10 Unique Ways To Save Money Shopping With Amazon
Amazon offers value if you know where to look. With Amazon Prime Big Deals Days right around the corner, adopting these strategies can help you save more.
Amazon is America's second-favorite retail giant (just behind Walmart), according to the National Retail Federation's 2026 Top 100 Retailers report. (Who came in third? Costco).
No question, Amazon comes in at No. 2 for good reason. You can find a huge selection of products and services. If you're a Prime member, you'll also get free, one- or two-day shipping on all eligible items, as well as access to digital storage for your photos, video streaming, music, audiobooks and many more Prime-exclusive benefits.
A Prime membership unlocks access to special deal events, like the upcoming Amazon Prime Big Deal Days happening on October 6 and 7. Review these 10 ways to save when shopping on Amazon.
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1. Shop Woot! deals
Woot! is Amazon's daily deals site, where you can find discounts on everything from clothing and home items to electronics. Some discounts can be steep, with select items advertised for as much as 96% off the reference price.
What's the catch? Woot! deals are available for a limited time and may have limited stock. Once an item sells out or an offer expires, you may have missed your chance, although Woot! says some deals could return later.
A good general rule: Check Woot! before buying something on Amazon. You may find the same or a similar item for less, but compare prices before buying since Woot!'s reference price isn't necessarily the price an item typically sells for.
If you're a Prime member, you'll get free standard shipping on Woot! purchases. Shipping restrictions may apply to individual offers.
2. Use Amazon coupons
You read that right. Amazon offers coupons and promo codes that can knock a percentage or dollar amount off eligible products.
If there's a coupon available for something you want, you may see it on the product page or in Amazon search results. You can also browse available offers on Amazon's Deals page. Coupons can change frequently, so it's worth checking before you buy.
If you're about to order an item and aren't set on a specific brand, compare similar products to see whether one has a coupon available. Just make sure you're comparing the final prices rather than choosing an item simply because it has a coupon.
Pay attention to how the offer works, too. Some Amazon coupons need to be clipped or activated, while other discounts and deals may be applied automatically. Promo codes may need to be entered at checkout. Check your order total before placing your order to make sure the discount was applied.
3. Search for lightning deals
When you're looking for bargains, check Amazon's Lightning Deals. These limited-time offers can provide significant discounts on select products, but you'll need to act relatively quickly.
Lightning Deals typically run for four to 12 hours and can end sooner if the available inventory sells out.
Amazon may show how long you have left to claim a deal or what percentage of the available deal inventory has already been claimed. Before buying, compare the deal price with the item's typical selling price to make sure you're actually getting a good deal.
4. Set up subscribe and save
There are certain items you always need around the house, such as coffee, vitamins and paper towels. Many everyday essentials are available through Amazon's Subscribe & Save program, which can save you up to 15% on eligible purchases.
If Subscribe & Save is available for an item, you'll see the option on the product page, along with any applicable discount. Choose the quantity and delivery frequency that works for you, and you can change your schedule, skip a delivery or cancel your subscription.
You can unlock additional savings when you have five or more eligible Subscribe & Save products scheduled to arrive together.
Just keep an eye on the price. The price and discount can change between deliveries, so check Amazon's notification before your next shipment to make sure you're still getting a good deal.
5. Select no-rush shipping
If you're a Prime member and don't need your Amazon order right away, check for a No-Rush Shipping option at checkout. Amazon sometimes offers promotional rewards to Prime members who are willing to wait a little longer for their packages.
No-Rush Shipping isn't available for every order, and the reward can vary. Check your delivery choices at checkout to see whether it's offered and what you'll receive in exchange for choosing a slower delivery.
If you're not in a hurry, it's an easy way to squeeze a little more value out of your Prime membership.
6. Get free shipping without a Prime membership
If you don't order from Amazon often enough to warrant spending $139 a year or $14.99 per month for a Prime membership, you can still get some orders delivered for free.
Spend at least $35 on eligible items shipped by Amazon and you can qualify for free shipping without a Prime membership. Look for "FREE Shipping" on the product page to see whether an item counts toward the minimum.
If your cart is just shy of the $35 threshold, consider adding a household staple or other essential you'd buy anyway. Just compare the cost of the extra item with the shipping charge first. Spending more simply to avoid a smaller delivery fee won't save you money.
7. Shop Amazon Resale deals
When eligible used, pre-owned and open-box products are returned to Amazon, they may be offered for sale through Amazon Resale. You can find discounted products ranging from computers and household goods to tools and pet supplies.
Items are evaluated and assigned a condition, such as Like New, Very Good, Good or Acceptable. The condition description can tell you about cosmetic damage, packaging and whether accessories may be missing.
Don't assume used automatically means a great deal, though. Compare the resale price with the cost of buying the item new before you check out. You may find bigger discounts on products with cosmetic imperfections, so Amazon Resale can be particularly useful for things you don't mind having a few scratches or dents.
8. Shop Amazon Haul
One of Amazon's newer savings options is Amazon Haul, a regularly updated marketplace featuring a huge selection of products at ultra-low prices. You can shop Haul through the Amazon Shopping app or on Amazon's website.
Amazon Haul has more than 1 million products, with many items priced under $10. You'll find everything from clothing and accessories to home goods, beauty products, electronics and party supplies.
Haul can be particularly useful for inexpensive items where you don't necessarily need a premium brand. Stocking up on party supplies for a backyard barbecue? Putting together gift bags for a birthday party? Looking for an inexpensive pair of sunglasses you won't be devastated to lose? It's worth checking Haul before paying more elsewhere.
Just as with any bargain, compare prices and reviews before buying to make sure the low price is actually a good value.
9. Get the Prime Visa credit card
You might be hesitant to apply for another credit card, but if you shop frequently on Amazon, the Prime Visa is worth checking out.
The biggest rewards are reserved for Prime members. With an eligible Prime membership, you'll earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Audible.com, Whole Foods Market and on purchases made through Chase Travel.
Prime cardholders can also earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of products and categories at Amazon. These are limited-time offers, so check what's available before you shop.
The card also earns unlimited 2% back at restaurants and gas stations, as well as on local transit and commuting, and 1% back on other purchases.
The Prime Visa has no annual fee or foreign transaction fees. Keep in mind, however, that you'll need an eligible Prime membership to earn the higher 5% rewards rate.
Without Prime, the Amazon Visa earns 3% back at Amazon.com, Audible.com, Whole Foods Market and through Chase Travel.
10. Add someone to your Prime account
If the $139 annual or $14.99 monthly Prime membership fee gives you pause, Amazon Family can help you get more value from a single membership.
Amazon Family, formerly called Amazon Household, allows a Prime member to share many Prime benefits with one other adult who lives at the same primary residential address.
That includes fast, free Prime delivery, access to Prime Day and other exclusive deals, Prime Video and Prime Reading.
You can also add up to four child profiles, although children don't get the same shopping privileges as adults.
The important restriction is that you can't use Amazon Family simply to share Prime with a friend or relative who lives elsewhere. Adults sharing Prime benefits must have the same primary residential address.
Make the most out of Amazon money-saving hacks
Amazon offers plenty of ways to stretch your budget on everyday purchases, even if you don't have a Prime membership. But Prime members have access to additional discounts and perks, including Amazon's biggest shopping events.
The next opportunity is Prime Big Deal Days on October 6 and 7, when members can shop limited-time deals across a wide range of categories. Whether you're stocking up on essentials or planning a bigger purchase, it pays to compare prices and make sure you're getting a deal that's actually worth it.
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