Paying $119 for Amazon Prime? Don't Miss These Perks

Introduced in the U.S. in 2005, Amazon Prime has grown by leaps and bounds, with more than 200 million members worldwide and 147 million in the U.S. alone. The program, which offers free two-day shipping on an unlimited number of orders for a flat annual fee, has steadily added perks over the years — to the point where some members may be unaware of all the benefits the $119 annual Prime membership fee has bought them. Here's a rundown of several lesser-known advantages of being a Prime customer — and a heads-up that one coveted benefit is disappearing soon. 

Not already a Prime member?  Sign up here.

(Did you know that qualifying government assistance beneficiaries can get a 50% discount on Amazon Prime? See details and sign up here.)

Related: The Most Popular Items Our Readers Bought on Amazon During Prime Day

If you've been preyed upon by porch pirates, Amazon might have a solution for you. Download the Amazon Key app and get your orders delivered inside you car, garage, or gate thanks to one-time access to delivery people. Getting packages placed inside your house was an option, but it's currently on hold due to Covid-19.

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Prime members are automatically registered for Amazon First Reads, allowing them to download and read select titles a month before the release date for free or at a reduced rate.

While opting to get your package more slowly may not seem like a perk, Amazon sweetens the deal by offering a reward or instant discount to make patience more of a virtue. 

Historically, Prime membership has granted customers free two-hour delivery on Whole Foods orders over $35. Alas, those days are over — the grocer recently announced that it will charge a painful $9.95 delivery fee nationwide starting Oct. 25. But there are still a couple of other freebies on offer. Prime members will continue to get free pickup on Whole Foods orders over $35, a spokesperson said, as well as discounts like 10% off select items.

Related: Online Grocery Delivery Comparison: Is One of These Services Right For You?

Even seasoned Prime members may be unaware that another adult living in the same household can be added to the membership and access many of the benefits from their own account. One catch: Payment must be made from the authorizing member's credit card. That may be no big deal if the benefits are shared with spouse or partner, but it could get a bit dicey with, say, a roommate.

That's right, unlimited. And there are free apps available to help upload photos to the cloud. Members also get 5 GB of storage space for videos and other files. Prime members who have run out of room on other cloud storage services — or don't have a backup at all — can breath a sigh of relief.

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Free two-day shipping is the most talked about benefit of Amazon Prime, but members also have the option of free same-day delivery in select locations (a growing list) and on specific, qualifying items with a $35 minimum order. 

Related: Quiz: Is It Cheaper From Amazon or Walmart?

Amazon gives Prime members an early crack at its limited-time "Lightning Deals" — though inconsistent application have some users expressing skepticism. Officially, Lightning Deals are good only while supplies last and could mean the difference between scoring a deal and missing out.

Related: The Top Items Our Readers Have Bought on Amazon So Far This Year

Prime members get a discount on Amazon Kids+, formerly Amazon FreeTime Unlimited, a service that offers books, movies, shows, apps, and games designed for kids 3 to 12, with no ads or in-app purchases. After a one month free trial, Prime members pay $3 a month for single memberships or $7 for family memberships, a 40% discount from the standard $5 fee or $10 fee.

Related: Subscription Kits to Entertain and Educate Stir-Crazy Kids

Prime members (and anyone who shares the membership) can borrow 10 books at a time for free. Books can be read on on any device with the Kindle app installed. 

Related: The Bestselling Book on Amazon Every Year Since 1995

Prime Day, an annual event when Amazon offers exclusive deals for Prime members, took place on June 21 and 22 this year. Last year, the shopping event was delayed until October thanks to the pandemic. 

Related: Mistakes to Avoid on Amazon Prime Day

In its latest advance against rival Walmart in the battle for online prescription drug sales, Amazon announced a new offer. Prime members will be able to get a six-month supply of medications for common health issues for as low as $6 when they pay without insurance. This perk expands on Amazon Pharmacy's shopping tool, which allows Prime members to compare prices through its network of 60,000 pharmacies.

Not already a Prime member?  Sign up here.

If you haven't already stumbled across it, Amazon's Prime Video service has not only thousands of TV shows and movies you can watch for free, you can also find content original to the site, such as "Bosch" and the Emmy-nominated superhero parody "The Boys."