Amazon Prime for young adults (18 to 24): 6 months free and all the benefits

Are you between 18 and 24 years old? Then Amazon has something tailored just for you: Prime for Young Adults, a membership with all the benefits of Prime at a discounted rate (about half the price of a regular membership) and, for those signing up for the first time, a 6-month trial completely free. You don't need to be a student: just being between 18 and 24 is enough. And if you are a university student of any age, you also qualify.

The timing couldn't be better. Prime Day 2026 starts tomorrow—it runs from June 23 to 26—and, during those four days, young adult accounts receive double the cashback: 10% back instead of the usual 5%. In other words, if you activate your free trial today, you enter Prime Day with an active membership, without paying anything and with the highest cashback percentage of the year.

If you want to see all the benefits and activate your trial, you can do so on the Prime for Young Adults page on Amazon. Since it's 6 months free and you can cancel whenever you want, the risk of trying it is basically zero; the only thing to do is check the eligibility requirements before signing up.

In this guide, we break down all the benefits—both Prime's and those exclusive to young adults—we tell you who it's worth it for (and who it isn't), and, above all, how to take advantage of them from Colombia honestly. This is not a paid review: it is organized information so you can decide with a clear head.

What is Amazon Prime for Young Adults (and why today is the best day to activate it)

Prime for Young Adults—formerly known as Prime Student—is the discounted version of Amazon Prime designed for people aged 18 to 24 and university students of any age. It includes exactly the same services as a regular Prime, adds extra benefits just for this group, and, on top of that, costs less. To verify that you qualify, Amazon asks you to confirm your age (with a document like a passport or license) or your student status; for the age-based option, you don't need a university email.

If you sign up as a student, the discount stays with you for up to four years or until you graduate, whichever comes first. And all new members start with a 6-month free trial. Right now, with Prime Day just around the corner, that free trial is worth its weight in gold: you will have access to exclusive member deals from the first day of the event.

There is a timing play that almost no one takes advantage of: since the trial lasts 6 months and Prime Day starts tomorrow, signing up today lets you enter the event without paying and with 10% cashback active. The free period more than covers the best shopping season of the year, and you still have months left to squeeze out the streaming, music, and games before deciding if you want to continue with the membership.

All the benefits of Prime for Young Adults

Let's start with what any Prime already brings and which you pay less for here:

• Fast free shipping: one or two-day delivery on thousands of products within the United States, with no minimum purchase.
• Prime Video: a catalog of movies and series, including original productions, to watch on your phone, computer, or TV.
• Amazon Music: ad-free access to the Amazon Music Prime plan, with thousands of playlists and podcasts.
• Prime Reading: a rotating library of books, magazines, and comics at no additional cost.
• Prime Gaming: free games every month, in-game content, and a monthly subscription to a Twitch channel.
• Amazon Photos: cloud backup for your photos.
• Access to Prime Day and exclusive member lightning deals.

And here is what makes the young adult version special: the extra benefits.

• Cashback: 5% back all year round on popular categories like technology, clothing, beauty, and personal care, with caps per purchase and per year. During Prime Day, it goes up to 10%.
• Discounts on textbooks, ideal if you are in college.
• Up to 10% discount on flights and hotels through StudentUniverse: traveling becomes cheaper.
• Three free months of Calm Premium, the meditation and sleep app.
• One free month of homework help on Course Hero.
• Grubhub+ membership included at no additional cost, with free delivery on eligible food orders.
• Increased cashback days, where certain brands give back double or triple.

The exact list of partners and promotions may change over time. Important: benefits like Grubhub+, Calm Premium, Course Hero, and StudentUniverse are designed for residents of the United States and are generally not available from Colombia—they may block accounts or payment methods from outside the U.S. Before signing up, confirm which ones apply to your location on the official page.

Who is it worth it for? (and who is it not?)

The membership performs differently depending on how you live your day-to-day life. These are the profiles that get the most out of it:

• If you watch streaming: with Prime Video and Amazon Music, the membership almost pays for itself in pure entertainment.
• If you are a gamer: Prime Gaming gives away games and content every month, in addition to the Twitch benefit.
• If you study: discounts on textbooks, homework help, and travel rates designed for your pocket.
• If you shop on Amazon U.S.: the 5% cashback (10% on Prime Day) adds value back to every purchase.

When is it not a good idea? If you don't use Amazon U.S. or its digital services, or if you cannot verify your eligibility (age 18 to 24 or student status), you probably won't get much out of it. The advantage is that, with 6 months free, you can check for yourself without risking anything.

How to take advantage of it from Colombia

Let's be clear: Prime for Young Adults is the U.S. Amazon program, so the eligibility verification—your age or your student status—is done according to that country's rules. The main digital services—Prime Video, Amazon Music, Prime Reading, and Prime Gaming—work from Colombia, although the Prime Video catalog is adjusted to local licensing agreements and may differ from the U.S. catalog. Partner benefits like Calm or Course Hero, on the other hand, are designed for the U.S. market and in many cases have geographic restrictions that prevent their use from Colombia.

For the benefit of fast shipping, you need a U.S. address. That's where virtual mailboxes come in: they give you a U.S. address, Amazon delivers there, and you forward the package to Colombia. Another option is Amazon Global, which ships some products directly and estimates import fees at checkout.

Regarding taxes, keep in mind that in 2026 the VAT exemption threshold for international purchases was reduced, so many purchases pay 19% VAT upon entering the country. Shipments from the United States usually maintain a 0% tariff thanks to the free trade agreement; VAT is the cost you should plan for. Always check the estimated final cost before paying, which is exactly where Amazon includes its import calculation.

If you want the step-by-step guide to buying in the U.S. and receiving in Colombia with a mailbox, we explain it in our guide to shopping in the United States. And since Prime Day starts tomorrow, you will also find it useful to check our guide to early Prime Day deals.

How to sign up step-by-step

• Go to the Prime for Young Adults page on Amazon.
• Verify your eligibility: confirm your age (18 to 24) with a document, or your student status.
• Activate your 6-month free trial. During that period, nothing is charged.
• Start enjoying: streaming, music, games, and, starting tomorrow, Prime Day deals with 10% cashback.
• Not convinced? Cancel before the trial ends and you pay nothing.

The trick is in the timing: if you sign up today, you arrive at Prime Day (which starts tomorrow) with an active membership without having spent anything. It's hard to ask for a better time to try it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Amazon Prime for Young Adults and who qualifies?

It is the discounted version of Amazon Prime for people aged 18 to 24 and university students of any age. You qualify by verifying your age with a document or your student status; for the age-based option, you do not need a university email.

How much does it cost and how long is the free trial?

The rate for young adults is about 50% off compared to the standard membership, and new members receive a 6-month free trial. You can see the current price and join directly on Amazon, and cancel before the trial ends at no cost.

What are the main benefits?

It includes standard Prime benefits plus exclusive extras for young adults. Some digital benefits may work from Colombia, but availability, catalog, and promotions depend on the country, account, and current Amazon terms. The 5% cashback —10% on Prime Day— and textbook discounts also apply from here. Partner benefits like Grubhub+, Calm, Course Hero, and StudentUniverse apply mainly in the United States and may not be available or have eligibility restrictions from Colombia.

Does it work from Colombia?

Yes, although with limitations: the Prime Video catalog is adjusted to the country (you will see local content, not U.S. content) and fast shipping benefits like 2-day delivery only apply to U.S. addresses. To receive in Colombia, you need a virtual mailbox or Amazon Global. Partner benefits like Grubhub+, Calm, Course Hero, and StudentUniverse have strict geographic restrictions and are generally not available from Colombia.

Is it worth signing up right now?

Yes: Prime Day starts tomorrow, from June 23 to 26, and young adult accounts receive 10% cashback during the event. If you activate your 6-month trial today, you enter Prime Day with an active membership without paying anything.

How do I cancel if I'm not convinced?

From your Amazon account settings, before the 6-month trial ends. If you cancel within the trial period, you are not charged.