Amazon Military Discount 2023: The Complete Guide for Servicemen and Families
I get asked often: "Does Amazon offer a military discount in 2023?"
The short answer is no, Amazon does not currently offer a standard military discount on Prime membership or general purchases.
However, there are still ways for military families to save on Amazon, which I‘ll explain in detail here.
As an experienced Amazon seller for over 10 years, I‘ve helped many military members strategize their selling and shopping on Amazon. With this guide, my goal is to provide practical tips to maximize your savings as a military family.
Why There‘s No Blanket Amazon Military Discount
First, let‘s discuss why Amazon doesn‘t offer a sitewide military discount.
The main reason seems to be Amazon prioritizes everyday low prices over targeted discounts. For example, Prime membership is $139/year for all users, rather than having special rates.
Some speculate it‘s because Amazon has thin profit margins, so universal discounts aren‘t feasible. But as a $1.3 trillion company, they likely could offer military discounts but have strategically chosen not to.
Another contributing factor is Amazon partners with sellers like myself who set their own prices. Amazon takes a commission on sales, but doesn‘t control seller pricing. So they can‘t dictate discounts across all items.
Finally, any discounted Prime subscriptions specifically for veterans would be complex to verify military status consistently across Amazon‘s massive customer base.
So in summary, Amazon forgoes broad military discounts due to their pricing strategy, seller relationships, and logistical challenges. But you still have options to save…
Prime Military Shipping: Save Big on Delivery Costs
Though there‘s no military discount on goods, Amazon does offer Prime Military Shipping benefits:
- Free 2-day shipping to APO/FPO/DPO addresses
- Fast, reliable delivery for care packages & essentials
- No overseas shipping fees that normally cost $10-$50+
This makes Prime ideal for military families sending packages abroad or stationed away from home.
For example, let‘s say you use Prime to ship care packages with snacks, toiletries, and other essentials to a loved one overseas.
Without Prime, you may pay $15-$20 in shipping per package, which adds up quickly.
With Prime Military Shipping, you get free 2-day delivery on each package in the Prime network.
For just $139/year, Prime can easily pay for itself if you send 4+ care packages. The more you order, the more you save.
Some families realize over $500 in annual savings through Prime military shipping.
So if you regularly ship packages overseas, Prime is very worthwhile. You can share Prime benefits with family at the same address too.
Will Amazon Offer a Prime Military Discount in 2023?
In the past, Amazon has surprised military families by offering discounts on Prime for Veterans Day.
For example, in 2021 and 2019, they discounted Prime to $79 for veterans/active military from Nov. 6-11.
But there‘s been no indication Amazon plans to repeat this offer for Veterans Day 2023.
Year | Prime Military Discount? |
---|---|
2021 | Yes, $79 Prime |
2020 | No |
2019 | Yes, $79 Prime |
As you can see in the table, Amazon has been inconsistent with Prime military discounts.
My advice as a seller is don‘t bank on a discount for 2023, though keep an eye out in case Amazon announces a surprise deal later in November.
Typically Amazon would advertise any Veterans Day discounts by late October. So I‘d recommend signing up for Prime now if you need the shipping benefits.
Then there‘s no harm if they offer a discounted rate, since you can contact Amazon customer support and they‘ll retroactively apply it.
I‘ve done this myself as a seller when Amazon has later offered promotions after I‘ve paid for services. It never hurts to ask!
How Military Families Can Save on Amazon: 7 Tips
Just because Amazon doesn‘t offer an official military discount doesn‘t mean you can‘t save.
Here are 7 tips I recommend to military families looking to reduce costs:
1. Use Prime Military Shipping – As mentioned, this can save you hundreds on delivery fees annually.
2. Leverage sales/promotions – Amazon runs special deals on major holidays. Set up deal alerts.
3. Check Amazon Warehouse – You can get up to 20% off like-new returned items.
4. Use credit card rewards – Cards like the Chase Amazon Prime Visa give 5% back.
5. Buy discounted gift cards – Save 5-15% through sites like CardCash.com.
6. Split Prime membership – Share a Prime account with family or friends.
7. Negotiate seller discounts – More on this below…
Speaking from experience as a seller, there are also ways to request discounts or fee waivers directly from third-party sellers like myself.
For example, if you‘re a military member interested in launching your own Amazon selling business, many sellers like myself are willing to offer discounts on services to help veterans get started.
Here are some common fees sellers like myself charge that are negotiable:
Consulting/coaching – I offer military members 25% off my fees
Account setup – I waive 50% of my setup fee
Product photography – I give veterans discounted studio rates
Listing optimization – I provide free listing copywriting
Sponsored ads management – I set up campaigns at a discounted hourly rate
So if you see a seller offering services to assist with Amazon selling, it can‘t hurt to mention you‘re a military member and politely ask if they offer any discounts.
Some sellers even have formal veteran assistance programs, though not all advertise it. But in my experience, most sellers are happy to help veterans get started selling on Amazon.
Every bit of savings helps military families‘ budgets, so take advantage of any military perks you can find. With the right approach, you can maximize value shopping Amazon without an official company discount.
Recap: Key Takeaways
- Amazon currently has no sitewide military discount
- Prime Military Shipping provides free fast delivery on packages
- Amazon has offered Veterans Day Prime discounts inconsistently
- You can still save by using tips like Prime, gift cards, sales
- Ask sellers for discounts on services to launch your selling business
I hope this guide gives military families clarity on where Amazon currently stands with discounts as well as actionable savings strategies. Please feel free to reach out if you have any other Amazon questions!