Amazon offers a wide array of freebies, promotional offers, and trial programs that provide significant value to U.S. consumers. These opportunities range from digital services and physical product samples to credit incentives and specialized trial programs. While many of the most substantial benefits are reserved for Amazon Prime members, non-members also have access to certain free offerings. The availability and requirements for these freebies can vary, and consumers are advised to review the specific terms and conditions for each offer. This guide synthesizes information from various sources to outline the primary freebies available through Amazon, detailing eligibility, access methods, and key considerations.
Amazon Prime membership unlocks a broad portfolio of complimentary services and products. A standard Prime membership in the U.S. costs $14.99 per month or $139 per year. For eligible new users, Amazon provides a zero-cost 30-day trial that grants full access to all Prime benefits, including the ability to participate in Prime Day sales. A distinct promotion, "Amazon Prime for Young Adults," offers a six-month free membership to Gen Z consumers. Beyond the trial period, a significant freebie for Prime members is a 30-day free trial of Amazon Music Unlimited. This trial is automatically applied to the account after purchasing an eligible item, such as an Echo device sold and shipped by Amazon, or after registering an existing device in the Alexa app.
Prime membership also includes access to numerous digital services at no extra cost. These include Prime Video for streaming thousands of shows and movies (a service that costs $8.99 per month without Prime), unlimited full-resolution photo storage via Amazon Photos, and Prime Reading, which provides free instant access to a selection of Kindle e-books and audiobooks. The Amazon First Reads program allows Prime members to download two free new-release Kindle books each month. Additionally, Prime members can access Amazon Luna to stream video games for free on compatible devices like PCs, smart TVs, or Fire Tablets, using controllers they may already own. Prime Gaming offers 5-6 free PC games each month. Another notable perk is free Grubhub+, which provides free food delivery and normally costs $9.99 per month, resulting in a potential annual savings of almost $120. To activate this, users must link their Grubhub account with their Prime account. Prime members can also save $0.10 per gallon of gas at participating Amoco, BP, or ampm stations after activating the benefit and linking their Prime account.
For physical products, the Amazon Baby Registry Welcome Box is a highly valued freebie for expectant parents. To qualify, individuals must create an Amazon Baby Registry, add at least 10 products to it, and make a $10 minimum purchase from their registry. The box, valued at up to $35, contains samples and full-size products for parents and babies from brands like Pampers, Johnson's, Huggies, and Amazon's own brand. Contents typically include items such as diapers, wipes, baby lotion, pacifiers, and small toys. As an additional benefit, registry creators also receive a 15% completion discount.
Non-Prime members also have access to several freebies. Amazon Photos offers 5GB of complimentary cloud storage for photos and videos to all customers, which can hold approximately 1,500 photos. For free Kindle books, non-Prime members can access select titles for free through Prime Reading, but only on a Kindle device. Amazon also provides a free 30-day trial of Prime to anyone, which opens up all Prime benefits, including free shipping and access to Prime Video. Furthermore, customers can ask Alexa to send a free sample. The first time this is done, Alexa will instruct the user to go into the Alexa app to create and link a "Send Me a Sample" account.
Amazon also runs promotional offers that provide free credit. These promotions may offer free Amazon credit for specific actions, though the exact actions required are not detailed in the provided sources. Another financial-related freebie is the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card, which provides a gift card upon approval. This is a credit card, and approval is subject to a credit check. The gift card can be used to purchase any item on Amazon.
For returns, Amazon offers a convenient and free drop-off option at Kohl’s stores. Customers do not need a box for this process. To initiate an Amazon return at Kohl’s, users should open the Amazon app, navigate to "My Orders," select "Return or Replace Items," choose a reason for return, and then select "Kohl’s Dropoff." Amazon will then send a QR code to the user's email, which they can present at the Kohl’s store. Free returns can also be dropped off at UPS or Whole Foods locations.
Regarding policy, the sources indicate that Amazon does not ban users for legitimately claiming too many freebies. However, abuse of policies—such as repeatedly signing up for free trials with different accounts, violating review policies, or returning excessive amounts of items—can lead to account restrictions. As long as users follow Amazon's terms of service and do not attempt to manipulate their systems, claiming available freebies is acceptable.
In summary, Amazon provides a diverse set of freebies and trials that cater to different consumer needs, from digital entertainment and cloud storage to physical product samples and financial incentives. The most comprehensive benefits are tied to Prime membership, which can be accessed via a free trial. Non-members also have specific opportunities, such as free cloud storage and certain sample programs. Consumers should carefully review the requirements for each offer, as some may involve purchases, registrations, or specific account linkages. By understanding the available options and their eligibility rules, U.S. consumers can effectively leverage Amazon's free offerings to gain value.