Thinking of skipping Prime for GCU this year...

So I've always ignored GCU because I don't have a Best Buy located within a reasonable distance. But money is tight af for me right now. Most of what I use Prime for is video games...I have a bunch of questions, most of which I'm sure many people have asked before but I'm lazy and selfish and would appreciate you guys helping me in my own thread 

1. Do games usually arrive on release day? Are they shipped USPS/UPS/FedEx? If I buy an older game, is it 2 day shipping like Amazon? 

2. I see people saying when they pre-order and buy games they get $10 certificates? How exactly does that work? Can you spend the $10 at any time? Can I save up 5 of them and get my new game free?

3. What are the special welcome coupons? How often do they send out coupons? Are they ever any good?

4. I see conflicting info on when they charge you for game preorders. I see they place a hold on your card for a few days and then it goes away. If I use my credit card it shouldn't matter, but if I use my bank card they actually hold my cash so I gotta make sure I use the right one. 

Thanks guys. I'm just super burnt out from the holidays and trying to pinch some pennies because I'm worried about ing my life up by accidentally overspending and getting hit with charges I'm not expecting. Any help is very much appreciated. 

1. With both Prime and GCU games come on release date. But I don't think that has anything to do with either service and just to do with both Amazon and BestBuy wanting release items to get to you when it comes out.

If you buy a game you will not get it in 2 days for free unless you met the $35 minimum or are an Elite / Elite Plus member where there is no minimum. Neither of these has anything to do with being a GCU member.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/help-topics/free-shipping/pcmcat276800050002.c?id=pcmcat276800050002

2. Very few selected games come with a $10 pre-order certificate that you get when you paid and have the game. You can spend the $10 anytime and build up multiple certs.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/clp/my-best-buy-get-10/pcmcat308100050002.c?id=pcmcat308100050002

3. I can't remember the last time GCU members got coupons. Instead we get GCU deals that you need to check back in on. I don't remember what the welcome coupons are.

4. BestBuy will place a hold on your card and it'll go away. It's just to verify that you have the funds to pay for it. They'll charge you again when the game is ready to ship.

Honestly, you should have both Prime and GCU. If you're in it just for games, just have GCU.

You're the man, thank you. 

Both are great.

Me and my best friend split the cost cause you can add people to your account.

They only get the prime shipping but it can help you cut the cost if you add people to your account.