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Amazon and Walmart are two of the most popular big retailers consumers rely on for their everyday needs — so much so that buying into either of their membership services is often a smart way to save.
But which do you choose? CNBC Select takes a look at Amazon Prime and Walmart+ to help you decide which is the better membership for your shopping. While both services offer free shipping, free same-day delivery and free grocery delivery, they differ in costs and added benefits.
We did a quick side-by-side comparison of Amazon Prime and Walmart+ benefits:
Amazon Prime vs. Walmart+
| Amazon Prime | Walmart+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Free trial period | 30 days | 30 days |
| Monthly cost | $14.99 per month | $12.95 per month |
| Yearly cost | $139 annually ($40.88 savings) | $98 annually ($57.40 savings) |
| Student discount | Yes | Yes |
| Free grocery delivery | Yes - $25+ minimum (with a $9.99 monthly or $99.99 yearly grocery delivery subscription) | Yes - $35 minimum |
| Music and video streaming | Yes | Only video, not music |
| Gas discounts | Yes | Yes |
| Scan to pay in store | Yes | Yes |
Compare savings accounts
Amazon Prime vs. Walmart+ price
Amazon Prime is the more expensive membership option, but not by too much. While both Amazon Prime and Walmart+ offer a free 30-day trial, Amazon Prime's monthly cost afterward is $14.99 per month and Walmart+ charges $12.95 per month.
Both annual plans provide a discount compared to paying month by month, with Amazon Prime costing $139 annually while Walmart+ costs $98.
Amazon Prime also offers discounted memberships for students and eligible 18–24-year-olds through Prime for Young Adults, as well as discounts for eligible government assistance recipients and income-verified customers through Prime Access.
Amazon Prime vs. Walmart+ perks
Amazon Prime has been around longer than Walmart+, thus giving the company plenty of time to improve its suite of perks that Prime members receive. You can benefit from member-only discounts on Amazon.com and at Whole Foods Market, a range of free shipping options, plus the ability to stream music and videos, books and gaming.
With Walmart+, members get a Paramount+ subscription included with their membership, along with complimentary online pet care through Pawp. You'll also be eligible for discounts on fuel, saving up to 10 cents per gallon at 14,000+ locations nationwide, including Exxon, Mobil, Walmart & Murphy stations.
How to save on Amazon Prime and Walmart+
While you can sign up for Amazon Prime's respective credit card to maximize your Amazon shopping and membership benefits, Walmart+ currently doesn't offer a similar option. With Walmart, you can score a complimentary membership through the American Express Platinum Card®.
Amazon Prime
For Amazon Prime, members can pair their Prime membership with the upgraded Prime Visa (see rates and fees) to boost their savings and get 5% cash back on Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh and at Whole Foods Market.
The card also earns 5% back on purchases made through Chase Travel℠, 2% back on local transit and commuting, including rideshare, unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare), plus 1% back on all other purchases.
The best part is that new cardholders automatically get a $150 Amazon gift card instantly upon approval, exclusively for Prime members.
The Prime Visa is only available to Amazon Prime members ($139 for an annual membership and $14.99 for a monthly membership) but is very rewarding for Amazon purchases.
- High rate of return at Amazon and Whole Foods
- Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
- Requires an Amazon Prime membership
- If you choose the promo APR you won't earn rewards on those purchases
Rewards
- Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
- Unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
- 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
- Unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Also, it's worth noting that those who receive qualifying government assistance can get a discounted Amazon Prime membership at $6.99 per month. Students can get Prime for $7.49 per month, or $69 per year.
Walmart+
Cardholders of the Platinum Card® can get Walmart+ membership. With the Amex Platinum, you'll get up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes and subject to auto-renewals) in statement credits each month to apply to your Walmart+ subscription. Terms apply.
The American Express Platinum Card® is a premium card loaded with annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access, elite status perks and more. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- Access to 1,550+ airport lounges, including Priority Pass™ Select lounges (enrollment required) and Amex Centurion lounges
- Statement credit offers worth up to twice what the annual fee costs
- Elite status perks for hotels and rental cars (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High annual fee
- Many statement credit offers are complicated and are earned in increments or limited to specific purchases
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
- $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Since Walmart+ comes with an included Paramount+ subscription, the $300 digital entertainment credit (enrollment required) that the Platinum card provides can be used on other sites, like Disney+ or even eligible news sites.
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For rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, click here.
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