Are you taking advantage of this secret Amazon Prime Perk?

If you have Amazon Prime, you need to read this post and make sure you’re taking advantage of this secret perk! This post does contain affiliate links.

amazon secret perk

Last week I shared some of the reasons that I love Amazon Prime. Today I want to share the details of one of the lesser known “secret” perks of Amazon Prime. Every time I talk about this perk, the response is the same, “Wow, I had no idea!” So, I thought it was worth mentioning for you all, to make sure you’re getting the most out of your Amazon Prime membership.

How to get your Promotional Credit

Everyone knows that you can get free 2-day shipping with your Amazon Prime membership.

However, if you’re not in a hurry for your stuff, you can get a little bonus. Amazon offers promotional credits as incentive for Prime members who choose free no-rush shipping instead of free 2-day shipping. I have received credits of $1, $2, and even $3 per purchase. Promotional credits are generally good for kindle, mp3, and instant video purchases.

Here is what Amazon says:

Choose FREE No-Rush Shipping and we’ll automatically apply a $1 digital credit (applicable to select eBooks, digital music and videos) to your account once your order ships.You can use this credit by logging on to Amazon.com or browsing your Kindle device. Find an eBook, Amazon Instant Video, or Digital Music that you want to purchase and we’ll automatically apply the credit at checkout. Offer redemption requires customers to be in the U.S.

The exact amount varies–I’ve been offered $1, $2, or even $3 per purchase.

1. Turn off 1-click ordering

In order to get your promotional credit for choosing no-rush shipping, you may need to turn off one-click ordering. You can do that by clicking here (you may be prompted to sign in if you aren’t already signed in). Or go to account –> settings –>1-click settings.

2. Add an item to your cart

I have found that this should work as long as the price of the item isn’t less than the amount of the credit. Also, the amount of the credit seems to vary. Yesterday, I purchased an $8.99 item and received a $3 credit. Today, I am being offered a $1 credit, so I decided to try it out with a low-priced item. For this tutorial, I bought this kids bible-songs cd for just $1.99.

kids bible songs

So, I got a CD delivered to my door for $1.99, AND got a $1 credit to use on a digital purchase of music, instant video, or kindle books. With the frequency of $.99 sales on kindle books, that’s a free book!

Another great deal going on at Amazon this week is this Love Comes Softly Complete Collection, 10-DVD Set for just $7.99 and free prime shipping!

love comes softly

3. Select No-Rush Shipping

When you go through the check out process, your final screen will look like this. You can see the circled portion explaining the $1 credit. The default for prime members is the free 2-day shipping, so you’ll have to select the Free no-rush shipping to get the promotional credit, which in this case is $1 (Remember, my CD just cost $1.99, and I’ll get free shipping, and a $1 credit back!)

amazon prime perk instructions

4. Spending Your Promotional Credit

Your promotional credit will be automatically applied toward your qualifying order. You can check your Amazon promotional credit balance here (you may need to sign in first if you aren’t already signed in). I like to use my promotional credit on discounted books to get the most out of them, but sometimes I like to splurge a bit too, and it makes it more fun to know that I’m spending “free” money. Here are some of the things I’ve been able to get with these credits over the past year.

  • 100 Days of Real Food. I love this blog and was excited to get the kindle book!
  • To Win Her Heart. One of my favorite books from Karen Witemeyer.
  • A Farmer’s Daughter. Recipes from a Mennonite Kitchen
  • Say Goodbye to Survival Mode by Crystal Paine (money saving mom)

And lots and lots more because, well, I might be a bit of a book fanatic! I have $20 credit right now that I can’t decide how to spend–my wishlist is too long! lol

Additional Information about this Promotional Credit

  • The amount varies. I have received $1, $2, and even $3 in promotional credit when I place an order and choose no-rush shipping.
  • If you choose no-rush shipping, you should allow for 5 business days (about a week real time) before receiving your order. Sometimes I have received items sooner, depending on how it is shipped, etc.
  • You can “save up” your credits. If you’re wanting something with a higher cost, you can save up your credits to purchase it. You don’t have to use them individually. For example, I have $20 in credits right now. I could use that to purchase 20 $.99 items, or one $20 item.
  • However, be aware that these credits to expire. When you’re in the checkout process, you can click on the “details” link to see when your promotional credits will expire. Usually mine have had an expiry date of 3-4 months out, which is plenty of time, but definitely something to be aware of.

Note: All of my credits have been good for kindle purchases, but my total for “kindle editions” is always $0.00. As long as your promotional credit was advertised as including Kindle purchases, it will still work, even if your credits aren’t listed in the “kindle editions” box.

Sometimes, I need to get my item in 2 days for one reason or another, but there are many times I’m not especially in a hurry and those times are great for earning these promotional credits toward digital purchases (mostly kindle books for me!)

So, there you have it. The secret Amazon Prime perk that most people don’t know about. Be sure to share with all your friends who may have Amazon Prime–they’ll thank you!

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