Amazon offers a discounted membership program called Amazon Prime for active duty military members as well as veterans. This program provides many of the same benefits as a standard Prime membership but at a lower cost.
What is Amazon Prime for military?
Amazon Prime for military is a discounted version of a standard Amazon Prime membership designed specifically for active duty and veteran military service members. It provides fast, free shipping on eligible items as well as access to Amazon’s streaming media like Prime Video and Prime Music.
Some key things to know about Amazon Prime for military:
- It costs $79 per year compared to $139 per year for a standard Prime membership.
- Eligible memberships can be shared with up to 4 other people in the same household.
- Membership can be paused for up to 12 months if deployed.
- Offers same day delivery in some areas.
- Access to exclusive military discounts and deals.
Overall, it provides much of the convenience of a regular Prime account but with special military discounts and benefits.
Who is eligible for Amazon Prime military discounts?
The following groups are eligible for discounted Amazon Prime military membership:
- Active duty military members – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, and reservists.
- Veterans who were honorably discharged.
- Retirees from military service.
- Spouses of active duty personnel or veterans are also eligible.
To get the discount, members must provide a valid .mil email address or other documentation connected to their military service. Eligibility is verified when signing up.
What are the benefits of Amazon Prime for military?
Amazon Prime for military offers a wide range of benefits and perks. Some of the key Prime benefits for military members include:
- Free two day shipping on millions of items.
- Free same day delivery in eligible zip codes.
- Unlimited, commercial-free access to movies, TV shows, and music through Prime Video and Prime Music.
- Unlimited reading through Prime Reading ebooks.
- Cloud storage for photos through Prime Photos.
- Early access to Lightning deals and Prime Day deals.
- Try before you buy options for clothing through Prime Wardrobe.
There are also some military-specific benefits:
- Special discounts and deals through AmazonMilitary store.
- Space-A shipping privileges to APO/FPO addresses.
- Pause membership when deployed for up to 12 months.
- Share benefits with up to 4 people in household.
Membership Cost Comparison
| Membership Type | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard Prime Membership | $139 |
| Prime Military Membership | $79 |
Overall, military members can save $60 per year with the discounted rate while still enjoying the convenience and perks of Prime.
How do military members sign up for Amazon Prime?
Signing up for Amazon Prime military membership is easy and straight-forward:
- Go to www.amazon.com and hover over “Hello, Sign in” in the upper right.
- Click on “Start here” under the “New to Amazon?” section.
- Click “See more plans” under Prime and then click “Try Prime”.
- Select “Military” on the checkout page before starting the free trial.
- Provide your military email address to verify eligibility.
- After the trial, membership will auto-renew at the military rate of $79/year.
Spouses and family members can also sign up using the military member’s credentials. The membership and benefits can be shared within the household.
Can military members get Amazon Prime for free?
Amazon does not currently offer Prime memberships completely free for military members. However, there are a few options military members can take advantage of to get Prime at no cost:
- Free 30-day Prime trial – Military members can sign up for a 30 day free Prime trial to test benefits.
- Amazon Mom free trial – Get a 6 month free Prime trial through the Amazon Mom program.
- Sharing benefits – Share a paid Prime membership with 4 other household members.
- Gift membership – Receive a paid Prime membership as a gift from a friend or family member.
While Amazon doesn’t directly offer free Prime for military, taking advantage of one of the above options is a great way to access benefits without paying.
What other military discounts does Amazon offer?
In addition to discounted Prime membership, Amazon offers a few other ways for military members to save:
- Additional discounts at Whole Foods Market for Prime members.
- Exclusive coupons and deals through Amazon Military stores.
- Special discounts on phones and accessories.
- Periodic discounts on Amazon services like Audible and Kindle Unlimited.
There are also many discounted items through regular Amazon shopping for those with a valid military ID. The savings add up especially around major holidays like Veterans Day.
Conclusion
Amazon Prime for military provides huge savings compared to standard membership while still offering fast shipping, streaming, and other Prime perks. Eligible service members and families can sign up at a discount and take advantage of military-exclusive deals and benefits through Amazon.
While Amazon doesn’t directly offer free Prime for the military community, there are some workarounds to access benefits without paying. Overall, Amazon Prime for military is a valuable program that makes shopping more convenient for service members stationed at home or abroad.
