Thinking about trying Amazon Prime? Or maybe you already signed up and now need to cancel before it charges you. Either way, this article walks you through the whole thing; start to finish, in plain language. No complicated instructions, no hidden steps and no guessing, where to click next. Whether you’re brand new to Prime or have used it before and just want to quickly re-learn a few things, everything you need is neatly laid out here in one place, so you can understand it at your own pace.
Part 1: Sign Up for the Amazon Prime Free Trial
Step 1: Check If You Qualify
Amazon usually only offers a free trial to new members. If you’ve had Prime before, even years ago, you might not be eligible. Amazon will tell you right away if that’s the case.
Step 2: Go to the Sign-Up Page
- Go to Amazon.com and sign in, or if you don’t have an Amazon account, create a free Amazon account.
- Search for “Amazon Prime” or click the Prime banner on the homepage.
- Click “Try Prime Free” or “Start Your Free Trial.”
Step 3: Enter Your Payment Details
Amazon also requires a valid card or payment method for the free trial. This is important because the money will be automatically deducted from your card when the trial ends, unless you cancel it earlier.
- Enter your card number and billing address.
- Confirm your shipping address.
- Click “Start Your Free Trial.”
Step 4: Confirm Your Trial Start Date
After signing up, Amazon shows you the date when your trial will end. Write it down or take a screenshot of it. This date comes in very handy later.
Step 5: Start Using Your Benefits
Your trial usually lasts 30 days. You will get, during this time:
- Fast and free shipping on the eligible order
- Prime Video streaming & Prime Music
- Special deals and early access to sales
- Free Kindle books through Prime Reading
Part 2: Tracking Your Trial
Before your trial ends, see exactly how many days you have left.
- Log in to your account.
- Click “Account & Lists” in the top right corner.
- Select “Prime Membership.”
- Look for the line that shows the date and price of your renewal.
Set a phone reminder for three days before that date. Amazon also lets you turn on an email reminder from this same page. Use it. This one step prevents almost every accidental charge.
Part 3: How to Cancel Before You Get Charged
If you decide Prime isn’t for you, canceling is quick. Here’s how to do it on every device.
Canceling on a Computer
- First of all Sign in to Amazon.com.
- Click on “Account & Lists”, then on “Prime Membership”.
- Click “Manage Membership” or “Update, Cancel, and More.”
- Select “End Trial and Benefits” or “End Membership.”
- Click “Continue to Cancel” on the confirmation screen.
- Confirm one final time to complete the cancellation.
Canceling on the Amazon App
Open the app and tap the person icon at the bottom right.
- Tap “Your Account.”
- Select “Prime Membership.”
- Tap “Manage Membership,” then “End Trial.”
- Follow the instructions to confirm.
Canceling on Mobile Browser
The steps match the desktop version closely. Tap the menu icon, go to “Prime Membership” under your account, then follow the same cancellation screens.
The Direct Link Shortcut
Want to skip the menus? Go straight to amazon.com/mc/pipelines/cancellation while signed in. This takes you right to the cancellation screen. Select “Continue to Cancel” and confirm.
A heads-up: Amazon may offer you a discount or extra free days on the cancellation screen. If you’re sure you want to cancel, skip the offer and keep clicking through.
Part 4: Confirming Your Cancellation Worked
Don’t just assume that it worked. Consider these three things.
- Check your account page: Go back to “Prime Membership.” It should show your benefits ending on your original trial date, with no mention of an upcoming charge.
- Check your email: Amazon sends a confirmation message after you cancel. Save it.
- Test your shipping: Add an item to your cart and check the shipping options. If two-day Prime shipping isn’t showing anymore, your trial is fully canceled.
Part 5: What Happens After You Cancel?
Your benefits don’t stop immediately when you cancel. You get full access to shipping, streaming, and all the other benefits until the last date of your original trial. The cancellation will automatically stop the charging. Apart from that, nothing changes.
Your Amazon account itself stays completely normal. Only the Prime membership goes away. Your order history, saved items and everything else stays exactly as it was.
Part 6: Already Charged? Here’s How to Get a Refund
Missed the deadline and got charged already? You may still qualify for a refund.
- Go to “Prime Membership” in your account.
- Look for the option to terminate your membership and request a refund.
- If you don’t see it, contact Amazon customer support directly and let them know about the situation.
- Refunds usually process within a few business days.
This works best if you haven’t used any Prime benefits since the charge went through. If you streamed a show or used free shipping after being charged, a refund becomes harder to get.
The Bottom Line
Signing up takes a couple of minutes, and canceling takes even less. The real key is setting a reminder before your trial ends, so you’re never caught off guard by a surprise charge. Follow the steps above, check your confirmation and you’re covered from start to finish.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
A: Yes. Amazon requires payment information in advance, even if you’re not charged during the trial.
A: Yes. At any time during the trial. Even a few minutes after signing up, you can cancel it and use its benefits until the end of the trial period.
A: No. Even after cancellation, your benefits will continue till the original end date.
A: Often not from the same account. Amazon usually limits it to only one free trial per household.
A: Contact Amazon and ask for a refund. If you haven’t used your benefits since they were charged, you’ll probably get your money back.