How to Get Free Shipping on Almost Everything

Shipping fees add $5-$15 per order and erode every deal you found. Here is how to avoid them on virtually every purchase.

Meet Free Shipping Thresholds with Add-On Items

Most stores offer free shipping above a dollar threshold ($25 at Amazon, $35 at Target, $35 at Walmart). If your order is $22, add a $3-$5 item you will need eventually: toothpaste, batteries, sponges, or trash bags. You pay for something useful instead of paying for shipping.

Amazon’s “Subscribe & Save” items often have lower prices and always ship free. Subscribe, receive the item, then cancel the subscription. You get the discounted price and free shipping without commitment.

Use Store Pickup

Order online, pick up in store. Target, Walmart, Best Buy, Home Depot, and Lowe’s all offer this. The item is often ready within 2 hours, faster than any shipping. You pay zero delivery fees and can inspect the item before leaving.

Target’s Drive Up service brings the order to your car. Walmart+ includes free delivery from stores. Both eliminate shipping fees entirely.

Membership Programs That Pay for Themselves

Amazon Prime ($139/year): Free 1-2 day shipping on millions of items. If you order from Amazon twice a month, the shipping savings alone ($120-$360/year) exceed the membership cost. Add Prime Video, Music, and Photos as bonuses.

Walmart+ ($98/year): Free delivery from Walmart stores (groceries included), free shipping on Walmart.com, and $0.10/gallon off gas at Walmart and Murphy stations.

Target Circle 360 ($49/year): Free same-day delivery on orders over $35 from Target stores.

Browser Extensions That Find Free Shipping Codes

Honey: Automatically tests coupon codes at checkout, including free shipping codes. It works on 30,000+ stores.

RetailMeNot: Check retailmenot.com before any purchase for store-specific free shipping promo codes.

Capital One Shopping (formerly Wikibuy): Browser extension that finds better prices and coupon codes, often including free shipping.

Free Shipping Days

Many retailers offer free shipping with no minimum during specific periods: Black Friday through Cyber Monday, Free Shipping Day (mid-December), back-to-school season, and Prime Day (Amazon). Stock up on non-perishable items during these windows.

Ship to Store from Online-Only Retailers

Some brands that sell primarily online offer free shipping to a physical partner store. Check if the retailer offers free shipping to a FedEx Office, UPS Store, or Amazon Locker near you. Amazon Locker delivery is always free regardless of order size.

Negotiate Free Shipping

On smaller online stores and marketplaces like eBay and Etsy, message the seller and ask if they can include free shipping in exchange for a slightly higher item price. Many sellers absorb shipping costs to close a sale. On eBay, filter search results by “Free Shipping” to only see listings that include it.

Consolidate and Time Your Orders

Instead of placing three separate orders throughout the week (triggering three separate shipping charges), add items to your cart and place one larger order when you reach the free shipping threshold. Most retailers offer free shipping at 35 to 75 dollars. Keep a running cart and check it every few days.

For items that are not urgent, use your retailer’s subscribe-and-save or auto-delivery options. Amazon Subscribe and Save, Target same-day delivery thresholds, and Walmart free shipping on orders over 35 dollars all reward consolidated purchasing. Some retailers offer free ship-to-store options that avoid shipping charges entirely, and you can pick up at your convenience.

Bottom Line

Add a cheap household staple to meet free shipping thresholds, use store pickup, install Honey for shipping promo codes, and time large purchases for free shipping events. If you order online more than twice a month, a Prime or Walmart+ membership pays for itself.