No one likes to pay for shipping, and this holiday season, you won't have to pay at many of the most popular retailers. Some are offering free shipping on all orders, no matter how much you spend, while others have lowered their free-shipping order minimums. Here's a primer on what — if anything — you'll need to spend to avoid extra fees while stocking up on holiday gifts.
Target recently announced that it will be offering free shipping starting Nov. 1, with some orders arriving as fast as the next day, on hundreds of thousands of items. The usual minimum order is $35, though shoppers always get free shipping when they use their REDcard.
Related: 14 Secrets for Shopping at Target
Though you'll still need to pay delivery charges for large items like appliances, the majority of orders at Best Buy will be eligible for free next-day shipping from Oct. 22 through Christmas Day. The usual minimum is $35 except for My Best Buy Elite members.
Nordstrom's gift to shoppers is free standard shipping all year round. Items typically arrive within three to six days, though shoppers can opt for expedited two-day shipping for $12 or next-day shipping for $20.
Gifting yourself or someone else with an Apple product? Luckily, the company offers free shipping on all orders (hey, you're probably already spending enough). In many cases, shoppers actually get free two-day shipping, and iPhones are eligible for free next-day shipping.
Not to be outdone by its Silicon Valley rival, Microsoft also offers free two- to three-day shipping for most products. For express one- to two-day shipping, you'll have to pony up $17.
So far, there's no word that Amazon will repeat last year's no-minimum, free holiday shipping for everyone. A recent blog post notes that Prime members can enjoy free one-day and same-day shipping, but it looks like non-Prime members will be stuck with the usual $25 minimum, and they'll have to wait from five to eight days for their orders.
Related: 60 Hottest Holiday Gifts from Amazon
Buying for that sporty someone? You'll need to spend $25 to get free shipping on most items from Dick's. Note that the store doesn't offer flat-rate shipping, so if you don't meet the $25 threshold, what you'll pay largely depends on your order's size and weight.
Unlike big-box rival Target, Walmart hasn't said that it will be dropping its $35 minimum order for free shipping during the holidays. Still, shipping is likely to be speedy: two-day shipping is available on millions of items, and in some spots, next-day shipping is an option, too, often for just $6 if you don't hit the $35 threshold.
Non-members at Barnes and Noble must spend at least $35 to receive free three- to five-day standard shipping. If you can't quite make that threshold, the good news is that shipping will only cost $5. Expedited two- to three-day shipping is $6, and 1- to 2-day shipping is a bit over $15.
Looking to support these two storied retailers that seem to be on life support? You can get free shipping on most orders $35 and above, down from the regular minimum of $59, though a 150-pound weight limit means the offer doesn't apply to bulkier buys.
Gifting a gamer? GameStop is offering free "edge shipping" — that's two to four business days — for orders over $35. Under that threshold, the cheapest option for most orders is four- to seven-day value shipping for $5. Edge shipping costs $6, and express one- to two-day shipping costs $8.
Beauty buffs can get free standard three- to eight-day shipping on purchases of $35 or more. Standard shipping costs just under $6 for orders that don't meet that minimum. Expedited three- to four-day shipping is just under $10, while premium two- to three-day shipping is close to $17.
Spend over $39 and you'll snag free shipping at Bed Bath & Beyond. Otherwise, the fee is a relatively modest $6 for standard three- to six-day shipping. Upgrading to expedited shipping (two to three business days) starts at $18 regardless of order amount; express shipping (one to two days) starts at $22.
If you're gifting tools or other home-improvement products, it won't be hard to spend at least $45 at Home Depot and earn free delivery. Thousands of items are eligible for free two-day delivery, and those that aren't may be covered by standard three- to five-day shipping.
Lowe's matches rival Home Depot with its own offer of free standard shipping for orders of $45 or more. And standard shipping is quite speedy at Lowe's, requiring only one to three business days.
To qualify for Gap and Old Navy's five- to seven-day free shipping, you'll need to spend at least $50 this holiday season. Paying $7 will get you three- to five-day shipping on any order, no minimum. Expedited two- to three-day shipping costs $17, while next-day shipping is $22.
You won't get free shipping at Kohl's unless your order amounts to at least $50. Below that threshold, you'll pay under $9 for standard three- to six-day shipping. Don't be too impatient: Opting for two-day shipping will cost close to $20 for orders up to $100, and nearly $10 for orders over that mark; next-day shipping is a painful $30 or $20, respectively.
If you're buying for your favorite outdoorsy folks, you'll have to spend at least $50 to get free three- to seven-day standard shipping from REI. Otherwise, the charge is relatively reasonable $6. Upgrading to two-day shipping starts at $20, and one-day shipping starts at $28.
Sephora isn't quite as generous as rival Ulta, requiring a purchase of at least $50 for free shipping. However, shipping is faster at only three days. If you don't spend $50, the charge is just under $6. Upgrade to two-day shipping for $11 or one-day shipping for $17. If you think you'll be a repeat shopper, a Sephora FLASH subscription costs $15 for a year and gets you free two-day shipping on any order.
Unless you're a Platinum or Gold Member with Macy's, you'll be on the hook for shipping on any order up to $99. In the continental U.S., that will cost you just under $11 for standard three- to six-day delivery. Upgrading to two-day shipping costs a hefty $22 on top of that. However, if you're lucky enough to live in 30 select cities, you may be eligible for free same-day delivery on orders over $75 as Macy's tries to compete with cheaper, speedier retailers.
Like Macy's, JCPenney requires a hefty $99 minimum for free standard shipping, which will take three to five business days. Below that threshold, you'll pay close to $9. The good news is that premium three-day shipping is only a dollar more.
Whether you get free shipping at Costco depends on what you buy. Clicking around the website reveals that standard three- to five-day shipping is included for several popular items. If you're not lucky enough to snag free shipping, what you'll pay varies by item and your location. Costco acknowledges that items are often available in store for a lower price than they are online, so be sure to check your local warehouse first.
Related: 30 Holiday Gift Bargains From Costco
You're better off buying in store if you want to gift friends and family with scented lotions and bath gels. Bath & Body Works doesn't have a free shipping option no matter what you spend. Standard two- to seven-day shipping costs $6, two-day shipping costs $15 and overnight shipping is $20. Note that if your order doesn't come to at least $10, you'll pay a $4 surcharge on top of those fees.
