Answered: If I Cancel Audible, Do I Lose My Credits? [2024]

Key Takeaways
  • Audible offers a subscription model with various plans, providing access to a large selection of audiobooks and podcasts. Credits, which can be used to purchase audiobooks, are a key feature of the Premium Plus plans.
  • Canceling an Audible subscription may result in the loss of unused credits, depending on how the subscription was purchased. Credits are lost if the subscription was bought through Audible's site but are retained if purchased via the app on the App Store or Google Play Store.
  • To avoid losing unused credits, members can switch to an Audible Plus plan or pause their membership, allowing them to use up their credits before making any changes to their subscription status.

Audible is an amazing subscription-based service to listen to your favorite audiobooks and podcasts. Owned by Amazon, it provides the world’s largest selection of titles and is accessible through mobile apps and web browsers.

However, when canceling the subscription, its credit policy gets a little confusing. You may or may not lose your hard-earned credits depending on the course of action. 

So, in today’s post, let’s navigate through the complexities of Audible’s credit policy. We will also discuss what happens if you pause the subscription. Let’s dive in!

Audible has the largest collection of audiobooks

How Does Audible Work?

Audible operates on a subscription model where users sign up for a monthly or annual membership. There are 3 main plans with different prices. 

PlansWhat You Get Pricing 
Audible PlusUnlimited access to Audible Plus Catalog$7.95/month 
Audible Premium Plus Unlimited access to Audible Plus Catalog and 1 Credit per month$14.95/month $149.50/year
Audible Premium Plus – 2 CreditsUnlimited access to Audible Plus Catalog and 2 Credit per month$22.95/month$229.50/year
Audible Pricing Plans

Users can also use Audible for free (without a membership subscription). However, the free titles and podcasts are very limited. To access a better and greater collection, you must subscribe to one of the plans. 

Audible Plus members get unlimited access to the Audible Plus Catalog. This is a rotating selection of the latest releases and best-selling books. Every month, new titles are added and older ones are removed. You receive a removal warning if you haven’t finished listening to your titles. 

Premium Plus members also receive a certain number of credits each month, which can be used to purchase audiobooks regardless of their retail price. The titles stay in your account. You don’t lose access to them in any circumstance.

These credits basically serve as a form of currency within the platform. They allow users to access and own audiobooks without additional charges. However, if your credits are unused for 12 months, they expire and can’t be used to purchase audiobooks anymore.

READ MORE: How to Pause Audible Membership in 5 Easy Steps ➜

Only Audible Premium Plus members receive credits | Unsplash

Canceling Audible Subscription & Credit Policy 

Audible offers different routes to canceling your subscription. You can cancel it through:

However, whether you will lose credits or not depends on how you bought the membership. So, let’s have a look at the two cases below. 

↪ Yes, You Will Lose Credits If…

Users who sign up for membership through Audible’s site will lose their unused credits at the time of cancellation. You must use them before the end of the billing period and then cancel the subscription.

Any audiobook purchased using credit will remain in your account forever. You can always access it and download it as many times as you like. 

↪ No, You Will Not Lose Credits If… 

Users can also sign up for Audible membership through the app on the App Store and Google Play Store. If you do that, your unused credits will stay in your account after cancellation. They will not be lost so; you can use them to purchase audiobooks later on. 

Audible Premium Plus is great for regular listeners | Unsplash

READ MORE: How to Cancel LinkedIn Premium on Android, iOS & Web [2024] ➜

Is Audible Premium Plus Subscription Worth It?

Whether an Audible Premium Plus subscription is worth it depends on your listening habits and preferences. If you enjoy listening to audiobooks regularly and prefer the convenience of accessing a wide selection of titles, then Audible can be worth it. 

The subscription provides credits each month that can be used to purchase audiobooks, and members also receive benefits like exclusive discounts and access to Audible Originals. You can also refund the credits and buy another book for it.  

However, if you listen to audiobooks infrequently or prefer other sources for audio content, then Audible may not be worth the cost for you. So, it’s essential to consider your usage patterns and whether the benefits of the subscription align with your needs and interests.

READ MORE: Is Kindle Unlimited Worth It? 2024 Comparision & Analysis ➜

Conclusion

To sum it up, unused Audible credits will be lost if you sign up for the membership through the site. But if you bought the membership through the app, you will get to keep the credits after cancellation. 

We understand that you may be concerned about losing your unused credits in the first case. There are two ways to save those credits:

  • Switch to Audible Plus
  • Pause Your Membership 

During this time, you can use up your remaining credits and then cancel the membership. Good luck!

FAQs

What are the key differences between Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus memberships?

The main difference lies in the benefits: Audible Plus offers unlimited access to the Plus Catalog, a selection of titles that rotates monthly. Audible Premium Plus includes all Plus benefits and adds monthly credits for any audiobook purchase, which remain in your library indefinitely.

How do Audible credits work, and what happens to them at the end of 12 months?

Credits are awarded to Premium Plus members monthly and can be used to acquire any audiobook. If not used within 12 months, credits expire and are removed from your account, emphasizing the importance of regular use.

Can I keep my audiobooks if I decide to cancel my Audible subscription?

Absolutely, all audiobooks purchased with credits or money remain accessible in your account forever, regardless of your subscription status. This ensures your library is always yours to enjoy.

Are there any strategies to avoid losing unused Audible credits upon subscription cancellation?

Yes, one effective strategy is to pause your membership, which allows you to retain your credits for later use. Another approach is to ensure all credits are utilized before canceling, especially if your subscription was initiated through Audible’s website.

How does pausing an Audible membership benefit users, and what are its limitations?

Pausing your membership temporarily halts monthly charges while allowing you to use any accumulated credits. This can be especially useful for catching up on your listening queue without accruing new credits. However, the option to pause is subject to Audible’s current policies and may have limitations on duration and frequency.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kamil Anwar


Kamil is a certified MCITP, CCNA (W), CCNA (S) and a former British Computer Society Member with over 9 years of experience Configuring, Deploying and Managing Switches, Firewalls and Domain Controllers also an old-school still active on FreeNode.