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Amazon practically pioneered the online free shipping revolution when they launched their Amazon Prime program in 2005, offering unlimited two day shipping for $79 a year. Since then, other retailers have been forced to increase their free shipping options and lower their shipping rates to keep Amazon from poaching all of their customers.
Since Amazon is synonymous with the idea of free shipping, it’s not often that people ask how to get free shipping on Amazon, but if you need to know how to get free shipping on Amazon without prime, we’ve got you covered with seven tips and tricks.
Seven Tips and Tricks for Free Shipping on Amazon
As of 2021, an Amazon Prime membership is $119 a year, or just $12 a month. The following groups can get 50% off Prime memberships:
- Students
- Customers with an EBT card
- Customers with a Medicaid card
As an Amazon Prime member, you receive a multitude of shipping-related benefits, including:
- Free Two Day Shipping – With free two day shipping, you’ll receive your items within two days.
- Free Same Day Delivery – With free same day delivery, you can receive certain items on the same day.
- Free Release-Date Delivery – With free release-date delivery, you can receive eligible pre-order items on their release date.
- Free No-Rush Shipping – With free no-rush shipping, you receive rewards and discounts in exchange for slower shipping.
- Amazon Day – With Amazon Day shipping, you’ll receive all of your purchases each week on a chosen day.
In addition to these free shipping benefits, Amazon Prime members also receive a host of other benefactors—but if an Amazon Prime membership isn’t for you, here are seven answers to the question of how to get free shipping on Amazon!
#1 Take Advantage of the $25 Minimum
When you order a minimum of $25 of eligible items on Amazon, you’ll receive free shipping! Once all your items are available, they ship within five to eight days.
As you shop, make sure you look for items that say “Free Shipping” on their product detail page. Not all items are eligible, so it’s important to double-check.
Additionally, some items also might not qualify for free shipping if you’re located in:
- Alaska
- Hawaii
You should also know that although gift cards receive free one-day shipping, they do not count towards the $25 minimum. Amazon is also home to many individual sellers who charge their own shipping fees, so double-check your order before you click submit.
#2 Add Filler Items to Your Cart
It’s not particularly difficult to reach the $25 minimum Amazon requires to receive free shipping, but if you’re only buying one or two things, then you might be close to that $25 without actually meeting it.
That’s where filler items come in.
With more than 12 million products sold by Amazon and 350 million products sold by Amazon sellers, there’s no shortage of merchandise to buy on Amazon. Brainstorm some filler items that can help you meet the $25 minimum.
Consider everyday household necessities like:
- Shampoo
- Toothpaste
- Dish Soap
- Deodorant
#3 Add Pre-Order Merchandise to Your Cart
This trick is on the sneaker side, but if you add pre-order products to your cart, they will count towards the $25 minimum, and you won’t be charged until it actually ships. Add a video game or a new book by your favorite author on pre-order, and you can always change your mind and cancel that item later.
#4 Utilize the Subscribe and Save Option
Amazon’s Subscribe and Save option is perfect for busy shoppers. You can save up to 15 percent off when you order five or more products for auto-delivery to one address, and you receive free shipping!
Subscribe and Save is great for items you need to replenish every month like:
- Dog food
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
Bonus: you’ll never have to make a late-night drive to the grocery store because you ran out of toilet paper again. You can also choose to:
- Skip a delivery
- Change your delivery day
- Change your delivery quantity
- Cancel auto-delivery
For even more savings, Prime members receive up to 20 percent off many Subscribe and Save products like diapers and baby food!
#5 Look for Lightweight Items
Remember, Amazon has two types of products: the 12 million products sold directly by Amazon and the 350 million sold by Amazon Marketplace sellers.
Since small, lightweight products have a low standard delivery cost, some Amazon Marketplace sellers will ship this merchandise for free. Look for products like:
- Mascara
- Vitamins
- Toothbrushes
On the product page, select “other sellers” to check your options if you’re buying a small, lightweight product.
#6 Search for Sellers with Free Shipping
Similarly, even if an item isn’t especially small or lightweight, some Amazon Marketplace sellers will still offer free shipping to incentivize you to buy from them.
The protocol is the same. Just select “other sellers” for whatever product you’re looking at to check if any Marketplace sellers are offering free shipping, a free delivery coupon, or a discount code.
Sometimes, if the retailer discounts the product enough, it will still be cheaper than the version sold directly by Amazon even if they charge shipping.
#7 Keep an Eye Out for Free Holiday Shipping
If sleigh bells are ringing, you might just luck out with free shipping on Amazon. In 2018, the retailer offered free shipping with no minimum purchase for items ordered after November 5th that arrived before Christmas.
Before you resign yourself to paying for shipping, make sure you check your calendar and search for any relevant holiday deals.
Get Cash Back on Amazon with RebateKey
Ask how to get free shipping on Amazon, and you shall receive! Amazon is a cornucopia of deals and savings, and with a little effort, you can enjoy free shipping on your purchase as well.
Still looking for more savings? Earn money back when you shop on Amazon with RebateKey. We’re the fastest-growing cash back website in the United States. Buy from one of our Amazon Marketplace partners, and you’ll receive a check in the mail.
It’s that easy.
Sources:
https://pattern.com/blog/amazon-prime-a-timeline-from-2005-to-2020/
https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-prime-benefits-what-is-included
https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GZXW7X6AKTHNUP6H
https://www.techlicious.com/tip/ways-to-get-free-amazon-shipping-without-amazon-prime/
