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Every year, Amazon rolls out one of the biggest shopping events on the calendar: Prime Day. What once lasted
just 24 hours has now expanded into a four-day shopping event, running from Tuesday, June 23, through Friday, June 26.
During the sale, hundreds of products will be marked down across nearly every category imaginable — from the latest tech and gadgets to home essentials, and closet upgrades worth adding to your cart. While many discounts typically range between 30% and 50% off, access to most Prime Day deals requires an Amazon Prime membership, which currently costs $14.99 per month.
Prime members also get perks like fast shipping and early access to select discounts, but if adding another monthly subscription isn’t in the budget, there are still a few ways to access Prime for free ahead of the event and take advantage of the savings.
How to Get Amazon Prime for Free in 2026
The easiest way to get Amazon Prime for free — and start shopping Prime Day deals immediately — is by signing up for a new account. Amazon currently offers a 30-day free trial for eligible new members, giving shoppers plenty of time to create an account, shop the sale, receive their orders, and cancel before being charged.
If you’re a student or between the ages of 18 and 24, there’s also a discounted Prime plan available. Users can still access a free trial — in this case, six months instead of 30 days — and once the trial ends, membership costs 50% less than the standard monthly rate if you decide to keep it. Amazon verifies eligibility through proof of enrollment or age verification, per the site.
Amazon also offers discounted Prime memberships for those receiving government assistance programs like SNAP or Medicaid. Members can start with a 30-day free trial and then continue at a slashed monthly rate of $6.99.
At the time of writing, Amazon does not offer Prime membership discounts specifically for government employees, military members, nurses, or teachers. If you fall into one of those categories and want access to Prime Day pricing, the easiest option remains signing up for the free 30-day trial and canceling afterward if you don’t plan to keep the membership.
About the Author
Alexis Mikulski Ruiz is a commerce writer at Penske Media, where she tests, reviews, and writes about the latest in lifestyle, fashion, tech, and entertainment. A lifelong shopaholic, she’s dedicated to helping readers separate the hype from the must-haves. Previously, she has contributed to Men’s Health, Good Housekeeping, Oprah Daily, Women’s Health, and more. She’s a proud Oxford comma enthusiast and graduated from Emerson College with a B.A. in Journalism.
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