Flipkart has launched Flipkart Black, a premium paid subscription designed to challenge Amazon Prime’s dominance in India’s e-commerce landscape. Priced at ₹1,499 per year (₹990 for early adopters), Flipkart Black includes unique benefits such as:
- A free one-year YouTube Premium subscription (ad-free streaming, offline downloads, music, etc.)
- 5% SuperCoins cashback (up to ₹100 per purchase)
- Members-only “Black Deals” on premium brands
- ₹1 cancellation/rescheduling on travel bookings via Cleartrip
- Priority customer support
- Early access to major shopping events, and extra bank offers during exclusive ‘Black’ sales
Flipkart Black taps into the needs of affluent, digitally-savvy users who seek instant rewards, exclusive deals, and lifestyle-driven perks beyond just affordable shopping.
Flipkart Black vs Flipkart Plus: The Loyalty Program Evolution
Since 2018, Flipkart has offered Flipkart Plus, a free customer loyalty program where users earn “Plus Coins” with each purchase and unlock rewards—including shopping vouchers, OTT subscriptions, travel deals, and more. Flipkart Plus is a rewards-based, no-fee system with gradual benefits based on purchase volume.
Flipkart Black, in contrast, is a paid membership with premium, instant gratification features such as direct YouTube Premium access, better cashback, travel discounts, and ultra-exclusive deals. So, while Flipkart Plus is great for frequent shoppers who like earning and redeeming rewards over time, Flipkart Black offers an immediate, all-in-one value proposition for those willing to pay upfront.
Amazon Prime: What Do Members Get?
Amazon Prime costs the same ₹1,499 per year in India, but members can also pay monthly or quarterly. Benefits include:
- Free one-day, two-day, and same-day delivery on millions of products
- Amazon Prime Video and Prime Music subscriptions (streaming movies, shows, and ad-free music)
- Exclusive early access to sales and deals (like Prime Day)
- Prime Reading, Prime Gaming, and access to select eBooks
- Convenient return/replacement and priority support
- Bundled offers across Amazon’s shopping, entertainment, and payment ecosystem
Amazon Prime targets heavy users who want fast delivery, wide choices, and a bundled entertainment ecosystem. The overall package is tailored for families and shoppers who value convenience and instant access to services.
Check out: Amazon Expands ‘Project Ashray’ with 40 New Rest Centres, Targets 100 by Year-End
Key Differences: Flipkart Black vs Amazon Prime
| Feature | Flipkart Black | Amazon Prime |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ₹1,499/year (₹990 early offer) | ₹1,499/year, monthly options available |
| Shopping Perks | 5% SuperCoins cashback, Black Deals, priority support | Fast/free delivery, exclusive deals |
| Entertainment | 1-year YouTube Premium, redeem SuperCoins for OTT content | Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Gaming |
| Travel Benefits | ₹1 cancellation/rescheduling via Cleartrip | No travel partner integration |
| Reward Model | Instant premium rewards | Immediate bundled benefits |
| Delivery Speeds | Free standard delivery, early access to deals | Free express (one-day/two-day) delivery |
| Target User | Affluent, digitally-savvy, lifestyle-oriented shoppers | Value-seekers, frequent shoppers |
Final Word
Flipkart Black is Flipkart’s ambitious leap into paid premium membership, directly challenging Amazon Prime with more lifestyle perks, instant cashback, and premium entertainment options. While Amazon Prime offers deep integration and express deliveries, Flipkart Black builds on its SuperCoins rewards and focuses on high-value experiences for users who want more than just deals—they want elevated, curated shopping and digital benefits.
