Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
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.
If you're interested in shopping Amazon's 2026 Prime Day sale or the Walmart Deals event, both start next week, making it a great time to sign up for either membership. But which do you choose?
While both services offer free shipping, free same-day delivery and free grocery delivery, they differ in costs and added benefits. CNBC Select takes a look at Amazon Prime and Walmart+ to help you decide which is the better membership for your shopping.
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 |
Amazon Prime Day vs. Walmart Deals
For those keeping track of the large annual sales, we're getting close: Amazon's 2026 Prime Day event runs June 23 through June 26, and Walmart Deals runs June 22 through June 28.
Not only does Walmart Deals run for almost twice as long as Amazon Prime Day, but you don't need a membership to take advantage of the sales. While Prime Day is only open to Prime members, the Walmart Deals sale is available to all customers. Walmart+ members do get early access to an online-only assortment of high-demand items within the first 24 hours of the event.
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 costs $14.99 per month, and Walmart+ costs $12.95 per month.
Both offer a discount when you pay annually versus monthly: Amazon Prime costs $139 per year, while Walmart+ costs $98 per year.
Amazon Prime also offers discounted memberships for students and eligible 18 to 24-year-olds through Prime for Young Adults ($7.49/month or $69/year), as well as discounts for eligible government assistance recipients and income-verified customers through Prime Access ($6.99/month). Walmart offers a similar service called Walmart+ Assist for those on government assistance, which provides a membership for just $6.47/month or $49/year.
Amazon Prime vs. Walmart+ perks
Amazon Prime has been around longer than Walmart+, thus giving the company plenty of time to improve the suite of perks 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. It also comes with a Grubhub+ membership and savings on prescriptions at 60,000 pharmacies through Amazon Prime Rx.
With Walmart+, members can enjoy either a Paramount+ Essential or Peacock Premium membership (with ads) at no additional cost, along with complimentary online pet care through Pawp.
Both Amazon Prime and Walmart+ members can save up to 10 cents per gallon on fill-ups. Amazon's discount applies at bp, Amoco and participating ampm and Thorntons stations. Walmart+ members save at Exxon, Mobil, Walmart and Murphy stations. With gas prices still sitting above $4 as of June 17, the available gas discounts could be a huge draw.
Compare savings accounts
How to save on Amazon Prime and Walmart+
You can sign up for an Amazon Prime credit card to maximize your Amazon shopping and membership benefits, and Walmart offers the OnePay CashRewards Card, which earns higher rewards rates if you're a Walmart+ member.
But if you're looking for a way to score a Walmart+ membership to begin with, you can use the American Express Platinum Card®.
Amazon Prime
Amazon Prime members can pair their Prime membership with the 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, 2% back at gas stations, restaurants and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare) and 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.com, Whole Foods Market and on Chase Travel purchases
- Offers an automatic gift card welcome bonus after card approval
- Option to earn rewards or take advantage of 0% promo APRs
- Includes a wealth of travel insurance protections
- Requires an Amazon Prime membership for approval
- If you choose the promo APR, you won't earn rewards on those purchases
- Rewards can't be pooled with other Chase credit cards
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
Walmart+
Cardholders of the American Express Platinum can get a Walmart+ membership. You'll get up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes on one membership fee and subject to auto-renewals) in statement credits each month to apply to your Walmart+ subscription. Terms apply.
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.
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™ 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
- Not as rewarding for purchases as other lower-fee travel cards
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 Delta Sky Club visits (subject to visit limitations) when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 01/2026
- $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 pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants in select cities through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
- $219 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 $219 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 late 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: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
- 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
Both sites
If you're looking for some more everyday value, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express earns 3% cash back in several categories, including U.S. online retail purchases (on up to $6,000 per year in eligible purchases, then 1%). As such, purchases made on Amazon.com, Walmart.com or through the Walmart app typically qualify.
The card also earns 3% back at U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations (up to the same $6,000 yearly spending cap per category, then 1%) for no annual fee (see rates and fees). Once you have a stash of Reward Dollars, you can redeem cash back for statement credits or use it at checkout on Amazon.com.
The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express has no annual fee and bonus rewards on a wide range of common expenditures. On top of that, you also have access to an intro-APR offer for purchases and balance transfers. So this card can help you save in a variety of ways.
- Up to $264 in streaming service and meal kit credits every year (subject to auto renewal)
- High cash-back rates in popular spending categories
- No annual fee
- The best bonus cash-back categories are capped
- Has a foreign transaction fee
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Apply and find out your welcome offer. As High As $200 cash back* after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply, and if approved: 1. Find out your offer amount 2. Accept the Card with your offer 3. Spend $2,000 in 6 months 4. Receive the cash back. *Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed for a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- No Annual Fee.
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.49%-28.49%.
- Earn 3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets, 3% cash back on U.S. online retail purchases, 3% cash back at U.S. gas stations, on eligible purchases for each category on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get up to a $7 monthly statement credit after using your enrolled Blue Cash Everyday® Card for a subscription purchase, including a bundle subscription purchase, at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or Stream.ESPN.com U.S. websites. Subject to auto-renewal.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars
Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox. Sign up here.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking and money and follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X to stay up to date.
Read more
For rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, click here.
For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express, click here.
We may earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through Amazon links.
