delivery time and wait for your goodies to arrive.

Amazon Fresh Highlights

  • Same-day or next-day delivery in most areas
  • Wide selection of fresh produce, meats, and pantry staples
  • Competitive prices with in-store shopping

Pro tip: Keep an eye out for Amazon Fresh deals. You can often find discounts on seasonal produce or popular brands.


8. Prime Video Channels – Customize Your Streaming Experience

Man watching television

Prime Video isn’t a Prime benefit I think anyone would miss. However, its not just another Netflix. There’s a whole lot of other stuff you may be missing out on.

Prime Video Channels is a feature that lets you build your own streaming bundle.

What are Prime Video Channels?

Prime Video Channels allow you to add subscriptions to premium channels like Max, Paramount+, and MGM+ to your Prime Video account.

There are over 100 channels to choose from with something for everyone. Whether you love documentaries, British TV, sports, true crime, movies, or you want something for the kids, you’ll find multiple offerings to fill this need.

Most of the channels will let you subscribe starting with a 7-day free trial before you start paying their monthly fee.

How to Use Prime Video Channels

Prepared to unlock thousands of movies and shows not available with your Prime Video membership?

Here’s how to get niche content like Shudder for horror movies or Crunchyroll for your anime fix.

  1. Browse available channels on the Prime Video Channels page.
  2. Select the channels you want to add.
  3. Enjoy your new content!

Prime Video Channels Benefits

  • Add and cancel channel subscriptions anytime
  • 7-day free trials for most channels
  • All your content in one place
  • Often cheaper than subscribing directly to the channel

Did you know? Many Prime Video Channels offer free trials, so you can test them out before committing. It’s a great way to binge-watch that show everyone’s been talking about.


9. Amazon First Reads – Be a Literary Trendsetter

Pretty lady surrounded by books
Photo by Fidan Nur

Love being the first to read new books?

With Amazon First Reads, you can discover exciting new books every month.

What is Amazon First Reads?

Amazon First Reads gives Prime members early access to one free Kindle book each month from a selection of new and upcoming releases. It’s like being part of an exclusive book club.

Non-Prime members have to pay $1.99 to get access to a new editor’s pick each month but Prime members get it for free.

How to Use Amazon First Reads

It’s easy for book lovers to get this perk as part of their Prime membership. Here’s how to explore new reads.

  1. Visit the Amazon First Reads page at the beginning of each month.
  2. Choose one book from the month’s selections.
  3. Download your free book and start reading!

Amazon First Reads Perks

  • One free book per month
  • Early access to new releases
  • Discounts on hardcover versions of selected titles

Pro tip: Even if none of the First Reads selections catch your eye, grab one anyway. You might discover a new favorite author!


10. Grubhub+ – Free Food Delivery At Your Fingertips

Grubhub+ page

Whether you’re too busy to cook, wanting to try a new restaurant, or just feeling a bit lazy (we’ve all been there), this Prime benefit turns your food cravings into reality without the extra fees.

Amazon Prime’s partnership with Grubhub+ is one of the lesser known perks available to satisfy your taste buds and save you money.

What is Grubhub+ for Prime Members?

As a Prime member, you get a free year of Grubhub+. This perk lets you order from local restaurants with $0 delivery fees on eligible orders. Get your favorite meal delivered to your house for free.

Grubhub+ is usually $9.99 when you join through the Grubhub website but as a Prime member, you can save up to $120/year with this wonderful benefit. You can do this by activating your Grubhub+ membership through your Amazon Prime account.

How to Activate your Grubhub+ Membership

Doesn’t make sense having a Prime membership and you’re ordering food with other food delivery companies. Take advantage of this perk now.

  1. Visit the Grubhub page on Amazon’s website.
  2. Click to activate your free Grubhub+ membership.
  3. Create a Grubhub account or log in to an existing one.

Grubhub+ Benefits for Prime Members

  • $0 delivery fees on eligible orders
  • Exclusive restaurant rewards and perks
  • Access to member-only promotions

Pro tip: Even with free delivery, remember to tip your drivers. They’re the unsung heroes bringing deliciousness to your doorstep!

Did you know? Some restaurants offer special deals just for Grubhub+ members. It’s like a secret menu for savvy diners.


Make The Most of Your Prime Membership

There you go – 10 Amazon Prime benefits you’re probably not using but definitely should be. From free books to unlimited photo storage, from early access to deals to grocery delivery, your Prime membership is packed with perks just waiting to be discovered.

So, what are you waiting for? Dive into these benefits and get the most bang for your Prime buck. After all, you’re paying for it – you might as well use it!

Remember, Amazon is always adding new features to Prime, so keep an eye out for new benefits. Who knows? Your next favorite Prime perk might be just around the corner.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some free games to claim and a week’s worth of groceries to order from my couch.

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