If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you might be wondering how it connects to Audible, Amazon’s popular audiobook service. While a full Audible subscription isn’t included for free with Prime, your membership unlocks special perks. This guide explains how to use your Prime account to get a free trial, access exclusive discounts, and start listening to your favorite books today.
Understanding the Link Between Audible and Amazon Prime
To get the most value, it’s important to understand how these two Amazon services work together. Audible is a subscription service focused on audiobooks, podcasts, and original spoken-word content. Amazon Prime is a broader membership offering benefits like free shipping, video streaming, and more.
When you have an Amazon Prime account, Audible recognizes you as a premium customer. This connection is what grants you access to better deals and a seamless user experience. Your Audible library and purchases are all managed through your main Amazon account, making it incredibly easy to keep track of everything in one place. You don’t need a separate login or password.
This integration simplifies everything from signing up for a trial to buying new audiobooks. Any payment methods you have saved on Amazon can be used for Audible, and your listening progress can even sync across different Amazon devices like an Echo or Kindle.
How to Start Your Audible Free Trial with Prime
For Amazon Prime members, starting with Audible is simple and often comes with an enhanced offer, like extra credits during the trial period. This trial is the best way to explore the service without any commitment.
Follow these simple steps to begin:
- Visit the official Audible website. Since you are likely already logged into Amazon, the site will recognize your Prime status.
- Look for the offer that says “Start your free trial.” Prime members often see a special deal, such as a 30-day trial with two free audiobook credits instead of the standard one.
- Click the button and confirm your details. Your Amazon account information will be pre-filled, so you just need to approve the trial.
- Once confirmed, you can immediately use your credits to get any audiobook from their massive library, regardless of its price.
Remember, it’s a trial, so you will need to cancel before the 30 days are up if you don’t want to be charged for a monthly membership. However, any audiobooks you purchase with your credits are yours to keep forever, even if you cancel.
Exclusive Benefits for Prime Members
Being a Prime member unlocks more than just a standard free trial. You gain access to a collection of ongoing perks that make the service more valuable and affordable. These benefits are designed to enhance your listening experience.
The primary advantage is the access to exclusive content and discounts. Amazon frequently rotates a selection of audiobooks and Audible Originals that Prime members can listen to for free without using any credits.
- Free Audiobooks and Originals: Listen to a rotating collection of titles at no extra cost. This is often referred to as Prime Reading for Audible.
- Special Discounts: Prime members often receive exclusive discounts when purchasing audiobooks outright, separate from their monthly credits.
- Enhanced Trial Offers: As mentioned, the free trial for Prime members is frequently better than the standard offer available to non-members.
These perks make combining your Prime membership with an Audible subscription a smart way to expand your library and discover new authors without breaking the bank.
Making the Most of Your Audible Membership
Once you’re signed up, there are several features designed to improve your listening journey. One of the most powerful tools is Whispersync for Voice. This feature allows you to switch between reading a book on your Kindle and listening to the audiobook on Audible without losing your place. Your progress is automatically synced between the two formats.
You can also customize the listening experience to fit your preferences. Adjust the narration speed to listen faster or slower, set a sleep timer so the book doesn’t play all night, and use bookmarks to save important sections. Don’t be afraid to explore different genres; the recommendation engine is great at suggesting new titles based on your listening history.
Choosing the Right Audible Plan for You
Audible offers different membership tiers to fit various listening habits and budgets. The two main plans are Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus. As a Prime member, you can choose the one that best suits your needs after your trial ends.
Understanding the difference is key to making the right choice. Audible Plus gives you unlimited access to the “Plus Catalog,” which includes thousands of audiobooks, podcasts, and originals. Audible Premium Plus includes everything in the Plus plan, plus one or more monthly credits to purchase any book you want from the entire premium library.
| Feature | Audible Plus | Audible Premium Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Access to Plus Catalog | Yes (Unlimited Listening) | Yes (Unlimited Listening) |
| Monthly Credits | No | Yes (1 or 2 per month) |
| Own Audiobooks Forever | No (Only listen while subscribed) | Yes (Books bought with credits) |
| Exclusive Member Discounts | Yes | Yes |
How to Manage Your Audible Subscription
Managing your Audible membership is straightforward and can be done directly through your Amazon account settings. You have complete flexibility to change your plan, pause your membership, or cancel it at any time without hassle.
If you find you’re not using your monthly credits, you can pause your membership for up to three months. During this time, you won’t be billed, but you can still listen to the books you already own and use any existing credits.
To cancel, simply navigate to your “Account Details” page on the Audible website. You will find a clear option to “Cancel membership”. Audible will remind you to use any remaining credits before you finalize the cancellation, as you will lose them once the membership ends.
Frequently Asked Questions about Audible and Prime
Is Audible completely free with an Amazon Prime membership?
No, a full Audible Premium Plus membership is not included with Amazon Prime. However, Prime members get exclusive benefits, such as an extended free trial, access to a rotating selection of free audiobooks in the Plus Catalog, and special discounts.
How do I link my Audible account to my Amazon Prime account?
Your accounts are linked automatically when you sign up for Audible using your Amazon Prime login credentials. This ensures all your purchases, credits, and benefits are managed seamlessly through one central account.
What happens to my audiobooks if I cancel my Audible subscription?
Any audiobooks you purchased with a credit or cash are yours to keep forever in your library, even after you cancel your membership. You will lose access to titles in the free Plus Catalog.
Can I switch between Audible membership plans?
Yes, you can easily switch between Audible Plus and Audible Premium Plus at any time. Go to your account details on the Audible website to upgrade or downgrade your plan based on your listening needs.
Does Audible work on non-Amazon devices?
Absolutely. The Audible app is available on a wide range of devices, including iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, Windows and Mac computers, and various smart speakers. The Whispersync feature works across all compatible devices.
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