Decoding Amazon Prime Membership Fees in 2018: A Comprehensive Guide
Amazon Prime, the subscription service offering a plethora of benefits, has become a staple for many online shoppers. However, understanding the cost and value proposition can be tricky, especially when considering historical pricing. This article will delve into the Amazon Prime membership fee structure as it stood in 2018, breaking down the costs and clarifying what you received for your money.
1. The Baseline Price in 2018
In 2018, the standard annual Amazon Prime membership fee in the United States was $99. This was a significant price point, but it bundled a variety of services that, when considered individually, could have cost considerably more. This annual fee was the primary way to access Prime benefits. Keep in mind that prices varied slightly depending on region – international Prime memberships had different fee structures. For example, while not identical to 2018's price, the UK price was approximately £79 at the time.
2. What Did $99 Get You in 2018?
The $99 annual fee unlocked a robust suite of benefits, making it a potentially worthwhile investment for many consumers. These benefits fell into several key categories:
Free Two-Day Shipping: This was arguably the most attractive benefit. Any order eligible for Prime shipping arrived at your doorstep within two days (often faster!), eliminating shipping costs entirely. Imagine buying several items throughout the year – the shipping savings alone could quickly offset the annual membership cost. For example, ordering three items at $20 each with $5 shipping would equal $15 additional dollars, three separate instances adds up to $45 in shipping savings, almost half of your annual membership cost.
Prime Video Streaming: Access to a vast library of movies and TV shows, including Amazon Originals like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Jack Ryan. While not as extensive as Netflix or other major streamers at the time, Prime Video offered a solid selection, often comparable in value to a separate streaming subscription.
Prime Music: A streaming music service offering millions of songs ad-free. Again, this provided a value alternative to separate music streaming subscriptions like Spotify or Apple Music.
Prime Reading: A selection of free ebooks, magazines, and audiobooks available to Prime members. While not as extensive as Kindle Unlimited, it provided another benefit included in your membership.
Unlimited Photo Storage: Prime members could store an unlimited number of photos in Amazon Cloud Drive. This saved on potential costs of external hard drive storage.
Twitch Prime: (Now Amazon Prime Gaming) This included perks for gamers, such as free games, in-game loot, and a free Twitch subscription.
3. Monthly vs. Annual Membership: Which Was More Economical?
Amazon also offered a monthly Prime membership option in 2018, but this was less cost-effective. The monthly fee was higher on a per-year basis compared to the annual plan. Choosing the annual plan represented a significant cost savings.
4. Student Discounts & Other Offers
In 2018, Amazon also offered student discounts on Prime memberships. This reduced the annual cost, making it more accessible to students with potentially tighter budgets. Occasionally, Amazon also offered promotional periods with discounted introductory rates. These deals should always be investigated before committing to a full-year membership.
5. Was Prime Worth It in 2018?
Whether a Prime membership was worthwhile in 2018 ultimately depended on individual usage patterns. For frequent Amazon shoppers who valued fast, free shipping and utilized the streaming services, the membership often provided exceptional value. For infrequent shoppers or those who didn't engage with the streaming and other benefits, the cost may have seemed less justified.
Actionable Takeaways:
Carefully consider your shopping habits and how much you would use the included services before subscribing.
Opt for the annual plan for significant savings compared to the monthly option.
Look out for student discounts and promotional offers.
FAQs:
1. Q: Could I cancel my Prime membership after a year? A: Yes, you could cancel anytime, but you would lose access to the benefits immediately.
2. Q: What happened to my Prime benefits if I let my membership lapse? A: You lost access to Prime shipping, streaming, and other perks until you renewed your subscription.
3. Q: Did the price of Prime increase in 2018? A: The standard annual price remained $99 throughout 2018 in the US.
4. Q: Were there any regional variations in pricing? A: Yes, pricing varied depending on the country.
5. Q: Could I share my Prime membership? A: No, Prime memberships were generally not designed for sharing, although some household members could utilize benefits under one account. This should be checked with Amazon's current terms of service as this might have changed.
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