Amazon Prime is one of the most popular membership programs today, with over 200 million members worldwide. One of the biggest perks of Prime is access to fast, free shipping on millions of eligible items. If you shop on Amazon frequently, Prime shipping can help you get your orders quicker with no extra delivery fees.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll explore everything you need to know about Amazon Prime shipping in 2024:
- Overview of Prime shipping benefits
- Speeds and delivery times
- Where Prime shipping is available
- Minimum order requirements
- Amazon Day delivery
- Amazon Key in-garage delivery
- How to maximize Prime shipping
- Pros and cons of Prime shipping
- and more!
Whether you already use Prime benefits or are considering a membership, read on to learn all about Prime delivery.
Overview of Amazon Prime Shipping Benefits
Here‘s a quick look at the main shipping perks Prime members can enjoy:
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Free 1-day shipping – Faster delivery on over 10 million items with no minimum order size. Available in most zip codes.
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Free 2-day shipping – Standard shipping is free on all eligible items for Prime members.
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Free same-day delivery – For orders over $35 on qualifying items in select cities. Otherwise $2.99 per order.
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Free release-date delivery – Get items delivered on their official release date.
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Discounted same-day, 1-day or 2-hour delivery – Through Prime Now and Amazon Fresh for groceries and household items.
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Free standard shipping – Normally 3-5 business days for non-Prime members.
With Prime, you skip the delivery fees and get reliable, fast shipping on most of what Amazon sells. Keep reading for more details on speeds, delivery times and where Prime shipping is accessible.
Prime Shipping Speeds and Delivery Times
One of the best parts of Prime is getting your orders faster with expedited shipping included in your membership. Here are the main delivery speeds:
Prime 1-Day Shipping
- Over 10 million items are eligible
- No minimum order size required
- Delivers within 1 business day
- Available in most zip codes, but fastest in areas closest to Amazon warehouses
One-day Prime shipping is one of the most popular choices for fast delivery on everything from electronics to everyday essentials.
Prime 2-Day Shipping
- The standard Prime shipping speed on eligible items
- No order minimum
- Items arrive within 2 business days
- Covers most Prime-eligible products
Two-day shipping used to be the fastest option before 1-day deliveries became more widely available. It‘s still a great option for quick delivery.
Prime Same-Day Delivery
- Available on over a million items in select cities
- Minimum $35 order of eligible items required
- Order by the cutoff time shown on each product page
- Delivers within hours on the same day
Prime members in eligible zip codes can get ultra-fast same-day delivery on a huge selection of products from electronics to home goods when placing qualifying orders early in the day.
Prime Now 2-Hour Delivery
- Exclusive for Prime members
- 2-hour delivery window for groceries, essentials and more
- Minimum order of $35 required
- Available in select cities only
Prime Now offers one of the fastest delivery options through the Prime Now app and website. Expect to pay a bit more for convenience.
Release-Date Delivery
- Ensure items arrive on official release date
- Available for books, movies, music, video games and more
- No order minimum
Release-date delivery guarantees you‘ll get new books, albums, games etc. on the exact day they launch. No more waiting or standing in line!
Amazon Day Delivery
- Choose any day of the week for deliveries
- Consolidates orders to arrive together on your Amazon Day
- No minimum order size
- Available nationwide
With Amazon Day, Prime members can pick any weekday for consolidated delivery of all orders placed that week. It‘s a handy way to organize Prime packages.
As you can see, Prime members have various delivery speeds to choose from, most with no extra fees. Amazon also provides estimated shipping times before you complete checkout so you know exactly when orders will arrive.
Next, let‘s explore where Prime shipping is available.
Where is Amazon Prime Shipping Available?
One common question is what areas Prime shipping covers. Here‘s a breakdown of where you can enjoy Prime delivery benefits:
Continental United States
- Includes all 48 connected states
- Eligible for all Prime shipping speeds
- Some rural addresses may be excluded
Most mainland US addresses can access the full suite of Prime shipping options. Exact delivery times depend on proximity to Amazon warehouses.
Alaska and Hawaii
- Expedited Prime shipping in 2-5 days typically costs $5.99+ per item
- Slower standard shipping in 5-7 days is free
- Priority shipping in 2 days also available for added cost
Prime members in Alaska and Hawaii can get discounted 2 to 5-day shipping and free standard delivery in 5-7 days. Prime Now may also be available.
Puerto Rico
- Expedited shipping in 2 days is $5.99+ per item
- Standard delivery in 5-7 days is free
- Prime Now available for faster grocery delivery
Similar to Hawaii and Alaska, Puerto Rico residents get lower expedited shipping fees and standard 5-7 day delivery at no extra cost.
Other U.S. Territories
- Normal Prime shipping not available
- May have access to Prime Now for fast delivery
Other territories like Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands currently don‘t have Prime shipping. Check availability of Prime Now for faster local delivery.
So in summary, the continental 48 states get the full Prime treatment while Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico have discounted 2-day shipping and free standard delivery. Prime Now also expands the reach for 2-hour delivery.
Minimum Order Sizes for Free Shipping
To get Prime packages without additional fees, be aware of the minimum order requirements for free delivery with different speeds:
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1-day and 2-day Prime shipping – No minimum order size. Free on all eligible items.
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Same-day delivery – $35 minimum order of eligible items required in select cities. $2.99 fee per order otherwise.
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Release-date delivery – No minimum order requirement.
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Amazon Day – No minimum for consolidated delivery on chosen day each week.
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Prime Now – Minimum orders of $35 for free 2-hour delivery on groceries and essentials.
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Amazon Fresh – No minimum for grocery delivery with Prime membership. $9.99/month otherwise.
So if you want free same-day delivery, be sure your cart hits at least $35 worth of eligible items. All other Prime shipping speeds don‘t have a minimum order requirement.
Amazon Day Delivery
Amazon Day gives Prime members the option to select any weekday for consolidated delivery of all orders from the previous week.
To use Amazon Day:
- Choose your preferred delivery day in account settings
- Place orders anytime that week
- Packages ship individually but arrive together on chosen day
- No order minimums to get Amazon Day
It‘s a simple way to organize Prime deliveries without having to reach the $35 minimum for same-day shipping. Just remember to select your Amazon Day each week.
Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery
Prime members in certain areas can also take advantage of Amazon Key, a secure, convenient way to get packages delivered inside your garage.
Here‘s how it works:
- Confirm your zip code is eligible via the Amazon Key website or app
- Select Key delivery at checkout
- Get one-time access verification for the delivery driver
- Driver unlocks garage door briefly to drop off package
- Garage relocks for security after delivery
- Get notifications during the entire process
Amazon Key is free for Prime members. It gives the convenience of in-home delivery safely and securely.
How to Maximize Amazon Prime Shipping Benefits
Here are some tips and tricks to make the most of Prime shipping perks:
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Check delivery times – View estimated arrival dates before you order so there are no surprises.
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Note order cutoffs – To get 1-day or same-day delivery, pay attention to daily order deadlines.
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Use Amazon Day – Consolidate orders without worrying about minimums for same-day delivery.
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Check eligibility – Enter your zip code to confirm if Prime Now and Amazon Fresh are available for fast grocery delivery.
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Compare costs – Weigh the shipping fees for non-Prime vs. a Prime membership to see if it‘s worth it.
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Preview Prime deals – Special Prime-only discounts can offset the membership fee.
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Share with family – Add up to 4 household members on your Prime account.
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Review shipping policies – Some items like furniture may ship slower or have fees.
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Consider automatic renewal – Opt-in to save $20 on annual Prime memberships.
Taking a few minutes to understand the ins and outs of Prime shipping can help you maximize the benefits.
Pros of Amazon Prime Shipping
Here are some of the biggest advantages of Prime shipping:
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It‘s fast – 1-day and same-day shipping means getting orders ASAP.
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It‘s free – No delivery fees for Prime members on eligible items.
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It‘s convenient – Great for busy families who need household items quickly.
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Wide selection – Prime shipping covers over 100 million products.
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Peace of mind – Accurate delivery estimates let you plan ahead.
For frequent Amazon shoppers, the time and money savings of Prime delivery can be significant. The variety of shipping speeds takes the stress out of shopping online.
Cons of Amazon Prime Shipping
While Prime shipping offers many perks, there are a few drawbacks as well:
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Membership fee – The monthly or annual cost isn‘t feasible for infrequent shoppers.
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Variable availability – Same-day delivery only covers certain cities and zip codes.
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Item restrictions – Some products like furniture ship slower with Prime.
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Demand-based delays – Extreme weather or high order volumes can delay deliveries.
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Service issues – Mistakes with shipping do happen on occasion.
The membership cost may outweigh shipping perks for those who don‘t order often. And Prime delivery speeds aren‘t guaranteed. But for regular Amazon users, most find Prime well worth the price.
The Bottom Line
For shoppers who like to buy from Amazon, a Prime membership can easily pay for itself through the shipping savings alone. You‘ll enjoy fast, free delivery on millions of Prime-eligible items.
While Prime shipping does have some limitations depending on location, the variety of speeds – from same-day to 1-day to 2-day – makes it easy to get orders when you need them. Perks like in-garage Key delivery and Amazon Day add even more convenience.
Before committing to Prime, be sure to research shipping times for your address. But for most frequent Amazon shoppers, the benefits outweigh the annual fee.
So don‘t let shipping costs and delays hold you back from buying your favorite products. With Prime delivery, you can get what you want, when you want it.
