You need to know how to get free shipping on Amazon without prime if you grapple with higher expenses. Despite the current rate of inflation, Amazon is still piling on.
The annual pricing for Amazon Prime membership is increasing. And although the increase may seem insignificant, it is a lot when a lot of users use up their savings to make ends meet.
Perhaps, becoming a Prime Amazon member is not an option. But you could still enjoy a benefit like free shipping on purchases without joining Prime.
How to get free shipping on Amazon without prime
Now that you know that Amazon Prime is not necessary to get free shipping on Amazon, how do you go about it?
1. Leverage Amazon’s Subscribe and Save program
With Amazon’s Subscribe and Save program, you can autopilot certain purchases while reducing their original cost. Suppose there is a “household product or self-care item” you consume often from Amazon. If Amazon gives it at a competitive rate, consider paying to sign up for deliveries via Subscribe and Save program.
Apart from having your purchase delivered with free shipping, you also save money by signing up and checking out the product at a discount.
Amazon’s Subscribe and Save program is quite flexible. You can skip deliveries when necessary or even change your delivery frequency. For instance, if you no longer need a particular item monthly, you have the option to change the deliveries to other months. This program is excellent for people who buy particular items regularly.
2. Join Amazon Prime’s free trial
If you are new to Amazon, join the Amazon Prime free trial. If you have been a prime member but not in the last 12 months, also sign up for the free 30-day trial. You will enjoy a full Amazon Prime experience with all features.
You just have to time your 30-day trial so that you cancel it when the day reaches or after making purchases.
Amazon Prime may be worth the higher cost to many people but not for some. If the annual fee just does suit your budget presently, continue with the free trial. Only use this method when it is more likely to benefit you.
3. Buy $25 items or bundle purchases
Another method to get free shipping on Amazon without Prime is to make orders of $25 or more of eligible items to qualify for Amazon free shipping.
Note that Amazon charges shipping costs for all orders below $25. You could even bundle your purchases instead of buying items individually. Suppose you need to get your friend a gift that costs $20. Cart any household item you would eventually need costing at least $5 to meet the $25 free shipping threshold.
Note that this free shipping is only applicable to certain $25 of eligible items. Items eligible will have “Free Shipping” listed on the product detail page. You do not spend any minimum when you get this unlimited free 2-day shipping on eligible items without Amazon Prime.
The steps to get free shipping through this method are simple:
- Add at least $25 of eligible items to your Amazon cart.
- Go to checkout.
- Enter your eligible delivery address in the US.
- Finally, select “Free Shipping”.
Unfortunately, certain items shipped to Hawaii or Alaska may not be eligible for Amazon’s free shipping. Free shipping takes 5-8 days immediately after your purchases are available to ship, including any pre-order item.
4. Cart pre-order items
You will easily get a $49 cart total quickly with this free shipping method without Amazon Prime. Moreover, it reserves your place for new arrivals.
When you add pre-order items to your cart and then check out, they count toward the total purchase. You will not be charged for the items until they are shipped. If you decide you no longer need the item, just cancel the order before the shipping.
5. Buy lightweight items
Making Amazon purchases for lightweight items can earn you free shipping without Amazon Prime. Some Amazon Marketplace sellers do offer free shipping for more orders since the items do not cost a fortune to ship.
You can find items like these under “Other Sellers”. Such items even cost less than Amazon actually sells them for. The downside is that the item will arrive in 5-7 days.
6. Amazon Prime student discount
You could get a deep discount on Amazon Prime when signing up as a student. You need to have a valid .edu address or a way for Amazon to verify your student eligibility.
Join Amazon Student to get 50% off an Amazon Prime Membership for the next 4 years. Although $50 may be high to pay for an Amazon Prime Membership, it comes with many perks, apart from the free 2-day shipping.
Conclusion
Amazon Prime may be the ideal way to make purchases on Amazon due to its perks. However, the annual cost may not be exactly cheap for some people. As such, exploring the alternatives highlighted in this publication will help to save money. Invest what would have been the shipping fees on other useful purchases.
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