By Daniel Howley

Amazon (AMZN) is launching its 30-minute Prime Now service in dozens of US cities. The offering, which ensures customers get deliveries in half an hour, is available in Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia, and Seattle, with plans to expand to other cities, including Austin, Denver, Orlando, and Phoenix.

According to Amazon, the option will allow customers to order items ranging from groceries to electronics, with most areas providing services 24 hours a day.

Don’t expect to get your deliveries for free, though. Amazon says Prime subscribers will pay $3.99 per order, while non-subscribers will pay $13.99.

Smaller orders will cost Prime members an additional $1.99 charge. Non-Prime members will have to pay a $3.99 fee on similar orders.

"Amazon Now is for when you need or want the convenience of getting your Amazon order delivered in 30 minutes or less,” Udit Madan, senior vice president of Amazon Worldwide Operations, said in a statement.

An Amazon delivery worker pulls their cart across the street during snowfall, with the Flatiron Building behind, in New York City, U.S., January 6, 2025. REUTERS/Adam Gray

“With thousands of items available for ultra-fast delivery, you can get everything from groceries for dinner, to AirPods before a flight, to household essentials like laundry detergent or toothpaste delivered right to your door,” he added.

Amazon says customers who live in areas with Prime Now will see a “30-Minute Delivery” option in the banner of both the Amazon app and web page.

Prime Now joins Amazon’s one-hour and three-hour delivery options, as well as its same-day delivery and the company’s nascent Prime Air drone delivery service.

In its most recent quarter, Amazon reported online store sales of $64.2 billion, up 12% year over year.

The company also plans to hold its annual Prime Day event next month, though it hasn’t announced the exact dates and times.

Amazon and its chief retail rival Walmart (WMT) are battling to get deliveries to customers’ doors as quickly as possible.

Walmart currently offers express deliveries that reach customers in less than two hours, as well as its own drone delivery service for deliveries in 30 minutes.

Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on X at @DanielHowley.