Amazon's Prime Day sale is coming up. Here's how to get a Prime membership for free

The offer mentioned below for the Prime Visa is no longer available.

This year, Amazon's Prime Day sale is happening Tuesday, June 23 through Friday, June 26.

The four-day sales event is exclusively for Amazon Prime members — a membership that costs $139 per year, or $14.99 per month.

While we think Amazon Prime is worth having year-round for dedicated online shoppers, here are some ways to save money on your membership in time for this summer's big sale.

If you just want to sign up to take advantage of limited-time exclusive deals, a free 30-day trial is the way to go.

Those new to Amazon Prime membership, or anyone who hasn't been a member in the last 12 months, are eligible for a 30-day free trial. Note that you'll need to use a credit card to set up your trial membership.

If you're a college student (or a non-student between the ages of 18 to 24), you can sign up for a free six-month Amazon Prime trial. Students must be enrolled in at least one course at an institution in the United States or Puerto Rico, have a working .edu email address and be able to show proof of enrollment if requested. Non-students will need to prove they're between the ages of 18 and 24.

While the same cancellation reminder as above applies here, the six-month stretch is much more generous than just 30 days. After the trial ends, you'll pay $7.49 per month or $69 annually for your Prime membership as long as you still qualify for Prime for Young Adults.

Now is a great time to apply for the Prime Visa (see rates and fees). You can get an elevated $200 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval, exclusively for Prime members. Even better, the gift card will be automatically loaded into your Amazon account.

There's no minimum spending requirement needed to earn the bonus, but you must be an Amazon Prime member to get the credit card. With a typical Prime membership costing $139 per year, this welcome bonus more than recoups the charge for one year.

Additionally, the card earns 5% cash back on purchases at Amazon.com, which elevates to 7% from June 23 through June 26 (when you choose No-Rush Delivery).

If you don't qualify for the Prime Visa (which requires at least a good credit score, or a FICO Score of 670+), the Prime Store Card could be a good option. You can only use the card for purchases on Amazon.com or at Whole Foods Market, but it earns the same rate of cash back on those purchases as the Prime Visa.

Plus, the store card offers its own welcome bonus: Get an $80 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval. While it won't fully cover the cost of your Prime membership, it can cover over 50% of it.

Thanks to Amazon Family, previously known as Amazon Household, you can share the Prime membership access that your spouse, sibling or parent already pays for. Hey, that's what family's for, right? When shopping during the sale, maybe you'll find a deal they can enjoy, too.

Amazon Family just requires that two adults (ages 18 and over) each have their own Amazon account, though only one must have a Prime membership. Thanks to this benefit, household members, including teens and children, can share Amazon Prime benefits such as free one-day Prime delivery and Prime Video.

If you have an EBT card or any valid qualifying government assistance documents, you can qualify for a free 30-day trial of Amazon Prime. Afterward, you'll pay a discounted rate of $6.99 per month.

If you qualify for any of these programs, you may be able to get access to a discounted Prime membership through Prime Access:

• SNAP EBT
• Medicaid
• Woman, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Direct Express Debit Card (DE)
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
• Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Tribal Assistance Eligibility Letter (TTANF)
• Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP)

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