How to get Amazon Prime for 50% off: The two ways to qualify in 2026

Home & Office Why you can trust ZDNET : ZDNET independently tests and researches products to bring you our best recommendations and advice. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Our process

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.

Close Home Home & Office How to get Amazon Prime for 50% off: The two ways to qualify in 2026 There are a couple of lesser-known ways to get Amazon Prime for less right now. We break down the details.

Written by Kayla Solino, EditorEditor May 12, 2026 at 8:22 a.m. PT

Amazon Prime invitation — Maria Diaz/ZDNET

Amazon Prime Day returns this June, but you may not have to wait to snag an early deal. You may be eligible for an Amazon Prime membership at a discount without even realizing.

Also: Amazon confirmed Prime Day 2026 is coming earlier. Here's everything to know now

Amazon Prime typically costs $139 per year or $15 per month. Paying for a year-long subscription brings the monthly cost to around $11. But there are better ways to save far more, if you're eligible.

Here are two ways you might be able to snag savings on Prime, and the qualifications for each.

Join Amazon Prime

1. Prime for Young Adults

Amazon's Prime for Young Adults plan gets college students and other young people aged 18-24 a big break on the membership. This revamped program was unveiled in 2025 and replaces the previous Prime Student plan.

With the Prime For Young Adults plan, a Prime Membership costs $7.49 per month or $69 per year -- saving you 50% off the regular price. Perhaps most enticingly, the membership starts with a free 6-month trial (5 months longer than Amazon's standard 1-month trial). After the 6-month trial, the monthly price is charged, and you can always cancel beforehand if you'd like.

Prime for Young Adults is valid for four years or until age 25, after which it converts to a standard Prime membership unless canceled.

Also: Get Amazon Prime for 6 months totally free if you're age 18-24 - here's how

To qualify, you must either be 18-24 years old or currently enrolled in a higher education institution. There are a few other key details to know, including a verification process, but ZDNET has a helpful guide on how to secure these savings.

Amazon Prime Day 2025 box — Amazon/ZDNET

2. Prime Access (Qualified Government Assistance)

Amazon does not offer a traditional senior discount on Amazon Prime. However, some older adults may qualify for a discounted Prime rate if they are eligible for the Prime Access plan. Via the Prime Access plan, qualifying government assistance recipients and income-verified customers can get Amazon Prime for $7 per month. There's no reduction in services either -- eligible customers receive full Prime benefits at half the cost.

Also: I jailbroke my old Kindle, but I found a safer way to add books - for free

To sign up, visit the Prime Access page. This site will prompt you to verify your income or upload a document confirming your eligibility to a selected government assistance program. Once you enter your payment and billing information, you're all set to start enjoying Prime benefits, with a free 30-day trial. Existing Prime members can also upgrade to Prime Access by visiting the Prime Access page and uploading their eligibility verification. Revivification is required annually.

Several government programs are eligible to participate in the Prime Access program, so long as you provide proof of eligibility. They are:

SNAP EBT
Medicaid
Woman, Infants, and Children Program (WIC)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Direct Express Debit Card (DE)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Tribal Assistance Eligibility Letter (TTANF)
Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP)

For more, check out what to know about Apple's education discounts, and how I've saved nearly $700 by using Rakuten.

FAQs

Is there an Amazon Prime military discount?

No, currently there is no discount through an exclusive plan for military members. However, military members who might qualify for Prime for Young Adults or Prime Access may be eligible to save on Prime.

Is there a teacher or first-responder discount for Amazon Prime?

No, there are no exclusive plan savings for teachers or first-responders. However, teachers or first-responders eligible for Prime for Young Adults or Prime Access may qualify for savings.

When is Prime Day?

Amazon confirmed that Prime Day will return in 2026, but in June instead of July. No specific dates have been announced yet, but ZDNET anticipates the event to return in late June.