Thinking about canceling your Audible membership but worried about your credits? You’re right to be cautious. When you end your subscription, any unused credits in your account are typically forfeited and will disappear. This guide explains exactly what happens, how you can avoid losing your credits, and what your options are after your membership ends, ensuring you make an informed decision.
What Are Audible Credits and How Do They Work?
Understanding the Basics
Audible credits are the special currency used within the Audible platform. Instead of paying the list price for each audiobook, members receive credits as part of their subscription plan, which they can then redeem for any title, regardless of its cash price.
This system simplifies purchasing and often provides significant savings, especially on newer or longer audiobooks that might otherwise be expensive.
You primarily earn credits through your monthly or annual membership. A standard plan usually provides one credit per month. However, Audible sometimes offers promotional deals or rewards for referring friends, giving you extra opportunities to build your library.
The Big Question: Do You Lose Credits When You Cancel Audible?
Yes, this is the most important thing to remember. If you cancel your Audible membership, any unused credits you have will be lost. They are a benefit of the membership itself, and once the membership ends, the benefit expires along with it.
These credits don’t carry over after cancellation. This policy is why it’s crucial to plan your cancellation carefully if you have a stockpile of credits waiting to be used. Think of them as vouchers that are only valid while you are an active member.
To make it clearer, here is a simple breakdown of what happens to your assets when you cancel:
| Asset | Status with Active Membership | Status After Cancellation |
| Unused Credits | Available to redeem | Expired and permanently lost |
| Purchased Audiobooks | In your library | Remain in your library forever |
Even with an active membership, credits have a lifespan. They typically expire 12 months after being issued, so it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your account and use them before you lose them.
How to Use Your Remaining Audible Credits Before Canceling
Since your credits will disappear, the smartest strategy is to spend them all before you finalize the cancellation process. Don’t let your hard-earned credits go to waste. Being proactive ensures you get the full value out of your membership right up to the very end.
Take some time to browse the catalog and make a plan. Check your wishlist for titles you’ve been meaning to read or explore genres you’ve been curious about. This is your last chance to use the credits you’ve paid for.
Here are a few effective strategies for using your credits wisely:
- Pick longer audiobooks. To maximize value, choose titles that have a long runtime or a high retail price.
- Invest in a series. Use your remaining credits to grab the first few books of a popular series to get you hooked.
- Pre-order upcoming titles. If a book you want is coming out soon, you can often use a credit to pre-order it, and it will be added to your library on its release day.
- Explore the Audible Plus Catalog. While not related to credits, remember to listen to any Plus Catalog titles you’re interested in before your access disappears.
Can You Get Your Credits Back After Cancellation?
What if you cancel by mistake or change your mind later? Fortunately, Audible offers a straightforward way to reclaim your lost credits. If you decide to come back, your credits will be waiting for you.
Reactivating your membership will restore any unused credits you had at the time of cancellation. This is a great feature for members who may have acted impulsively or whose circumstances changed, allowing them to return to the service without penalty.
The process is simple. You can reactivate your subscription at any time directly from your account settings on the Audible website. Once you do, your old credit balance will reappear, ready for you to use on new audiobooks.
What About the Audiobooks You Already Own?
Here’s some excellent news that brings relief to many users. Any audiobook you purchase with a credit or with money is yours to keep forever. Your library is separate from your membership status.
Upon cancellation, you still have full access to every title in your Audible library. You can listen to them whenever you want through the Audible app or website, just as you did when you were a member. The audiobooks are your property.
This is a key distinction to understand. The membership grants you access to credits and other perks, but the audiobooks you acquire are direct purchases that remain with your account indefinitely.
Getting Help from Audible Support
If you have a unique situation or encounter a problem, don’t hesitate to contact Audible’s customer support team. They are available to help with questions about your credits, cancellation, or account status.
You can reach them through live chat, email, or phone. While the standard policy is that unused credits are forfeited, there can be exceptions for special circumstances, such as a technical glitch or an accidental purchase.
Audible evaluates these cases individually. It’s always worth reaching out if you feel your situation warrants a review. Additionally, the website’s FAQ section and community forums are valuable resources for finding quick answers from staff and other Audible members.
Frequently Asked Questions About Audible Credits and Cancellation
If I cancel my Audible membership, will I lose my audiobooks?
No, you will not lose any audiobooks you have already purchased. Your entire library of purchased titles is yours to keep and access forever, even without an active membership.
What is the best way to avoid losing my Audible credits?
The best strategy is to spend all of your unused credits on audiobooks before you finalize your membership cancellation. Plan ahead and redeem them for titles you want to add to your permanent library.
Can I get a refund for unused credits if I cancel?
Generally, no. Audible’s policy states that unused credits are forfeited upon cancellation and are not eligible for a cash refund. They are a membership benefit that expires when the subscription ends.
What happens if I reactivate my Audible account later?
If you choose to reactivate your membership, any credits you lost upon cancellation will be fully restored to your account. You can then use them to purchase audiobooks just as you did before.
Do Audible credits expire even if I don’t cancel my membership?
Yes. Typically, credits expire 12 months after they are issued, so it’s important to use them within a year. You can check the expiration date of your credits in your account details on the Audible website.
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