Amazon Prime Canada: Is it worth it?
What It Is
Amazon Prime Canada, launched in 2013, is a subscription service offering fast and free delivery, plus access to streaming and cloud storage perks like Prime Video, Prime Music, and Amazon Photos
Key Benefits
Fast, free delivery: Includes same‑day, one‑day, two‑day, and release‑day delivery (no minimum purchase except for same‑day orders require $25+ and before noon)
Entertainment: Access to Prime Video (with offline downloads) and Prime Music—ad‑free, across devices
Extras included: Prime Reading (free ebooks), Prime Gaming (PC games and in‑game content), Twitch subscription, and Amazon Photos for unlimited photo storage
Early deals: Lightning Deals and exclusive Prime member discounts
Student option: Half-price membership for students—$4.99/month or $49/year—with a 6‑month free trial (excluding Quebec residents, who get a 2‑for‑1 month offer)
Cost Overview
Regular members: $9.99/month or $99/year (~$8.25/month)
Quebec exception: No free trial, but first two months for $9.99
Student rates: $4.99/month or $49/year (with eligibility requirements and trial availability varying by province)
Financial Perspective: Is It Worth the Price?
Usage Scenario Consideration Occasional or in‑frequent usage, you only shop sporadically, each delivery cost (~$5) adds up—Prime might not provide enough value. Frequent user + multiple features. Extensive benefits like fast shipping, video/music streaming, and storage may justify the cost—especially if used regularly. Focused on cost-cutting. Cancelling could redirect ~$120/year toward paying down debt or building savings.
Tip: If you find you're not fully utilizing Prime's perks, it may be smarter to cancel and simplify your finances.
