With Amazon Prime Reload you can earn 2 percent cashback on purchases

Amazon has launched a new cashback program to attract more people to take out Prime subscriptions. Prime Reload lets subscribers earn 2 percent cashback for making payments with a debit rather than a credit card.

It's not quite as simple as that, however; it's not just a case of filling up your basket and checking out. The Reload part of the name refers to the fact that you need to reload your Amazon Gift Card Balance using a debit card. And there lies the rub -- you need to remember to keep your balance topped up.

The 2 percent cashback is actually paid when you reload your Gift Card, so if you race through checkout and pay directly with your debit card, you'll miss out. To feel the benefit of the scheme, Amazon Prime subscribers will have to get into the habit of constantly topping up their gift card balance and then using that to make payments.

The cashback is paid directly to your Amazon Balance, but there are a few caveats to take into account before you get too excited about finding a way of generating money for nothing:

You must reload your Amazon Balance using the payment method that includes a checking account and linked debit card.

• The maximum single reload amount to your Amazon Balance may not exceed $2,000.
• Amazon may, without notice and at any time, limit, modify or cease to offer the rewards benefits under this offer for any reason, including if required by law, and in no event will the maximum rewards benefits that you receive from this offer exceed $196 per day.

While 2 percent is not a massive amount of money, it's better than nothing, and it could be the sweetener that tips some undecided on-the-fencers into taking out a Prime subscription.

Find out more on the Amazon Reload page.

Photo credit: Hadrian / Shutterstock