Monthly Amazon Prime payment option arrives at last

Amazon has finally enabled the option to pay for your Amazon Prime subscription on a monthly basis – in the US, at least.
Ever since it launched in 2005 (yes, it really has been that long), Amazon’s premium subscription service has required customers to stump up the full amount up front. Right now that costs £79 ($99 in the US) per year – fair value for what you receive, perhaps, but a not-inconsiderable chunk of change nonetheless.
Now, at long last, Amazon has enabled the ability to pay for Amazon Prime on a monthly basis. New Amazon Prime customers in the US can now opt to pay $10.99 per month for their subscription.
Of course, that works out to be more expensive over 12 months ($131.88 in total), but the cost will be a lot more manageable for most people. Just as importantly, you can cancel your monthly Amazon Prime subscription at any time, so you no longer need to commit to a full year.
In addition to free one day and same day shipping on selected orders, a Prime subscription secures you access to Prime Video content, access to Amazon’s limited Prime Music streaming service, the ability to borrow a selection of eBooks, and more.
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There’s no news of a similar monthly arrangement coming to the UK just yet, but you can bet that such a thing is around the corner. Typically, where Amazon US leads, Amazon UK follows in relatively short order.
Next, check out our Amazon Kindle Oasis hands-on video:
One rare area in which Amazon UK actually led Amazon US was in offering its customers a monthly Amazon Prime Video subscription option. That has now also been added to the Amazon US package, enabling American customers pay for the video streaming service in isolation for $8.99 a month.