While most of us expect holiday shopping discounts every year, Amazon Prime Day is another level of deals. The annual Prime Day has now expanded to two full days, and also shifted to October from when the event usually happens in July — and with a few tips, you can actually start shopping with $65 in credit.
Amazon had actually been fairly quiet about whether a Prime Day event would happen in 2020 given the current Covid-19 pandemic sweeping the globe. But the shopping days are happening, and even will all the deals Amazon pushes out, there are ways to make your shopping that much better.
Here, then, are tips on how to make your shopping that much smarter, and even put $65 in your Amazon account, with tips on what to do now, so you're ready when those deals drop on October 13 and 14, 2020.
Sign up for a free 30-day Prime account, then cancel it
You can actually sign up for a free Prime account to take advantage of Prime Days, and then cancel the account before you get charged. That's because Amazon offers a 30-day free trial.
You'll need to keep track of the time to make sure you cancel your new account before it's charged to your credit card. With Amazon Prime day happening in less than a month, now is a good time to set up the account so you can take advantage of the deals that will be live — plus all the credits you can earn between now and then, which are outlined below.
Sign up through Alexa, and get $5
Total in credit: $5
If you sign up for Prime through Amazon's voice assistant Alexa, you can actually nab yourself the first $5 in credit into your Amazon account. You just ask Alexa, through an Amazon Echo device, "Alexa, sign me up for Prime," and she'll walk you through. Once the account is set up, you get the $5 in credit.
Shopping at Whole Foods can earn you $10 in Prime Day creditGetty Images/iStock
Shop at Whole Foods for a $10 credit on Prime Day
Total in credit: $15
Like 2019, customers who spend $10 at Whole Foods can earn $10 in credit on Amazon that can be spent on Prime Day, bringing your total to $15. You do need to be a Prime member, and if you shop at the Whole Foods store, you'll need to scan your Prime code from the Amazon app, or enter your linked mobile phone number when you check out.
If you're making the purchase online through Amazon's Whole Foods section, these have to be items that are marked "sold by Whole Foods Market" on the product detail page. And purchases must be finished by October 14, 2020 to earn the credit for the event.
Buy from small businesses on Amazon and get a $10 in credit
Total in credit: $25
Between now and Prime Day, Prime members who spend at least $10 on things that are sold by specific small businesses on Amazon will then get another $10 in credit to be used on Prime Day, bringing your total to $25.
You can start shopping now, and need to make these purchases from U.S.-based small businesses by October 12, the day before the event begins. The items are those found within Amazon's Support Small category, which includes everything from beauty and personal care items to those you may need for your favorite pet.
You can only use the $10 credit on Prime Day, and you won't be able to use it for digital products, gift cards, gift wrapping and Prime Now orders, among other areas.
Make a purchase at Amazon Books, and earn up to $10 in credit
Getty Images
Spend $10 at Amazon Books or Amazon Pop Up, and get $10 in credit
Total in credit: $35
If you shop ar one of the physical Amazon Books or Amazon Pop Up stores between now and October 14, you'll be sent an email with a $10 credit you can use on Prime Day, bringing you to $35. There are limited stores, in limited states, and so this is not an easy credit to earn.
Only Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Texas and Washington state have Amazon Pop Up or Amazon Book stores. A full list is online, and Amazon is warning that people should check to see what the actual hours are in their location, as some stores have closed because of the coronavirus.
Spend $10 at an Amazon 4-Star Store, and get another $10 in credit
Total in credit: $45
If you can find a 4-Star Store in your area, shops that sell products that have earned at least a four-star rating in reviews, you can add another $10 credit, bringing your total to $45. Again, after you've shopped between now and October 14, 2020 you'll be sent an email with your additional $10 in credit.
There are stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Texas and Washington state. A complete list is online.
Shopping at Amazon Go is another way to earn $10 in creditGearBrain
Spend $10 at Amazon Go stores and get $10 in credit
Total in credit: $55
You can also get a $10 credit, bringing you to $55, if you spent $10 at an Amazon Go store, which is a small grocery shop where you make purchases through the contactless payment Amazon Go app. There aren't any cashiers, and you do need the app to enter the store and leave.
Amazon says that within a few hours of making the purchases at the store you will be sent an email on how to get your $10 credit, which you'll be able to use only on Amazon Prime Day.
Spend $10 at Amazon Fresh stores and get $10 in credit
Total in credit: $65
Although Amazon owns Whole Foods, they also have physical grocery stores under their own name, Amazon Fresh. If Prime members spend $10 at these stores between now and October 14, and then scan their QR code from the Amazon app when they checkout, they can get $10 in credit.
An email explaining how to claim that credit will be sent to members, which can be used on Amazon Prime Day.
Speak to Alexa, and the voice assistant will offer you suggestions for Amazon Prime Day dealsGearBrain
Ask Alexa to get you deals
Have an Echo smart speaker? Start asking Alexa for some shopping suggestions. The virtual assistant can offer some thoughts, and even place an order for you.
Share your Prime Day account
If you already have a Prime account, you can actually share those features with family members — including any Prime Day deals about to launch — through your Amazon Household. You can add up to two adults, four teens and four children. Adults can make purchases and also share content, while teens can make purchases which are then approved via text by an adult. This feature can be done through the mobile Amazon app and also on the web.
Echo Show 8 -- HD smart display with Alexa – stay connected with video calling - Charcoal
GearBrain Compatibility Find Engine
A pioneering recommendation platform where you can research,
discover, buy, and learn how to connect and optimize smart devices.
Join our community! Ask and answer questions about smart devices and save yours in My Gear.
