How to Save Money on Amazon: 11 Simple Secrets and Tricks

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We have some good news for frequent Amazon shoppers: It’s ridiculously easy to save on your purchases and earn rewards for your spending.
Updated March 12, 2024
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In 2019, Amazon became the world’s largest retailer, surpassing Walmart on the Forbes Global 2000 List. With millions of products for sale and plenty of perks for Prime members, it’s no wonder the retail giant has become a one-stop shop for frugal shoppers. Prices and selection are difficult to beat, and customers can rely on great service as well.

If you want to know how to save money on Amazon, it's easy with their low prices. But our insider tips will help you keep more cash in your wallet, so you’ll be able to splurge on something special next time Prime Day rolls around. And the best part is, it’s super easy to find great sales, snag additional discounts, and get cash back.

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11 easy ways to save money on Amazon

1. Use cashback sites

Some sites will reward you with cash back for your Amazon purchases, and you can even score a bonus for signing up. For example, you can earn up to 5% cash back with Rakuten, and new customers can even earn a $10 Amazon gift card just for signing up.

Ibotta also lets you earn up to 6% cash back when you shop at Amazon, depending on what you buy. And, if you don’t yet have a Prime membership, you can get a $20 Amazon gift card for signing up through Ibotta. The offer expires October 31, 2021, but we suggest joining as soon as possible since the benefits of membership are well worth the cost.

Just keep in mind that you won’t be able to use both sites on the same purchase.

2. Pay with an Amazon credit card

In addition to other savings, you can earn up to 5% cash back back when you use an eligible Amazon credit card to pay for your purchases. Here are two card options to consider:

Prime Visa Amazon Visa
Welcome Offer $100 Amazon gift card upon approval Earn a $50 Amazon gift card upon approval of credit card application
Rewards Rate 5% cash back at Amazon.com, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases; 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations, and on local transit and commuting; 1% cash back on all other purchases 3% cash back at Amazon.com, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases; 2% cash back at restaurants and gas stations, and on local transit and commuting; and 1% cash back on all other purchases
Prime Membership Needed? Yes No
Annual Fee $0 $0

3. Use a general cash back card

There are a number of credit cards you can use to get cash back on your Amazon purchases, and some that offer up to 5% cash back. For example, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ lets you earn 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories you activate (on up to $1,500 spent) and travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service); and 1% cash back on all other purchases. Sometimes the rotating categories include Amazon.

You can also use the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card to get 3% back on the first $2,500 spent in the category of your choice each quarter. Online shopping is one of the category options. Check out our best credit cards for shopping on Amazon for more ideas.

Check out our Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card review.

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4. Watch for special offers from your credit card issuer

Sometimes credit card issuers team up with Amazon to offer you special discounts for paying with an eligible card or applying credit card rewards points. These offers aren’t typically automatic; you’ll have to activate them, so keep an eye on your rewards page.

For example, a now-expired offer allowed qualifying American Express cardholders to save up to $30 when using Amex Membership Rewards to pay for an Amazon purchase of $60 or more. Though the promotion is no longer active, jumping on similar deals can be an easy way to save big dollars.

5. See if you qualify for a discounted membership

An Amazon Prime membership is packed with benefits — including free two-day shipping, Prime Video access, and Whole Foods discounts— but it comes at a cost. Regular Prime membership is $14.99 per month or $139 per year. But if you’re in school or receive government assistance, you might qualify for a discounted membership.

A Prime Student membership only costs $7.49 per month or $69 per year. And EBT and Medicaid cardholders pay only $6.99 per month for a Prime membership. You’ll just need to confirm your eligibility before signing up.

6. Use your spare change

If your piggy bank is getting heavy, consider hauling it to a Coinstar location. You can avoid services fees and keep every penny you earned when you cash in your stash for an Amazon eGift card.

7. Opt for no-rush shipping

As a Prime member, you’ll get free 2-day shipping on millions of products. But if you don’t need an order delivered that quickly, you can opt for a discount or reward instead. Just select “Free No-Rush Shipping” as your delivery option, and you’ll receive your item within six business days.

Discounts are applied instantly, while rewards are added to your account once your order is shipped, and amounts vary by order. You don’t have to worry about tracking your rewards, since they’ll be applied automatically to your next purchase.

8. Shop Amazon Outlet and Warehouse deals

You can find some amazing sales on overstocked items at Amazon Outlet, whether you’re looking for a new pair of headphones or a new patio set. And you can also find millions of open-box and pre-owned items that have gone through a 20-point inspection at Amazon Warehouse. It’s a great place to find electronics and home goods.

Check these shops first before shopping through Amazon’s main page — you might be surprised at the deals you score.

9. Look for coupons

Every day, Amazon offers a number of coupons on different products, from tools to toys to household items. You can browse Amazon coupons by category. When you find one you like, simply click “Clip Coupon” and the discount will be applied to your order during checkout.

10. Shop Woot! Deals

Woot! is an Amazon-owned company that provides limited-time sales and daily deals on hot products you can find at Amazon. If you have a Prime membership, you’ll even get free shipping. Discounts are pretty impressive, so it’s worth checking their site regularly. You can even log in with your Amazon account to complete your order.

11. Check limited time deals

Amazon’s Gold Box Deals are limited-time offers with discounts ranging anywhere from 10% to 90%. Some of these deals are timed with a clock indicating how much longer you have to redeem the offer. Visiting this page regularly is a great way to find all of Amazon’s best offers in one place and snag them before time runs out.

The bottom line on saving money on Amazon

Just choosing to shop on Amazon can help you save money on its own. But add to that the awesome opportunities for finding additional discounts and earning cash back, and the low prices provided by the retail giant become even more affordable. It's helpful when you're struggling with how to manage your money.

While some of the ideas on our list can’t be used at the same time, it’s a good plan to combine strategies when possible. For example, you might choose to use a cashback site along with a cashback credit card to earn as much as 10% back on your Amazon purchases. And you should always keep an eye out for coupons and sales, especially on Prime Day and around the holidays. Here’s to getting everything on your list at a great price!

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