Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days will begin Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 12:01 a.m. PDT and run for 48 hours until midnight Oct. 9.
Before the sale starts, we want to ensure you’re set to score the best prices. First and foremost, you must be a Prime member to receive discounts on selected Prime Day items.
An annual Prime membership costs $139 per year or $14.99 per month. Students can receive a special discount and get Prime for just $69 per year or $7.49 per month.
If you don’t use Amazon much, the cost of joining could negate any savings you may get on Prime Day. However, if you are already a Prime member or want to become one, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.
How to preview Amazon Prime Day deals
You can preview deals on Amazon or the app and then enable push notifications to alert you when the Prime Day sale starts.
Since quantities of certain items will be limited, previewing the sale will give you time to look for things you want. Then, after you’ve found the items you want, bookmark them or add them to your wishlist.
Doing so will ensure you have easy access to your potential shopping list, increasing your chances of buying what you want quickly when the sale starts.
How to score the best deals on Amazon Prime Day
To get the best deals, we recommend watching an item and signing up for notifications to see if its price will change for Prime Day. You can do this via the mobile app or desktop assistant.
In the past, we’ve seen heavy discounts on Amazon products, including Fire TV devices, Echo and Echo Dot. These deals typically last throughout the sale. We’ll share a roundup of the best travel deals here at TPG.
One thing to keep in mind is that not all deals are created equally, even on Amazon Prime Day.
If you’re on the fence about making a purchase, we recommend checking the product on a site like camelcamelcamel.com. It shows you how an item has been priced over time and can help you determine whether you should buy it now or wait until the price drops.
How long do Amazon Prime Day deals last?
You’ll want to act quickly when the sales start — in the past, we’ve seen items sell out quickly; vendors may only list a limited amount of a certain product priced with a Prime Day discount. We recommend curating your favorite things during the preview to ensure you are ready to go once the sale begins. Since thousands of people (if not more) will get these notifications, be ready to add your desired product to your cart as soon as you see it go on sale.
The main Prime Day event will last about 48 hours, though in the past, we often saw great discounts carry through to the remainder of the week while stocks last.
Which credit card is best to use for Amazon Prime Day purchases?
Whenever you make an Amazon purchase, we recommend using one of the cards from TPG’s list of the best credit cards for Amazon purchases.
The Prime Visa is great for both Prime Day purchases and Amazon purchases year-round. Upon approval, new Prime members can receive a $150 Amazon gift card.
With the card, Prime members can also earn 5% back year-round on Amazon purchases (including Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods purchases); 2% back at restaurants and gas stations and on local transit and commuting purchases (including ride-hailing services); and 1% back on all other purchases. Additionally, you’ll earn 10% or more cash back on a rotating selection of items on Amazon’s website.
Though there is no annual fee, you must be a Prime member to hold this card.
How to save more money on Amazon purchases
To save even more money on Amazon purchases, check your credit card offers and use coupons when available. It’s worth noting that some targeted American Express cardholders can save up to 50% on Amazon purchases using just 1 American Express Membership Rewards point to cover at least part of an eligible Amazon purchase.
You may be able to maximize Amazon gift card purchases using credit card rewards to get a return of up to 10%, too.
Bottom line
While Prime Day can lead to savings, sniffing out the best deals takes some work. But, with these strategies in mind, you’ll be ready for the sale.
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