8 Lesser Known Benefits of Amazon Prime

The world leader in online retail, Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), runs one of the most successful retail membership programs: Amazon Prime. It has attracted millions of customers who pay to receive a number of benefits. Its primary features include fast, free two-day shipping with flexible delivery options; access to Prime media content that covers thousands of movies; songs, TV programs, games and audio broadcasts; shopping benefits and rewards including 5% back for members with a Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card; Alexa-assisted shopping and early access to exclusive brands and deals; and free subscription to Kindle books and magazines. (See also, Amazon Prime Adoption in US May Have Peaked: RBC.)

Beyond theses benefits, there are other lesser known offers available for members. Investopedia offers a peek into a few of them.

While Prime members are entitled to free two-day guaranteed delivery with many flexible delivery options, they can capitalize on their available time by opting for no-rush delivery. At checkout, if members select the free, no-rush shipping option, they receive a discount that is applied to the order at checkout, or a promotional reward that is automatically applied to customer’s account towards a future purchase once the no-rush package ships. However, canceling the no-rush shipping order or changing the delivery option will cancel the discount or reward.

Amazon offers Prime Wardrobe allows Prime members to try on fashion items at home as well as free returns of unwanted items. Prime members can pick three or more items of clothing, shoes or accessories which are then shipped to them, the customer then has seven days to try and keep only the stuff they want.

Donors can utilize their Prime membership towards charitable causes. Through its dedicated AmazonSmile portal, Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of a Prime member’s qualifying AmazonSmile purchases to a charitable organization of a member’s choice. AmazonSmile also allows qualifying charitable organizations to apply for a listing on the portal to receive donations.

Amazon Family offers family-oriented offers, coupons, and age-based recommendations exclusively to its Prime members. Additionally, one can receive up to 20% discount on regular subscriptions of products like diapers and baby food, and a 15% baby registry completion discount that offers a free welcome box for parents-to-be and their offspring.

Prime membership allows sharing through its Household program. Prime members can connect and share Amazon benefits with the whole family - two adults (above 18 years) and up to four teens (between 13 and 17 years) and four children (up to 12 years) can be connected in a household. It allows sharing of Prime delivery benefits, streaming access to Prime Video, free books with Prime Reading, a provision to earn 2% rewards on Prime Reload, Prime Photos and album sharing, free books with Amazon First Reads, unlimited listening on Audible Channels, and early access to Amazon Lightning Deals. However, certain content may be shared only with other adults.

Prime Pantry offers low prices and additional savings with hundreds of coupons on everyday essentials, like cereals, snacks, detergents, pet needs, baby care, beauty and grooming products. Instead of buying in bulk, prime members can buy only what they need and when they need it. Prime members can additionally pay a monthly Prime Pantry membership fee to receive free shipping on all orders of $40 or more, or pay a flat $7.99 shipping fee for each order placed, irrespective of the quantity of items or number of boxes in the order. (See also, Amazon Prime Members to Receive 10% Off Whole Foods Sale Items.)

Students can enjoy Prime benefits at half the cost, which come with a 6-month trial and include free two-day shipping on eligible purchases. Qualifying students receive all Prime benefits for four years or until they graduate, whichever comes first. Available under offer are college essentials like dorm requirements, textbooks, study supplies, backpacks, PCs, tablet and other accessories.

Prime members can enjoy digital access to The Washington Post which includes access to all website content and all Washington Post apps. The monthly basic subscription pack is offered with the first free six-month trial and is followed by a flat charge of $3.99 per month. (See also, Top 5 Alternatives to Amazon Prime.)