If you’re looking for a great two-in-one deal for seniors, then an Amazon Prime subscription might be right up your alley. In addition to giving you quick, seamless shipping on a broad range of Amazon purchases, you also get access to a ton of great eBooks and streaming video titles to enjoy at home.
While Amazon Prime doesn’t offer a direct senior discount, it’s already pretty affordable for that value at just $14.99 a month or $139 annually. If you are on government assistance programs like SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, or SSI, you will qualify for the Prime Access package at a discounted $6.99 a month.
What is Amazon Prime?
Amazon Prime is a subscription service offered by the online retail giant Amazon. You probably guessed as much! You have the choice of two types of subscription, monthly or annual. In turn, you get a range of extra benefits and features to enjoy, including:
Free and fast shipping
Amazon Prime members enjoy free two-day shipping on eligible items, and in some locations, may have access to same-day or one-day delivery options.
Prime Video
Members have access to a vast library of streaming content, including movies, TV shows, and Amazon Originals. Prime Video allows users to stream or download content for offline viewing on their devices.
Prime Music
Amazon Prime includes access to a selection of ad-free music streaming, too.
Amazon Photos
Subscribers can store an unlimited number of photos with 5 GB of additional storage for videos and documents. This is a useful way to organize your digital photo collection.
Prime Reading
Prime members with Kindle e-readers can enjoy eBooks from a collection of thousands of titles at no additional cost. You can also tag on a Kindle Unlimited subscription for even more reads and freebies, although it isn’t included with the basic Prime membership.
Amazon First Reads
Members get early access to new books by popular authors, often before they are officially released, through the First Reads program.
Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Discounts
In some locations, Amazon Prime members can access grocery delivery through Amazon Fresh. Additionally, Prime members may be eligible for discounts at Whole Foods Market.
Twitch Prime and Prime Gaming
Gamers benefit from free monthly channel subscriptions on the Twitch streaming platform, in-game loot, and other gaming-related perks. Prime Gaming offers some free and discounted game titles as well as free in-game content. More and more seniors are enjoying online gaming, so don’t write this one off just for young people, either!
Amazon Family
Prime members with children can access family-oriented offers, such as exclusive family-oriented discounts and age-specific recommendations. Even if you don’t have a young family yourself anymore, it’s a great way to share with your loved ones.
There are also limited-time perks like access to discounts on Amazon Prime Day to enjoy.
Why would seniors want Amazon Prime?
An Amazon Prime subscription is a one-stop sub that will power you up with a ton of entertainment options as well as bumping you to the front of the Amazon shipping queue.
The free shipping option is one of the most appealing features for seniors, especially if your mobility is limited or you can no longer drive for yourself. Simply hop online, and a few clicks later your needs will be winging their way to your door in super-quick time. That goes double if you have an Amazon Fresh option in your area. And if you’re a regular Whole Foods shopper, that discount is probably looking very enticing.
Being able to enjoy everything from brand-new movies and series right through to eBooks and even some gaming perks is a fantastic way to unlock a whole lot of entertainment on just one subscription. Plus, it’s high-quality stuff. You’ll find a broad range of respected authors as part of the Prime Reading library, and several Amazon Original productions have been honored by awards like the Oscars.
A little considered perk is the variety, too. The streaming service has a regularly changing lineup. The book side is regularly refreshed, too, and First Reads lets you enjoy brand-new works quite literally as they arrive on Amazon’s lists. Even their Twitch and Prime Gaming freebies change regularly. So there will always be something new to enjoy.
How much does Amazon Prime cost for seniors?
Amazon doesn’t directly offer a senior discount. However, if you are on a government assistance program, including SNAP, SSI, or Medicaid, you will qualify for Prime Access. This discounted tier still delivers all the same benefits, just at a lower price.
If you are on a government assistance program and you qualify for Prime Access, you will pay $6.99 a month. Everyone else will pay $14.99 a month for their Amazon Prime subscription. You can get a bit of a discount by signing up for a full year, at $139 for the full year.
Even at full price, this is equivalent to other streaming platform subscriptions at the moment. And you get a whole lot more than merely access to one streaming platform! So if you’re looking for a smart way to get as much value as possible from a single subscription, the Amazon Prime membership should be on your radar. It’s hard to beat the value it offers, especially if you are already a frequent Amazon shopper and can make the most of that shipping advantage.
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