Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is in celebratory spirits after announcing that the company's Prime subscription service has pushed past 100 million members, just 13 years after it first launched as a free shipping option.
The achievement comes as no surprise, though. Despite consistent price hikes, Amazon has been adding one incentive after another to keep users happy. The list of freebies now include access to Amazon's original library of films and TV shows, music, Kindle books, and a six-month subscription to Washington Post, which Bezos owns. These, of course, form just the tip of the iceberg. The real draw of Prime is free two-day shipping and even same-day delivery for orders $35 and above in a bevy of U.S cities.
Amazon might soon also throw in a Whole Foods service into the plan, given that it recently acquired the retail chain.
So is it time for you to join the 100 million other people on Prime? Below is a brief list of what you get for your money.
Amazon Prime: Free Shipping And Lightning Deals
As mentioned, Prime Members get free two-day shipping on many products, which helps frequent Amazon shoppers save a lot of money. They also get two-hour deliveries via Prime Now, which is specifically for household items and groceries.
Prime members also get early access to "lightning deals," where the company offers massive discounts of select items for a limited time.
Amazon Prime Video
Prime Video is Amazon's answer to Netflix, and although its original lineup still doesn't hold a candle to Netflix's diverse and expansive library, it already boasts a crop of Emmy-nominated shows, plus The Lord of the Rings adaptation in the works. Prime Video is available as a standalone service, but it's included for free if you're a Prime member.
Amazon Prime Music
Prime Music is Amazon's answer to Spotify, which is pretty self-explanatory. Prime members get access to 2 million songs, and there are no pesky ads. They can even use their computers, smartphones, tablets, and the Amazon Echo line of smart speakers to stream their music.
Amazon Prime: Kindle Users
Kindle owners gets a free book each month if they have a Prime subscription. They don't technically get to own the book, but there's no return deadline, which is essentially kind of the same thing.
Prime members are also eligible for Kindle First, which allows them to read six unreleased books for free each month. A team of editors will make the selection, and Prime members will be able to read each one ahead of their release date.
Prime members can choose from over a thousand top Kindle books, magazines, short works, books with Audible narration, comics, children's books, and more.
Amazon Prime: How Much Is It?
Amazon Prime costs $12.99 per month, but an annual subscription costs just $99, $49 if you're a student. Given its many benefits and perks, especially for those who regularly shop on Amazon anyway, the deal is a bang for your buck.
Are you a Prime member? What's the best part about your Prime subscription? As always, feel free to sound off in the comments section below!
