Ever wished you could snag Amazon Prime’s student discount, even if you’re not hitting the books? Well, Amazon just made that dream a reality for young adults across the UK: get a discount, even if you’re not going to uni.
The online retail giant has now expanded its Prime discount beyond the campus, offering it to all 18 to 22-year-olds, regardless of student status.
This new offer allows more young adults to access Amazon Prime benefits at a reduced cost: the program includes a six-month free trial, after which eligible individuals can continue their membership at £4.49 per month or £47.49 annually – half the standard Prime subscription price.
This discount applies to the full range of Prime services, including fast delivery options and access to Prime Video – but, as usual, there are a few caveats (see below).
What is Amazon Prime?
Amazon Prime, the company’s premium subscription service, has become increasingly popular in recent years, offering a range of perks including expedited free delivery and exclusive deals.
While the service encompasses various offerings, one of its most prominent features (at least for readers of Cord Busters) is Prime Video, Amazon’s streaming platform that has been making a name for itself, battling other streaming giants like Netflix and Disney+.
The platform offers a vast library of content, including popular films, television series, and original productions.
In the UK, Prime Video has made significant strides in recent years, even securing rights to broadcast live sports events such as Premier League football matches (though those will end next year), further enhancing its appeal to British viewers.
The service has also invested heavily in producing original content, with series like Fallout, The Boys, Reacher and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power garnering both critical acclaim and popular success.
Prime Video has also streamed several UK-centric productions, including Clarkson’s Farm and The Grand Tour, for British audiences.
Some of the other Amazon Prime perks include access to exclusive deals, particularly during events like Prime Day (which is coming on July 16-17 this summer), as well as various digital services such as Prime Gaming, Amazon Music, and Amazon Photos.
Normally, Amazon Prime costs £95/year or £8.99/month, though you can also get the somewhat hidden Prime Video-only plan for £5.99/month.
Young? Get Amazon Prime At Half Price
Amazon’s latest offer extends its reduced-price Prime membership, previously available only to students, to all young adults aged 18 to 22 in the UK.
Under the new scheme, eligible individuals can sign up for a six-month trial at no cost.
Following this trial period, they can continue their membership at a discounted rate of £4.49/month or £47.49 annually, representing a 50% reduction from the standard Prime membership fee.
To get this deal, you’ll need to prove your age. Amazon asks for a copy of your driving licence or passport to check that you’re eligible.
It’s worth noting that this discount isn’t forever – it lasts until you turn 23.
After that, if you want to keep your Prime membership, you’ll need to pay the full price – and it will be renewed automatically at that price, so you’ll have to remember to cancel if you’re no longer interested.
For students, the deal works a bit differently – if you’re at university, you can keep the discount for up to four years or until you finish studying, whichever comes first.
In addition to all the regular Amazon Prime benefits, There are also some extra perks for young adults, like discounts on groceries, travel, books, and fashion items.
However, there are a few perks NOT included in the Student/18-22 Prime tier:
Household sharing: Unlike full Prime members, those on this discounted plan cannot extend their Prime benefits to other household members.
Twitch benefits: The discounted membership only includes a single month of Twitch channel subscription, rather than the ongoing monthly subscription offered to full Prime members.
Kindle Owners’ Lending Library: This feature, which allows Prime members to borrow one book per month from a selection of titles, is not available with the discounted membership.
Is The New Amazon Prime Offer Worth It?
Amazon says it wants to make Prime more accessible to young people.
John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager at Amazon, said, “This is a really important time in their lives, so helping them save while enjoying great shopping and entertainment benefits will make a big difference, whether they’re going to university, starting work, or moving out of home for the first time.”
Of course, it’s also a way for Amazon to attract more young customers and viewers. By offering a discount, they’re hoping to get young adults hooked on Prime’s benefits, potentially turning them into long-term customers.
Whether this deal is worth it depends on how much you think you’ll use the various Prime services.
If you shop on Amazon often, watch a lot of Prime Video content, or could use the other benefits like music streaming or free delivery from Deliveroo, it could save you quite a bit of money – especially the initial, free six months.
But remember, while the first six months are free, you’ll start paying after that unless you cancel. And when you turn 23 (or finish university), the price will go up to the standard rate if you choose to continue.