Amazon Raises Prime Subscription Prices, Citing Rising Wages & Costs

Frequent online shoppers, here’s a head up: your Amazon Prime membership is becoming more expensive. 

The online retail giant is increasing the price of its membership service to US$139 per year or US$14.99 a month, up from US$119 annually and US$12.99 monthly respectively. 

Amazon said the price hike was due to “the continued expansion of Prime member benefits as well as the rise in wages and transportation costs.” 

According to NPR, new members will face the change in price starting February 18, while existing members will only see it reflected when their subscription needs to be renewed after March 25.

This is the first price change for Amazon Prime since 2018, though one could argue that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about more boon than bane for the retail site. 

As per Engadget, the company’s net profit surged nearly 57% to US$33.4 billion in 2021, and has faced constant backlash due to its treatment of its employees, so not everyone will be in agreement with it increasing its prices.

Nonetheless, there’s a price to pay for convenience and free shipping, and with no one the wiser on when the pandemic will end for good, many could choose to fork out higher fees, albeit with initial reluctance.

[via NPR and Engadget, cover image via Dennizn | Dreamstime.com]