Amazon Decreases Minimum Order Total for Free Shipping Back to $35

The online retailer has lowered the minimum order amount to qualify for free shipping.  

Amazon has decreased its free shipping minimum for non-prime members back to $35. The company originally offered free shipping on qualifying orders of $25 or more, but this amount was increased to $35 back in 2013 and then increased again to $49 back in 2016. The return to $35 is likely a response to Walmart's new free two-day shipping option for all orders over $35.

The retailer's site now states:

You receive free shipping if your order includes at least $35 of eligible items or $25 of books (in which case all other eligible items in the order also ship free). Any item with "FREE Shipping" messaging on the product detail page, that is fulfilled and shipped by Amazon, is eligible and contributes to your free shipping order minimum.

With that said, unlike Walmart's new free two-day shipping policy, Amazon's non-prime member free shipping is still estimated for 5–8 business days. If you want free two-day shipping with Amazon, you'll still need a prime membership. Amazon Prime also includes unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows with Prime Video, unlimited, ad-free access to hundreds of Prime Playlists and more than a million songs through Prime Music, the ability to borrow books from the Kindle Owners' Lending Library, and more. Click here for a full rundown of benefits.

Amazon's newly reduced $35 minimum order total for free shipping is now in effect. A current Amazon Prime subscription costs $99 per year or $11 per month. Likewise, Prime Instant Video is available as a standalone service for $9 per month.

Sources: Amazon, Engadget