Amazon provides a range of free offers, trial programmes, and promotional benefits that can be accessed by consumers in the UK. These opportunities span digital content, product samples, and service discounts, with access often dependent on Amazon Prime membership or specific eligibility criteria. The following information is compiled from the provided source material and outlines the available freebies, their requirements, and how to access them.
Free Content and Digital Services
A significant portion of Amazon’s free offerings centres on digital content and streaming services. For Prime members, these benefits are included as part of the membership, while non-members may have access to limited-time trials.
Prime Video and Freevee
Amazon Prime Video is a primary free benefit for Prime members, granting access to thousands of movies and television shows at no additional cost. For non-Prime members, a separate, ad-supported service known as Freevee is available. Freevee, formerly known as IMDb TV, offers thousands of movies and TV shows for free, supported by advertisements. It can be accessed as a Prime Video channel or as a standalone service.
Freevee also provides a selection of live TV channels. The service offers 24/7 live streaming, including channels such as ABC News Live, QVC, USA Today, and USA Today Sports. This live TV offering covers entertainment, reality TV, sports, and news. Additionally, Freevee produces original content, such as the reality TV show Judy Justice (a spin-off of Judge Judy) and Dr. Seuss Baking Challenge.
It is important to note that the specific free ad-supported TV (FAST) channels available on Prime Video can vary based on location and account settings. A source based in Los Angeles, CA, listed over 500 free channels, including 20/20, 48 Hours, 60 Minutes, ABC News Live, and A&E Crime 360. For UK consumers, the exact channel lineup may differ.
Free Kindle Books
Prime members have access to two programmes for free Kindle e-books:
- Amazon First Reads: Prime members can download two free new-release Kindle books each month through this programme. Non-Prime members can join the programme but must pay for the downloads. Past free download options have included titles such as Chasing Stardust by Erica Lucke Dean and The Kidnapping of Alice by Cat Holahan.
- Prime Reading: This programme provides Prime members with free, instant access to a rotating selection of Kindle e-books and audiobooks. Crucially, a Kindle device is not required to read these titles; they can be accessed on compatible mobile devices and tablets via the Kindle app. Non-Prime members can also read select titles for free, but only on a Kindle device.
Free Video Game Streaming with Amazon Luna
Prime members can stream video games for free using Amazon Luna, a cloud gaming service. To use Luna, a compatible device is required, such as a PC, a compatible smart TV (a full list of compatible models is available on Amazon's website), or a Fire Tablet from 2018 or newer. A compatible controller is also necessary; many existing controllers, including those for Xbox and PlayStation, are supported. A dedicated Luna controller is available for purchase at a stated price of $69.99.
Free titles available through Luna for Prime members have included Hogwarts Legacy, Fallout 4, Tomb Raider, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. To start playing on a PC, users must visit the Luna page while logged into their Prime account. For tablet or TV use, the Luna app must be downloaded and the user's Amazon Prime account logged into.
Amazon Music Unlimited Free Trial
Non-Prime members can access a 30-day free trial of Amazon Music Unlimited. To activate this trial, a user must purchase an eligible item, such as an Echo device sold and shipped by Amazon. If the user already owns an eligible device, they can register it in the Alexa app. After the purchase or registration is complete, the free trial will be automatically applied to the account.
Free Cloud Storage via Amazon Photos
All Amazon customers, including non-Prime members, receive 5GB of complimentary cloud storage through Amazon Photos. This storage can be used for photos and videos. The 5GB allowance is sufficient for approximately 1,500 photos.
Free Product Samples and Physical Offers
While the provided sources do not detail traditional mail-in sample programmes for beauty, baby care, or pet products, Amazon offers a few notable physical freebies and discounts.
Amazon Baby Registry Welcome Box
Customers who create an Amazon Baby Registry can receive a free Welcome Box containing trial- and full-size samples of baby products. To qualify for this free box, the registrant must: 1. Add at least 10 products to their registry. 2. Make a purchase of at least £10 (or the local currency equivalent) from their own registry.
It is noted that any product can be added to the registry and purchased to meet this requirement, including items such as dog food or paper towels. As an additional benefit, Amazon Baby Registry users also receive a 15% completion discount for items not yet purchased.
"Send Me a Sample" via Alexa
Amazon offers a feature where users can request a free sample by using voice commands with Alexa. When a user asks Alexa to send a free sample for the first time, they will be instructed to go into the Alexa app to create and link a "Send Me a Sample" account. This service is available to both Prime and non-Prime members.
Free Trials and Discounts for Amazon Services
Several Amazon services offer free trials or promotional discounts, which are often tied to Prime membership.
Amazon Prime Free Trial
Anyone can try Amazon Prime for free for 30 days. This trial unlocks a full suite of benefits, including: * Free Amazon Prime Video access. * Free One-Day or Two-Day delivery on eligible items. * Unlimited photo storage (5GB for non-Prime members, but Prime members get expanded storage). * Early access to Lightning Deals. * Free returns.
Grubhub+ for Prime Members
A specific benefit for Prime members is a complimentary Grubhub+ membership, which provides free food delivery. Grubhub+ normally costs $9.99 per month, offering a potential annual saving of nearly $120. To access this benefit, users must activate it and link their Grubhub account with their Prime account.
Amazon Fuel Savings
Prime members can save $0.10 per gallon on fuel at participating Amoco, BP, or ampm stations. This benefit requires activation by: 1. Logging into a Prime account and visiting amazon.com/fuelsavings. 2. Following instructions to link the Prime account to Earnify, BP's rewards programme. 3. Adding a phone number and entering a verification code sent by text.
To redeem the discount at the pump, users input their phone number or use the Earnify app to specify the station and pump. The discount is applied in real-time. Amazon occasionally runs special promotions with larger discounts, such as $0.25 off per gallon or $1 off per gallon during events like Prime Big Deal Days.
Prime Visa Card Offer
A promotional offer provides a $150 Amazon gift card upon approval for a Prime Visa credit card. This is subject to a credit check. The gift card can be used to purchase any items on Amazon.
Free Returns Process
For physical returns, Amazon offers a convenient and free option through Kohl’s in the United States. Customers can drop off Amazon returns at a Kohl’s store without needing a box. The process involves: 1. Opening the Amazon app. 2. Navigating to My Orders > Return or Replace Items > Reason for Return. 3. Selecting Kohl’s Dropoff. 4. Amazon sends a QR code to the user's email, which is presented at the Kohl’s store for processing.
Conclusion
The provided source material outlines a variety of free offers and trials available through Amazon, primarily for Prime members but with some options for non-members. Key opportunities include free access to Prime Video and Freevee, free Kindle books, video game streaming via Amazon Luna, and a free trial of Amazon Music Unlimited. For physical goods, the Amazon Baby Registry Welcome Box provides free samples, and the "Send Me a Sample" service via Alexa offers another avenue for free products. Service-related benefits include a free Grubhub+ membership for Prime members and fuel savings at participating stations. Access to these offers often requires specific actions, such as linking accounts, making purchases, or meeting eligibility criteria. UK consumers should verify the availability of these services, as some details (like specific Freevee channels) may vary by region.