Amazon is getting rid of its free shipping minimum in time for the holidays. That’s right, U.S. shoppers without Amazon Prime will avoid shipping costs on “hundreds of millions of items” as 2018 draws to a close, according to a press release from Amazon.
Starting today, Amazon will waive its $25 minimum for five-to-eight-day free shipping, letting customers avoid costs when they check out with small purchases.
Amazon Prime users can enjoy some benefits during the holidays too. Starting today, Prime subscribers can receive free same-day delivery on over three million Amazon items, and Prime Now’s Whole Foods Market groceries can be delivered “in as little as an hour” to Prime residents in over 60 cities across the U.S., according to Amazon’s press release.
“This holiday, customers can enjoy free shipping with no minimum purchase amount on orders that will arrive in time for Christmas, including items from Amazon’s expertly curated Gift Guides across electronics, fashion, home and toys,” Amazon’s Senior Vice President of North American Retail Doug Herrington said in the press release. “With hundreds of millions of items available for free shipping to all Amazon customers and more than three million items available with Prime FREE Same-Day Delivery, customers can enjoy the largest selection of items that are fast and free.”
Amazon’s $25 minimum was created last year after the company initially dropped its free shipping requirement from $49 to $35, Business Insider reports. It remains unclear how long Amazon’s offer will last, although the company hints that orders “will arrive in time for the Christmas holiday,” so it seems likely that the deal will be around for at least another month-plus.
In the meantime, college students can enjoy Amazon Prime’s holiday benefits with the Amazon Prime Student discount. The deal gives students Prime for six free months, followed by $6.49 per month afterward.
In the meantime, the tech giant is closing in on its second headquarters location. Narrowed down to 20 cities this year, the Washington Post reported on Sunday that it was holding “advanced talks” about settling in Northern Virginia’s D.C. suburbs.
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H/T Business Insider