Hidden Perks of Amazon Prime
Free two-day shipping is just the beginning.
Most people use Prime for the free two-day shipping. Video streaming is another perk – but you probably knew that. Same goes for free Kindle books. But some Prime benefits are less familiar.
Take Dash Buttons. They’re about the size of a thumb drive and connect to Amazon through your Wi-Fi. Let’s say you’re running out of toilet paper. Simply push the Charmin button in your bathroom, and more rolls will arrive two days later.
Is two days too long? Your $99-a-year Prime membership can get you same-day delivery on a million items. There are two catches: You must live in an eligible city; and your order must total $35 or more. Need it even faster? Free two-hour deliver is available on 25,000 items.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Yet another hidden perk of Prime is the ability to share your membership. The wrinkle: The person also shares access to your payment methods. Consider you partner in Prime carefully.
Take a look at more surprising benefits of a Prime membership.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Browne Taylor joined Kiplinger in 2011 and was a channel editor for Kiplinger.com covering living and family finance topics. She previously worked at the Washington Post as a Web producer in the Style section and prior to that covered the Jobs, Cars and Real Estate sections. She earned a BA in journalism from Howard University in Washington, D.C. She is Director of Member Services, at the National Association of Home Builders.
-
What is a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?
Tax Breaks A QCD can lower your tax bill while meeting your charitable giving goals in retirement. Here’s how.
By Kate Schubel Published
-
Embracing Generative AI for Financial Success
Generative AI has the potential to reshape how we approach learning about and managing our personal finances.
By Rod Griffin Published
-
Five Reasons You Shouldn't Shop on Amazon Prime Day
Smart Buying Think twice before getting lured into buying a bunch of stuff you don't need just because it's on sale.
By Andrea Browne Taylor Last updated
-
Best Cash Back Credit Cards December 2024
Smart Buying Trying to compare the best cash back credit cards? Unlike most reviewers, we include cards from small banks and credit unions, as well as from large issuers.
By Ellen B. Kennedy Last updated
-
How to Spend $1,000: Find Cheap (or Free) Online Courses to Build Career Skills
Smart Buying There's a huge array of skill-building online courses that can level up your career for under $1,000.
By Kim Clark Published
-
MoviePass is Relaunching. Should You Sign Up?
Smart Buying The subscription discount movie card company has a checkered past and an army of disillusioned former cardholders. If you want to try the reboot, you’ll need to hurry.
By Bob Niedt Published
-
HBO Max Is Offering Huge Discounts
Smart Buying Looking for a streaming service deal? Warner Bros. Discovery is cutting the price of HBO Max.
By Bob Niedt Published
-
Are You Streaming Too Much? What the Discovery+/HBO Max Mashup Means
Smart Buying Fewer original scripted series? Maybe. And maybe it’s time to unsubscribe.
By Bob Niedt Published
-
How Big Should My Emergency Fund Be?
Brandon Copeland NFL linebacker and Kiplinger contributing editor Brandon Copeland discusses the importance of building an emergency fund.
By Brandon Copeland Published
-
Homeowners Insurance: How to Protect Your Home
Brandon Copeland NFL linebacker and Kiplinger contributing editor Brandon Copeland discusses the ins and outs of homeowners insurance.
By Brandon Copeland Published