Browsing Amazon, you will see a wide range of items for home and work, but beyond that, Amazon is leading the way in super fast and reliable shipping.
If you’ve ever shopped with this big-name retailer, you may have seen or heard of Amazon’s quick shipping service. It’s probably left you wondering: what is Amazon Prime Shipping? If you’d like to find out, keep reading to see what I uncovered!
What Is Amazon Prime Shipping In [currentyear]?
Amazon Prime Shipping describes the attractive shipping benefits offered exclusively to Amazon Prime members, such as faster delivery times and free shipping. With Prime, you have the choice of free one and two-day shipping, as well as standard and release-day shipping for qualifying items. There’s also same-day shipping delivery for eligible orders over $35 in select cities in [currentyear].
If you want to know more about Amazon Prime Shipping, including expedited delivery options and coverage areas, then keep reading for our complete guide!
Where Is Prime Shipping Available?
Arguably one of the most attractive benefits of Amazon Prime is the fast, free delivery options available, including two, one, and even same-day shipments across much of the U.S.
If you live in the mainland U.S., you shouldn’t have any problems with standard Prime shipping, and the same for Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
For those areas outside of the U.S., expedited shipping in 2-5 business days and priority shipping in 1-4 business days have discounted fees for Prime members.
The best way to confirm your Prime Shipping eligibility is to enter your delivery address in your account.
Afterward, the available shipping speeds and any applicable cost will appear when you add items to your cart.
Is Prime Shipping Free?
With Amazon Prime Shipping, you can choose from a wide range of shipping speeds, many of which are free.
Below are the shipping benefits for Amazon Prime members in the contiguous U.S.:
- Free one and two-day shipping
- Free standard shipping in 4-5 business days, as well as no-rush shipping and day deliveries
- Free release-date delivery on eligible items
- Free same-day delivery on qualifying orders $35 and up in select cities, otherwise $2.99 per order
- Saturday shipping starts at $7.99 per item with prices varying by item size and weight
For Alaska and Hawaii, Prime members can pay as low as $5.99 per item for expedited shipping within 2-5 business days.
Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico also have priority shipping within 1-4 business days, starting at $11.99 per item, or free standard shipping in 3-7 business days.
However, note that while Prime shipping is usually free or at least heavily discounted, there is the actual cost of a Prime membership, which is $12.99 per month or $119 per year.
As long as you have an active Prime membership, then you can make the most of the attractive shipping benefits.
What is Prime One-Day Shipping?
While free two-day shipping is the standard Prime delivery option for millions of items, many can be shipped in as little as one day.
You can use the “get it tomorrow” filter to find items eligible for one-day shipping.
While order cutoff times and overall selection vary by region, you should receive your order by 9 p.m. the next day, if not earlier.
All Amazon shoppers have the choice of one-day shipping on eligible items, which Prime members automatically get a discount on.
Addresses in major metropolitan areas (particularly places with an Amazon fulfillment center nearby) may be eligible for free same-day delivery or one-day shipping on qualifying orders.
Amazon makes it easy to find out if you live in an eligible area- you just have to enter your zip code online.
What is Amazon Prime Same-Day Shipping?
Same-day shipping with Amazon Prime means the package arrives the same day you order it, as long as you place your order before the cutoff time shown on the product detail page.
Same-day shipping is even more convenient than one-day shipping.
However, it’s not available in quite as many places, and you usually need to order before noon.
Even if you miss the cutoff for same-day shipping, Amazon will work to get the package to you as soon as possible with free one-day shipping.
Currently, same-day shipping with Amazon Prime is available in major metropolitan cities, such as New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Orlando, Atlanta, and Dallas.
To find items available for free same-day delivery or one-day shipping, confirm your delivery address is eligible, and then you’ll have more than a million items up for grabs.
There’s a search filter near the top left sidebar where you can browse free same-day or one-day shipping on different products.
Also, keep in mind that there’s a minimum order amount of $35 for free same-day or one-day items.
As long as you have at least $35 of eligible items in your cart, you can get free delivery. Otherwise, delivery is $2.99 per order.
What Is Prime Now 2-Hour Delivery?
In addition to same-day delivery, there is also Prime Now, and both delivery options are available in select areas only.
Prime Now is a two-hour grocery delivery option, offering thousands of household essentials delivered straight to your door when you order in the Prime Now app or primenow.amazon.com.
Like same-day delivery, these orders need to meet the local free delivery threshold of $35, although there’s also the option for local pickup.
Available Prime Now products vary depending on where you live.
However, if your delivery address is eligible, you can expect an array of fresh grocery products, beauty products, pet supplies, and more.
What Is Amazon Key Delivery?
If the fast and free Prime delivery wasn’t enough, there’s also Amazon Key, a highly convenient and secure way to have Amazon packages delivered inside your garage.
Amazon Key is only available to Prime members, and it’s free, so you can receive packages both when you’re home or away.
This secure shipping option uses one-time access verification to allow drivers into your garage through a phone app.
You don’t have to use Amazon Key all the time either, as Prime members have the choice of in-garage delivery or standard doorstep delivery.
What Are the Benefits of Amazon Prime Shipping?
Amazon Prime Shipping is a reliable resource for anyone who shops on Amazon frequently, as the shipping savings make the membership worthwhile.
Here are a few of the key benefits of Amazon Prime Shipping to consider:
- Prime Shipping is available on thousands of items across most categories, including Amazon bestsellers.
- Free one-day delivery is available for more than 10 million items and no minimum purchase.
- $35 minimum for same-day and two-hour delivery works well for stocking up on groceries and household essentials.
- Prime members can get ultra-fast grocery delivery in one or two hours with Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market.
- Prime Shipping includes the choice of a dedicated Amazon Day for free delivery on a chosen day of the week, no minimum threshold required.
Don’t forget that by signing up for a Prime membership, not only do you get the Prime Shipping benefits.
In fact, you also get extra savings, streaming, and more in-demand Amazon services only available for Prime members.
To know more, you can also read our posts on Amazon Prime cancellation policy, why is Amazon Shipping so expensive, and if Amazon ships to Hawaii.
Conclusion
Not only is Amazon Prime popular for its exclusive savings on thousands of items and on-demand streaming for music, movies, and TV shows, but Prime members also get discounts on additional shipping options.
Amazon Prime Shipping covers a range of shipping speeds, including free two and one-day delivery in the continental U.S.
