Amazon's Prime Day is coming up soon: 5 key details to help you snag the best deals

The Prime Big Deal Days will kick off on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 12:01 a.m. PDT and will last for 48 hours, ending at midnight on Oct. 9.

To ensure you get the best prices before the sale begins, it's crucial to note that you must be a Prime member to access discounts on select Prime Day items.

An annual Prime membership is priced at $139 per year or $14.99 per month. Students can enjoy a special rate, obtaining Prime for just $69 annually or $7.49 monthly.

If you don't frequently use Amazon, the membership fee might offset any savings you could achieve on Prime Day. However, if you're already a Prime member or considering signing up, there are several important points to remember.

How to get a sneak peek at Amazon Prime Day deals

You can check out deals on Amazon or through the app, and enable push notifications to notify you when the Prime Day sale begins.

Since the availability of certain items will be limited, previewing the sale allows you to search for desired products. After locating what you want, be sure to bookmark those items or add them to your wishlist.

This will provide you with quick access to your potential shopping list, enhancing your chances of swiftly purchasing what you want as soon as the sale launches.

How to secure the best deals on Amazon Prime Day

To maximize your savings, we suggest monitoring an item and signing up for alerts to track any price changes leading up to Prime Day. This can be done through the mobile app or desktop assistant.

Previously, we’ve observed significant discounts on Amazon products, such as Fire TV devices and Echo and Echo Dot. These offers usually remain available throughout the sale. We’ll compile the best travel deals right here at TPG.

Remember, not all deals are equal, even on Amazon Prime Day.

If you're uncertain about a purchase, we recommend checking the product on a site like camelcamelcamel.com. This site displays an item's price history, helping you decide whether to buy now or wait for a potential price drop.

How long do Amazon Prime Day deals remain available?

You'll need to act fast when the sales kick off—historically, we've witnessed items selling out rapidly, as sellers may only have a limited quantity of certain products available at a Prime Day discount. We suggest compiling a list of your favorite items during the preview to be prepared as soon as the sale begins. With potentially thousands of people receiving these notifications, be ready to add your desired product to your cart the moment it goes on sale.

The main Prime Day event typically lasts around 48 hours, but we've often seen significant discounts extend through the rest of the week, depending on stock availability.

What’s the best credit card to use for Amazon Prime Day purchases?

When shopping on Amazon, we recommend utilizing one of the cards from TPG's list of the top credit cards for Amazon purchases.

The Prime Visa card is an excellent choice for making purchases on Prime Day as well as throughout the year on Amazon. Upon approval, new Prime members can receive a $150 Amazon gift card.

With this card, Prime members can earn 5% back on Amazon purchases year-round (including purchases from Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods), 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and for local transit and commuting expenses (including ride-hailing services), and 1% back on all other transactions. Moreover, you'll receive 10% or more cash back on a rotating selection of items available on Amazon's site.

While there’s no annual fee, it’s important to note that you must be a Prime member to obtain this card.

How to maximize your savings on Amazon purchases

To further enhance your savings on Amazon, explore your credit card offers and make use of available coupons. Notably, some targeted American Express cardholders can save up to 50% on Amazon purchases by redeeming just 1 American Express Membership Rewards point to partially cover eligible purchases on Amazon.

You could potentially enhance your Amazon gift card purchases by leveraging credit card rewards to achieve up to 10% back as well.

Final thoughts

Although Prime Day offers opportunities for savings, finding the best deals requires some effort. With these strategies in hand, you’ll be well-prepared for the sale.