How to Use Amazon Subscribe & Save to Maximise Your Savings

Jul 12

6 min read

Updated: Sep 28

Have you ever realised you've run out of washing tablets, toilet roll or pet food at the worst possible moment? We've all been there!

One of my favourite ways to save both money and time is by using Amazon Subscribe & Save. It's a simple feature that can reduce the cost of everyday essentials while making sure they arrive automatically before you run out.

If you're not already using it, here's everything you need to know...

What is Amazon Subscribe & Save?

Amazon Subscribe & Save allows you to schedule regular deliveries of products you buy frequently.

Rather than ordering them each time you need them, Amazon automatically sends them at a schedule that suits you.

The best part? You receive a discount on many eligible products simply for setting up a subscription.

There are:

❌ No contracts

❌ No membership fees

❌ No long-term commitment

✅ You can skip, pause or cancel at any time

It's one of the easiest ways to save money without changing your shopping habits.

What Can You Buy?

Thousands of products are available on Amazon's Subscribe & Save. These are some of our favourite items that work brilliantly on Subscribe & Save -

🧻 Toilet roll

🧼 Washing capsules & fabric conditioner

🧽 Cleaning products

🪥 Toothpaste & toothbrushes

🧴 Shampoo & shower gel

🪒 Razors

👶 Nappies & baby wipes

🐶 Dog & cat food

☕ Coffee & tea

🥣 Breakfast cereals

🍝 Pasta, rice & cupboard staples

💊 Vitamins & supplements

If it's something you buy regularly, it's worth checking whether it's available through Amazon's Subscribe & Save. Check out some of our Subscribe & Save ideas here: SuperSavvySavers Amazon Store.

How Much Can You Save?

Savings vary depending on the product, but typically you'll receive:

5% off when you subscribe.
Up to 15% off if you receive multiple Subscribe & Save deliveries in the same month on eligible items.

Many eligible products receive a 5% discount as standard. If you have 5 or more eligible Subscribe & Save items arriving in the same monthly delivery, you can unlock discounts of up to 15% on qualifying products.

Those savings soon add up over the course of a year - especially on products you'd be buying anyway.

💡 Looking for some inspiration of products and items to include in your monthly Subscribe & Save? Check out our Amazon store which is loaded with ideas!

How to Set It Up

Setting up Amazon's Subscribe & Save is incredibly simple:

Step 1 - Search for the product you want on Amazon.

Step 2 - If it's eligible, you'll see two buying options:

One-time purchase
Subscribe & Save

Select Subscribe & Save.

Step 3 - Choose how often you'd like it delivered. Options usually include:

Every month
Every 2 months
Every 3 months
Every 6 months

Choose whatever works best for you.

Step 4 - Complete your order. Amazon will automatically send future deliveries unless you change or cancel them.

You Stay in Complete Control

One thing people often worry about is getting tied into subscriptions. Thankfully, Amazon makes it incredibly flexible. You can:

✅ Skip a delivery

✅ Change the delivery date

✅ Adjust the quantity

✅ Change how often it arrives

✅ Cancel completely - There are no cancellation fees!

Stack Your Savings Even Further

Stacking Amazon's subscription service with other money saving offers and deals is where your savings can get even bigger…

💰 Use a Cashback Website

Before placing your order, check whether Quidco or TopCashback are offering cashback on Amazon purchases or selected Amazon categories. Even if cashback isn't available on every item, it's always worth checking first.

💳 Pay Using a Rewards Credit Card

If you use a rewards or cashback credit card responsibly (and clear the balance in full each month), you'll earn rewards on top of your Subscribe & Save discount. That's saving on the purchase and earning something back.

Consider applying for an American Express Rewards Card.

📈 Watch the Prices

Amazon prices change regularly. Before each delivery, Amazon will charge the current Subscribe & Save price, which could be higher or lower than when you first subscribed.

A quick price check before dispatch helps ensure you're still getting a good deal.

If the price has increased elsewhere you can simply skip that month's delivery.

💰 Pro Tip #1: Always Aim for 5 Subscribe & Save Items

A little trick that can make a big difference...

If you have 5 or more eligible Subscribe & Save items arriving in the same monthly delivery, many products qualify for an increased discount of up to 15% instead of the standard 5%. The exact discount varies by product, but having five or more eligible subscriptions in one auto-delivery unlocks the higher discount where it's available.

🛒 Pro Tip #2: Build a "Subscribe & Save Filler" List

Keep a short list of cheap household essentials (such as bin bags, sponges, toothpaste, batteries or kitchen cloths) that you're happy to stock up on.

If your upcoming delivery only has four items, simply add one of these inexpensive products to push your order up to five eligible subscriptions. It can unlock the higher discount on multiple items, often saving more than the cost of the extra purchase itself (provided the products you're buying qualify for the higher tier). It's a simple trick that seasoned Amazon shoppers use regularly.

📅 Pro Tip #3: Check Your Subscribe & Save Order Every Month

Amazon usually sends an email a few days before your monthly Subscribe & Save order is processed, giving you time to make changes.

I recommend setting a recurring reminder to check your upcoming order around the 20th - 22nd of each month (or around a week before your usual Subscribe & Save delivery date if it's different).

Take just five minutes to:

✅ Check whether prices have increased

✅ Compare prices with your local supermarket

✅ Remove anything you no longer need

✅ Skip products you've still got plenty of

✅ Add another item if you're sitting on only four subscriptions and want to unlock the higher discount

Those five minutes can easily save you £10 - £20 over the course of a year and you'll avoid ending up with cupboards full of things you don't actually need.

Is Amazon Subscribe & Save Worth It?

Absolutely! If you regularly buy household essentials, toiletries, pet supplies or pantry staples, it's one of the easiest ways to cut your shopping bill. There are:

✅ Automatic discounts

✅ No commitment

✅ Flexible delivery dates

✅ No cancellation fees

✅ Less chance of running out of essentials

It's a genuine money-saving feature that works quietly in the background - and that's exactly the kind of saving we love here at SuperSavvySavers!

💡 Looking for some inspiration of products and items to include in your monthly Subscribe & Save? Check out our Amazon store which is loaded with ideas!

🤔 Do I Need Amazon Prime to Use Subscribe & Save?

No. Amazon Subscribe & Save is available to everyone with an Amazon account - you don't need an Amazon Prime membership. https://link.amazon/B0cuqVIFm

However, Prime members may benefit from:

Faster delivery on eligible items.
Access to some Prime-exclusive Subscribe & Save offers.
The full range of other Prime benefits, such as Prime Video and Prime Reading.
Note that Subscribe & Save deliveries are generally free, although if your very first Subscribe & Save order is below Amazon's free delivery threshold and you're not a Prime member, a delivery charge may apply.

If you already have Amazon Prime, Subscribe & Save is a great way to squeeze even more value from your membership. But if you don't, you can still enjoy the regular Subscribe & Save discounts and automatic deliveries.

👉 Get yourself a FREE Prime Subscription here! Free Amazon Prime Trial

10 Benefits of Amazon Prime (and How to Get it for Less) — **10 Benefits of Amazon Prime (and How to Get it for free)**

Final Savvy Saver Tip 💡

Take five minutes today to look through the products you buy every month. If they're available on Amazon Subscribe & Save, you could start saving immediately - and future you will thank you when the toilet roll magically turns up just before you run out!

Want to make your money go even further?

My downloadable cashback guides are packed with practical tips to help you earn cashback, avoid common mistakes and save more on everyday spending. Start with The Ultimate Guide to Cashback, discover advice tailored specifically to island shoppers in The Guernsey Guide to Cashback, or get both for the best value with The Complete Cashback Guide Bundle. Take a look and find the right guide for you.