Amazon Prime Video Costs Too Much: How to Watch Amazon Prime Video Free Or Cheap
By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man
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Amazon Prime Video, which comes free with a Prime membership, offers a must-have lineup of original shows, movies, older titles and live sports including exclusive Thursday Night Football games and NBA contests. But if you don’t have a Prime membership, Amazon Prime Video costs too much. Here’s how to watch Prime Video free or cheap, with special attention to the senior audience:
Amazon Prime Video’s Pricing
The full Prime membership, which includes other perks such as free shipping, Amazon music and gaming, costs $14.99 a month or $139 a year. You can purchase the Prime Video service separately for $8.99 a month. (Ad-free Prime Video, which also comes with Dolby Atmos and 4K titles, costs an extra $4.99 a month.)
Free: Start With the 30-Day Free Trial
If you have not had Amazon Prime (or a free trial) in the past 12 months, you can usually start a 30-day free trial. You get the full benefits, including Prime Video, free shipping, and more.
Go to amazon.com/amazonprime and look for the trial offer. You will need a payment method on file, but Amazon will not charge you during the trial period. Cancel before the 30 days end if you do not want to continue. (Amazon has improved the cancellation process after past complaints, but set a reminder on your calendar so you do not forget. If you’re still worried about forgetting, see our article, The Free Trial Trap, for tips.)
Cheap: Qualify for Prime Access at $6.99 a Month
This is the biggest ongoing discount available to many seniors. Amazon’s Prime Access plan costs $6.99 a month (instead of $14.99) and includes the same full Prime benefits, including Prime Video. You may qualify if you receive one of these government assistance programs (or similar ones Amazon lists):
• SNAP (EBT)
• Medicaid
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) — in many current listings
• Direct Express debit card
• WIC, TANF, LIHEAP, federal public housing assistance, and several others
You can also qualify through income verification if your household income falls within Amazon’s limits (roughly 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, depending on household size).
To sign up, go to amazon.com/qualify or search for “Prime Access” on Amazon. You will need to verify eligibility (upload a benefit letter, EBT card image, or complete income verification). You must re-verify once a year. Many seniors on Medicaid or SSI qualify this way. So while Amazon does not have a designated senior benefit, this is close.
Free: Watch Some Content Free With Ads (No Subscription Required)
Amazon has folded its old Freevee service into Prime Video. So non-subscribers can still watch a selection of movies, shows, and free ad-supported channels on Prime Video at no cost. Look for titles labeled “Watch for free” or “Free with ads.” You usually need a free Amazon account, but you do not need a paid Prime membership. This is not the full Prime Video catalog, but it is a useful free option for casual viewing. The free lineup includes live feeds of many local news shows.
Cheap: Pay Yearly Instead of Monthly
If you plan to keep Prime long-term, the annual plan costs $139. That works out to roughly $11.58 a month which is about 22 percent less than paying $14.99 every month. Paying annual for any streaming service can be a great way to reduce costs.
Cheap: Share a Membership With Someone in Your Household
Amazon Family (formerly Amazon Household) lets one Prime member share benefits, including Prime Video, with one other adult who lives at the same primary address. Both adults need their own Amazon accounts, and the setup requires payment-method sharing for verification. You can also add child profiles. This can effectively cut the cost in half for couples or roommates who share an address. See more details about Amazon Family here.
Cheap: Consider the Standalone Prime Video Plan
If you mainly want the streaming service and do not care about free shipping or other Prime perks, Amazon offers a standalone Prime Video subscription for $8.99 a month (with ads). It is cheaper than full Prime if you only watch TV and movies.
Bottom Line
The fastest and easiest free option is the 30-day trial – if you are eligible. For ongoing savings, check Prime Access first, especially if you receive Medicaid, SSI, SNAP, or similar benefits. Between the trial, the discounted plan, free ad-supported content, annual billing, and household sharing, most people can avoid paying the full sticker price for Amazon Prime Video. Which is great because…Don’t Pay Full Price For Streaming.
Have a question? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com
The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.
