Can I Buy Audible Credits With An Amazon Gift Card?
The answer is somewhat nuanced: yes, you can use an Amazon gift card to buy Audible credits, but not directly through the Audible website. You’ll need to use the Amazon gift card to purchase a standard Audible membership and then use the credit(s) that come with it.
Understanding the Amazon and Audible Ecosystem
Amazon and Audible, while closely related, operate with slightly different purchase systems. Audible is Amazon’s platform for audiobooks and spoken-word entertainment, and it offers a subscription service centered around credits. These credits can be exchanged for any audiobook, regardless of its list price. The core question, “Can I Buy Audible Credits With An Amazon Gift Card?” is a common one, given their interwoven nature.
Amazon gift cards are versatile and can be used for almost anything sold on Amazon.com. This includes Audible memberships, but it doesn’t directly extend to buying individual Audible credits as a standalone purchase.
How to Use Your Amazon Gift Card for Audible
While you can’t directly buy Audible credits, here’s the workaround:
- Redeem your Amazon Gift Card: Ensure the gift card balance is added to your Amazon account. Go to Amazon.com and navigate to “Your Account” > “Gift Cards” > “Redeem a gift card.”
- Purchase an Audible Membership: Go to the Audible website (audible.com) and choose a membership plan. Common options include Audible Premium Plus or Audible Plus.
- Use your Amazon Balance: During the checkout process on Audible (after being redirected from Amazon), select to pay with your Amazon account balance. This balance will be drawn from your redeemed Amazon gift card.
- Receive Your Credits: Once your Audible membership is active, you’ll receive the credits associated with your chosen plan. For example, an Audible Premium Plus membership typically grants you one credit per month.
- Redeem Credits for Audiobooks: Browse the Audible library and use your credits to purchase the audiobooks of your choice.
Benefits of an Audible Membership
Why go through the hassle of purchasing an Audible membership just to get credits using an Amazon gift card? Here are some advantages:
- Cost Savings: Audible credits often provide significant savings compared to purchasing audiobooks individually.
- Access to Exclusive Content: Audible members often get access to exclusive content, such as member-only sales and discounts.
- Audible Plus Catalog: Even without using credits, members gain access to the Audible Plus catalog, which offers thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, and original series to stream for free.
- Easy Returns: Audible offers a generous return policy for audiobooks, even if you’ve listened to them.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Trying to Purchase Credits Directly: As mentioned, you cannot directly purchase individual Audible credits with an Amazon gift card. Always opt for an Audible membership.
- Forgetting to Redeem the Gift Card: Make sure to actually redeem the Amazon gift card to your Amazon account balance before attempting to purchase the Audible membership.
- Confusing Audible Plus with Audible Premium Plus: Audible Plus allows you to stream select titles from the Audible Plus Catalog, while Audible Premium Plus gives you the streaming benefit plus monthly credits.
Comparing Audible Membership Options
Here’s a table comparing the two most common Audible membership options:
| Feature | Audible Plus | Audible Premium Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Credits | None included. Access to Plus Catalog. | 1 credit per month (options for more credits) |
| Audiobook Ownership | Stream only. | Own the audiobooks you redeem with credits. |
| Use Amazon Gift Card? | Yes, to pay for the monthly subscription | Yes, to pay for the monthly subscription |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use my Amazon Prime benefits to get a discount on Audible credits?
While Amazon Prime doesn’t directly give discounts on Audible credits themselves, Prime members often receive special offers and promotions on Audible memberships, which indirectly gives you access to credits at a reduced price. Keep an eye on Amazon and Audible for these deals.
What happens to my Audible credits if I cancel my membership?
If you cancel your Audible membership, any unused credits typically expire after a certain period, often six months to a year. It’s always best to use your credits before canceling to avoid losing them. Consider pausing your membership instead of canceling.
Is there a way to gift Audible credits directly using an Amazon gift card?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a direct way to gift Audible credits using an Amazon gift card. However, you can purchase an Audible membership subscription as a gift. The recipient can then use the included credits as they see fit.
Can I use my Amazon gift card to buy audiobooks individually without an Audible membership?
Yes, you absolutely can! You can purchase audiobooks directly from Amazon without an Audible membership, using your Amazon gift card balance. The prices will be the list price of the audiobook.
How do I check my Audible credit balance?
You can check your Audible credit balance by logging into your Audible account on the Audible website or app. The balance is typically displayed prominently on your account dashboard.
Can I buy extra Audible credits if I run out before my next monthly allotment?
Yes, Audible allows you to purchase additional credits if you run out before your next monthly allowance. These credits are typically sold in packs of three. Check your Audible account for current offers.
Are there any limitations on what audiobooks I can buy with my Audible credits?
No, there are generally no restrictions on the audiobooks you can purchase with your Audible credits. You can use them to buy any audiobook available on Audible, regardless of its price.
What’s the difference between Audible.com and Amazon.com regarding audiobooks?
Audible.com is specifically dedicated to audiobooks and spoken-word content, offering a subscription-based model with credits. Amazon.com also sells audiobooks, but usually as individual purchases (without credits), and offers the physical versions of books and other products.
If I return an audiobook purchased with a credit, do I get the credit back?
Yes, if you return an audiobook purchased with a credit, the credit will be returned to your account for future use. Audible has a customer-friendly return policy.
Does the price of an Audible membership ever fluctuate?
Yes, Audible occasionally offers promotional pricing or discounts on their membership plans. It’s worth checking for deals, especially if you’re a new subscriber or an Amazon Prime member.
Can I use multiple Amazon gift cards to pay for my Audible membership?
Yes, you can use multiple Amazon gift cards to pay for your Audible membership, as long as the total balance covers the cost. Redeem all the gift cards to your Amazon account beforehand.
Is it better to buy an Audible membership or purchase audiobooks individually using my Amazon gift card?
This depends on how frequently you listen to audiobooks. If you listen to at least one audiobook per month, an Audible membership is usually the more cost-effective option. If you only listen occasionally, purchasing individual audiobooks as needed might be better.